document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=116432>Question 116432</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> can someone simplify this problem?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(5a^3-4a+8) - (7a^3+a^2-3) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #84683 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=slippinghalo3><B>slippinghalo3(3)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/iconNewId_16x16.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=slippinghalo3><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=84683\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> First distribute your negative, so you don't mess up when combining like terms.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(5a^3-4a+8) + (-7a^3-a^2+3)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now you can forget about the parentheses.  They are just there to make sure you konw the - applies to all of the terms.  5a^3-4a+8-7a^3-a^2+3.  Now combine all of the like terms.  5a^3-7a^3=-2a^3.  the only term with a^2 is -a^2, so it is ok.  then find all of the terms with just a.  there is only -4a, so it is ok as well. Now find any terms with 1 and no variable. 8+3=11.  Your final answer will be -2a^3-a^2-4a+11 </SPAN>\n" );
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