Step by step
The question
Question: simplify (5x + 2) − (3x + 1).
Simplify means: write it shorter, with the same value.
1 Open the brackets
A bracket with a plus or nothing in front can just be removed.
A minus in front of a bracket changes the sign of every part inside.
Now we have 5x + 2 − 3x − 1.
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 − 3x is 2x.
It is like 5 apples take away 3 apples: that is 2 apples.
2 − 1 is 1.
So the expression is 2x + 1.
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 5.
Same value, so 2x + 1 is right!
Let's look back.
First: open the brackets.
Then: group like terms.
Last: check.