# Math Help - polynomial adding!

i have a test to assess my skills tommorrow and i need to know how to add polynomials..

could someone walk me through this question and how to come up with an answer...

About Clark- COMPASS Sample Algebra Skills Test

2. $Find \ a \ Statement \ Equivalent \ to \ 3a + 4b - (-6a - 3b)$

This is as simple as adding numbers, but there are some properties you need to remember:

$Property \ 1: xa + ya = (x+y)a$
$Property \ 2: xa - ya= (x-y)a$
$Property \ 3: a(x + y) = ax + ay$
$Property \ 4: a^x(a^y) = a^{x + y}$

I don't think you'll need anymore than that, now let's look at the problem:

$3a + 4b - ( -6a - 3b)$

Using property 3, we can distribute the negative to the terms inside the parentheses:

$3a + 4b + (6a + 3b)$

$= 3a + 4b + 6a + 3b$

Now, we regroup the like variables together:

$3a + 6a + 4b + 3b$

Using property 1, we can simplify each like term:

$9a + 7b$

That would be choice 5 or the last choice.

3. Go ahead and simplify this expression:
-6a + 3b - 2( 2a + 5b )

Begin by identifying the coefficient (this would be the "a" in Aryth's property 3), then distribute it to each term, then add all like terms.