(3x^3-6x^2+x-4) - (4x^3+8x^2-5x+2) what is the first step in simplifying this difference?
Put the expression in descending order.
Make the parenthesis one term.
Combine like terms.
Distribute the negative.
The first step in simplifying this difference is to distribute the negative sign throughout the second parenthesis. That would give you:
3x^3 - 6x^2 + x - 4 - 4x^3 - 8x^2 + 5x - 2