Polynomial Calculator
Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
To add or subtract polynomials, you combine like terms. Like terms are terms that have the exact same variable part (the same variable raised to the same power).
Adding Polynomials
Combine the coefficients (the numbers in front of the variables) of like terms.
$$ (3x^2 + 2x - 4) + (x^2 - 5x + 6) $$
$$ = (3+1)x^2 + (2-5)x + (-4+6) $$
$$ = 4x^2 - 3x + 2 $$
Subtracting Polynomials
Distribute the negative sign to every term in the second polynomial, then combine like terms.
$$ (3x^2 + 2x - 4) - (x^2 - 5x + 6) $$
$$ = 3x^2 + 2x - 4 - x^2 + 5x - 6 $$
$$ = (3-1)x^2 + (2+5)x + (-4-6) $$
$$ = 2x^2 + 7x - 10 $$
Input Format: Use `x` as the variable. Use `^` for exponents (e.g., `3x^2 + 2x - 5`).
Add or subtract two polynomials.
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