Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the following polynomial expression:
(8x^3 - 3x^2 - 2x + 9) - (2x^3 + 6x^2 - x + 1)
Understanding the Process
To simplify this expression, we need to perform subtraction between two polynomials. This involves the following steps:
- Distribute the negative sign: The minus sign in front of the second set of parentheses indicates that we need to subtract each term within the parentheses.
- Combine like terms: Identify terms with the same variable and exponent (e.g., x^3, x^2, x, and constant terms) and combine their coefficients.
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's break down the simplification:
- Distribute the negative sign:
(8x^3 - 3x^2 - 2x + 9) + (-2x^3 - 6x^2 + x - 1)
- Combine like terms:
- x^3 terms: 8x^3 - 2x^3 = 6x^3
- x^2 terms: -3x^2 - 6x^2 = -9x^2
- x terms: -2x + x = -x
- Constant terms: 9 - 1 = 8
Final Result
After combining like terms, the simplified expression is:
6x^3 - 9x^2 - x + 8