Question

Which option shows a method to determine the sum of the polynomials (x^3 + 4x + 2) and (2x^2 + 5)?

a) (x^3 + 4x + 2) + (2x^2 + 5)
b) (x^3 + 2x^2) + (4x + 5)
c) (x^3 + 4x + 2) - (2x^2 + 5)
d) (x^3 + 2x^2) - (4x + 5)

Answer 1

To determine the sum of two polynomials, add the like terms together by adding the coefficients.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the sum of the polynomials (x^3 + 4x + 2) and (2x^2 + 5), we add the like terms together. The like terms are the ones with the same exponent for the variable x. In this case, the sum can be found by adding the coefficients of the like terms: (x^3 + 2x^2) + (4x + 5). Therefore, option b) (x^3 + 2x^2) + (4x + 5) shows the correct method to determine the sum of the polynomials.