Add Subtract Expressions 898Ad5

1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(-x - 4) - (3x - 1)$$ by subtracting the second parentheses from the first. 2. **Recall the rule:** Subtracting an expression means adding its opposite. So, $$a - b = a + (-b)$$. 3. **Apply the rule:** Rewrite the expression as $$(-x - 4) + (-(3x - 1))$$. 4. **Distribute the negative sign:** $$-(3x - 1) = -3x + 1$$. 5. **Rewrite the expression:** $$-x - 4 - 3x + 1$$. 6. **Combine like terms:** - Combine the $x$ terms: $$-x - 3x = -4x$$. - Combine the constants: $$-4 + 1 = -3$$. 7. **Final simplified expression:** $$-4x - 3$$. 8. **Compare with given options:** Neither $2x + 3$ nor $-4x - 5$ matches exactly. 9. **Check for possible typo:** The closest is $-4x - 5$, but our result is $-4x - 3$. **Answer:** The simplified expression is $$-4x - 3$$, which does not exactly match the given options.