Adding and Subtracting Polynomials:

Step 1:
Remove all parentheses. I suggest writing the problem vertically rather
than horizontally because it makes the next step must easier. When adding, distribute
the positive (or addition) sign, which does not change any of the signs. When
subtracting, distribute the negative (or subtraction) sign, which changes each sign after
the subtraction sign.
Step 2:
Combine like terms. This step is much easier if things are written vertically
because like terms are written above one another. Remember that to combine like
terms the variable and the power of each variable must be exactly the same.
Example 1 Simplify: (3x3 5x + 9) + (6x3 + 8x 7)
Step 1: Remove all parentheses.
Step 2: Combine like terms.

Example 2 Simplify: (3x2 + 9xy 5y2) (4x2 + 7xy 8y2)

Step 1: Remove all parentheses.

Step 2: Combine like terms.

Example 3 Simplify: (5x3 7x2 8) (4x2 + 5x 6)

Step 1: Remove all parentheses. In this case, notice
I left a blank in the first row to help align the like
terms, making them easier to combine in the next
step.
Step 2: Combine like terms.
Example 4 Add 4x3 9x + 3 and 5x2 4x + 7.
Step 1: Write the problem using parentheses. We
should use parentheses in this type of problem
because we are adding groups of terms.
Step 2: Remove all parentheses. In this case, notice
I left a blank in the first row to help align the like
terms, making them easier to combine in the next
step.
Step 3: Combine like terms.
Example 5 Subtract 4x2 7x + 5 from 3x2 2x + 6.

Step 1: Write the problem using parentheses. We

should use parentheses in this type of problem
because we are subtracting groups of terms.
Step 2: Remove all parentheses.
Step 3: Combine like terms.
Example 6 - Simplify: (5x4 3x2 + 4) + (6x3 4x2 7)
Solution

Example 7 Subtract 4x3 5x 8 from 6x2 3x + 8

Solution

Multiplying Polynomials
Step 1: Distribute each term of the first polynomial to every term of the second
polynomial. Remember that when you multiply two terms together you
must multiply the coefficient (numbers) and add the exponents.
Step 2: Combine like terms (if you can).
Example 1 Multiply: 3x2(4x2 5x + 7)
Step 1: Distribute each term of the first
polynomial to every term of the second
polynomial. In this case, we need to
distribute the 3x2.
Step 2: Combine like terms. In this
case, there are no like terms.
Example 2 Multiply: 6xy(4x2 5xy 2y2)

Step 1: Distribute each term of

the first polynomial to every term
of the second polynomial. In this
case, we need to distribute the
6xy.
Step 2: Combine like terms. In
this case, there are no like terms.
Example 3 Multiply: (3x 4y)(5x 2y)
Step 1: Distribute each term of the first
polynomial to every term of the second
polynomial. In this case, we need to
distribute the 3x and the 4y.
Step 2: Combine like terms.
Example 4 Multiply: (4x 5)(2x2 + 3x 6)
Step 1: Distribute each term of the
first polynomial to every term of the
second polynomial. In this case, we
need to distribute the 4x and the 5.
Step 2: Combine like terms.
Example 5 Multiply: (3x + 2)(4x2 7x + 5)
Step 1: Distribute each term of the
first polynomial to every term of the
second polynomial. In this case, we
need to distribute the 3x and the 2.
Step 2: Combine like terms.
Example 6 Multiply: 5x2y(7x2 4xy2 + 2y3)

Example 7 Multiply: (4x 7)(2x 9)

Adding Polynomials
1. Simplify: (5x4 3x2 + 4) + (6x3 4x2 7)

2. Add

2x2 + 6x + 5
2x2 + 6x + 5
2x2 + 3x2
(2+3)x2 +

and 3x2 - 2x - 1
+ 3x2 - 2x - 1
+
6x - 2x
+
5-1
(6-2)x +
(5-1)

= 5x2 + 4x + 4

3. Add

(2x2 + 6y + 3xy) ,

(3x2 - 5xy - x)

and

(6xy + 5)

Line them up in columns and add:

2x2 + 6y + 3xy
3x2
- 5xy - x
6xy
+ 5
5x2 + 6y + 4xy - x + 5
4. Simplify (2x + 5y) + (3x 2y)
I'll put each variable in its own column; in this case, the first column will be the x-column,
and the second column will be the y-column:

I get the same solution vertically as I got horizontally: 5x + 3y.

Subracting Polynomials

1. Simplify: (5x3 7x2 + 3x 4) (8x3 + 2x2 + 3x 7)

2. Subtract 6x2 7x + 4 and 7x2 9x + 8

3. Subtract 4x3 5x 8 from 6x2 3x + 8

Trinomial
A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.
A polynomial with three terms is called a trinomial.
Example of Trinomial
x2 + 5x - 2, - x2 - 2x - 3, x2 + 9x + 6, x2 - 6x + 2, - x2 - 4x + 5

Subtracting Trinomials
Subtraction of two positive unlike terms:
To find the difference of two positive unlike terms suppose, take n from m, we need to
connect both the terms by using a subtraction sign and express the result in the form of
m - n.
Therefore, the difference of two positive unlike terms m and n = m - n.
Subtraction of positive and negative unlike terms:
To find the difference of a positive and a negative unlike terms suppose, take -n from m,
we need to connect both the terms by using a subtraction sign [m - (-n)] and express the
result in the form of m + n.
Therefore, the difference of a positive and a negative unlike terms m and -n = m + n.
Subtraction of negative and positive unlike terms:
To find the difference of a negative and a positive unlike terms suppose, take n from -m,
we need to connect both the terms by using a subtraction sign [(-m) - n] and express the
result in the form of -m - n.
Therefore, the difference of a negative and a positive unlike terms -m and n = -m - n.
Subtraction of negative and negative unlike terms:
To find the difference of two negative unlike terms suppose, take -n from -m, we need to
connect both the terms by using a subtraction sign [(-m) - (-n)] and express the result in
the form of -m + n.
Therefore, the difference of two negative unlike terms -m and -n = -m + n.
Example:
1. The unlike terms 2ab and 4bc cannot be subtracted to form a single term. All that
which can be done is to connect them by the sign of subtraction and leave the result in
the form 2ab - 4bc.
2. 11x - 7y -2x - 3x.

= 11x - 2x - 3x - 7y.
= 6x - 7y (here 7y is an unlike term)
3. 3x - 7y
Here 3x and 7y both are unlike terms so it will remain as it is.
Therefore, the answer is 3x - 7y
4. 15x - 12y - 11x
= 15x - 11x - 12y
= 4x - 12y (here 12y is an unlike term)