7.

1 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Essential Question How can you add and subtract polynomials?

Adding Polynomials
Work with a partner. Write the expression modeled by the algebra tiles in each step.
Step 1 (3x + 2) + (x − 5)
+
Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Subtracting Polynomials
Work with a partner. Write the expression modeled by the algebra tiles in each step.
Step 1 (x2 + 2x + 2) − (x − 1)
−
Step 2
+
Step 3

Step 4

REASONING Step 5
ABSTRACTLY
To be proficient in math,
you need to represent
a given situation
using symbols.
Communicate Your Answer
3. How can you add and subtract polynomials?
4. Use your methods in Question 3 to find each sum or difference.
a. (x2 + 2x − 1) + (2x2 − 2x + 1) b. (4x + 3) + (x − 2)
c. (x2 + 2) − (3x2 + 2x + 5) d. (2x − 3x) − (x2 − 2x + 4)

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 7.1 Lesson What You Will Learn
Find the degrees of monomials.
Classify polynomials.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Add and subtract polynomials.
monomial, p. 358 Solve real-life problems.
degree of a monomial, p. 358
polynomial, p. 359
binomial, p. 359 Finding the Degrees of Monomials
trinomial, p. 359 A monomial is a number, a variable, or the product of a number and one or more
degree of a polynomial, p. 359 variables with whole number exponents.
standard form, p. 359 The degree of a monomial is the sum of the exponents of the variables in the
leading coefficient, p. 359 monomial. The degree of a nonzero constant term is 0. The constant 0 does not have
closed, p. 360 a degree.

Not a
Monomial Degree Reason
monomial

10 0 5+x A sum is not a monomial.

2 A monomial cannot have a

3x 1 —
n variable in the denominator.

1 A monomial cannot have a

—2 ab2 1+2=3 4a
variable exponent.
The variable must have a whole
−1.8m5 5 x−1
number exponent.

Finding the Degrees of Monomials

Find the degree of each monomial.

1
a. 5x2 b. −—2 xy3 c. 8x3y3 d. −3

SOLUTION
a. The exponent of x is 2.
So, the degree of the monomial is 2.

b. The exponent of x is 1, and the exponent of y is 3.

So, the degree of the monomial is 1 + 3, or 4.

c. The exponent of x is 3, and the exponent of y is 3.

So, the degree of the monomial is 3 + 3, or 6.

d. You can rewrite −3 as −3x0.

So, the degree of the monomial is 0.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Find the degree of the monomial.

1. −3x 4 2. 7c3d 2 3. —53 y 4. −20.5

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 Classifying Polynomials

Core Concept
Polynomials
A polynomial is a monomial or a sum of monomials. Each monomial is called a
term of the polynomial. A polynomial with two terms is a binomial. A polynomial
with three terms is a trinomial.
Binomial Trinomial
5x + 2 x + 5x + 2
2

The degree of a polynomial is the greatest degree of its terms. A polynomial in

one variable is in standard form when the exponents of the terms decrease from
left to right. When you write a polynomial in standard form, the coefficient of the
first term is the leading coefficient.
leading constant
degree
coefficient term
2 3 + x2 − 5x + 12
2x

Writing a Polynomial in Standard Form

Write 15x − x3 + 3 in standard form. Identify the degree and leading coefficient of
the polynomial.

SOLUTION
Consider the degree of each term of the polynomial.
Degree is 3.

Degree is 1. 15x − x3 + 3 Degree is 0.

You can write the polynomial in standard form as −x3 + 15x + 3. The greatest
degree is 3, so the degree of the polynomial is 3, and the leading coefficient is −1.

Classifying Polynomials

Write each polynomial in standard form. Identify the degree and classify each
polynomial by the number of terms.
a. −3z4 b. 4 + 5x2 − x c. 8q + q5

SOLUTION
Polynomial Standard Form Degree Type of Polynomial
a. −3z4 −3z4 4 monomial
b. 4 + 5x2 − x 5x2 − x + 4 2 trinomial
c. 8q + q5 q5 + 8q 5 binomial

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Write the polynomial in standard form. Identify the degree and leading
coefficient of the polynomial. Then classify the polynomial by the number
of terms.

5. 4 − 9z 6. t2 − t3 − 10t 7. 2.8x + x3

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 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
A set of numbers is closed under an operation when the operation performed on any
two numbers in the set results in a number that is also in the set. For example, the set
of integers is closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication. This means that if
a and b are two integers, then a + b, a − b, and ab are also integers.
The set of polynomials is closed under addition and subtraction. So, the sum or
difference of any two polynomials is also a polynomial.
To add polynomials, add like terms. You can use a vertical or a horizontal format.

Adding Polynomials

Find the sum.

STUDY TIP
a. (2x3 − 5x2 + x) + (2x2 + x3 − 1) b. (3x2 + x − 6) + (x2 + 4x + 10)
When a power of the
variable appears in one SOLUTION
polynomial but not the
other, leave a space in that a. Vertical format: Align like terms vertically and add.
column, or write the term 2x3 − 5x2 + x
with a coefficient of 0.
+ x3 + 2x2 −1
3x3 − 3x2 + x − 1

The sum is 3x3 − 3x2 + x − 1.

b. Horizontal format: Group like terms and simplify.

(3x2 + x − 6) + (x2 + 4x + 10) = (3x2 + x2) + (x + 4x) + (−6 + 10)
= 4x2 + 5x + 4

The sum is 4x2 + 5x + 4.

To subtract a polynomial, add its opposite. To find the opposite of a polynomial,

multiply each of its terms by −1.

Subtracting Polynomials

Find the difference.

a. (4n2 + 5) − (−2n2 + 2n − 4) b. (4x2 − 3x + 5) − (3x2 − x − 8)
COMMON ERROR
Remember to multiply SOLUTION
each term of the
polynomial by −1 when a. Vertical format: Align like terms vertically and subtract.
you write the subtraction 4n2 +5 4n2 +5
as addition.
− (−2n2 + 2n − 4) + 2n2 − 2n + 4
6n2 − 2n + 9
The difference is 6n2 − 2n + 9.

b. Horizontal format: Group like terms and simplify.

(4x2 − 3x + 5) − (3x2 − x − 8) = 4x2 − 3x + 5 − 3x2 + x + 8
= (4x2 − 3x2) + (−3x + x) + (5 + 8)
= x2 − 2x + 13

The difference is x2 − 2x + 13.

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 Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Find the sum or difference.

8. (b − 10) + (4b − 3) 9. (x2 − x − 2) + (7x2 − x)

10. (p2 + p + 3) − (−4p2 − p + 3) 11. (−k + 5) − (3k2 − 6)

Solving Real-Life Problems

Solving a Real-Life Problem

A penny is thrown straight down from

a height of 200 feet. At the same time, a −16t 2 − 40t + 200
paintbrush is dropped from a height of
100 feet. The polynomials represent the
heights (in feet) of the objects after
t seconds.
−16t 2 + 100

Not drawn to scale

a. Write a polynomial that represents the distance between the penny and the
paintbrush after t seconds.
b. Interpret the coefficients of the polynomial in part (a).

SOLUTION
a. To find the distance between the objects after t seconds, subtract the polynomials.

Penny −16t2 − 40t + 200 −16t2 − 40t + 200

Paintbrush − (−16t2 + 100) + 16t2 − 100
−40t + 100
The polynomial −40t + 100 represents the distance between the objects
after t seconds.
b. When t = 0, the distance between the objects is −40(0) + 100 = 100 feet. So, the
constant term 100 represents the distance between the penny and the paintbrush
when both objects begin to fall.
As the value of t increases by 1, the value of −40t + 100 decreases by 40. This
means that the objects become 40 feet closer to each other each second. So, −40
represents the amount that the distance between the objects changes each second.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

12. WHAT IF? The polynomial −16t2 − 25t + 200 represents the height of the penny
after t seconds.
a. Write a polynomial that represents the distance between the penny and the
paintbrush after t seconds.
b. Interpret the coefficients of the polynomial in part (a).

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 7.1 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. VOCABULARY When is a polynomial in one variable in standard form?

2. OPEN-ENDED Write a trinomial in one variable of degree 5 in standard form.

3. VOCABULARY How can you determine whether a set of numbers is closed under an operation?

4. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which expression does not belong with the other three? Explain
your reasoning.
π
a3 + 4a x2 − 8x b − 2−1 −— + 6y8z
3

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 5–12, find the degree of the monomial. 22. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The amount of
(See Example 1.) money you have after investing $400 for 8 years
and $600 for 6 years at the same interest rate is
5. 4g 6. 23x4
represented by 400x8 + 600x6, where x is the growth
4 factor. Classify the polynomial by the number of
7. −1.75k2 8. −—9
terms. What is its degree?
9. s8t 10. 8m2n4 In Exercises 23 –30, find the sum. (See Example 4.)

11. 9xy3z7 12. −3q 4rs6 23. (5y + 4) + (−2y + 6)

In Exercises 13 –20, write the polynomial in standard 24. (−8x − 12) + (9x + 4)
form. Identify the degree and leading coefficient of the
polynomial. Then classify the polynomial by the number 25. (2n2 − 5n − 6) + (−n2 − 3n + 11)
of terms. (See Examples 2 and 3.)
26. (−3p3 + 5p2 − 2p) + (−p3 − 8p2 − 15p)
13. 6c2 + 2c 4 − c 14. 4w11 − w12
27. (3g2 − g) + (3g2 − 8g + 4)
15. 7 + 3p2 16. 8d − 2 − 4d 3
28. (9r2 + 4r − 7) + (3r2 − 3r)
17. 3t 8 18. 5z + 2z3 + 3z 4
29. (4a − a3 − 3) + (2a3 − 5a2 + 8)
—
19. πr 2 − —57 r 8 + 2r 5 20. √ 7 n4
30. (s3 − 2s − 9) + (2s2 − 6s3 +s)
4
21. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The expression —3 πr 3 In Exercises 31–38, find the difference. (See Example 5.)
represents the volume of a sphere with radius r. Why 31. (d − 9) − (3d − 1)
is this expression a monomial? What is its degree?
32. (6x + 9) − (7x + 1)

33. ( y2 − 4y + 9) − (3y2 − 6y − 9)

34. (4m2 − m + 2) − (−3m2 + 10m + 4)

35. (k3 − 7k + 2) − (k2 − 12)

36. (−r − 10) − (−4r 3 + r 2 + 7r)

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pter 7 Polynomial Equa
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 37. (t 4 − t 2 + t) − (12 − 9t 2 − 7t) 48. The difference of two trinomials is _________ a
trinomial.
38. (4d − 6d 3 + 3d 2) − (10d 3 + 7d − 2)
49. A binomial is ________ a polynomial of degree 2.
ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 39 and 40, describe and
correct the error in finding the sum or difference. 50. The sum of two polynomials is _________ a
polynomial.
39.

✗
MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The polynomial
(x2 + x) − (2x2 − 3x) = x2 + x − 2x2 − 3x −16t2 + v0 t + s0 represents the height (in feet) of an
= (x2 − 2x2) + (x − 3x) object, where v0 is the initial vertical velocity (in feet per
= −x2 − 2x second), s0 is the initial height of the object (in feet), and
t is the time (in seconds). In Exercises 51 and 52, write
a polynomial that represents the height of the object.

✗
40. Then find the height of the object after 1 second.
x3 − 4x2 + 3
51. You throw a water 52. You bounce a tennis
+ −3x3 + 8x − 2 balloon from a building. ball on a racket.
−2x3 + 4x2 + 1 v0 = −45 ft/sec v0 = 16 ft/sec

41. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The cost (in dollars)

of making b bracelets is represented by 4 + 5b. The
cost (in dollars) of making b necklaces is represented
by 8b + 6. Write a polynomial that represents how s0 = 200 ft
s0 = 3 ft
much more it costs to make b necklaces than
b bracelets.

Not drawn to scale

53. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS You drop a ball

from a height of 98 feet. At the same time, your friend
throws a ball upward. The polynomials represent
the heights (in feet) of the balls after t seconds.
42. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The number of (See Example 6.)
individual memberships at a fitness center in m months
is represented by 142 + 12m. The number of family
memberships at the fitness center in m months is −16t 2 + 98
represented by 52 + 6m. Write a polynomial that
represents the total number of memberships at the
fitness center.

In Exercises 43–46, find the sum or difference.

43. (2s2 − 5st − t2) − (s2 + 7st − t2) −16t 2 + 46t + 6

44. (a2 − 3ab + 2b2) + (−4a2 + 5ab − b2)

Not drawn to scale

45. (c2 − 6d 2) + (c2 − 2cd + 2d 2) a. Write a polynomial that represents the distance
between your ball and your friend’s ball after
46. (−x2 + 9xy) − (x2 + 6xy − 8y2) t seconds.
REASONING In Exercises 47–50, complete the statement b. Interpret the coefficients of the polynomial in
with always, sometimes, or never. Explain your part (a).
reasoning.
47. The terms of a polynomial are ________ monomials.

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 54. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS During a 7-year 58. THOUGHT PROVOKING Write two polynomials
period, the amounts (in millions of dollars) spent each whose sum is x2 and whose difference is 1.
year on buying new vehicles N and used vehicles U by
United States residents are modeled by the equations
59. REASONING Determine whether the set is closed
N = −0.028t3 + 0.06t2 + 0.1t + 17 under the given operation. Explain.
U = −0.38t2 + 1.5t + 42 a. the set of negative integers; multiplication
where t = 1 represents the first year in the b. the set of whole numbers; addition
7-year period.
a. Write a polynomial that represents the total 60. PROBLEM SOLVING You are building a
amount spent each year on buying new and multi-level deck.
used vehicles in the 7-year period.
b. How much is spent on buying new and used x ftt
vehicles in the fifth year?
10 ft
10 ft
55. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS
Write the polynomial 3x − 2 ( − 12) ft
(x
in standard form l vel
leve
level
levell 1 le
eve
ev
vel 2
that represents 2x 2x + 1 x ft
the perimeter of
the quadrilateral. 5x − 2
a. For each level, write a polynomial in standard
form that represents the area of that level. Then
write the polynomial in standard form that
56. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? The right side of the equation represents the total area of the deck.
of each line is a polynomial.
b. What is the total area of the deck when x = 20?
y
4 c. A gallon of deck sealant covers 400 square feet.
How many gallons of sealant do you need to cover
the deck in part (b) once? Explain.
y = −2x + 1
61. PROBLEM SOLVING A hotel installs a new swimming
−4 −2 2 4 x pool and a new hot tub.
y=x−2
(8x − 10) ft

−4 x ft hot
2x ft patio tub
x ft
a. The absolute value of the difference of the two (6x − 14) ft
polynomials represents the vertical distance
between points on the lines with the same x-value. pool 2x ft
Write this expression.
b. When does the expression in part (a) equal 0?
How does this value relate to the graph? a. Write the polynomial in standard form that
represents the area of the patio.
57. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend says that when b. The patio will cost $10 per square foot. Determine
adding polynomials, the order in which you add does the cost of the patio when x = 9.
not matter. Is your friend correct? Explain.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Simplify the expression. (Skills Review Handbook)

62. 2(x − 1) + 3(x + 2) 63. 8(4y − 3) + 2(y − 5) 64. 5(2r + 1) − 3(−4r + 2)

364 Chapter 7 Polynomial Equations and Factoring

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