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

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-24T11:49:02

See the solution process below:

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#