How do you combine #(2x - 3 +7x^2) - (3 - 9x^2 - 2x)#?

1 Answer
May 9, 2015

Step 1.
Open the parenthesis.
If in front of parenthesis there is a sign plus (#+#) or no sign at all you can open parenthesis as is, retaining all signs of each member inside.
If there is a sign minus (#-#) in front of parenthesis, all signs inside the parenthesis should be changed to opposite and then drop the parenthesis.
As a result, our expression will look like
#2x-3+7x^2-3+9x^2+2x#

Step 2.
Using commutative law (#a+b=b+a#) of addition and subtraction, regroup the members so that members with #x# in the same power are next to each other and so are free members (constants):
#7x^2+9x^2+2x+2x-3-3#

Step 3.
Using distributive law (#a*c+b*c=(a+b)*c#) consolidate members with #x# in the same power:
#(7+9)x^2+(2+2)x-6#

Step 4.
Final simplification:
#16x^2+4x-6#