SOLUTION: I need help on understanding Opposites of Polynomials. I have an example of one its -5x^2-3x+7 opposite of that is -5x^2--3+-7 which simplifies to -5x^2+3x-7. I dont get how that

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I need help on understanding Opposites of Polynomials. I have an example of one its -5x^2-3x+7 opposite of that is -5x^2--3+-7 which simplifies to -5x^2+3x-7. I dont get how that       Log On


   

Question 183890This question is from textbook
: I need help on understanding Opposites of Polynomials.
I have an example of one its -5x^2-3x+7 opposite of that is -5x^2--3+-7 which simplifies to -5x^2+3x-7. I dont get how that is the answer, should'nt it just simplify to zero? im lost. please help me
 This question is from textbook

Found 2 solutions by rapaljer, solver91311:
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Do you mean the opposite of 5x^2-3x+7? By that you probably mean
-(5x^2 -3x + 7). It may help to think of this as
-1*(5x^2-3x+7), which would be according to the Distributive Property
-1*5x^2 + -1*(-3x) + -1*7
-5x^2 + 3x -7

If you ADD the original number plus its opposite, then you get zero. I think the problem was to find the opposite.

R^2

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The opposite polynomial of a polynomial P is the polynomial -P such that:



Therefore, the opposite of:



is not



Rather it is:



Now if you add your polynomial and its opposite, the result will be zero.

John