Example

Adding 25y2+15y225y^2 + 15y^2

Add the two like monomials:

25y2+15y225y^2 + 15y^2

Both terms contain the same variable yy raised to the same exponent 22, so they are like terms. Combine them by adding the coefficients: 25+15=4025 + 15 = 40, while the variable part y2y^2 remains unchanged:

25y2+15y2=40y225y^2 + 15y^2 = 40y^2

This example illustrates the simplest case of monomial addition: when two monomials share the same variable and exponent, just add their numerical coefficients and keep the variable factor as is.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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