Question: Write the following expression as a single complex number.
$$(2 - i) - (5 - 3i)$$
○ $-3 - 4i$
○ $-3 + 2i$
○ $3 - 4i$
○ $3 + 2i$
1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(2 - i) - (5 - 3i)$$ to write it as a single complex number.
2. **Recall the rule:** When subtracting complex numbers, subtract the real parts and the imaginary parts separately.
3. **Apply the subtraction:**
$$ (2 - i) - (5 - 3i) = (2 - 5) + (-i - (-3i)) $$
4. **Simplify the real part:**
$$ 2 - 5 = -3 $$
5. **Simplify the imaginary part:**
$$ -i - (-3i) = -i + 3i = 2i $$
6. **Combine the parts:**
$$ -3 + 2i $$
7. **Final answer:** The expression simplifies to $\boxed{-3 + 2i}$.
This matches the second option in the list.