Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Guided Notes

Guided notes on adding and subtracting polynomials: students fill in the steps, including distributing the subtraction sign and combining like terms, then solve five problems by the vertical or horizontal method.
File type
PDF
Preparation
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Updated Sep 20, 2026

Subject
Algebra, Maths
Topic
Adding Polynomials, Subtracting Polynomials
Preparation
Print ready

From the author

About this resource

This resource Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Guided Notes is designed for students to practise this skill!

The resource includes:

- steps on how to add and subtract polynomials

  • - five exercises for students to practise addition and subtraction of polynomials

  • - answers to all addition and subtraction of polynomials exercises presented.

This resource was designed to be used as guided notes, where students may have the steps to follow while solving the problems presented. This Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Guided Notes is designed for students in secondary school.

The completion of these Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Guided Notes may be done individually, in pairs, or centres and it may be used as practice, but also as study notes for student to prepare themselves and expand their skills.

When studying polynomials, this resource may come in handy for your students as review, or even as formative assessment to check on their understanding and learning of the skill to add and subtract polynomials.

This resource was designed for students in secondary school, though it may be used by any student wanting to review this skill of adding and subtracting polynomials.

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In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Distribute a subtraction sign across every term of a polynomial

  • Combine like terms to find a sum or difference of polynomials

  • Solve polynomial problems using both vertical and horizontal setups

Skills covered

  • Vertical setup — lining up like terms in columns before combining

  • Sign handling — rewriting subtraction as adding the opposite of each term

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