Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the polynomial expression:
(-2y^5 + y^3 - 2y) - (y^5 - 4y^3 + 6)
Understanding the Concepts
Before we begin, let's recall some fundamental concepts:
- Polynomials: Expressions consisting of variables and coefficients combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
- Terms: Individual parts of a polynomial separated by addition or subtraction.
- Like Terms: Terms with the same variable and exponent.
- Combining Like Terms: Adding or subtracting coefficients of like terms.
Step-by-Step Simplification
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Distribute the Negative Sign:
- The minus sign in front of the second parenthesis means we multiply each term inside the parenthesis by -1.
- This gives us:
-2y^5 + y^3 - 2y - y^5 + 4y^3 - 6
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Identify Like Terms:
- y^5 terms: -2y^5 - y^5
- y^3 terms: y^3 + 4y^3
- y terms: -2y
- Constant term: -6
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Combine Like Terms:
- y^5 terms: -2y^5 - y^5 = -3y^5
- y^3 terms: y^3 + 4y^3 = 5y^3
- y terms: -2y
- Constant term: -6
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Write the Simplified Expression:
- Combining all the simplified terms, we get: -3y^5 + 5y^3 - 2y - 6
Conclusion
Therefore, the simplified form of the polynomial expression (-2y^5 + y^3 - 2y) - (y^5 - 4y^3 + 6) is -3y^5 + 5y^3 - 2y - 6.