Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
Simplify: (3x2 + 2x − 5) + (x2 − 4x + 1)
- Drop the parentheses and combine like terms.
- x2 terms: 4x2. x terms: −2x. Numbers: −4.
Answer: 4x2 − 2x − 4
Example 2
Simplify: (5x2 − x + 3) − (2x2 + 4x − 1)
- Change the sign of every term in the second group: 5x2 − x + 3 − 2x2 − 4x + 1.
- Combine.
Answer: 3x2 − 5x + 4
Where this is taught: Quiz 39: Polynomials and Factoring, “Adding polynomials”
The drill
Ten problems
How many:
Type your answer like 3x^2 - 2x + 5: use ^ for a power, and write like terms together. Then press Check my answers at the bottom.Write each answer on the line. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.