Find the difference

(16x^3 + 2x^3) - 4x^3

I'm having trouble figuring out whether its 16x^3 - 2x^2. Or.
12x^3 - 2x^2. Or whether I'm completely wrong.

Question

Find the difference

(16x^3 + 2x^3) - 4x^3

I'm having trouble figuring out whether its 16x^3 - 2x^2.   Or.  
12x^3 - 2x^2.   Or whether I'm completely wrong.

ivettef365 · Answer

all exponents are ^3, why you have x^2

debbieg · Answer

Where would a 2nd-degree term materialize from? If these are all x-cubed terms, then they are like terms so can be combined in addition & subtraction. Just combine the coefficients.

anonymous · Answer

DebbieG.   Do what with the what? I don't understand.

ivettef365 · Answer

you just need to add the digits the exponent stays the same
so you have
16 + 2 -4 = ?

anonymous · Answer

14x^3??

ivettef365 · Answer

correct

debbieg · Answer

Combine like terms. If the variables and the powers are the same, they are like terms - so you add/subtract the coefficients. Eg:
$$3x^2+5x^2=(3+5)x^2=8x^2$$
But you can't add/subtract non-like terms, so eg:$$3x^2+5x^3$$can't be combined, so the expression is fully simplified.

Now above you have$$(16x^3+2x^3)-4x^3$$All are 3rd-degree terms (meaning the exponent is 3), so they combine as like terms. Just add/subtract the coefficients. Nothing here will give you an x-squared term though.

anonymous · Answer

Okay I got it. Thanks