Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Like terms are terms that have the same variables raised to the same power. Study the following examples.

Like terms
5x, -8x	The variable part of each term is x.
-9xy2, 3.7xy2	The variable part of each term is xy2
	The variable parts, xy and yx, are equivalent.
-1.5, 4	Constants are considered like terms.
Terms that are NOT like terms
6x, -10xy	The variables do not match.
-7x3y3, 12x2y3	The powers of x do not match.

To add polynomials, first remove any parentheses. Then combine like terms.

Example 1

Find: (8x³ - 3x² + 7x - 12) + (4x³ - 3x + 2)

Then, the sum is 12x³ - 3x² + 4x - 10.

Note:

We can also add polynomials in this way: Line up like terms vertically. Then add the coefficients.

To subtract one polynomial from another, change the sign of each term in the polynomial being subtracted. Then combine like terms.

For example:

8 - (2x - 3) becomes 8 - 2x + 3

(5x + 4) - (3x² - x + 6) becomes 5x + 4 - 3x² + x - 6

Note:

To subtract one polynomial from another, add the first polynomial to the opposite of the polynomial being subtracted.

Example 2

So, the difference is -15x⁴ + x²y + 8x - 14.

Note:

We can also subtract polynomials in this way:

Line up like terms vertically.

Then subtract the coefficients. To do this, first change the sign of each term being subtracted. Then add.