Question

Apply the properties discussed in this section to simplify each of the following as much as possible. Show all work. I don't know how to do these problems.

4x-2-3x

4x-(2-3x)

Answer 1

PROPERTY= associative

Answer 2

I don't now what properties were discussed in the section you are studying; however, thel first one should be to combine like terms.
4x-3x = x and we are left with the -2; therefore,
x-2.
For the second one,
remove the parentheses but since there is a negative sign in front, change the sign of each one inside the set of parentheses as you remove them. Like so,
4x-2+3x, then combine terms to
7x-2

Answer 3

Thank you but I still don't understand

Answer 4

You must combine similar terms to simplify.

For example, if you have 3x + 2x, using the distributive property that equals (3+2)x, which is 5x. So, when adding 3x+2x, you can add the coefficients and get 5x.

4x - 2 - 3x
Add the coefficients of x. 4x - 3x = (4-3)x = x
= x-2

Now for the second question, 4x-(2-3x)
You should distribute the negative:
= 4x - 2 - (-3x)
= 4x - 2 + 3x

Now, as above, add the coefficients of the x terms.

Note: because of the distributive property, you can add the coefficients of x^2 terms, 2^x, etc:
For example, 3x^2 - 5x^2 = (3-5)x^2 = -2x^2