First distribute the negative sign outside of the parentheses to each term inside the parentheses.

Combine like terms.

In previous problems, we used combining like terms to simplify. In this case, we first need to distribute in order to get rid of the parentheses.

Parentheses always indicate the operation multiplication. You multiply the number on the ouside of the parenthese by EVERY term inside the parentheses. In this case, you would multiply and

After this first step, you should have:

Then, we will combine like terms. Here, the like terms are and (they both have the variable and exponent 1). They combine into

So the final answer is

To simplify this expression, it is necessary to eliminate the parentheses grouping the terms. Distribute the negative signs. Double negative translate the sign to a positive.

The answer is .

When subtracting polynomials, we must first distribute the negative through the second polynomial.

To do this, we simply take each term in the second polynomial times -1. We get

We can remove the parentheses from the first polynomial.

Now, we combine like terms. Like terms are the terms that have the same variables.

The like terms have been highlighted. When we combine them, we get

When adding polynomials, we can remove the parentheses because this does not have an effect on the answer. So,

becomes

Now, we combine like terms. Like terms are considered terms with the same variables. So,

where each different colored terms are like terms. We combine them and get

Note that we do not change the variables when we add them, we only combine the coefficients.

When solving a polynomial you must combine like terms. Like terms have the same degree value. A degree value is the number of exponents a term has.

Combine the like terms (x's together and y's together).

Don't forget to distribute the negative sign through the parenthesis.

To simplify the expression, combine like terms and eliminate the parentheses. Start by distributing the negative through the second parentheses.

Next, combine like terms.

Before combining like terms, distribute the negative sign across the terms in the parentheses.

Combine like terms.

All terms are either addition or subtraction, therefore all you have to do is combine like terms.

like terms are those that have the same variable and the same exponent to that variable.

Example: and have the same variable and the same exponent.

Example: and have the same variable and same amount of exponents.

Seperate each group of like terms.