Subtraction of Polynomials

Subtraction of polynomials can be solved in two methods.

Follow the following steps to solve in the first method:

(i) Enclose the part of the expression to be subtracted in parentheses with a negative (-) sign prefixed

(ii) Remove the parentheses by changing the sign of each term of the polynomial expression which is in the parentheses.

(iii) Arrange the like terms.

(iv) Finally add the like terms to find the required subtraction.

For example:

1. Subtract: 2x - 5y + 3z from 5x + 9y - 2z.

First we need to enclose the first part which is to be subtracted in parentheses with a negative (-) sign prefixed.

5x + 9y - 2z – (2x - 5y + 3z)

Now we need to remove the parentheses by changing the sign of each term which is in the parentheses.

= 5x + 9y - 2z – 2x + 5y - 3z

= 5x – 2x + 9y + 5y - 2z - 3z, by arranging the like terms.

= 3x + 14y - 5z

2. Subtract: -6x² - 8y³ + 15z from x² – y³ + z.

First we need to enclose the first part which is to be subtracted in parentheses with a negative (-) sign prefixed.

x² - y³ + z – (-6x² - 8y³ + 15z)

Now we need to remove the parentheses by changing the sign of each term which is in the parentheses.

= x² - y³ + z + 6x² + 8y³ - 15z

= x² + 6x² - y³ + 8y³ + z - 15z, by arranging the like terms.

= 7x² + 7y³ - 14z

Follow the following steps to solve the subtraction of polynomials in the second method:

Re-write the given expressions in two lines such that the lower line is the expression to be subtracted and like terms of both the expressions are one below the other.

Change the sign of each term in the lower line i.e. change the sign of each term of the expression to be subtracted.

Combine the terms column-wise with new signs assigned to the terms of lower line.  

For example:

1. Subtract: x – 4y – 2z from 7x – 3y + 6z

First we will arrange the expressions in two lines such that the lower line of the expression is to be subtracted from the other, placing the like terms in the same column one below the other.

Therefore, the required answer is 6x +   y + 8z.

2. Subtract: 3a³ + 5a² – 7a + 10 from 6a³ - 8a² + a + 10

First we will arrange the expressions in two lines such that the lower line of the expression is to be subtracted from the other, placing the like terms in the same column one below the other.

Therefore, the required answer is 3a³ - 13a² + 8a.

Thus, we have learnt how to solve subtraction of polynomials in both the methods.

● Terms of an Algebraic Expression

Types of Algebraic Expressions

Degree of a Polynomial

Addition of Polynomials

Subtraction of Polynomials

Power of Literal Quantities

Multiplication of Two Monomials

Multiplication of Polynomial by Monomial

Multiplication of two Binomials

Division of Monomials

6th Grade Math Practice

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