Compare the strengths and weaknesses of the horizontal and vertical methods for adding and subtracting polynomials. Include common errors to watch out for when using each of these methods.

Overall vertical is visually better, if done correctly

it forces you to "line up" all the common exponents.

The disadvantage is that it usually requires re-writing the problem, and it takes up space.

most problems are presented horizontally, that becomes the issue to locate the common exponents.

in both cases the biggest issue is people forget

that when subtracting "subtracting a negative is like adding a positive"

-5x - (-8x)  = 3x [that is a positive 3x]

or:

     -7x

-    - 10x

     3x

everyone misses those eventually so you have to watch out for that in both methods

Step-by-step explanation:

42 inches then 10 1/2 deep