1Cademy - Simplifying $$a^2 + 7b^2

Learn Before

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Example

Simplifying $a^2 + 7b^2 - 6a^2$

To simplify the polynomial expression $a^2 + 7b^2 - 6a^2$ , start by identifying the like terms. The terms $a^2$ and $-6a^2$ both share the identical variable part $a^2$ , making them like terms. The term $7b^2$ has a different variable part and is therefore not a like term. Rearrange the expression to group the like terms together:

$a^2 - 6a^2 + 7b^2$

Combine the like terms by adding their coefficients. The implicit coefficient of $a^2$ is $1$ , so $1 - 6 = -5$ , which gives $-5a^2$ . The term $7b^2$ has no like term, so it remains unchanged. The simplified polynomial is:

$-5a^2 + 7b^2$

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

References

OpenStax Intermediate Algebra

Learn Before

Related