Simplify by combining like terms question?

Question

I've been having trouble with this: Simplify by combining like terms

8p + 4 - 8p - 15

I reorganized it and made it: 8p - (-8) + 4 - 15

So I got: -11

But shouldn't it be: p - 11

Then again p means 1p

I'm confused

Answer 1

-11 is correct.  8p-8p=0, +4-15=-11.

Answer 2

8p-8p=0

4-15=-11

Answer 3

p is just a variable.  Try substituting the variable for a number and solve the problem.  So, say p is 2.

8(2) + 4 - 8(2) - 15

Now what is the answer?  -11?

8p - 8p = 0p = 0

Answer 4

All you need to remember is that when you are adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, it doesn't matter what order you do things.

3 apples plus 4 apples minus 2 apples is 5 apples.

4 apples minus 2 apples plus 3 apples is still 5 apples.

so 8p + 4 - 8p - 15 = 8p - 8p + 4 - 15

evidently, -11 is the answer.