Question

How do you simplify `(3x ^ { 6} + 18x ^ { 4} - 5) - ( - 18x ^ { 4} + 6x ^ { 6} + 19)`?

Answer 1

Clear the parentheses, then combine like terms.

Answer:   `- 3x^6 + 36x^4 - 24`

Explanation:

Simplify
`(3x^6+18x^4−5)−(−18x^4+6x^6+19)`

1) Clear the parentheses by distributing the minus sign
`3x^6 + 18x^4 −5 + 18x^4 -6x^6 -19`

2) Collect like terms
`[ 3x^6 -6x^6 ]   +  [ 18x^4 +18x^4 ]  +  [ −5-19 ]`

3) Combine like terms
`- 3x^6 + 36x^4 - 24`

Answer:
`- 3x^6 + 36x^4 - 24`

You can factor this expression if you want, but I don't know if you'd consider that more or less simplified.
`- 3(x^6 -12x^4+8)`