Polynomial Operations

Polynomial arithmetic is careful bookkeeping. To add or subtract, distribute any coefficient or subtraction sign and combine like terms (same variable, same exponent) — the exponents themselves never change, a classic trap. To multiply, distribute every term of one factor across the other (FOIL is just this for two binomials), then combine like terms and write the answer in standard form. These are real, released Regents questions; check each carefully.