# How do you simplify 2x - 5( x + 3) - 4- ( x - 2)?

Dec 12, 2016

$- 4 x - 17$

#### Explanation:

Distribute the brackets then collect like terms.

$\textcolor{b l u e}{2 x - 5 x} \textcolor{red}{- 15 - 4} \textcolor{b l u e}{- x} \textcolor{red}{+ 2}$

$= \textcolor{b l u e}{2 x - 5 x - x} \textcolor{red}{- 15 - 4 + 2}$

$= - 4 x - 17$

Dec 12, 2016

$- 4 x - 17$

#### Explanation:

PEMDAS

Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract

Though there are parenthesis, there aren't any like terms within the sets of parenthesis, so you move onto the next step which is multiplication

Ok, so distribute the -5 to each term in the first set of parenthesis

$- 5 \times x = - 5 x$

$- 5 \times 3 = - 15$

Now the problem look like:

2x-5x-15−4−(x−2)

Distribute the -, which is a -1, throughout each term in the second set of parenthesis

$- 1 \times x = - x$

$- 1 \times - 2 = 2$

Now the problem looks like:

2x-5x-15−4-x+2

To combine like terms, rearrange the problem so that all the terms with an $x$ are next to each other and all of the constants are next to each other.

When you do this, don't forget to bring the sign along with the term

$2 x - 5 x - x - 15 - 4 + 2$

Now, it is easier to see what needs combined

Next in the order of operations is add. S perform any addition within the problem

$2 x - 5 x - x - 15 - 2$

All that is left is subtraction, so combine all the like terms

$2 x - 5 x - x = - 4 x$

$- 15 - 2 = - 17$

$- 4 x - 17$ is the answer :)