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

1 Answer
Jun 13, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

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

#3a^2 + 2a - 2 - a^2 + 3a - 7#

Next, group like terms:

#3a^2 - a^2 + 2a + 3a - 2 - 7#

Now, combine like terms:

#3a^2 - 1a^2 + 2a + 3a - 2 - 7#

#(3 - 1)a^2 + (2 + 3)a + (-2 - 7)#

#2a^2 + 5a + (-9)#

#2a^2 + 5a - 9#