Simplifying Polynomials (Combining Like Terms)

A polynomial is a mathematical expression that consists of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 3x^2 are not.

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that have the same variable and exponent.

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression. For example, in the polynomial 4x^3 + 2x^2 - x, the degree is 3.

The coefficient is the numerical factor in a term of a polynomial. For example, in the term 5x^2, 5 is the coefficient.

The simplified polynomial is a + 9b.

The simplified expression is 9x^2 - 2x + 4.

The like terms are 7y^2 and -2y^2, which combine to form 5y^2.

The process of simplifying a polynomial by combining like terms is called polynomial simplification.

A monomial has one term, a binomial has two terms, and a trinomial has three terms.