The sum of -4x^2 - 5x + 7 and 2x^2 + 8x - 11 can be written in the form ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, a

The sum of -4x^2 - 5x + 7 and 2x^2 + 8x - 11 can be written in the form ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. What is the value of a + b + c?

The sum means we add the polynomials together. We do this by adding the like terms:
-4x^2 - 5x + 7 + 2x^2 + 8x - 11
(-4 +2)x^2 + (-5 + 8)x +(7 - 11)
-2x^2 + 3x - 4

We have (a, b, c) = (-2, 3, -4)

The question asks for a + b + c
a + b + c = -2 + 3 - 4
a + b + c = -3