How do you simplify (2x^3 - 4x^2 + 5) + (-x^2 - 3x + 1)?

1 Answer
Apr 24, 2017

See the solution process below:

Explanation:

First, remove all of the terms from parenthesis. Be careful to handle the signs of each individual term correctly:

2x^3 - 4x^2 + 5 - x^2 - 3x + 1

Next, group like terms:

2x^3 - 4x^2 - x^2 - 3x + 1 + 5

Now, combine like terms:

2x^3 - 4x^2 - 1x^2 - 3x + 1 + 5

2x^3 + (-4 - 1)x^2 - 3x + (1 + 5)

2x^3 + (-5)x^2 - 3x + 6

2x^3 - 5x^2 - 3x + 6