College

Simplify the expression:

[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 simplify the expression
[tex]$$12x^2 + 9x^2,$$[/tex]
we notice that the terms are like terms because they have the same variable raised to the same power ([tex]$x^2$[/tex]). This means we can add their coefficients together.

Step 1: Identify the coefficients of the like terms. The coefficients are 12 and 9.

Step 2: Add the coefficients:
[tex]$$12 + 9 = 21.$$[/tex]

Step 3: Multiply the sum by the common variable factor:
[tex]$$12x^2 + 9x^2 = 21x^2.$$[/tex]

Thus, the simplified expression is
[tex]$$21x^2.$$[/tex]

The correct answer is A. [tex]$21x^2$[/tex].