How do you simplify #5x - (3x^2 + 9x)#?

1 Answer
Nile River
Feb 13, 2016

#5x- (3x^2 + 9x)# can be simplified to #-4x-3x^2# or #-3x^2-4x#.

Explanation:

The first step to simplify this equation is to distribute the negative across the parentheses like so:

#5x- (3x^2 + 9x)#
#5x- 3x^2 -9x#

Rearrange the expression so the like terms (same exponent) are next to each other and simplify by adding or subtracting like terms.

#5x- 9x -3x^2#
#-4x-3x^2#

Because polynomial expressions usually have the variable with the highest exponent first, rearrange it.

#-3x^2-4x#

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