Question

How do you simplify `a^3 - 2a^b + 3a^3 + 4a^2b - 8a^3`?

Answer 1

`-4a^3 +4a^2b -2b^6`

Explanation:

First identify the like terms in the expression.

`color(blue)(a^3) - 2a^b color(blue)(+3a^3) + 4a^2b color(blue)(- 8a^3)`

Add the like terms, keeping the variables the same:

Then arrange the terms in descending order of the powers of one the variables. (in case, powers of `a`)

`=color(blue)(-4a^3) +4a^2b -2b^6`