College

Which of the following expressions is equivalent to [tex]$-4x^3 - 12x^3 + 9x^2$[/tex]?

A. [tex]x^8[/tex]

B. [tex]-7x^8[/tex]

C. [tex]-8x^3 + 9x^2[/tex]

D. [tex]-16x^3 + 9x^2[/tex]

E. [tex]-16x^6 + 9x^2[/tex]

Answer :

To find an expression equivalent to [tex]\(-4x^3 - 12x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify Like Terms: In the expression [tex]\(-4x^3 - 12x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex], the terms [tex]\(-4x^3\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-12x^3\)[/tex] are like terms because they both contain [tex]\(x^3\)[/tex]. The term [tex]\(9x^2\)[/tex] is different because it involves [tex]\(x^2\)[/tex].

2. Combine Like Terms:
- Add the coefficients of the like terms [tex]\(x^3\)[/tex]. The coefficients are [tex]\(-4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-12\)[/tex].
- Calculate [tex]\(-4 + (-12) = -16\)[/tex].

3. Write the Combined Expression:
- The combined expression for the [tex]\(x^3\)[/tex] terms is [tex]\(-16x^3\)[/tex].
- Since the term [tex]\(9x^2\)[/tex] does not have a like term to combine with, it remains as is.

4. Final Expression:
- The resulting expression is [tex]\(-16x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex].

This corresponds to one of the given choices:
- [tex]\(-16x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex]

Therefore, the expression equivalent to [tex]\(-4x^3 - 12x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex] is [tex]\(-16x^3 + 9x^2\)[/tex].