To find the correct sum of the polynomials 4x³ + 2x + 9 and 2x³ + 5x + 3, we need to combine like terms.
Let’s break it down step by step:
1. **Identify the like terms:**
- The first polynomial is: 4x³ + 2x + 9
- The second polynomial is: 2x³ + 5x + 3
2. **Combine the like terms:**
- For the x³ terms: 4x³ + 2x³ = 6x³
- For the x terms: 2x + 5x = 7x
- For the constant terms: 9 + 3 = 12
3. **Write the final sum:**
Putting it all together, we get:
6x³ + 7x + 12
This means that the correct sum of the polynomials 4x³ + 2x + 9 and 2x³ + 5x + 3 is 6x³ + 7x + 12.