Subtract please

Question

(8b⁴ - b³) - (b⁴ + 4b³ + 4)

Answer 1

Hello, the first step I would take is to distribute the negative sign through the second set of parentheses, and drop the unnecessary first set.

 

8b⁴ - b³- b⁴ - 4b³ - 4

 

You can now combine like terms. The like terms in this problem will be the variables raised to the same power. So all the variables that are raised to the 4th are like terms, and all those that are raised to the 3rd are like terms. Upon combining them you get:

 

7b⁴ - 5b³ - 4

 

Hope that helps :)