College

What is the sum of the polynomials?

[tex]\left(7x^3 - 4x^2\right) + \left(2x^3 - 4x^2\right)[/tex]

A. [tex]5x^3[/tex]
B. [tex]9x^3[/tex]
C. [tex]5x^3 - 8x^2[/tex]
D. [tex]9x^3 - 8x^2[/tex]

Answer :

To add the polynomials
[tex]$$7x^3 - 4x^2 \quad \text{and} \quad 2x^3 - 4x^2,$$[/tex]
we follow these steps:

1. Combine the [tex]$x^3$[/tex] terms:

The [tex]$x^3$[/tex] terms are [tex]$7x^3$[/tex] and [tex]$2x^3$[/tex]. Their sum is:
[tex]$$7x^3 + 2x^3 = 9x^3.$$[/tex]

2. Combine the [tex]$x^2$[/tex] terms:

The [tex]$x^2$[/tex] terms are [tex]$-4x^2$[/tex] and [tex]$-4x^2$[/tex]. Their sum is:
[tex]$$-4x^2 - 4x^2 = -8x^2.$$[/tex]

3. Write the final result:

Combining the sums of the like terms, the sum of the given polynomials is:
[tex]$$9x^3 - 8x^2.$$[/tex]

Thus, the sum of the polynomials is
[tex]$$\boxed{9x^3 - 8x^2}.$$[/tex]