Identify the expression to simplify: \((x^4 - 3x^2 + 2) - (-2x^4 + x^2 - 3)\).
Distribute the subtraction sign across the second polynomial, changing the signs of each term inside the parentheses: \((x^4 - 3x^2 + 2) + (2x^4 - x^2 + 3)\).
Group like terms together: \((x^4 + 2x^4) + (-3x^2 - x^2) + (2 + 3)\).
Combine the coefficients of like terms: add the coefficients of \(x^4\) terms, \(x^2\) terms, and constant terms separately.
Write the simplified expression by putting together the combined terms.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
2m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Expressions
Polynomial expressions are algebraic expressions consisting of variables raised to whole-number exponents and coefficients. Understanding how to identify terms, degrees, and coefficients is essential for performing operations like addition and subtraction on polynomials.
Subtracting polynomials involves changing the signs of the terms in the polynomial being subtracted and then combining like terms. Careful attention to distributing the negative sign across all terms is crucial to avoid errors.
Combining like terms means adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. This simplifies the expression and is a key step after performing addition or subtraction of polynomials.