Question

How do you combine like terms in `(2x ^ { 3} + 6x ^ { 2} - 18x ) + ( x ^ { 2} + 5x - 12)`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

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

`2x^3 + 6color(red)(x^2) - 18color(blue)(x) + color(red)(x^2) + 5color(blue)(x) - 12`

Next, rewrite the expression grouping like terms:

`2x^3 + 6color(red)(x^2) + color(red)(x^2) - 18color(blue)(x) + 5color(blue)(x) - 12`

Now, combine like terms:

`2x^3 + (6 + 1)color(red)(x^2) + (-18 + 5)color(blue)(x) - 12`

`2x^3 + 7color(red)(x^2) - 13color(blue)(x) - 12`