document.write( "Question 334977:  Write the polynomial subtraction in vertical form first, then preform the distribution by -1 and rewrite as addition.\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(6x^3 -5x -4) - (2x^2 - 8x + 3)\r
\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "I dont know if 6x^3 can be lined up with 2x^2 or not. I dont think they can since  the powers are not the same. Can you help? \n" );
document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #240042 by jim_thompson5910(35256)    ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! No, 6x^3 and 2x^2 are not like terms. So you cannot add them. So it doesn't make sense to stack the two vertically. \r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(6x^3 -5x -4) - (2x^2 - 8x + 3) ... Start with the given expression\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "6x^3 -5x -4 -2x^2 + 8x - 3 ... Distribute.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "6x^3 +0x^2-5x -4 -2x^2 + 8x - 3 ... Add a 0x^2 term in between the first two terms.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now stack the first four terms over the last three.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \r\n" ); document.write( "6x^3+0x^2 -5x -4\r\n" ); document.write( " -2x^2 +8x -3\r\n" ); document.write( "\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now simply add the terms that line up. I'll let you do that. \n" ); document.write( "  |