To decide whether the given mathematical statement is an expression or an equation, let's break it down step by step.
### Analyzing the Statement:
1. The given statement is:
[tex]\[
-12x + 13 - 4x
\][/tex]
2. Let's simplify this statement:
[tex]\[
-12x - 4x + 13
\][/tex]
Combine the like terms:
[tex]\[
-16x + 13
\][/tex]
### Definition Check:
Now, we need to determine whether this simplified form is an expression or an equation.
- Expression: An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operations (like addition or multiplication) that does not include an equality sign ( = ). It represents a value but does not state that it is equal to some other value.
- Equation: An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. It always contains an equality sign ( = ).
### Conclusion:
The simplified form [tex]\(-16x + 13\)[/tex] does not contain an equality sign. It simply represents a value and does not declare that it is equal to another value.
Therefore, based on the absence of an equality sign, we can conclude that the given statement:
[tex]\[
-12x + 13 - 4x
\][/tex]
is an expression. Hence, the correct answer is:
It is an expression.
