Combine Like Terms

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in an algebraic 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 algebraic expression that have the same variable(s) raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 4y are not.

Front

How do you combine the like terms 10x² and 3x²?

Back

You add the coefficients of the like terms: 10x² + 3x² = (10 + 3)x² = 13x².

Front

What is the result of combining the terms 9x and -8x?

Back

9x + (-8x) = (9 - 8)x = 1x or simply x.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 5a + 2b - 3a + 4?

Back

Combine like terms: (5a - 3a) + 2b + 4 = 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

What is the simplified form of the expression 5x² + 2x² - 4x²?

Back

Combine like terms: (5 + 2 - 4)x² = 3x².

Front

What is the result of the expression 3x - 5x?

Back

3x - 5x = (3 - 5)x = -2x.

Front

How do you combine the terms -r and -10r?

Back

Combine the coefficients: -r - 10r = (-1 - 10)r = -11r.

Front

What is the first step in combining like terms in an expression?

Back

Identify and group all the like terms together before performing any addition or subtraction.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms. They are considered separate terms.