What is the first step in simplifying this difference please
(3x^3 - 6x^2 + x - 4) - (4x^3 + 8 x^2 - 5 x + 2)
The first step in simplifying this difference would be to distribute the negative sign in front of the second polynomial. This means changing all of the signs of the terms in the second polynomial.
So, (3x^3 - 6x^2 + x - 4) - (4x^3 + 8 x^2 - 5 x + 2)
Becomes: 3x^3 - 6x^2 + x - 4 - 4x^3 - 8 x^2 + 5 x - 2