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You cannot ad or subtract variables with different exponents: the exponents must be the same. The coefficients are added or subtracted and the exponent of the answer is the common exponent. (The rules are similar to those for the denominators of fractions.)
Thus 2x^2 + 5x^3 cannot be combined into a single term.
while 2x^2 + 5x^2 = (2+5)*x^2 = 7x^2
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How do you subtract like variables with different exponents?
You can't. You can only subtract like terms. Like terms must have exactly the same variables and exponents on the variables.
When adding variables with exponents do you add or subtract the exponents?
When adding variables with exponents, you do neither. You only add the exponents if #1 The variables are the same character (such as they are both "a") #2 You are multiplying the variables (NOT ADDING, SUBTRACTING, OR DIVIDING) Using a simple concrete case may make this clearer: 10+2 times 10+3 equals 10+5 ( 100 times 1000 equals 100,000).
What are the rules of subtracting polynomials?
You subtract a polynomial by adding its additive inverse. For example, subtracting (x - y) is the same as adding (-x + y). Alternately, you can simply subtract similar terms - that is, subtract the coefficients (the numbers) for terms that have the same combination of variables.
When subtracting fractions does the bottom have to be the same?
Yes the bottom has to be the same when subtracting fractions. The bottom (or denominator) tells you what you're working with. You cannot subtract thirds from halves just as you cannot subtract oranges from tissues.
When you add polynomials what do you do with your exponents?
Nothing. The exponents are not affected when added polynomials. However, they play a role in which variables add or subtract another variable. For example. (3x^2+5x-6)+(4x^2-3x+4) The exponents would determine that when adding these polynomials that 3x^2 would be added to 4x^2 and so forth 5x-3x and finally -6 would be added to 4. With a final conclusion of (7x^2+2x-2)
