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Aps12 R4 3 4

The document explains how to add polynomials by combining like terms, which are terms with the same variable part. It provides examples and exercises to illustrate the process of adding polynomials, including rewriting expressions and combining coefficients. The document emphasizes the importance of maintaining the variable part while summing the coefficients of like terms.

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ludy louis
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2 views2 pages

Aps12 R4 3 4

The document explains how to add polynomials by combining like terms, which are terms with the same variable part. It provides examples and exercises to illustrate the process of adding polynomials, including rewriting expressions and combining coefficients. The document emphasizes the importance of maintaining the variable part while summing the coefficients of like terms.

Uploaded by

ludy louis
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

Core Skills

4.3.4 Add polynomials.

Two polynomials can be added by combining like terms.

Recall that two terms are like terms if they have the same variable part – the same variables with the
same exponents.

To combine like terms, add their coefficients and keep the variable part.

If a term in one polynomial does not have a like term in the other polynomial, simply copy it down in
the sum.

(x 3
− 3 x 2 − x + 9 ) + ( 8 x 2 − 9 x − 20 )
= x 3 − 3 x 2 − x + 9 + 8 x 2 − 9 x − 20
= x 3 + ( −3 x 2 + 8 x 2 ) + ( − x − 9 x ) + ( 9 − 20 )
= x 3 + 5 x 2 − 10 x − 11

Some students find it convenient when adding polynomials to write like terms vertically.

Example Exercise 1
Add ( 2 x 2 + 3x − 8) + ( 4 x 2 − 4 x − 19 ) . Add ( x 2 + 2 x + 5) + ( x 2 + 4 x + 15) .

SOLUTION:
The expression can be rewritten without
parentheses. Then combine like terms.

( 2x 2
+ 3x − 8 ) + ( 4 x 2 − 4 x − 19 )
= 2 x 2 + 3x − 8 + 4 x 2 − 4 x − 19

Combine 2x 2 and 4x 2 to produce 6x 2 .

Combine 3x and −4x to produce − x .

Combine −8 and −19 to produce −27 .

( 2x 2
+ 3 x − 8 ) + ( 4 x 2 − 4 x − 19 )
= 2 x 2 + 3 x − 8 + 4 x 2 − 4 x − 19
= 6 x 2 − x − 27

Copyright © 2020 Pearson Education, Inc.


CS-205
Workbook for Corequisite Support Modules for Quantitative Reasoning or Liberal Arts Math

Exercise 2 Exercise 3
Add ( x 2 + 7 x − 18) + ( x 2 − 3x − 21) . Add ( x 2 + 6 x + 5) + ( x 2 + x − 16 ) .

Exercise 4 Exercise 5
Add ( x 2 + 3x + 4 ) + ( x 2 − 3x + 21) . Add ( 2 x 2 + 7 x − 10 ) + ( 3x 2 − 2 x + 19 ) .

Copyright © 2020 Pearson Education, Inc.


CS-206

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