How does KCO work? (Keep, Change, Opposite)

In math

2 answers

The acronym KCO, which stands for Keep, Change, Opposite, is used as a strategy in solving and simplifying algebraic expressions and equations. It is commonly taught in algebra classes to help students solve problems involving parentheses, exponents, and simplifying expressions.

Here's a breakdown of how KCO works:

1. Keep: This step involves keeping the sign or value of the number as it is without making any changes. For example, if you have an expression like -5, you would simply write it down as -5 in the next step.

2. Change: In this step, you change the sign or value to its opposite. For example, if you have a positive 3, you would change it to negative 3 in the next step.

3. Opposite: Here, you find the opposite of the sign. If the sign is positive, you change it to negative, and if it's negative, you change it to positive.

The KCO strategy is commonly used when simplifying expressions involving addition or subtraction. When you come across a minus sign before a term inside parentheses or brackets, you can apply the KCO strategy to simplify the expression. By keeping the sign unchanged for the terms inside the parentheses, changing the sign for the term preceded by the minus sign, and then simplifying accordingly, you can achieve the desired result.

It is important to note that the KCO strategy may not be applicable to every situation, especially when dealing with more complex expressions and equations. However, it is a helpful technique when solving basic algebraic problems involving parentheses and simplification.
but change and opposite are the same thing do you change it back to its original number?