ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF POLYNOMIALS

Important Concepts:
 Numerical Coefficient – the number part in a term
Examples: ½ x, 3xy, -6mn, d2

½ x - - - the numerical coefficient is ½

3xy - - - the numerical coefficient is 3
-6mn - - - the numerical coefficient is -6
d2 - - - the numerical coefficient is 1

Note: In a term, when there is no number part written, the numerical coefficient is understood to be 1.
That is, (1d2), but we should not write it that way.
Reason: Identity Property of Multiplication
Any number multiplied by 1 is the number itself. (a*1 = a)
Also, in -x3, the numerical coefficient is -1.

 Literal coefficient – the variable part in a term with its exponent.

Examples: 4x2, -xy, 12mn, 11s3
4x2 - - - the literal coefficient is x2
-xy - - - the literal coefficient is xy
12mn - - the literal coefficient is mn
11s3 - - the literal coefficient is s3

 Similar terms or like terms – two or more terms with the same literal coefficients
Examples: -3x, -3y, xy, 4x2, d2, -7d2, 7x2
4x2 and 7x2 are similar
d2 and -7d2 are similar
-3x and -3y are not similar
2x3 and 2x2 are not similar

 Commutative Property of Addition

The order of the addends will not affect the sum.

 A+B=B+A

Example: 12 + 15 = 25
15 + 12 = 25

But 8 – 3 ≠ 3 – 8 because there is no Commutative Property for Subtraction

3 – (+8) = 3 + (-8) so 3 + (-8) = (-8) + 3

Rules:
 Only similar terms can be added or subtracted.
 Add or subtract the numerical coefficients, then annex the literal coefficients (Variable parts).
Examples:
1. What is the sum when d2 is added to -7d2?
Solution: d2 + (-7d2) = [1 + (-7)]d2
= -6d2
2. Find the sum (2c + 3) and (6c – 8)
Solution: (2c + 3) + (6c – 8) = (2c + 6c) + [3 + (-8)] - - - Collect like terms
= (2 + 6)c + (-5)
= 8c – 5
3. Add (6 – d2 + 5d) and (-5d + 9 – 7d2).
Solution: (6 – d2 + 5d) + (-5d + 9 – 7d2) = [(-d2) + (-7d2)] + [5d + (-5d)] + (6 + 9)
= [(-1) + (-7)]d 2 + [5 + (-5)]d + 15
= -8d 2 + 0d + 15
 = -8d 2 + 15
4. What is the difference when (10h – 11) is subtracted from (12h + 3)?
Solution:
(12h + 3) – (10h – 11) = (12h + 3) + [(-10h) + 11] Add to the minuend the opposite of the
subtrahend.
= [12h + (-10h)] + (3 + 11) Collect like terms
= [12 + (-10)]h + 14
= 2h + 14

Multiplying Polynomials

Important Concepts:
 Laws of exponents
*(xm)(xn) = xm + n
*(xm)n = xmn
 Multiplication of integers
*(+)(+) = +
*(-)(-) = +
*(+)(-) = -
 Distributive Property of Real Numbers
*a(b + c) = ab + ac

Rules in Multiplying Polynomials

A. To multiply a monomial by another monomial, simply multiply the numerical coefficients then multiply the
literal coefficients by applying the basic laws of exponent.

Examples:

1) (3x2)(-5x10) = (3)(-5)x2 + 10

= -15x12

B. To multiply monomial by a polynomial, simply apply the distributive property and follow the rule in
multiplying monomial by a monomial.
Examples:

1) 3x (x2 – 5x + 7) = (3x)(x2) - (3x)(5x) + (3x)(7)

= (3)(1)x1 + 2 - (3)(5)x1 + 1 + 21x
 = 3x3 – 15x2 + 21x

C. To multiply binomial by another binomial, simply distribute the first term of the first binomial to each term of
the other binomial then distribute the second term to each term of the other binomial and simplify the
results by combining similar terms.

(x + 3)(x + 5) = (x + 3)(x) + (x + 3)(5)

= x^2 + 3x + 5x + 15

= x^2 + 8x + 15

*This procedure is also known as the F-O-I-L method or Smile method.

Examples

1. (x + 3)(x + 5) = x2 + 8x + 15 F –> (x)(x) = x2

O –> (x)(5) = 5x
First terms Last terms
I –> (3)(x) = 3x
(x + 3) (x + 5)
L –> (3)(5)= 15
Inner terms
Since 5x and 3x are similar terms
we can combine them. 5x + 3x = 8x.
Outer terms The final answer is
x2 + 8x + 15

(x + 3)(x + 5) = F + (O + I) + L

= x2 + (5x + 3x) + 15

= x2 + 8x + 15
Dividing Polynomials

Important Concept:

 Law of Exponent for Quotient

m
x m−n
* n
=x
x
 Definition of Zero Exponent

x0 = 1

 Definition of Negative Exponent

1
x-n =
xn

Objectives:

I 1. divide polynomials such as:

a) polynomial by a monomial and

b) polynomial by a polynomial with more than one term.

2. solve problems involving division of polynomials.

Rules in Dividing Polynomials

To divide polynomial by a monomial, simply divide each term of the polynomial by the given divisor.

Examples:

1. Divide 12x4 – 16x3 + 8x2 by 4x2

a.
x 4 −16
1212
= 4x
24 x 2

= 3x – 4x + 2
2
3
x 4 x16+8
−
2
x3x 8 x 2
+
4 x2 4 x 2
b.
¿ -16x3
______
-16x 3

8x2
8x2
___
0
4 3 3 3 2 4
2. Divide 15x4y3 + 25x3y3 – 20x2y4 by -5x2y3 15 x y 25 x y 20 x y
2 3
+ 2 3
− 2 3
= −52x y −5 x y −5 x y
= -3x – 5x + 4y
 To divide polynomial by a polynomial with more than one term (by long division), simply follow the
procedure in dividing numbers by long division.

These are some suggested steps to follow:

1. Check the dividend and the divisor if it is in standard form.

2. Set-up the long division by writing the division symbol where the divisor is outside the division symbol
and the dividend inside it.
3. You may now start the Division, Multiplication, Subtraction and Bring Down cycle.
4. You can stop the cycle when:
a. the quotient (answer) has reached the constant term.
b. the exponent of the divisor is greater than the exponent of the dividend

Examples:
r. 1

1. Divide 2485 by 12.

¿ 8
or
207
1
12

0
___
85
84
___
1

¿
1. divide x2 by x and put the result on top

2. multiply that result to x + 2

– 5x - 10 3. subtract the product to the dividend

– 5x - 10
2. Divide x2 – 3x – 10 by x + 2 0 4. bring down the remaining term/s

3. Divide x3 + 6x2 + 11x + 6 by x - 3

¿– 3x2 + 11x
– 3x2 + 9x
2x – 6

2x – 6
0
 4. Divide 2x3 – 3x2 – 10x – 4 by 2x – 1

¿ – 4x2 – 10x
– 4x2 – 2x

– 8x – 6
– 8x – 4
–2

1. Divide x4 – 3x2 + 2 by x2 – 2x + 3

¿ 2x3 - 6x2 + 0x
2x3 - 4x2 + 6x

-2x2 - 6x + 12
-2x2 + 4x – 6
– 10x+18

III. Exercises
Answer the following.

1. Give the quotient of each of the following.

a. 30x3y5 divided by -5x2y5

13 x3 −26 x 5 −39 x7
3
b. 13 x

c. Divide 7x + x3 – 6 by x – 2
2. If I spent (x3 + 5x2 – 2x – 24) pesos for (x2 + x – 6) pencils, how much does each pencil cost?

3. If 5 is the number needed to be multiplied by 9 to get 45, what polynomial is needed to be multiplied
to x + 3 to get 2x2 + 3x – 9?

4. The length of the rectangle is x cm and its area is (x3 – x) cm2. What is the measure of its width?