Question

When simplifying complex numbers and polynomials how are they similar? How are they different?

Answer 1

They are similar in that you can only combine like terms. They differ in that when you simplify complex numbers, since i² = -1, there are only two types of terms; the real part and the imaginary part. In a polynomial, different powers of the variable are distinct. The field axioms are the same for complex numbers and polynomials.