document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=831056>Question 831056</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In problems like (-31xm) + -2 =618 why do you bring the -2 over first?  I can't figure out why sometimes it is the parenthesis and sometimes just the number.  I thought it was order or operations but this doesn't seem to apply, it is not the parenthesis or the times part.  It is the adding/subtracting you do first.  How do you know???? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #501103 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josgarithmetic><B>josgarithmetic(39620)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josgarithmetic><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=501103\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Your given equation has three terms:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-31xm;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-2;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "618.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The grouping symbols around -31xm emphasise the grouped factors as a separate number from other numbers and symbols in the equation.  \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The variable term is  -31xm.  A person may want to solve for one or other of the variables contained in this term.  Objective is to isolate the variable term, and finally one of the variables.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The left member contains -2.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "We maintain equality between left and right members if we ADD THE ADDITIVE INVERSE OF -2 TO BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT MEMBERS.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-31xm+(-2)+2=618+2  ----- removing parentheses from -31xm causes no trouble; putting parentheses around -2 both emphasises that number and on this site will help with rendering.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-31xm+0=618+2 ----- Property and meaning of ADDITIVE INVERSE. </SPAN>\n" );
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