In Exercises 29–40, add the polynomials. Assume that all variable exponents represent whole numbers. (−6x³ + 5x² − 8x + 9) + (17x³ + 2x² − 4x − 13)

Key Concepts

Polynomial Addition

Polynomial addition involves combining like terms from two or more polynomials. Like terms are those that have the same variable raised to the same power. When adding polynomials, you simply add the coefficients of these like terms while keeping the variable part unchanged.

Like Terms

Like terms are terms in a polynomial that share the same variable and exponent. For example, in the polynomial 3x² + 4x², both terms are like terms because they both contain the variable x raised to the power of 2. Identifying and combining like terms is essential for simplifying polynomials.

Degree of a Polynomial

The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of the variable in the polynomial. It provides insight into the polynomial's behavior and shape when graphed. For instance, in the polynomial -6x³ + 5x² - 8x + 9, the degree is 3, indicating that the polynomial is cubic.