Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Learn and apply adding and subtracting polynomials using equations, examples, and interpretation.

Lesson 2 of 53 parts Practice Flashcards

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Adding Like Terms

Objective: Explain and use adding like terms in an Algebra 1 problem.

Add coefficients only for terms with the same variable powers; leave unlike terms separate. No, their powers differ.

Worked examples

Try itExample 1.1: Combine 2x+15x.Show answer

17x. Add the coefficients of matching x terms. The answer is 17x.

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Adding Like Terms

Objective: Explain and use adding like terms in an Algebra 1 problem.

Add coefficients only for terms with the same variable powers; leave unlike terms separate. No, their powers differ.

Worked examples

Try itExample 1.1: Combine 2x+15x.Show answer

17x. Add the coefficients of matching x terms. The answer is 17x.

Subtracting Expressions

Objective: Explain and use subtracting expressions in an Algebra 1 problem.

Subtracting a polynomial means distributing a negative sign across every term of the polynomial being subtracted. They show that subtraction affects each term.

Worked examples

Try itExample 2.1: Subtract 25x from 28x.Show answer

3x. Subtract coefficients of matching x terms. The answer is 3x.

Standard Form

Objective: Explain and use standard form in an Algebra 1 problem.

Write a single-variable polynomial in descending powers after combining like terms; this makes degree and coefficients clear. No, addition is commutative.

Worked examples

Try itExample 3.1: Combine 4x+35x.Show answer

39x. Add the coefficients of matching x terms. The answer is 39x.

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