SOLUTION: For which integers a, b, c does a - b -c = a -(b - c)?

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Question 166555This question is from textbook
: For which integers a, b, c does a - b -c = a -(b - c)? This question is from textbook

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a=1, b=2, and c=3 (these values are arbitrary)


a+-+b+-c+=+a+-%28b+-+c%29 Start with the given equation


1-2-3=1-%282-3%29 Plug in a=1, b=2, and c=3


1-5=1-%282-3%29 Subtract 3 from -2 to get -5


1-5=1-%28-1%29 Subtract 3 from 2 to get -1


1-5=1%2B1 Rewrite 1-%28-1%29 as 1%2B1


-4=2 Combine like terms.



Since the equation is NOT true, this means that a+-+b+-c+=+a+-%28b+-+c%29 is NOT true for all values of a, b, and c