Removing Brackets

It is vital to always try and simplify the terms inside brackets () first. If they will not simplify, remove the brackets.

To remove the brackets, you must apply the sign rules.

i.e. A positive +  sign before a bracket does not change the signs of the terms inside the brackets.

For example;

\( \scriptsize 3a \: + \: \left(5a \; – \: 2a\right) \)

The sign before the opening bracket is positive ( + ), so if we remove the bracket the sign will not change.

We therefore have;