Rules for Adding Polynomials

• To add polynomials, simply combine similar terms.

• To combine similar terms, get the sum of the numerical
coefficients and annex the same literal coefficients.
• If there is more than one term, for convenience, write
similar terms in the same column.
Examples
1. (2b + 5c) + (4b + 8c) = (2b + 4b) + (5c + 8c) = 6b + 13c
or 2b + 5c
+ 4b + 8c
6b + 13c
2. (2b2 + 5b - 4) + (4b2 - 8b - 2) = (2b2 + 4b2) + (5b – 8b) + [(-4) + (-2)]
= 6b2 – 3b - 6
or 2b2 + 5b - 4
+ 4b2 - 8b - 2
6b2 – 3b - 6
Perform the indicated operations.
1. 9x2+ 5x2
2. 9x + 11x
3. [16x + (-5x)] + [4y + (5y)]
4. (8n2 + 4n – 2) + (-9n + 16)
5. x2 + x + 2+ - 2x2 +5x – 4
6. 2x2 + 4 + (-8x2) – 3x
7. (9x2 + x - 2) + (x2 + 7x)
8. (3x2 + 2x + 1) + (2x2 +3x + 4)
9. 24a + 12a + 8b
10. 6x + 3y – z + 3y + z -x
 Rules for Subtracting Polynomials
To subtract polynomials, change the sign of each term in
the subtrahend and then add it to the minuend.
Examples
1. (8x + 8a) – (2y – 3a) = 8x +[8a – (-3a)] – 2y = 8x+11a – 2y
or 8x + 8a
+ 3a - 2y
8x + 11a – 2y
 
2. (-3x2 + 4x + 1) – ( 5x2+ 2x – 3) = [(-3x2) - 5x2] + (4x – 2x) +
[1 – (-3)] = - 8x2 + 2x + 4
or (-3x2 + 4x + 1
+ (-5x2 - 2x + 3)
- 8x2 + 2x + 4
Perform the indicated operations.
1. (11x + 12x) - (8y – 9y) =
2. (-9x + 4y) – (5x + 9y)
3. (2n2 + 6n – 8) - (-2n2 – 9n + 17)
4. (3n + m) – (-2n - 4m)
5. (7a - 3b – c) – (3b + c +9)
6. (9x2 + 4) - (x2 – 3x)
7. (4x2 – 9x - 2) - (5x2 + 2x - 6)
8. (9x2 + 2x + 1) - (x2 - x + 19)
9. (10a + 3b) – (-6a - 8b)
10. (11x - 2y) – (-2x + 2y + z)