Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the polynomial expression:
(x⁴ - 6x⁴y - x²y⁴) - (2x⁴y - 2x²y⁴ - 6)
Understanding the Problem
The expression involves multiple terms with variables (x and y) raised to different powers. We need to simplify it by combining like terms.
Steps for Simplification
-
Distribute the negative sign: The minus sign in front of the second set of parentheses means we multiply each term inside the parentheses by -1:
(x⁴ - 6x⁴y - x²y⁴) + (-2x⁴y + 2x²y⁴ + 6)
-
Identify like terms: Look for terms with the same variables raised to the same powers.
- x⁴ terms: x⁴ and -2x⁴y
- x⁴y terms: -6x⁴y
- x²y⁴ terms: -x²y⁴ and 2x²y⁴
- Constant term: 6
-
Combine like terms: Add or subtract the coefficients of each set of like terms:
- x⁴ terms: x⁴ - 2x⁴y = x⁴ - 2x⁴y
- x⁴y terms: -6x⁴y = -6x⁴y
- x²y⁴ terms: -x²y⁴ + 2x²y⁴ = x²y⁴
- Constant term: 6 = 6
-
Write the simplified expression: Combine the simplified terms:
x⁴ - 2x⁴y - 6x⁴y + x²y⁴ + 6
-
Combine remaining like terms: Combine the x⁴y terms:
x⁴ - 8x⁴y + x²y⁴ + 6
Final Result
The simplified form of the polynomial expression (x⁴ - 6x⁴y - x²y⁴) - (2x⁴y - 2x²y⁴ - 6) is x⁴ - 8x⁴y + x²y⁴ + 6.