Simplify -3p 3 + 5p + (-2p 2) + (-4) - 12p + 5 - (-8p 3). select the answer in descending powers of p.

a.1 - 7p - 2p2 + 5p3
b.5p3 - 2p2 - 7p + 1
c.1 + 7p + 2p2 - 5p3
d.-5p3 + 2p2 + 7p + 1

For future reference use ^ to show exponents, example: 4^2 to show 4 to the second power. 

-3p^3 + 5p + (-2p^2) + (-4) - 12p + 5 - (-8p^3)

first we are going to fix all of the addition and subtraction signs remember negatives cancels out negatives, and negatives with positives make negatives.

5p^3 -2p^2 -7p +1 

Onces you add like terms you pretty much simplified it.

Final  5p^3 -2p^2 -7p +1