Subtracting Polynomials

Subtracting Polynomials

Subtract like terms by changing the signs of the terms being subtracted, and following the rules for adding polynomials.

Subtracting Polynomials 3

Below are several different ways to attack this example:

Example 1: Subtract (2x2 + 4x – 6) from (x2 – 4)
Solution:
Horizontal Method:
Notice the order of this subtraction. Just as is done when subtracting signed numbers, change the signs of the terms being subtracted (or distribute -1), and follow the rules for adding signed like terms.
Subtracting Polynomials 1

Vertical Method:
Again, notice the order of the subtraction. Change the signs of the terms being subtracted, and follow the rules for adding signed like terms. In this problem, we insert 0x to hold the missing column for x.
Subtracting Polynomials 2

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