The rules for simplifying an expression are often mixed up with the rules for solving equations. Remember, when working with an expression there is no “other side” to work with at the same time.
Your only options are to pay attention to the order of operations while doing nothing (do, then undo, some operation), using substitution (substitute an equivalent expression), or using the associative, commutative, or distributive properties (if they apply) to get around what the order of operations would otherwise require us to do.
The answer shown below is wrong. Try working your way through the problem backwards, from the answer up. As you find each mistake, try to identify the thinking behind it… what perspective led to the mistake? What should have been done instead?
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Hint 1: The correct answer to the problem on the first line is
Hint 2: Both steps above contain at least one mistake
