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Adding & Subtracting Polynomials

Maths: Edexcel A Level Pure Maths, topic 2.4.2

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Adding and subtracting polynomials can be thought of as just adding and subtracting like terms. Look for terms with the same variables with the same exponent.

Identify like terms

Identify like terms

  • Identify like terms by underlining or circling like terms.
Rearrange

Rearrange

  • The commutative property of addition allows us to rearrange the terms in polynomials to put like terms together.
  • Remember to keep track of any minus signs.
Combine like terms

Combine like terms

  • Sum the coefficients of terms of the same degree to write the polynomial in its simplest form.

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