Context: The task is to subtract one polynomial from another: $(9x^3 + 17x) - (4x^2 + 7x)$.

Answer: C) $9x^3 - 4x^2 + 10x$

Why? The minus sign applies to both terms inside the second parentheses, giving $9x^3 + 17x - 4x^2 - 7x$. Nothing pairs with $9x^3$ or with $-4x^2$, and the linear terms combine as $17x - 7x = 10x$, so the result is $9x^3 - 4x^2 + 10x$.

Traps:

• A) $9x^3 - 4x^2 + 24x$ handles the $x^2$ term correctly but adds the linear terms, $17x + 7x$, instead of subtracting.
• B) $9x^3 + 4x^2 + 24x$ ignores the minus sign entirely, adding both $4x^2$ and $7x$ to the first polynomial.
• D) $9x^3 + 4x^2 + 10x$ subtracts $7x$ correctly but still carries $4x^2$ as a positive term.