Question

Simplify each expression and match it with the equivalent value.

a) 2 + 2 - 4
b) 5 - 3 + 1 - 3 + 5 - 1 - 1 - 5 + 3 - 5 - (-2)

Answer 1

Both expressions simplify to 0. Expression a is 2 + 2 - 4, which simplifies to 0. Expression b is 5 - 3 + 1 - 3 + 5 - 1 - 1 - 5 + 3 - 5 - (-2), and after combining like terms and considering the signs, it too simplifies to 0.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves simplifying expressions by performing addition and subtraction operations and matching them with the equivalent values.

Let's simplify these expressions step-by-step:

1. For expression a, 2 + 2 - 4, we simply add and then subtract the numbers: 2 + 2 = 4, and then 4 - 4 = 0. So, the simplified expression is 0.

2. For expression b, 5 - 3 + 1 - 3 + 5 - 1 - 1 - 5 + 3 - 5 - (-2), we follow the rules of adding and subtracting numbers, considering the sign of each term. Here is the calculation: 5 - 3 + 1 - 3 + 5 - 1 - 1 - 5 + 3 - 5 + 2 = 0. The simplified expression is 0 here as well.

To eliminate terms and simplify algebra, we add up the positive numbers and the negative numbers separately, then combine them in the end, remembering to change the sign when subtracting. For example, subtract 3 from 5: 5 - 3 = 2.

It's important to check the answer to see if it is reasonable, to ensure there are no calculation errors.