How do you combine like terms in #(2m ^ { 2} - 8m + 2) - ( - 3m ^ { 2} + 5m - 7)#?

1 Answer
Robert C.
Nov 13, 2016

#5m^2 - 13m+ 9#

Explanation:

What you would like to do first is eliminate the brackets so that the collection of like terms can begin. As you have a negative sign in front of the second set of bracket, treat that as a #-1# and multiply that by everything in the second set:

#(2m^2 - 8m + 2) - (-3m^2 + 5m - 7)#

becomes

#2m^2 - 8m + 2 + 3m^2 - 5m + 7#

and now you can collect like terms:

#5m^2 - 13m+ 9#

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