How do you simplify #-[ 4- ( 5- x ) ]#?

1 Answer
Sep 16, 2017

#-x+1#

Explanation:

By splitting this into multiple steps it becomes much simpler.
First, take the brackets that are inside the other brackets and calculate what the answer would be.

#-(5 - x)# multiplying a negative number by a positive number will always result in a negative outcome. So if we take #- (5 - x)# firstly, start by multiplying #-# with 5 this will result in #-5# then take the #-x#. Multiplying a negative by a negative will give a positive result so - times #-x# will equal #x#.

#rarr-[4color(red)(-(5-x))]=-[4color(red)(-5+x)]#

Now put the results of that first bracket that we just did and plug them back into the problem. Now we're looking at something that is more easy to understand.
#[4 -5 + x]# now let's solve this.
#4 - 5 = -1 #
So now we have #- [-1 + x]# lets times these brackets. By multiplying the brackets with #-# we flip the negative or positive side around.
#- * -1=1# and #x * - = -x#

And there you have it your answer #-x + 1#