Question 671156

The {{{rules}}} for removing parentheses:

parentheses will be preceded either by a plus sign +

{{{a + (b -c + d)}}}

or a minus sign -

{{{a - (b -c + d)}}}

- when parentheses are preceded by a plus sign + simply {{{remove}}} them, 

nothing changes


{{{a + (b -c + d) = a + b -c + d}}}


- when parentheses are preceded by a minus sign - {{{change}}} the {{{sign}}} 

of {{{every}}}{{{ term}}}{{{ within}}} the {{{parentheses}}}


change + to - and - to + -


{{{a -(b -c + d) = a - b + c- d}}}


use same rule with brackets


so, in your case {{{(-2)+(5(-4))-1}}} first remove {{{(-2)}}} 

parentheses...they are preceded by a plus sign +, you simply {{{remove}}} them


={{{-2+(5(-4))-1}}}.......now multiply {{{5(-4)}}}....recall +*-=-

={{{-2+(-20)-1}}}........now remove {{{(-20)}}} parentheses...they are preceded 

by a plus sign +, you simply {{{remove}}} them


={{{-2-20-1}}}.....now add all negative numbers just like they are positive and 


place sign minus in front of their sum


={{{-23}}}