5x-10+3x+2-4x^2

Question

Combine Like Terms

Answer 1

Hi Daytione,

 

In this expression 5x - 10 + 3x + 2 - 4x², there are 5 terms (each separated by a + or - ).

 

To combine like terms, look for those that are rational numbers first (10 and 2) and combine them:

 

5x - 8 + 3x - 4x² is the result since -10 + 2 = -8

 

Now, look for terms with the variable x with no exponent (5x and 3x).  Combine those:

 

8x - 8 - 4x² is the new result since 5x + 3x = 8x.

 

No remaining terms are like terms so this is as far as we can go with the slight change to the order of the remaining terms to look like:

 

-4x² + 8x - 8 (usually put the terms in order by decreasing exponent)

 

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

5x - 10 + 3x + 2 - 4x²

we only have -4x2, so there's nothing to combine there

Next we have 5x and 3x:

5x + 3x = 8x

Finally, we have -10 and 2:

-10 + 2 = -8

That leaves us with:

-4x² + 8x - 8