(-28x³y³z + 34x³y³ - 4z) - (52x³y³z + 22x³y³ - 41z) Remove the parentheses. The first parentheses is understood to be preceded by a + sign so we leave all the signs inside just as they are when we remove the parentheses. But the second parentheses is preceded by a - sign so we change all the signs inside when we remove the parentheses. So we have this: -28x³y³z + 34x³y³ - 4z - 52x³y³z - 22x³y³ + 41z Now we rearrange the terms so that like terms are together -28x³y³z - 52x³y³z + 34x³y³ - 22x³y³ - 4z + 41z Combine the coefficients of x³y³z: -28-52 = -80 Combine the coefficients of x³y³: +34-22 = 12 Combine the coefficients of z: -4+41 = 37 -80x³y³z + 12x³y³ + 37z Edwin