How do you add # (3b^4-3b^3+5b^2+13b-9) + (b^5+7b^3+2b^2-5b+4) + (-6b^4+b^2-3b-4)#?

1 Answer
Jun 9, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

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

#3b^4 - 3b^3 + 5b^2 + 13b - 9 + b^5 + 7b^3 + 2b^2 - 5b + 4 - 6b^4 + b^2 - 3b - 4#

Next, group like terms:

#b^5 + 3b^4 - 6b^4 + 7b^3 - 3b^3 + 5b^2 + 2b^2 + b^2 + 13b - 5b - 3b - 9 + 4 - 4#

Now, combine like terms:

#b^5 + 3b^4 - 6b^4 + 7b^3 - 3b^3 + 5b^2 + 2b^2 + 1b^2 + 13b - 5b - 3b - 9 + 4 - 4#

#b^5 + (3 - 6)b^4 + (7 - 3)b^3 + (5 + 2 + 1)b^2 + (13 - 5 - 3)b + (- 9 + 4 - 4)#

#b^5 + (-3)b^4 + 4b^3 + 8b^2 + 5b + (-9)#

#b^5 - 3b^4 + 4b^3 + 8b^2 + 5b - 9#