SOLUTION: do u add the exponents? solve. a^2+ b^2 +2a^2-4b^2 ---------- ??? thanks!!!

Question 2587: do u add the exponents? solve.
a^2+ b^2
+2a^2-4b^2
----------
???
thanks!!!
Found 2 solutions by longjonsilver, kiru_khandelwal:
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
NO YOU DO NOT!!!!!
think of any variable just like all others...a, b^2, x^3y^5...these 3 variables all follow the same basic rules of algebra.
In your example, how many "a^2" terms are there? there are 1 and 2..so a total of 3a^2.
How many b^2 terms are there? there are 1 and -4... so a total of -3b^2 terms.
This is far far far easier than students make it, with their a^2 + 2a^2 = 3a^4 rubbish.
Hope this helps
jon

Answer by kiru_khandelwal(79) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a^2 + 2a^2 = 3a^2
a^2 + 2a^2 is not equal to 3a^4
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