Add the polynomials

Question

(3p^3+3p^2-1)+(2p^3-3p+5)=?

(Simplify your answer. Type your answer in standard form.)

Answer 1

To add polynomials you simply combine any like terms among the polynomials. Like terms are those whose variables (and their exponents) are the same.

For example,   x² and 2x²  are like terms. So to add them, we add their coefficients:

     x² + 2x² = (1+2)x² = 3x²

With this,

     (3p³ + 3p² - 1)+(2p³ - 3p + 5)

     3p³ + 2p³ + 3p² - 3p -1 + 5 

     (3+2)p³ + 3p² - 3p + (-1+5)

     5p³ + 3p² - 3p + 4