Intermediate Algebra, Chapter 5, 5.2, Section 5.2, Problem 52

Combine the like terms of the polynomial $4x - 8 - (-1 +x) - (11x + 5)$

Reorder the polynomial $-1+x$ alphabetically from left to right, starting with the highest order term.

$4x-8-(x-1)-(11x+5)$


Multiply $-1$ by each term inside the parentheses.

$4x-8+1-x-(11x+5)$


Multiply $-1$ by each term inside the parentheses.

$4x-8+1-x-11x-5$


Since $4x$ and $-x$ are like terms, add $-x$ to $4x$ to get $3x$.

$3x-8+1-11x-5$


Since $3x$ and $-11x$ are like terms, add $-11x$ to $3x$ to get $-8x$.

$-8x-8+1-5$


Add 1 to $-8$ to get $-7$.

$-8x-7-5$


Subtract 5 from $-7$ to get $-12$.

Therefore, the answer is $-8x-12 $