The Rules of Adding Polynomial Expressions

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 38 views

Introduction

Polynomial expressions are a fundamental concept in algebra, and adding them is a crucial operation in mathematics. In this article, we will explore how to add polynomial expressions, using the given example of adding $$3-2p-5p^2$$ and $$p^4-3p+4$$.

What are Polynomial Expressions?

A polynomial expression is a mathematical expression consisting of variables and coefficients combined using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The variables in a polynomial expression are often represented by letters such as $$p$$, $$q$$, or $$x$$, and the coefficients are numbers that are multiplied by the variables.

The Rules of Adding Polynomial Expressions

When adding polynomial expressions, we follow a set of rules to ensure that the resulting expression is correct. These rules are:

Like Terms: Combine like terms by adding or subtracting the coefficients of the same variables.
Order of Operations: Follow the order of operations (PEMDAS) when adding polynomial expressions: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction.
Distributive Property: Use the distributive property to expand and simplify polynomial expressions.

Step-by-Step Solution

Now, let's apply these rules to the given example of adding $$3-2p-5p^2$$ and $$p^4-3p+4$$.

Step 1: Identify Like Terms

The first step is to identify like terms in both expressions. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Expression 1	Expression 2
$$3$$	$$p^4$$
$$-2p$$	$$-3p$$
$$-5p^2$$	$$4$$

Step 2: Combine Like Terms

Now, let's combine like terms by adding or subtracting the coefficients of the same variables.

Expression 1	Expression 2	Result
$$3$$	$$p^4$$	$$p^4$$
$$-2p$$	$$-3p$$	$$-5p$$
$$-5p^2$$	$$4$$	$$-5p^2 + 4$$

Step 3: Simplify the Result

Now, let's simplify the result by combining the terms.

p^4 - 5p^2 - 5p + 4

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to add polynomial expressions using the given example of adding $$3-2p-5p^2$$ and $$p^4-3p+4$$. We have followed the rules of adding polynomial expressions, including combining like terms, following the order of operations, and using the distributive property. The resulting expression is $$p^4 - 5p^2 - 5p + 4$$.

Answer

The correct answer is:

C. $$p^4-5p2-5p+7$$