Thursday, March 20, 2014

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials


Adding polynomials is nothing more than an expanded method of combining like terms. We need to first make sure that we arrange our two polynomials to show the appropriate pairs of like terms. 

Remember 4x and 4 are not like terms, just like 4xand 4x are not like terms. Like terms have the same exponent on the variable. In order to add two polynomials, line up the like terms, then combine them. Anything that does not have a like term will not change, but will still be part of the polynomial that we will simplify for our answer.

Subtraction is just as easy as multiplication, because all we need to do is change all the signs of all parts of the polynomial we are subtracting to their opposites. 4x turns into -4x. +6 turns into -6. After you have re-written the second polynomial, ADD like normal.

Check out these other notes and videos to help you even more. 


0 comments:

Post a Comment