SOLUTION: I am an returning to college after a LONG hiatus from school.i encounted a problem in math that i have NO CLUE on how to solve. could u please break this down into something i can

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Question 671156: I am an returning to college after a LONG hiatus from school.i encounted a problem in math that i have NO CLUE on how to solve. could u please break this down into something i can understand?
(-2)+{5(-4)}-1
this was on placement testing and i was s=stumped...how do i solve problems with parentheses and brackets?
as I said,its been a while(i am older then most students)
thank you so much
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, ewatrrr:
Answer by MathLover1(20849) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The for removing parentheses:
parentheses will be preceded either by a plus sign +

or a minus sign -

- when parentheses are preceded by a plus sign + simply them,
nothing changes

- when parentheses are preceded by a minus sign - the
of the

change + to - and - to + -

use same rule with brackets

so, in your case first remove
parentheses...they are preceded by a plus sign +, you simply them

=.......now multiply ....recall +*-=-
=........now remove parentheses...they are preceded
by a plus sign +, you simply them

=.....now add all negative numbers just like they are positive and

place sign minus in front of their sum

=

Answer by ewatrrr(24785) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Hi,
(-2)+{5(-4)}-1 same as