High School

Find the sum:

[tex]12x^2 + 9x^2 =[/tex]

A. [tex]21x^2[/tex]

B. [tex]21x^4[/tex]

C. [tex]22x^2[/tex]

D. [tex]22x^4[/tex]

Answer :

To find the sum of the given expressions [tex]\(12x^2 + 9x^2\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify the Like Terms: Both terms, [tex]\(12x^2\)[/tex] and [tex]\(9x^2\)[/tex], have the same variable part, which is [tex]\(x^2\)[/tex]. This makes them like terms.

2. Add the Coefficients: Since they are like terms, we can simply add their coefficients (the numbers in front of the variable part).

[tex]\[
12 + 9 = 21
\][/tex]

3. Combine the Terms: Attach the common variable part [tex]\((x^2)\)[/tex] back to the resulting coefficient from the previous step.

[tex]\[
21x^2
\][/tex]

Based on these steps, the sum of the expressions is [tex]\(21x^2\)[/tex].

From the given options, the correct answer is:
A. [tex]\(21x^2\)[/tex]