Question

How does -2x + x equal -x ?

Answer 1

Explanation:

-2x + x could also be written as x - 2x, which is x(1 - 2), or -x. Here we can rearrange the terms as we wish (commutative property).

Answer 2

See below.

Explanation:

`-2x+x=-x`

because we combine like terms. You will essentially ignore the x and just do -2 + 1, which is -1. So, the answer would be -1x which is simply just -x.

To see why we can combine like terms, use the distributive property. So we have:

`-2x+x`

This is the same thing as saying:

`=(-2)x+(1)x`

Factor out the x:

`=x(-2+1)`

Add:

`=x(-1)`

And simplify:

`=-1x\\=-x`