How do you find the sum or difference of #(5a^2-4)+(a^2-2a+12)+(4a^2-6a+8)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-16T01:18:24

See the entire solution process below:

First, remove all of the terms from parenthesis. Be careful to handle the signs of each individual term correctly:

#5a^2 - 4 + a^2 - 2a + 12 + 4a^2 - 6a + 8#

Next, group like terms:

#5a^2 + a^2 + 4a^2 - 2a - 6a - 4 + 12 + 8#

Now, combine like terms:

#5a^2 + 1a^2 + 4a^2 - 2a - 6a - 4 + 12 + 8#

#(5 + 1 + 4)a^2 + (-2 - 6)a + (-4 + 12 + 8)#

#10a^2 - 8a + 16#