How do you combine # (–2x^4 – 3x^2) – (–9x^2 + 4x – 4) #?

1 Answer
Apr 29, 2015

You can only "combine" terms where the #x# components are raised to the same exponent.
In this case only the #-3x^2# and the #-9x^2# can be combined

#(-2x^4-3x^2)-(-9x^2+4x-4)#

#=-2x^4-3x^2 +9x^2 -4x+4#

#= 2x^4+6x^2-4x+4#

This could be simplified, but I assume that is not part of your question.