Simplify the following expression: (5x2 + 3x + 4) - (2x2 + 7x - 1). If the final answer is written in the form Ax2 + Bx + C, what is the value of B (the coefficient in front of x) ?

Write only the numeric value (no variables should be typed in your response).

3x + 2x2 + 4 = 5

3x + 2x2 + 4 - 5 = 5 - 5

First be sure that the right side of the equation is 0. In this case, all you need to do is subtract 5 from both sides.

3x + 2x2 - 1 = 0

2x2 + 3x - 1 = 0

Simplify, and write the terms with the exponent on the variable in descending order.

2x2

+

3x

-

1

=

0

↓

↓

↓

ax2

bx

c

a = 2, b = 3, c = - 1

Now that the equation is in standard form, you can read the values of a, b, and c from the coefficients and constant. Note that since the constant 1 is subtracted, c must be negative.

Answer

2x2 + 3x - 1 = 0; a = 2, b = 3, c = - 1