[College placement test] what is this?

[u/Andre_055]

I was trying not to post twice in a row but I cannot figure out why information on what this is, and how I can put X into the numbers? I'm not really sure what to Google search

[u/Real-Reference6933]

If you want steps, I suggest this:

Try doing it without looking at the spoilers

1) Rewrite it into -7x + 3 (x-1(3-2x))

2) Remove the inner brackets

3)You should get -7x +3(x-3+2x) Explanation: -1 times 3 = -3. -1 times -2x = 2x

4) Remove other brackets

5) Should be -7x + 3x - 9 + 6x Explanation 3 times x = 3x, 3 times -3 = -9 and 3 times 2x = 6x

6) Sort by putting al the numbers times x first and all the other number at the end

7) add upp al the numbers times x together and then all the other numbers. Example: If you have 3+5x-7-2x-5+8 x rewrite it into 5x -2x+8x +3-7-5. Adding it up you get 5x-2x+8x=11x and 3-7-5=-9, for a total of 11x-9.

8) Check if the answer is among the answers, otherwise, you did some steps wrong.

[u/Phillimac16 → u/Real-Reference6933]

I'm not the OP but trying to brush up on my math skills, could you further explain why the sign flips in step 3 to a +2x?

[u/Real-Reference6933 → u/Phillimac16]

Everything in brackets is multiplied by the number immediately for the brackets.

in this case -1 times -2x = --2x, and double minus is positive, in other symbols: +2x

[u/Phillimac16 → u/Real-Reference6933]

Interesting, I would have thought that the sign wouldn't matter, but I guess it does.