1. Noah says that \( 9 x-2 x+4 x \) is equivalent to \( 3 x \), because the subtraction sign tells us to subtract everything that comes after \( 9 x \). - Elena says that \( 9 x-2 x+4 x \) is equivalent to \( 11 x \), because the subtraction only applies to \( 2 x \).

Noah's interpretation misses the key concept of combining like terms correctly. When we look at \( 9x - 2x + 4x \), we combine all the coefficients of \( x \), meaning we start with \( 9 - 2 + 4 \). This gives us \( 7 + 4 = 11x \), which is what Elena correctly identifies. The subtraction applies only to the \( 2x \), leading to the conclusion that the remaining terms should all be added together. In real-world scenarios, understanding how to combine like terms can simplify complex equations, whether you're balancing a budget or calculating ingredients in a recipe. Just like in this math problem, clarity in how operations are applied can lead to accurate results. So remember, it's all about carefully organizing and combining terms, much like organizing your thoughts before tackling a project!