Step 2: Write the polynomial in descending order and use parentheses around like terms.

(3 – 4x + 8x2) + (–6 + 2x – 5x2)

(3-6) + ( – 4x + 2x) + ( 8x2– 5x2)

( 8x2– 5x2) +( – 4x + 2x)+ (3-6)

( – 4x + 2x)+ (3-6) + ( 8x2– 5x2)

(8x2 – 4x +3)+ (– 5x2+ 2x –6)

1 answer

To combine the polynomials (3 – 4x + 8x²) + (–6 + 2x – 5x²), we first want to write it in descending order and group like terms using parentheses.

Starting with:

(3 – 4x + 8x²) + (–6 + 2x – 5x²)

Now combine the like terms:

  1. Combine the constant terms: \(3 - 6\)
  2. Combine the x terms: \(-4x + 2x\)
  3. Combine the x² terms: \(8x² - 5x²\)

So we have:

(3 - 6) + (-4x + 2x) + (8x² - 5x²)

This simplifies to:

(-3) + (-2x) + (3x²)

Next, we can write this polynomial in descending order (by powers of x):

3x² - 2x - 3

In parentheses around like terms, we would write the final polynomial as:

(3x²) + (-2x) + (-3)

This gives you the final combined polynomial in descending order:

\( \boxed{(3x²) + (-2x) + (-3)} \)