Example

Subtracting 16p(7p)16p - (-7p)

Subtract the two like monomials:

16p(7p)16p - (-7p)

Both terms contain the variable pp raised to the first power, so they are like terms. Subtracting a negative monomial is equivalent to adding the corresponding positive monomial. Combine the coefficients: 16(7)=16+7=2316 - (-7) = 16 + 7 = 23, keeping the variable part pp unchanged:

16p(7p)=23p16p - (-7p) = 23p

This example shows that the rule for subtracting a negative — converting the subtraction into addition — applies when working with monomials, just as it does with integers.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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