Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
In mathematics, simplifying algebraic expressions often involves combining like terms and applying the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS). Let's take a look at the expression:
(8x⁴ + 2x² − 1) + (3x³ − 5x² + 7x + 1)
Step 1: Removing Parentheses
Since we are adding the two expressions, we can simply remove the parentheses:
8x⁴ + 2x² − 1 + 3x³ − 5x² + 7x + 1
Step 2: Combining Like Terms
Identify terms with the same variable and exponent, and combine their coefficients:
- x⁴ terms: 8x⁴
- x³ terms: 3x³
- x² terms: 2x² - 5x² = -3x²
- x terms: 7x
- Constant terms: -1 + 1 = 0
Step 3: Writing the Simplified Expression
Combine the simplified terms in descending order of exponents:
8x⁴ + 3x³ - 3x² + 7x
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (8x⁴ + 2x² − 1) + (3x³ − 5x² + 7x + 1) is 8x⁴ + 3x³ - 3x² + 7x.