Question

What is the sum of the polynomial? (-1x^2 + 9) + (-3x^2 - 11x + 4)

a) -4x^2 - 11x + 13
b) -4x^2 - 2x + 4
c) 2x^2 + 20x + 4
d) 2x^2 + 11x + 5

Answer 1

The sum of the given polynomials is -4x^2 - 11x + 13, obtained by combining like terms: adding the coefficients of x^2, x, and the constant terms, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sum of the polynomial (-1x^2 + 9) + (-3x^2 - 11x + 4) can be found by adding the coefficients of the like terms. You add the coefficients of the x^2 terms together, add the coefficients of the x terms, and add the constant terms.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Combine the x^2 terms: (-1x^2) + (-3x^2) = -4x^2
2. Combine the x terms: There is no x term in the first polynomial, so we only have the x term from the second polynomial, which is -11x.
3. Combine the constant terms: 9 + 4 = 13

So, the sum of the polynomial is -4x^2 - 11x + 13.