SOLUTION: I am having a hard time understanding the concept of putting like terms together to solve the following problem, the brackets and parentheses are really throwing me off. I understa

Algebra ->  Expressions -> SOLUTION: I am having a hard time understanding the concept of putting like terms together to solve the following problem, the brackets and parentheses are really throwing me off. I understa      Log On


   

Question 256560: I am having a hard time understanding the concept of putting like terms together to solve the following problem, the brackets and parentheses are really throwing me off. I understand the PEMDAS concept but I can't quite comprehend the procedure for working problems such as this. I am not asking for an answer, but a step by step explanation so that I can learn to do this on my own. Thank you in a advance for any insight you can give me.
Simplify:
5a – {6b – 4[2a – (3 – b)]}



Answer by checkley77(12844) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ALWAYS WORK FROM THE INSIDE BRACKETS OUT.
WORK ON THE -(3-b)
5a – {6b – 4[2a – (3 – b)]}
5a-(6b-4[2a-3+b])
NOW WORK ON THE -4(2a-3+b)
5a-(6b-8a-12-b)
NOW WORK ON THE -(6b-8a-12-b)
5a-6b+8a+12+b
NOW COMBINE THE a & b TERMS.
13a-5b+12 ans.