Question

The parentheses and combining like terms. (-x+1)-(3x+8)

Answer 1

To simplify the expression (-x+1)-(3x+8), distribute the negative sign to the terms inside the parentheses, then combine the like terms. The simplified expression is -4x - 7.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expression given is (-x+1)-(3x+8). To simplify this expression, we remove the parentheses and combine like terms. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. First, distribute the negative sign to the terms inside the second set of parentheses: -x + 1 - 3x - 8.
2. Combine the like terms, which are -x and -3x to get -4x, and 1 and -8 to get -7.
3. The simplified expression now reads -4x - 7.

Remember, when you have a negative sign in front of parentheses, you must distribute it to each term inside the parentheses before combining like terms.