Add (5x^2 - 2x + 9) + (2x^2 - 4).

My answer: 7x^4 - 2x + 5 or 7x^2 - 2x + 5?

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The latter. Exponents are added when multiplying terms.

I am confused. Steve said the correct answer is 7x^4 - 2x + 5.

5x^2 + 2x^2 = 7x^2

(5 apples + 2 apples = 7 apples)

Steve had a typo, happens even to the best of us

To add the two given expressions (5x^2 - 2x + 9) and (2x^2 - 4), you need to combine the like terms with the same power of x. Let's break it down step by step:

Step 1: Group the terms with the same power of x together.

(5x^2 - 2x + 9) + (2x^2 - 4)

Step 2: Add the coefficients of the terms with the same power of x.

5x^2 + 2x^2 = 7x^2
-2x + 0 = -2x
9 - 4 = 5

So, the simplified expression is 7x^2 - 2x + 5.