Simplify 5x - (3 - 2x) + 4(x - 1)

Step by step

The question

Question: simplify 5x − (3 − 2x) + 4(x − 1).

Simplify means: write it shorter, with the same value.

1 Open the brackets

The 4 in front of the bracket multiplies every part inside.

A minus in front of a bracket changes the sign of every part inside.

So we write 4 times each part.

Watch the signs.

4 times x is 4x.

4 times (−1) is −4.

2 Group like terms

Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.

Like terms are the same kind: same letters, same powers.

All the x terms go together.

Plain numbers go together.

Each colour is one kind.

We move like terms next to each other.

Each term takes its sign with it.

5x + 2x + 4x is 11x.

−3 − 4 is −7.

So the expression is 11x − 7.

3 Check

Let's check.

We pick a number for each letter: x = 2.

We put it into the start.

Now into our answer.

Both give 15.

Same value, so 11x − 7 is right!

Let's look back.

First: open the brackets.

Then: group like terms.

Last: check.