Answer:
When we add polynomials, we ADD the coefficients but keep the VARIABLES the same.
Explanation:
"coefficients" are the numbers right next to a variable. "Variables" are the letters we use for unknown numbers in a math phrase(expression) or sentence(equation).
So you only add the number besides the variable when the terms have the same variable.
Example:
4x + 3m + 5x + 2m
= 9x + 5m
See we only added the 4 and the 5 bc they were both beside the x and we added the 3 and the 2 bc they were both beside the m. See image for another example.