Answer
$-2x-7$
Work Step by Step
Removing the grouping symbols, then the given expression, $
(3x+1)-(5x+8)
$, is equivalent to
\begin{array}{l}
3x+1-5x-8
.\end{array}
By combining like terms, then
\begin{array}{l}
(3x-5x)+(1-8)
\\\\=
-2x-7
.\end{array}