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. Understanding the structure of polynomials is essential for performing operations like addition, as it allows for the identification of like terms.
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Like Terms
Like terms are terms in a polynomial that have the same variable parts raised to the same powers. For example, in the expression 3x² and 5x², both terms are like terms because they share the same variable x raised to the power of 2. Identifying and combining like terms is crucial when adding polynomials, as it simplifies the expression and consolidates similar components.
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Combining Polynomials
Combining polynomials involves adding or subtracting their respective terms. This process requires aligning like terms and performing arithmetic on their coefficients. When adding polynomials, it is important to ensure that all like terms are combined correctly to produce a simplified polynomial expression, which is the final result of the operation.
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