How do you simplify #- x ^ { 2} + x - 4 - 3x ^ { 2} - 8x - 2#?

1 Answer
Jan 30, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, group common terms:

#-color(red)(x^2) - 3color(red)(x^2) + color(blue)(x) - 8color(blue)(x) - color(green)(4) - color(green)(2)#

Next, combine like terms:

#-1color(red)(x^2) - 3color(red)(x^2) + 1color(blue)(x) - 8color(blue)(x) - color(green)(4) - color(green)(2)#

#(-1 - 3)color(red)(x^2) + (1 - 8)color(blue)(x) - color(green)(6)#

#-4color(red)(x^2) + (-7)color(blue)(x) - color(green)(6)#

#-4color(red)(x^2) - 7color(blue)(x) - color(green)(6)#