The first step in simplifying the difference \((2x^3 - 12x^2 + 5x - 3) - (7x^3 + 10x^2 - 3x + 20)\) is:
B. Distribute the negative to the second set of parenthesis.
This involves changing the signs of each term inside the second set of parentheses to prepare for combining like terms afterward. After distributing the negative, the expression will look like this:
\[ 2x^3 - 12x^2 + 5x - 3 - 7x^3 - 10x^2 + 3x - 20 \]
Now, you can proceed to combine like terms.