Combine Like Terms

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in an expression?

Back

Combining like terms means to simplify an expression by adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms in an expression that have the same variable(s) and exponent(s). For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 4y are not.

Front

How do you combine the like terms 3x + 2x?

Back

You add the coefficients of the like terms: 3 + 2 = 5, so 3x + 2x = 5x.

Front

What is the result of combining the like terms 3y - 7y?

Back

You subtract the coefficients: 3 - 7 = -4, so 3y - 7y = -4y.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 4p - 11p?

Back

Combine the like terms by subtracting the coefficients: 4 - 11 = -7, so 4p - 11p = -7p.

Front

What is the simplified form of -9n + 12n + 7?

Back

Combine the like terms: -9n + 12n = 3n, so the expression simplifies to 3n + 7.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 7 - 5m - 10m?

Back

Combine the like terms: -5m - 10m = -15m, so the expression simplifies to 7 - 15m.

Front

What is the result of simplifying 5a + 2b - 3a + 4?

Back

Combine the like terms: 5a - 3a = 2a, so the expression simplifies to 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

What is the first step in combining like terms?

Back

Identify and group the like terms in the expression.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants are not like terms with variable terms and cannot be combined.