Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomials
Polynomials are algebraic expressions that consist of variables raised to whole number exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Each term in a polynomial is made up of a coefficient and a variable part, such as x² or 5x. Understanding the structure of polynomials is essential for performing operations like addition and subtraction.
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Like Terms
Like terms are terms in a polynomial that have the same variable raised to the same exponent. For example, in the expression 5xⁿ and -7xⁿ, both terms are like terms because they share the same variable and exponent. Identifying and combining like terms is crucial when adding polynomials, as it simplifies the expression and allows for easier calculations.
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Combining Polynomials
Combining polynomials involves adding or subtracting their respective terms. This process requires aligning like terms and performing the arithmetic on their coefficients. For instance, when adding (x²ⁿ + 5xⁿ − 8) and (4x²ⁿ − 7xⁿ + 2), one must group x²ⁿ terms together and xⁿ terms together to arrive at a simplified polynomial expression.
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