Addition & Subtraction

To subtract polynomials, you must change the sign of terms being subtracted using the Distributive Property. Clear the parentheses. Combine like terms.

Example 1 Subtract

(4x² - 4) - (x² + 4x - 4)

Step 1. Change the signs of the second polynomial expression.

(4x² - 4) + (-x² - 4x + 4)

Step 2. Clear the parentheses.

4x² - 4 - x² - 4x + 4

Step 3. Combine like terms.

(4x² - x²) - 4x + (- 4 + 4 )

3x² - 4x

Example 2 Subtract

(5x² + 2x +1) - ( 3x² – 4x – 2 )

Step 1. Change the signs of the second polynomial expression.

5x² + 2x + 1 - 3x² + 4x + 2

Step 2. Combine like terms.

(5x² - 3x²) + (2x + 4x) + (1 + 2)

2x² + 6x + 3