simplifying

[soccerplayer123]

Hi! I'm stuck on this one math problem that I have to do for homework and i would appreciate any help!

Simplify the given expression:
6 - [5 - (3 - x)]

 

[mmm4444bot]

We follow the Order of Operations.

The inner set of grouping symbols is the parentheses. Since 3 - x cannot be simplified, we move next to the outer set of grouping symbols.

The expression inside the set of square brackets is 5 - (3 - x), and this means 5 + (-1)(3 - x).

Apply the Distributive Property to this part:

(-1)(3 - x)

Show me what you get inside the square brackets, after this first simplification step. We'll go from there.

Cheers ~ Mark

 

[soccerplayer123]

thanks, umm -3 + x i think?

 

[mmm4444bot]

-3 + x i think? Yup. That's distributing the factor of -1 across the difference of 3 - x.

So, inside the square brackets, we now replace -(3 - x) with -3 + x.

[5 - 3 + x]

I know that you know that 5 - 3 = 2.

6 - [2 + x]

Do you see? That minus sign is again an abbreviation for addng the opposite.

6 + (-1)(2 + x)

Distribute the factor of -1, like before.

Then, do the arithmetic, and you'll have the final result.

 

[Denis]

thanks, umm -3 + x i think?

If all you do is guess, you won't get anywhere fast! :shock:

 

[soccerplayer123]

so 6+ (- 8 + x) ??

 

[mmm4444bot]

Soccerplayer, I edited my post. Please read it again, and excuse my error.

(Why is it that every time I post something totally off-base, my Internet connection goes down as I race to fix my stupidity?)

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Re:

Soccerplayer, I edited my post. Please read it again, and excuse my error.

(Why is it that every time I post something totally off-base, my Internet connection goes down as I race to fix my stupidity?)

I think you did NOT fix the problem

 

[Denis]

Re:

(Why is it that every time I post something totally off-base, my Internet connection goes down as I race to fix my stupidity?)

Murphy's Law...

 

[soccerplayer123]

i still got 6 + (-8 + x)

 

[mmm4444bot]

If the concept of subtracting the factored product (-1)(2 + x) is awkward for you, here is another way to think of 6 - [2 + x]:

Everything inside the brackets gets subtracted from 6.

6 - 2 - x

Now simplify.



:roll:

 

[mmm4444bot]

I have to spend the rest of the night in the corner, now.

Before I go:

6 - [5 - (3 - x)]

6 - [5 - 3 + x]

6 - [2 + x]

6 - 2 - x

You finish.

Sorry for all of the confusion !

 

[soccerplayer123]

ok so that would be 4 - x but i dont get how you got from 6 - [2 + x] to 6 - 2 - x

 

[Denis]

Re:

If the concept of subtracting the factored product (-1)(2 + x) is awkward for you, here is another way to think of 6 - [2 + x]:

Everything inside the brackets gets subtracted from 6.

6 - 2 - x

Now simplify.



:roll:

Wrong again!!

 

[matt71]

It's really not that difficult. First you work out the innermost brackets. The negative before a sequence inside of brackets or parenthesis will invert positives to negatives, and negatives to positives within that set. So first we solve -(3-x), which is the same as -3+x. Then we solve -(5-3+x) which is the same as -5+3-x. Then we solve 6-5+3-x, which gives us 4-x.

Cheers.

 

[mmm4444bot]

It's really not that difficult.

It is while I'm enjoying my wine, apparently.