If (p(x)=x+2s) and (q(x)=x-3s), what is (p(x)+q(x))?
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Answer and explanation
Correct answer: \(2x-s\)
\(p(x)+q(x)=(x+2s)+(x-3s)\). Combining like terms gives \(x+x=2x\) and \(2s-3s=-s\). Therefore, the sum is \(2x-s\). In \(2x+s\), the coefficients of \(s\) have been added with the wrong sign. Exam tip: while adding polynomials, combine coefficients of like terms carefully, including their signs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
\(2x-s\)
Why is this the correct answer?
\(p(x)+q(x)=(x+2s)+(x-3s)\). Combining like terms gives \(x+x=2x\) and \(2s-3s=-s\). Therefore, the sum is \(2x-s\). In \(2x+s\), the coefficients of \(s\) have been added with the wrong sign. Exam tip: while adding polynomials, combine coefficients of like terms carefully, including their signs.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 9 Mathematics question. Chapter: Introduction to Polynomials. Topic: Linear polynomials.
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