Chapter 8 - Polynomials and Factoring - 8-1 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 478: 23

$-8bc^{4}$

In order to add monomials, we combine like terms. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Note, by this definition, $3xy^{2}$ and $9xy^{2}$ are like terms, for these two terms have the same two variables raised to the same powers. Additionally, when we combine like terms, we add and subtract them just like we add and subtract numbers.Thus, we combine like terms to obtain the answer: $-8bc^{4}$