When writing out a polynomial string, the general rule is to list each monomial in a descending order based upon the exponents.  When adding or subtracting two or more polynomial strings the first thing to do is to look for the “like” terms (or monomial) in each string.  (Note: When you have more than one string, each string is surrounded by parentheses ().) What are “like” terms?  Like terms are when you have the same variable (x, y) and/or the same exponents.  For example:  7x + 2x.  Here the variable “x” is the same so then you can easily work the coefficients, i.e., “7” and “2” or 7 + 2... Show more

When writing out a polynomial string, the general rule is to list each monomial in a descending order based upon the exponents. 

When adding or subtracting two or more polynomial strings the first thing to do is to look for the “like” terms (or monomial) in each string.  (Note: When you have more than one string, each string is surrounded by parentheses ().)

What are “like” terms?  Like terms are when you have the same variable (x, y) and/or the same exponents.  For example:  7x + 2x.  Here the variable “x” is the same so then you can easily work the coefficients, i.e., “7” and “2” or 7 + 2 = 9.  They each have the same variable “x” so the problem is worked:  7x + 2x = 7 + 2 = 9x.

Show less