The Process of Adding Polynomials

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 96 views

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Understanding Polynomials

Polynomials are algebraic expressions consisting of variables and coefficients combined using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. In this article, we will focus on adding two polynomials, $P$ and $Q$ , which are given by the equations:

$P = 3x^2 - x + 2$

$Q = x^2 + 5x - 6$

The Process of Adding Polynomials

When adding polynomials, we combine like terms, which are terms that have the same variable and exponent. To do this, we need to follow a step-by-step process:

Identify like terms: We need to identify the terms in both polynomials that have the same variable and exponent.
Combine like terms: We add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms.
Simplify the expression: We simplify the resulting expression by combining any remaining like terms.

Adding the Polynomials

Let's add the polynomials $P$ and $Q$ using the step-by-step process outlined above.

Step 1: Identify Like Terms

We need to identify the terms in both polynomials that have the same variable and exponent.

Term	$P$	$Q$
$x^2$	$3x^2$	$x^2$
$x$	$-x$	$5x$
Constant	$2$	$-6$

Step 2: Combine Like Terms

We add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms.

Term	$P$	$Q$	Result
$x^2$	$3x^2$	$x^2$	$4x^2$
$x$	$-x$	$5x$	$4x$
Constant	$2$	$-6$	$-4$

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

We simplify the resulting expression by combining any remaining like terms.

$P + Q = 4x^2 + 4x - 4$

Conclusion

In this article, we added two polynomials, $P$ and $Q$ , using a step-by-step process. We identified like terms, combined them, and simplified the resulting expression. The final answer is:

$P + Q = 4x^2 + 4x - 4$

This is option D) $4x^2+4x-4$ .

Final Answer

The final answer is D) $4x^2+4x-4$ .

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Understanding Polynomials

$P = 3x^2 - x + 2$

$Q = x^2 + 5x - 6$

The Process of Adding Polynomials

When adding polynomials, we combine like terms, which are terms that have the same variable and exponent. To do this, we need to follow a step-by-step process:

Identify like terms: We need to identify the terms in both polynomials that have the same variable and exponent.
Combine like terms: We add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms.
Simplify the expression: We simplify the resulting expression by combining any remaining like terms.

Adding the Polynomials

Let's add the polynomials $P$ and $Q$ using the step-by-step process outlined above.

Step 1: Identify Like Terms

We need to identify the terms in both polynomials that have the same variable and exponent.

Term	$P$	$Q$
$x^2$	$3x^2$	$x^2$
$x$	$-x$	$5x$
Constant	$2$	$-6$

Step 2: Combine Like Terms

We add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms.

Term	$P$	$Q$	Result
$x^2$	$3x^2$	$x^2$	$4x^2$
$x$	$-x$	$5x$	$4x$
Constant	$2$	$-6$	$-4$

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

We simplify the resulting expression by combining any remaining like terms.

$P + Q = 4x^2 + 4x - 4$

Q&A

Q: What are like terms?

A: Like terms are terms that have the same variable and exponent. For example, $2x^2$ and $3x^2$ are like terms because they both have the variable $x$ and the exponent $2$ .

Q: How do I identify like terms?

A: To identify like terms, you need to look at the terms in both polynomials and find the terms that have the same variable and exponent.

Q: What is the difference between adding and subtracting polynomials?

A: Adding and subtracting polynomials are similar processes, but when subtracting polynomials, you need to change the signs of the terms in the second polynomial.

Q: Can I add polynomials with different variables?

A: No, you cannot add polynomials with different variables. For example, you cannot add $x^2 + 3x$ and $y^2 + 2y$ because they have different variables.

Q: How do I simplify the expression after adding polynomials?

A: To simplify the expression after adding polynomials, you need to combine any remaining like terms.

Conclusion

In this article, we added two polynomials, $P$ and $Q$ , using a step-by-step process. We identified like terms, combined them, and simplified the resulting expression. We also answered some common questions about adding polynomials.

Final Answer

The final answer is D) $4x^2+4x-4$ .