1. **State the problem:** Add the two polynomials $ (5s + 8) $ and $ (4s^2 + 7s + 6) $. 2. **Recall the rule:** To add polynomials, combine like terms, which are terms with the same variable and exponent. 3. **Write the expression:** $$ (5s + 8) + (4s^2 + 7s + 6) $$ 4. **Remove parentheses:** $$ 5s + 8 + 4s^2 + 7s + 6 $$ 5. **Group like terms:** $$ 4s^2 + (5s + 7s) + (8 + 6) $$ 6. **Add coefficients of like terms:** $$ 4s^2 + 12s + 14 $$ 7. **Final answer:** $$ 4s^2 + 12s + 14 $$ This is the sum of the two polynomials.