What you're solving for

Find the difference between two polynomial expressions.
• (1.2x^3 - 0.8x^2 + 0.6x) - (2.5x + 4.7)

1 answer

To find the difference between the two polynomial expressions, we will subtract the second expression from the first:

\[ (1.2x^3 - 0.8x^2 + 0.6x) - (2.5x + 4.7) \]

We'll distribute the negative sign across the second expression:

\[ 1.2x^3 - 0.8x^2 + 0.6x - 2.5x - 4.7 \]

Now, we can combine like terms:

  1. Start with the \(x^3\) term:

    • There is only one \(x^3\) term: \(1.2x^3\)
  2. Next, combine the \(x^2\) terms:

    • There is only one \(x^2\) term: \(-0.8x^2\)
  3. Now, combine the \(x\) terms:

    • \(0.6x - 2.5x = (0.6 - 2.5)x = -1.9x\)
  4. Finally, combine the constant terms:

    • There is only one constant term: \(-4.7\)

So, after combining all the terms, we get:

\[ 1.2x^3 - 0.8x^2 - 1.9x - 4.7 \]

This is the final expression for the difference between the two polynomial expressions.