Final answer:
To simplify the polynomial, combine like terms by grouping together the terms with the same exponent.
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the polynomial by combining like terms, we start by grouping together the terms that have the same exponent for the variable 'p'.
-8p⁴ + 12p³ + 4p⁴ - 8p² + 3p²
Combine the terms with the same exponent:
(-8p⁴ + 4p⁴) + 12p³ + (-8p² + 3p²)
Simplify each group of like terms:
-4p⁴ + 12p³ - 5p²
The simplified polynomial is -4p⁴ + 12p³ - 5p².