- Jul 25, 2004
- 3,816
- 1
- 81
It's rather embarassing that I even have to ask this, but hopefully someone can help me out here. When expanding an expression, let's say;
(x - 1)^2 - 2(x - 1)
Should it be (not completely expanded, obviously)
(x - 1)(x - 1) - 2x - 2
or
(x - 1)(x - 1) - 2x + 2
Of course multiplying two negatives gives a positive, I'm just not sure if the minus sign in front of the 2 should affect each figure in the brackets or if you just write the minus symbol in front of the 2x, and continue as normal, if you get what I mean.
(x - 1)^2 - 2(x - 1)
Should it be (not completely expanded, obviously)
(x - 1)(x - 1) - 2x - 2
or
(x - 1)(x - 1) - 2x + 2
Of course multiplying two negatives gives a positive, I'm just not sure if the minus sign in front of the 2 should affect each figure in the brackets or if you just write the minus symbol in front of the 2x, and continue as normal, if you get what I mean.
