Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean to add polynomials?

Back

Adding polynomials involves combining like terms, which are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What does it mean to subtract polynomials?

Back

Subtracting polynomials involves changing the signs of the terms in the polynomial being subtracted and then combining like terms.

Front

What is the 'SAME/KEEP - CHANGE - CHANGE' rule?

Back

This rule is a method for subtracting polynomials: keep the first polynomial the same, change the subtraction to addition, and change the signs of the second polynomial.

Front

Example of adding polynomials: (3x^2 + 2x) + (4x^2 + 5x)

Back

7x^2 + 7x

Front

Example of subtracting polynomials: (5y^2 + 3y) - (2y^2 + 4y)

Back

3y^2 - y

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms in a polynomial that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What are coefficients in a polynomial?

Back

Coefficients are the numerical factors in front of the variables in a polynomial.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, add or subtract their coefficients while keeping the variable part the same.

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression.