Question 116432: can someone simplify this problem?
(5a^3-4a+8) - (7a^3+a^2-3)
Answer by slippinghalo3(3)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! First distribute your negative, so you don't mess up when combining like terms.
(5a^3-4a+8) + (-7a^3-a^2+3)
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
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