If I add:
1+2x+6x^2+9x^3+7-2x+6x^2-9x^3...
won't I have to combine terms & then get
8+12x^2
cause won't the 9x^3 and the 2x cancel itself out???
You can only add/subtract "like" terms, that is, you can add x^3's to x^'s, x's to x's etc.
so yes, you are right.
thanks!!!
To determine if the terms cancel out or not, let's combine the like terms in the given expression:
1 + 2x + 6x^2 + 9x^3 + 7 - 2x + 6x^2 - 9x^3
First, let's add the constant terms together: 1 + 7 = 8.
Next, let's combine the like terms containing x: 2x - 2x = 0.
Finally, let's combine the like terms containing x^2: 6x^2 + 6x^2 = 12x^2.
Now, let's rewrite the simplified expression:
8 + 0 + 12x^2
The term 9x^3 and -9x^3 canceled each other out, so they do not contribute to the simplified expression. Therefore, the simplified expression is:
8 + 12x^2
So, yes, you are correct. The final answer after combining the terms is 8 + 12x^2.