Solve the Equation: -38 - ((-14) - (-7)) - 3(7 + 4b) = ?

Question

38((-14)(7))3(7+4b)=? -38-((\text{-}14)-(-7))-3(7+4b)=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:04 Negative times negative is always positive
00:10 Negative times positive is always negative
00:22 Negative times negative is always positive
00:26 Negative times positive is always negative
00:33 Always solve multiplication and division before addition and subtraction
00:43 Solve one operation at a time
01:01 Use the distribution law and split 31 into 30 and 1
01:05 Use the distribution law and split 21 into 20 and 1
01:10 Group the tens
01:13 Group the ones
01:17 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will simplify the given expression step by step:

First, consider the expression inside the innermost parentheses: (-14)(7)(\text{-}14)-(-7).

Using the rule that subtracting a negative number is equivalent to adding its positive counterpart, we have:

(-14)(7)=-14+7(\text{-}14)-(-7) = \text{-}14 + 7.

Simplifying this gives us 7 -7 .

Now substitute back into the original expression:

38(7)3(7+4b)-38 - (-7) - 3(7 + 4b).

We can handle the next operation as follows:

38(7)-38 - (-7) is equivalent to 38+7 -38 + 7.

Simplifying this gives us: 31 -31 .

Next, consider the term 3(7+4b)-3(7 + 4b). Using the distributive property, distribute 3-3:

3×7=21-3 \times 7 = -21.

3×4b=12b-3 \times 4b = -12b.

Thus, 3(7+4b)=2112b-3(7 + 4b) = -21 - 12b.

Substitute back into the expression:

312112b-31 - 21 - 12b.

Combine the constants:

3121=52-31 - 21 = -52.

The simplified expression is:

5212b-52 - 12b.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 5212b -52 - 12b .

Answer

5212b -52-12b