How do you simplify #(- 6x + 1) - ( - 3x + 1)#?

1 Answer

#-3x#

Explanation:

#(-6x+1) - (-3x+1)#

When multiplying a negative by a negative, your negative automatically becomes a positive.

Also, it helps if you imagine that in between two problems (basically in between the parentheses) and behind the sign there is always a #1# (of course, if there IS a number there, the number shown would be used instead of #1#).

You should always remember to ONLY add numbers together if they have something in common.

Anyways, due to this, your expression should now look like this;

#-6x+1+3x-1 #

The ones would be canceled out and you would be left with

#-6x+3x#

which would then equal

#-3x#

(Just think of it as #6-3#, but remember that in the actual expression, #6# is smaller because it is a negative).