College

Combine the like terms in the polynomial:



[tex]-21x^5 + 30x^6 + 21x^6[/tex]



Result:



[tex]-21x^5 + 51x^6[/tex]

Answer :

We start with the expression

$$-21x^5 + 30x^6 + 21x^6.$$

**Step 1. Identify like terms.**
Notice that the terms $30x^6$ and $21x^6$ have the same variable part $x^6$. These can be combined by adding their coefficients.

**Step 2. Combine like terms.**
Add the coefficients of $x^6$:

$$30 + 21 = 51.$$

Thus, the two terms become

$$51x^6.$$

So the expression now is

$$-21x^5 + 51x^6.$$

**Step 3. Write the simplified expression.**
The simplified expression is

$$-21x^5 + 51x^6.$$

**Step 4. (Optional Factoring)**
If we want to factor the expression, notice that both terms contain a common factor of $x^5$. Factoring $x^5$ out, we get

$$x^5(-21 + 51x),$$

which can also be written as

$$x^5(51x - 21).$$

**Intermediate Result: Sum of Coefficients for $x^6$.**
The sum of the coefficients for the $x^6$ terms is $51$.

Thus, the final results are:
- The sum of the coefficients for $x^6$ is $51$.
- The simplified expression is $$-21x^5 + 51x^6$$ or equivalently $$x^5(51x - 21).$$