Solve the Expression: Simplifying x-(y-x) Step by Step

When you distribute a negative sign to a negative term, you get a positive! Think of it as: $-(−x) = +x$. Two negatives make a positive.

The same rule applies! Distribute the negative sign to every single term inside the parentheses. For example: $x-(y+z-x) = x-y-z+x$

Look for like terms - terms with the same variable and same exponent. In $x-y+x$, the two x terms can be combined: $x+x = 2x$

You could simplify $y-x$ first, but it doesn't help here since these are different variables. It's better to distribute immediately when you see a negative sign before parentheses.

$-(y-x) = -y+x$ while $(-y-x) = -y-x$. The first distributes a negative to each term, the second just groups two negative terms together.