SOLUTION: I was trying to simplify this subtraction problem:(-4x-3)-(2-1).I figured that i could change it to an addition problem like this:(4x+3)+(2x-1),which comes out to -6x-2 for the ans

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I was trying to simplify this subtraction problem:(-4x-3)-(2-1).I figured that i could change it to an addition problem like this:(4x+3)+(2x-1),which comes out to -6x-2 for the ans      Log On


   

Question 69082: I was trying to simplify this subtraction problem:(-4x-3)-(2-1).I figured that i could change it to an addition problem like this:(4x+3)+(2x-1),which comes out to -6x-2 for the answer.Where do you think she went wrong?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Before I start I hope you mean %28-4x-3%29-%282%2Ahighlight%28x%29-1%29(notice I added an x there because I'm assuming you meant to also)
What you've basically done is you've multiplied everything by -1, you've changed all of the terms signs. This changes the entire equation, and it basically means you're dealing with a totally new problem. In this case you've changed the signs of all of the terms, but you forget to change back. The answer -6x-2 works for (-4x-3)-(2x-1) but not (4x+3)+(2x-1), since this comes to 6x+2, which is the opposite. So if you like to add rather than subtract, you just need to negate (make the signs opposite) each term to get the correct answer.