10.1 Add and Subtract Polynomials

Identify Polynomials, Monomials, Binomials, and Trinomials

In Evaluate, Simplify, and Translate Expressions, you learned that a term is a constant or the product of a constant and one or more variables. The constant is called a coefficient. When it is of the form $a x^{m},$ where $a$ is a constant and $m$ is a whole number, it is called a monomial. A monomial, or a sum and/or difference of monomials, is called a polynomial.

Notice the roots:

poly- means many
mono- means one
bi- means two
tri- means three

Here are some examples of polynomials:

Polynomial	$b plus 1$	$4 y^{2} - 7 y + 2$	$5 x^{5} - 4 x^{4} + x^{3} + 8 x^{2} - 9 x + 1$
Monomial	$5$	$4 b squared$	$−9 x cubed$
Binomial	$3 a minus 7$	$y squared minus 9$	$17 x cubed plus 14 x squared$
Trinomial	$x^{2} - 5 x + 6$	$4 y^{2} - 7 y + 2$	$5 a^{4} - 3 a^{3} + a$

Notice that every monomial, binomial, and trinomial is also a polynomial. They are special members of the family of polynomials and so they have special names. We use the words ‘monomial’, ‘binomial’, and ‘trinomial’ when referring to these special polynomials and just call all the rest ‘polynomials’.

Example 1

Determine whether each polynomial is a monomial, binomial, trinomial, or other polynomial:

ⓐ $8 x^{2} - 7 x - 9$
ⓑ $−5 a to the power 4$
ⓒ $x^{4} - 7 x^{3} - 6 x^{2} + 5 x + 2$
ⓓ $11 minus 4 y cubed$
ⓔ $n$

	Polynomial	Number of terms	Type
ⓐ	$8 x^{2} - 7 x - 9$	3	Trinomial
ⓑ	$−5 a to the power 4$	1	Monomial
ⓒ	$x^{4} - 7 x^{3} - 6 x^{2} + 5 x + 2$	5	Polynomial
ⓓ	$11 minus 4 y cubed$	2	Binomial
ⓔ	$n$	1	Monomial

Determine the Degree of Polynomials

In this section, we will work with polynomials that have only one variable in each term. The degree of a polynomial and the degree of its terms are determined by the exponents of the variable.

A monomial that has no variable, just a constant, is a special case. The degree of a constant is $0$ —it has no variable.

Let's see how this works by looking at several polynomials. We'll take it step by step, starting with monomials, and then progressing to polynomials with more terms.

Remember: Any base written without an exponent has an implied exponent of $1 .$

A table is shown. The top row is titled “Monomials” and lists the following monomials: 5, 4 b squared, negative 9 x cubed, negative 18. The next row is titled “Degree” and lists, in blue, 0, 2, 3, and 0. The next row is titled “Binomial” and lists the following binomials: b plus 1, 3a minus 7, y squared minus 9, 17 x cubed plus 14 x squared. The next row is titled “Degree of each term,” with “term” written in blue. This row lists 1, 0, 1, 0, 2, 0, 3, 2 in blue. The next row is titled “Degree of polynomial,” with “polynomial” written in red. This row lists 1, 1, 2, 3 in red. The next row is titled “Trinomial” and lists the following trinomials: x squared minus 5x plus 6, 4 y squared minus 7y plus 2, 5 a to the fourth minus 3 a cubed plus a, and x to the fourth plus 2 x squared minus 5. The next row is titled “Degree of each term,” with “term” written in blue. This row lists 2, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 4, 3, 1, 4, 2, 0 in blue. The next row is titled “Degree of polynomial,” with “polynomial” written in red. This row lists 2, 2, 4, 4 in red. The next row is titled “Polynomial” and lists the following polynomials: b plus 1, 4 y squared minus 7y plus 2, and 4 x to the fourth plus x cubed plus 8 x squared minus 9x plus 1. The next row is titled “Degree of each term,” with “term” written in blue. This row lists 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 in blue. The next row is titled “Degree of polynomial,” with “polynomial” written in red. This row lists 1, 2, 4 in red.

Example 2

Find the degree of the following polynomials:

ⓐ $4 x$
ⓑ $3 x^{3} - 5 x + 7$
ⓒ $−11$
ⓓ $−6 x^{2} + 9 x - 3$
ⓔ $8 x plus 2$

ⓐ	$4 x$
The exponent of $x$ is one. $x = x^{1}$	The degree is 1.
ⓑ	$3 x^{3} - 5 x + 7$
The highest degree of all the terms is 3.	The degree is 3
ⓒ	$minus 11$
The degree of a constant is 0.	The degree is 0.
ⓓ	$−6 x^{2} + 9 x - 3$
The highest degree of all the terms is 2.	The degree is 2.
ⓔ	$8 x plus 2$
The highest degree of all the terms is 1.	The degree is 1.

Working with polynomials is easier when you list the terms in descending order of degrees. When a polynomial is written this way, it is said to be in standard form. Look back at the polynomials in Example 2. Notice that they are all written in standard form. Get in the habit of writing the term with the highest degree first.

Add and Subtract Monomials

In The Language of Algebra, you simplified expressions by combining like terms. Adding and subtracting monomials is the same as combining like terms. Like terms must have the same variable with the same exponent. Recall that when combining like terms only the coefficients are combined, never the exponents.

Add and Subtract Polynomials

Adding and subtracting polynomials can be thought of as just adding and subtracting like terms. Look for like terms—those with the same variables with the same exponent. The Commutative Property allows us to rearrange the terms to put like terms together. It may also be helpful to underline, circle, or box like terms.

Parentheses are grouping symbols. When we add polynomials as we did in Example 6, we can rewrite the expression without parentheses and then combine like terms. But when we subtract polynomials, we must be very careful with the signs.

Evaluate a Polynomial for a Given Value

In The Language of Algebra we evaluated expressions. Since polynomials are expressions, we'll follow the same procedures to evaluate polynomials—substitute the given value for the variable into the polynomial, and then simplify.

Example 9

Evaluate $3 x^{2} - 9 x + 7$ when

ⓐ $x equals 3$
ⓑ $x equals −1$

ⓐ $x equals 3$
	$3 x^{2} - 9 x + 7$
Substitute 3 for $x$	$3 {(3)}^{2} - 9 (3) + 7$
Simplify the expression with the exponent.	$3 \cdot 9 - 9 (3) + 7$
Multiply.	$27 - 27 + 7$
Simplify.	$7$

ⓑ $x equals −1$
	$3 x^{2} - 9 x + 7$
Substitute −1 for $x$	$3 {(−1)}^{2} - 9 (−1) + 7$
Simplify the expression with the exponent.	$3 \cdot 1 - 9 (−1) + 7$
Multiply.	$3 + 9 + 7$
Simplify.	$19$

Example 10

The polynomial $−16 t squared plus 300$ gives the height of an object $t$ seconds after it is dropped from a $300$ foot tall bridge. Find the height after $t equals 3$ seconds.


Substitute 3 for $t$
Simplify the expression with the exponent.
Multiply.
Simplify.

Practice Makes Perfect

Identify Polynomials, Monomials, Binomials and Trinomials

In the following exercises, determine if each of the polynomials is a monomial, binomial, trinomial, or other polynomial.

$5 x plus 2$

binomial

$z^{2} - 5 z - 6$

$a^{2} + 9 a + 18$

trinomial

$−12 p to the power 4$

$y^{3} - 8 y^{2} + 2 y - 16$

polynomial

$10 minus 9 x$

$23 y squared$

monomial

$m^{4} + 4 m^{3} + 6 m^{2} + 4 m + 1$

Determine the Degree of Polynomials

In the following exercises, determine the degree of each polynomial.

$8 a^{5} - 2 a^{3} + 1$

$5 c^{3} + 11 c^{2} - c - 8$

$3 x minus 12$

$4 y plus 17$

$−13$

$−22$

Add and Subtract Monomials

In the following exercises, add or subtract the monomials.

$6x squared plus 9 x squared$

15x²

$4y cubed plus 6 y cubed$

$−12 u plus 4 u$

−8u

$−3 m plus 9 m$

$5 a plus 7 b$

5a + 7b

$8 y plus 6 z$

Add: $4 a, - 3 b, - 8 a$

−4a −3b

Add: $4 x, 3 y, minus 3 x$

$18 x minus 2 x$

16x

$13 a minus 3 a$

Subtract $5 x^{6} from - 12 x^{6}$

−17x⁶

Subtract $2 p^{4} from - 7 p^{4}$

Add and Subtract Polynomials

In the following exercises, add or subtract the polynomials.

$(4 y^{2} + 10 y + 3) + (8 y^{2} - 6 y + 5)$

12y² + 4y + 8

$(7 x^{2} - 9 x + 2) + (6 x^{2} - 4 x + 3)$

$(x^{2} + 6 x + 8) + (−4 x^{2} + 11 x - 9)$

−3x² + 17x − 1

$(y^{2} + 9 y + 4) + (−2 y^{2} - 5 y - 1)$

$(3 a^{2} + 7) + (a^{2} - 7 a - 18)$

4a² − 7a − 11

$(p^{2} - 5 p - 11) + (3 p^{2} + 9)$

$(6 m^{2} - 9 m - 3) - (2 m^{2} + m - 5)$

4m² − 10m + 2

$(3 n^{2} - 4 n + 1) - (4 n^{2} - n - 2)$

$(z^{2} + 8 z + 9) - (z^{2} - 3 z + 1)$

11z + 8

$(z^{2} - 7 z + 5) - (z^{2} - 8 z + 6)$

$(12 s^{2} - 15 s) - (s - 9)$

12s² − 16s + 9

$(10 r^{2} - 20 r) - (r - 8)$

Find the sum of $open parenthesis 2 p cubed minus 8 close parenthesis$ and $(p^{2} + 9 p + 18)$

2p³ + p² + 9p + 10

Find the sum of $(q^{2} + 4 q + 13)$ and $open parenthesis 7 q cubed minus 3 close parenthesis$

Subtract $(7 x^{2} - 4 x + 2)$ from $(8 x^{2} - x + 6)$

x² + 3x + 4

Subtract $(5 x^{2} - x + 12)$ from $(9 x^{2} - 6 x - 20)$

Find the difference of $(w^{2} + w - 42)$ and $(w^{2} - 10 w + 24)$

11w − 66

Find the difference of $(z^{2} - 3 z - 18)$ and $(z^{2} + 5 z - 20)$

Evaluate a Polynomial for a Given Value

In the following exercises, evaluate each polynomial for the given value.

$Evaluate 8 y^{2} - 3 y + 2$

ⓐ $y equals 5$
ⓑ $y equals −2$
ⓒ $y equals 0$

ⓐ 187
ⓑ 40
ⓒ 2

$Evaluate 5 y^{2} - y - 7 when:$

ⓐ $y equals −4$
ⓑ $y equals 1$
ⓒ $y equals 0$

$Evaluate 4 minus 36 x when:$

ⓐ $x equals 3$
ⓑ $x equals 0$

ⓐ −104
ⓑ 4
ⓒ 40

$Evaluate 16 minus 36 x squared when:$

ⓐ $x equals −1$
ⓑ $x equals 0$
ⓒ $x equals 2$

A window washer drops a squeegee from a platform $275$ feet high. The polynomial $−16 t squared plus 275$ gives the height of the squeegee $t$ seconds after it was dropped. Find the height after $t equals 4$ seconds.

19 feet

A manufacturer of microwave ovens has found that the revenue received from selling microwaves at a cost of p dollars each is given by the polynomial $−5 p squared plus 350 p.$ Find the revenue received when $p equals 50$ dollars.

Everyday Math

Fuel Efficiency The fuel efficiency (in miles per gallon) of a bus going at a speed of $x$ miles per hour is given by the polynomial $- \frac{1}{160} x^{2} + \frac{1}{2} x .$ Find the fuel efficiency when $x equals 40 mph.$

10 mpg

Stopping Distance The number of feet it takes for a car traveling at $x$ miles per hour to stop on dry, level concrete is given by the polynomial $0.06 x squared plus 1.1 x.$ Find the stopping distance when $x equals 60 mph.$

Writing Exercises

Using your own words, explain the difference between a monomial, a binomial, and a trinomial.

Answers will vary.

Eloise thinks the sum $5 x^{2} + 3 x^{4}$ is $8 x to the power 6.$ What is wrong with her reasoning?

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

Math self-assessment grid for polynomial skills: identifying, determining degree, adding/subtracting monomials & polynomials, and evaluating expressions. — **Figure 10.2**

ⓑ If most of your checks were:

…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.

…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?

…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.


Identify like terms.
Rearrange to get the like terms together.
Combine like terms.


Distribute and identify like terms.
Rearrange the terms.
Combine like terms.