Rewrite in simplest terms: 5, left parenthesis, minus, c, minus, c, minus, 1, right parenthesis, minus, 4, c5(−c−c−1)−4c

1 answer

To simplify the expression \( 5(-c - c - 1) - 4c \), first combine the terms inside the parentheses:

  1. Combine the like terms: \[ -c - c = -2c \] So, \[ -c - c - 1 = -2c - 1 \]

  2. Now substitute this back into the expression: \[ 5(-2c - 1) - 4c \]

  3. Distribute the 5: \[ 5 \cdot (-2c) + 5 \cdot (-1) - 4c = -10c - 5 - 4c \]

  4. Now combine the like terms \( -10c - 4c \): \[ -10c - 4c = -14c \]

  5. So the final simplified expression is: \[ -14c - 5 \]

Therefore, the simplest form of the expression is: \[ -14c - 5 \]