Simplifying Algebraic Expression with Like Terms
The given expression is:
\( 2a^2b - 8ab^2 + b^4 + 3ab^2 \)
To simplify the expression, combine like terms. Like terms are terms that have the exact same variables raised to the exact same powers.
The first term \(2a^2b\) does not have any other like terms, so we can leave it as it is.
The second term \(-8ab^2\) and the fourth term \(3ab^2\) are like terms because they both have \(ab^2\).
Combine them:
\(-8ab^2 + 3ab^2 = -5ab^2\)
The third term \(b^4\) does not have any like terms, so we also leave that term as it is.
Putting them all together, our simplified expression is:
\( 2a^2b - 5ab^2 + b^4 \)
That’s the final simplified form of the given expression.