The first step in simplifying the expression \((2x^4 - 12x^2 + 5x - 3) - (7x^3 + 10x^2 - 3x + 20)\) is to distribute the negative sign across the second polynomial. This involves subtracting each term in the second polynomial from the corresponding term in the first polynomial.
Here's how you do it:
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Rewrite the expression:
\[ 2x^4 - 12x^2 + 5x - 3 - (7x^3 + 10x^2 - 3x + 20) \]
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Distribute the negative sign:
\[ 2x^4 - 12x^2 + 5x - 3 - 7x^3 - 10x^2 + 3x - 20 \]
Now the expression is fully prepared for combining like terms. The next step would be to combine the terms that have the same degree.