Exercise 48 Page 180

To simplify the expression, we will use the Distributive Property to multiply the terms on the inside of the parentheses by the term on the outside. For this specific exercise, the negative sign can be thought of as - 1.

-(x+3)

Rewrite

Rewrite negative sign as -1

- 1 (x+3)

Distr

Distribute - 1

- 1 (x) - 1 (3)

OneMult

1* a=a

- x - 3

As - x and 3 are not like terms, we cannot simplify the expression any further.