Notes on Adding and Subtracting Monomials #1

Name_________________________
MM1A2. Students will simplify and operate with radical expressions, polynomials,
and rational expressions.
c. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials.
In algebra, a variable can have three important qualities:
1.

As you may already know, a variable is represented by some type of symbol. We

typically use lowercase letters, such as x or y.

2.

Its value can change or "vary".

3.

Its value can be unknown. Thus, rather than assigning it a number value, it is
simply represented by a symbol.

An algebraic expression is any expression which contains a variable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A monomial is:
A)

any number (ex: 4, -1000, 11.754,

B)

any variable (ex: x, y, z)

2
)
3

any product of variables (ex: xy , abc , x 2 , c 3 d 4e5 ) - remember that x 2 is really

just x x , so it is a product of variables; a similar case can be made
for
c 3 d 4e5 - it is really just
____________________________________
C)

D)
any product of a number and variables (ex: 4x , 0.5x 2 y , 411z 7 )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is the given algebraic expression a monomial?
1
1. y
2. 4 x 2
3.
4. 27mn
4
5. 1, 000, 000x101

6. p 32

7. 44 x 2 34 z

8. 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It is common when writing a monomial that contains both a number and variables to write the
number part first, and, then to write the variables in alphabetical order. For example, y 3 x 4
should be rewritten as 3x 4 y . This can be done because multiplication is commutative (in other
words, the order in which numbers are multiplied does not matter).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A polynomial is:
A)

any monomial (see above)

B)

any addition of monomials (ex: 5 x 2 3 x 2 )

C)

any subtraction of monomials (ex: 11z 4 3 xy )

D)
any combination of addition/subtraction of monomials (ex: 2 x 6 3 yz 2 4 x 5 )
Every monomial in a polynomial is known as a term.
For example, the polynomial 3 x 2 4 x 10 has three terms in it ( 3x 2 , 4x , and 10). It's
important to note how the sign in front of the term affects its value. Do you see how the middle
term in this polynomial is not 4x , but rather 4x ?
Two terms are like terms if they have identical variable parts. This means the two terms must
have the same variables raised to exactly the same exponents.
I.

For example, 5x 4 y 3 and 2x 4 y 3 ARE like terms because they each have the same
variables (x and y), and they are each raised to the same exponent (x is raised to the 4th
power, y is raised to the 3rd power).

II.

The terms 6ab 2 and 11a 2b would NOT be like terms. While they have the same
variables, the variables are not raised to exactly the same exponents.

The terms 3rs and 1.5sr ARE like terms. Remember - the order of the variables can
be rearranged in a monomial, so 1.5sr could be rewritten as 1.5rs . Now, its variable
parts are identical to those of 3rs .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Are the two terms "like terms"?
III.

9. x and 4x

10. 9a 5b6 and 13a 6b5

11. cd and 2c 2 d 2

12. 5xy 2 z and 8y 2 xz

In order for two terms to be like terms, the two terms must have the same _____________ raised
to exactly the same ______________.
Consider the term 5x 3 y 2 . Would the term given below, and 5x 3 y 2 , be considered like terms?
1. 5xy

2. 5y 2

3. 2x 2 y 3

4. 200x 3 y 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As you have previously learned, the number part of a monomial is known as the coefficient. For
example, in the monomial 7x 2 y , -7 is the coefficient of the monomial.
Here are the two very, VERY IMPORTANT RULES for adding and subtracting monomials:
1.

In order to add/subtract any two terms, they must be like terms.

2.

When adding/subtracting, add/subtract the coefficients only. The variable part

remains the same.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Consider the expression: 4 y 2 3 y 2 .
In order to add these two terms, they must be like terms. Are they?
Now, when adding them, you will only add the coefficients. The variable part will remain as it

is: y 2 . Therefore, what is 4 y 2 3 y 2 ?________________

Notes on Adding and Subtracting Monomials #2
Name_________________________
Now, consider this expression: 10 x 2 y .
Are these two terms like terms? _____________

What does that mean? _______________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Next, consider this expression: 3 x 14 5 x 3 .

Are there any like terms?_________________________________
Combine the like terms using adding/subtracting - remember, a term carries its sign with it!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Add and subtract in the expressions below if possible.
5. 7 a 4 10a 4
6. 12b 4 4b3
7. 9cd 3cd 2cd
Simplifying an algebraic expression means to perform every possible operation (addition,
subtraction, etc.). So, when we simplify an expression with addition and subtraction, we are
adding and subtracting everything that it is possible to add and subtract.
Simplify the polynomial: 13a 2 2b 2 3 4ab 6ab 5b 2 11 .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tricky Problems
Simplify the polynomial. If the expression cannot be simplified, write "cannot be simplified."
8.

23 x 15 y

9.

12mn 9nm

10.

16 5x

11.

10x 5 y 4 z 3 x 5 y 4 z 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The perimeter of a figure is the total distance around the figure.

What is the perimeter of a rectangle that has a length of 5 cm and a width of 11 cm?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As you may recall, variables can be used to express quantities that are unknown. As one works
with real-life models and situations, it is possible that values will not be known. These are cases
in which the use of variables would be prudent.
Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of a rectangle with a length of 5 units and an
unknown width.

Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of a rectangle with an unknown length and an
unknown width.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bobby is having a party at his apartment, and he needs to purchase five pizzas and four packs of
soda. If the price for each pizza is the same, and the price for each pack of soda is the same,
write an algebraic expression for the cost of all of the groceries if these prices are unknown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A rectangular pool has a length of 30 feet and a width of 25 feet. If the top and bottom sides of
the pool are extended by the same, unknown length, write an algebraic expression for the
perimeter of the newly renovated pool.

Homework on Adding and Subtracting Monomials

Simplify completely. If the expression cannot be simplified, write, cannot be simplified."
1.

4x 8x

2.

5 9y

3.

10 z 2 8 z 2

4.

11a 3 10a 2

5.

40a 2 100b 2

6.

5c 5d

7.

5x 7 x2 6x

8.

2 7 y2 9 2 y2

9.

9m 8n 17 mn

10.

10 x 2 x 4 13 x 5

11.

9 x 2 y 4 xy 2 xy 5 yx

12.

p3 p2 p 1

13.

8 z 2 z 3 5 z 2 8 z 14

14.

7c 3 3c 3 c 2 c 2 12c 4c

15.

100000 x 9 100000 x8

16.

x x 7 3x 7

17.

9 x 13 y 3 xy 2 y 8 xy 10 x

18.

10 x 46 8 x 21

19.

21 p 2 q 11 pq 2

20.

4 x 3 2 x 2 22 x 8 x 2 8 x 6

Homework on Adding and Subtracting Monomials

Name_________________________

21.

Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of a square that has a side of unknown
length. Hint - use what you know about a square.

22.

Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of an isosceles triangle in which the
sides have unknown length. Hint - in an isosceles triangle, two of the sides have the
same length.

23.

A family recently bought a new computer, printer, and wireless router. If the family
spent $900 on the computer, but cannot recall the amounts spent on the printer and
wireless router, write an algebraic expression for the total amount of money spent.

24.

A student remembers that a rectangular football field has a length of 100 yards, but he
cannot remember the width. Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of the field.

25.

A rectangular pool has a length of 20 feet and a width of 15 feet. If the top and bottom
sides of the pool are extended by the same, unknown length, write an algebraic
expression for the perimeter of the newly renovated pool. Use the example in the notes
if necessary.

1. 12x
2. cannot be simplified
4. cannot be simplified
5. cannot be simplified
2
7. 7 x 11x
8. 5 y 2 7
10. 10 x 2 14 x 1
11. 9 x 2 y 4 xy 2 4 xy
13. 13 z 2 9 z 17
14. 10c 3 16c
16. 2x 7 x
17. x 15 y 5 xy
19. cannot be simplified
20. 4 x 3 x 2 14 x 2
22. x x y 2x y
23. 900 x y
24. 100 100 w w 200 2w

3. 2z 2
6. cannot be simplified
9. cannot be simplified
12. cannot be simplified
15. cannot be simplified
18. 18 x 67
21. s s s s 4s

25. 20 x 15 20 x 15 70 2x