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Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

This document discusses how to add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms. It provides examples of adding polynomials by placing like terms together and then adding the coefficients. Subtracting polynomials is described as reversing the signs before adding.

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AngelRibeiro10
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36 views4 pages

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

This document discusses how to add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms. It provides examples of adding polynomials by placing like terms together and then adding the coefficients. Subtracting polynomials is described as reversing the signs before adding.

Uploaded by

AngelRibeiro10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

11/19/13

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials


A polynomial looks like this:

example of a polynomial
this one has 3 terms
To add polynomials you simply add any like terms together .. so what is a like term?

Like Terms
Like Terms are terms whose variables (and their exponents such as the 2 in x2) are the same.
In other words, terms that are "like" each other.
Note: the coefficients (the numbers you multiply by, such as "5" in 5x) can be different.

Example:
7x

-2x

are all like terms because the variables are all x

Example:
(1/3)xy2

-2xy2

6xy2

xy2/2

are all like terms because the variables are all xy 2

Adding Polynomials
Two Steps:
Place like terms together
Add the like terms
www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-adding-subtracting.html

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11/19/13

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Example: Add

2x2 + 6x + 5

and

Start with:
Place like terms together:
Add the like terms:

3x2 - 2x - 1

2x2 + 6x + 5

3x2 - 2x - 1

2x2 + 3x2

6x - 2x

5-1

(2+3)x2

(6-2)x

(5-1)

= 5x2 + 4x + 4
Here is an animation to show you:

(Note: there was no "like term" for the -7 in the other polynomial, so we didn't have to add anything
to it.)

Adding in Columns
You could also add them in columns like this:

www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-adding-subtracting.html

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11/19/13

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Adding Several Polynomials


You can add several polynomials together like that.
Example: Add

(2x2 + 6y + 3xy) ,

(3x2 - 5xy - x)

and

(6xy + 5)

Line them up in columns and add:

2x2 + 6y + 3xy
3x2

- 5xy - x
6xy
+5

5x2 + 6y + 4xy - x + 5
Using columns helps you to match the correct terms together in a complicated sum.

Subtracting Polynomials
To subtract Polynomials, first reverse the sign of each term you are subtracting (in other words
turn "+" into "-", and "-" into "+"), then add as usual.
Like this:

Note: After subtracting 2xy from 2xy we ended up with 0, so there is no need to mention the "xy"
term any more.

www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-adding-subtracting.html

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11/19/13

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5


Question 6 Question 7 Question 8 Question 9
Question 10

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