Question 5
What should be subtracted from 3x2−4y2+5xy+20 to obtain −x2−y2+6xy+20?
Let q be the expression to be subtracted.
Then according to the question,
3x2−4y2+5xy+20−q=−x2−y2+6xy+20
⇒q=3x2−4y2+5xy+20−(−x2−y2+6xy+20)
⇒q=3x2−4y2+5xy+20+x2+y2−6xy−20
⇒q=3x2+x2−4y2+y2+5xy−6xy+20−20
⇒q=4x2−3y2−xy+0
Hence, 4x2−3y2−xy should be subtracted from 3x2−4y2+5xy+20 to obtain −x2−y2+6xy+20.