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Student Question

Secondary II • 2yr.

Good evening everyone !!

I have an exercise in my notebook where I have to subtract two algebraic expressions. I don't remember how. Can you help me? This is what I have to do:

(5x4 + 3x3−4x2 + 7) - (4x5 + 9x3 + 22x2−19x)

Thank you very much!

Mathematics
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Explanations (1)

  • Explanation from Alloprof

    Explanation from Alloprof

    This Explanation was submitted by a member of the Alloprof team.

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    Team Alloprof • 2yr.

    Hi!

    Thanks for your question!

    To be able to do the subtraction you will have to start by distributing the (-) inside the parenthesis like this: 

    $$ (5x^4 + 3x^3−4x^2 + 7) - (4x^5 + 9x^3 + 22x^2−19x) $$

    Then you will have this:

    $$ 5x^4 + 3x^3−4x^2 + 7−4x^5−9x^3−22x^2 + 19x $$

    Then you have to add or subtract the coefficients of the terms which have the same variables \( x^4 \) together and you do the same process for all the other terms.

    Once you've done that, you should have this expression:

    $$ −4x^5 + 5x^4−6x^3−26x^2 + 19x + 7 $$

    Now it's your turn! 

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