Practice Polynomial Addition and Subtraction in Math
Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.
Quick Recap
Adding or subtracting polynomials by combining like terms—terms with the same variable raised to the same power.
Think of like terms as the same type of object: 3x^2 and 5x^2 are both 'x^2 things,' so you can combine them into 8x^2, just like 3 apples plus 5 apples equals 8 apples. You cannot combine x^2 and x any more than you can add apples and oranges.
Example 1
easyAdd (3x^2 + 5x - 2) + (x^2 - 3x + 7).
Example 2
mediumSubtract (5x^3 - 2x^2 + x) - (3x^3 + x^2 - 4x + 2).
Example 3
easyAdd (7x + 3) + (-2x + 9).
Example 4
hardSimplify (x^4 + 2x^2 - 3) - (2x^4 - x^3 + 2x^2 + 1).