Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the following polynomial expression:
(-x⁴ + 13x⁵ + 6x³) + (6x³ + 5x⁵ + 7x⁴)
Understanding Polynomials
A polynomial is an algebraic expression consisting of variables and coefficients, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication, where the exponents of the variables are non-negative integers.
Steps to Simplify
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Identify Like Terms: Like terms have the same variable and the same exponent. In our expression, we have the following pairs of like terms:
- -x⁴ and 7x⁴
- 13x⁵ and 5x⁵
- 6x³ and 6x³
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Combine Like Terms: Combine the coefficients of the like terms while keeping the variable and exponent the same.
- (-x⁴ + 7x⁴) = 6x⁴
- (13x⁵ + 5x⁵) = 18x⁵
- (6x³ + 6x³) = 12x³
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Write the Simplified Expression: Combine the simplified terms in descending order of their exponents:
18x⁵ + 6x⁴ + 12x³
Conclusion
Therefore, the simplified form of the polynomial expression (-x⁴ + 13x⁵ + 6x³) + (6x³ + 5x⁵ + 7x⁴) is 18x⁵ + 6x⁴ + 12x³.