How do you combine like terms in #(7p ^ { 4} - 3) - ( 3p ^ { 2} - 6) + ( 2p ^ { 4} + 6p ^ { 2} )#?

1 Answer
Mar 4, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

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

#7color(red)(p^4) - 3 - 3color(blue)(p^2) + 6 + 2color(red)(p^4) + 6color(blue)(p^2)#

Next, group like terms together:

#7color(red)(p^4) + 2color(red)(p^4) + 6color(blue)(p^2) - 3color(blue)(p^2) - 3 + 6#

Now, combine the like terms:

#(7 + 2)color(red)(p^4) + (6 - 3)color(blue)(p^2) + 3#

#9color(red)(p^4) + 3color(blue)(p^2) + 3#