Understanding Negative Signs and Parentheses in Algebra

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Confused about how to handle negative signs in algebra? This article breaks down a simple expression, showing you how to solve it step by step while also offering tips for mastering algebra concepts.

When faced with a mathematical expression that involves parentheses and negative signs, it can feel a little daunting at first. But fear not! Let’s unravel the mystery together, starting with the expression: - (1 - 2). So, what does that even mean? Let’s break it down step by step.

First off, understanding the order of operations in math is crucial. We often use the acronym PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). Since our expression has parentheses, we’ll tackle that before moving further.

Inside the parentheses, we have (1 - 2). This is a straightforward subtraction problem (though I guess it might not feel so straightforward when you’re knee-deep in algebra homework!). When you take away 2 from 1, you end up with -1. Pretty simple, right? But wait! We’re not done yet.

Now that we know that (1 - 2) equals -1, we can substitute that value back into our original expression. So, - (1 - 2) becomes -(-1). This is where things get really interesting! The negative sign outside the parentheses indicates that we need to find the opposite of what’s inside.

Here’s the deal: the opposite of -1 is 1. So, we can conclude that -(-1) equals +1.

To recap, when we simplified - (1 - 2), we solved it step-by-step like so:

Calculate inside the parentheses: (1 - 2 = -1)
Substitute back into the expression: -(-1)
Find the opposite: -(-1) = 1

And there you have it! The final result of the expression - (1 - 2) is indeed 1.

Isn’t math just full of surprises? What seems tricky at first turns out to be simple with the right understanding of negative signs and operations. Got some more algebra questions? Or maybe there’s a specific concept that has you scratching your head? Embrace those questions! They’re all part of the learning journey.

It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by algebra at times. Remember, with practice and patience, you’ll find that concepts start to click. Keep exploring and practicing, and soon you’ll feel confident tackling even the trickiest of algebra problems. So, ready to give it another shot?