How do you combine like terms in #(5n ^ { 2} - n ^ { 4} - 2n ) - ( 5n ^ { 2} - 7n ^ { 4} + 5n )#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-08T20:35:06

See a solution process below:

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

#5n^2 - n^4 - 2n - 5n^2 + 7n^4 - 5n#

Next, group like terms:

#7n^4 - n^4 + 5n^2 - 5n^2 - 2n - 5n#

Now, combine like terms:

#7n^4 - 1n^4 + 5n^2 - 5n^2 - 2n - 5n#

#(7 - 1)n^4 + (5 - 5)n^2 + (-2 - 5)n#

#6n^4 + 0n^2 + (-7)n#

#6n^4 - 7n#