Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: (2k³ - 7k² + 3k) - (-4k² + 5k)
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the algebraic expression: (2k³ - 7k² + 3k) - (-4k² + 5k).
Understanding the Problem
The expression involves:
- Variables: 'k' representing an unknown value.
- Coefficients: Numbers multiplied by the variables (2, -7, 3, -4, 5).
- Exponents: Powers of the variables (³ and ²).
- Parentheses: Indicating the order of operations and grouping terms.
Simplifying the Expression
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Distribute the negative sign:
- The minus sign in front of the second parenthesis means we multiply each term inside it by -1.
- This gives us: (2k³ - 7k² + 3k) + 4k² - 5k
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Combine like terms:
- We combine terms with the same variable and exponent.
- k³ terms: There's only one k³ term: 2k³
- k² terms: -7k² + 4k² = -3k²
- k terms: 3k - 5k = -2k
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Write the simplified expression:
- Putting all the combined terms together, we get: 2k³ - 3k² - 2k
Conclusion
By applying the principles of distributing negative signs and combining like terms, we successfully simplified the expression (2k³ - 7k² + 3k) - (-4k² + 5k) to 2k³ - 3k² - 2k. This is the simplified form of the original expression, representing the same value for any value of 'k'.