Question 2587: do u add the exponents? solve.
a^2+ b^2
+2a^2-4b^2
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???
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
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