Algebra (Period 1)

Addition of Polynomials 5-7
This is nothing more than combining LIKE TERMS
LIKE TERMS = same variable AND same power

You can either do this using 3 different strategies:
1. Simply do it in your head, but keep track by crossing out the terms as you use them.
2. Rewrite putting the like terms together (commutative and associative property)
3. Rewrite in COLUMN form, putting like terms on top of each other like you do when adding a column of numbers.

EXAMPLE OF COLUMN FORM:
(5x⁴ - 3x² - (-4x) + 3) + (-10x⁴ + 3x³- 3x² - x + 3)
Rewrite in column form, lining up like terms:


Subtraction of Polynomials 5-8
You can use the ADDITIVE INVERSE PROPERTY with polynomials!
Subtracting is simply adding the opposite so.............
DISTRIBUTE THE NEGATIVE SIGN TO EACH TERM!!
(Change all the signs of the second polynomial!)
After you change all the signs, use one of your ADDING POLYNOMIAL strategies!
(see the 3 strategies listed above under Chapter 5-7)

EXAMPLE OF COLUMN FORM:
(5x⁴ - 3x² - (-4x) + 3) - (-10x⁴ + 3x³- 3x² - x + 3)
Rewrite in column form, lining up like terms:
5x⁴ - 3x² - (-4x) + 3
- ( -10x⁴ + 3x³- 3x² - x + 3)
-----------------------------------

For the sake of showing you here, I have added ZERO Terms to line up columns
+ 5x⁴ + 0x³ - 3x² -(-4x) + 3
-(-10x⁴ +3x³- 3x² - x + 3)
-----------------------------------

DISTRIBUTE THE NEGATIVE, THEN ADD:
5x⁴ + 0x³ - 3x² - (-4x) + 3
+10x⁴ -3x³ +3x² + x - 3
-----------------------------------
15x⁴ - 3x³ + 5 x