Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
This article will guide you through simplifying the polynomial expression: (3x^2 - x - 7) - (5x^2 - 4x - 2) + (x + 3)(x + 2).
Step 1: Distribute the Multiplication
First, we need to distribute the multiplication in the last term:
(x + 3)(x + 2) = x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2) = x^2 + 2x + 3x + 6 = x^2 + 5x + 6
Step 2: Distribute the Negative Signs
Now, we can distribute the negative signs in front of the parentheses:
(3x^2 - x - 7) - (5x^2 - 4x - 2) + (x^2 + 5x + 6) = 3x^2 - x - 7 - 5x^2 + 4x + 2 + x^2 + 5x + 6
Step 3: Combine Like Terms
Finally, we combine the like terms:
(3x^2 - 5x^2 + x^2) + (-x + 4x + 5x) + (-7 + 2 + 6) = -x^2 + 8x + 1
Conclusion
Therefore, the simplified form of the polynomial expression (3x^2 - x - 7) - (5x^2 - 4x - 2) + (x + 3)(x + 2) is -x^2 + 8x + 1.