what is -(x+3y)

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what is -(x+3y)

Guest Dec 12, 2014

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Best Answer

Use the distributive property: -(x + 3y) = -1(x + 3y) = (-1)(x) + (-1)(3y) = -1x + -3y = -x - 3y

A simpler way is to realize that the minus sign in front of the parentheses changes the sign of all the terms inside the parentheses.

geno3141 Dec 12, 2014

geno3141 · Answer 1 · 2014-12-12T03:21:20

Use the distributive property: -(x + 3y) = -1(x + 3y) = (-1)(x) + (-1)(3y) = -1x + -3y = -x - 3y

A simpler way is to realize that the minus sign in front of the parentheses changes the sign of all the terms inside the parentheses.