Question

using the following key below to simplify the following expression. (blue square is 1, red square is -1, blue rectangle is x, and red rectangle is -x)

Explanation:

Step1: Count blue rectangles

There is 1 blue rectangle, representing $x$.

Step2: Count red rectangles

There are 0 red rectangles.

Step3: Count blue squares

There are 6 blue squares, representing 6.

Step4: Count red squares

There are 8 red squares, representing - 8.

Step5: Combine like - terms

$x+(6 - 8)=x - 2$

Answer:

$x - 2$