I need help with operation signs involving polynomial simplification. Here is always where I fail in algebra. I especially get confused when simplifying terms that are several operation signs apart from each other. Some help, please? Here's an example.

{n - 1 - [n - 1 - (n - 1)]}

Question

I need help with operation signs involving polynomial simplification. Here is always where I fail in algebra. I especially get confused when simplifying terms that are several operation signs apart from each other. Some help, please? Here's an example.

{n - 1 - [n - 1 - (n - 1)]}

whpalmer4 · Answer

Be systematic and careful :-)

$${n - 1 - [n - 1 - (n - 1)]} = {n - 1 - [n - 1 - n + 1]}$$ because - -1 = +1
$$ {n - 1 - [n - 1 - n + 1]} = {n - 1 - n -(-1) - (-n) - 1} = $$$$n - 1 - n + 1 + n - 1 = n -1$$