Combine Like Terms

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in algebra?

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) raised to the same exponent. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms.

Front

How do you combine the terms 9x and 8x?

Back

You add the coefficients: 9 + 8 = 17, so 9x + 8x = 17x.

Front

What is the result of combining the expression x + 1 + 3x?

Back

Combine like terms: x + 3x = 4x, so the result is 4x + 1.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 3x + 2x + 3y - 7y?

Back

Combine like terms: 3x + 2x = 5x and 3y - 7y = -4y, so the result is 5x - 4y.

Front

What is the simplified form of 5x + 8 + 14 - 2x?

Back

Combine like terms: 5x - 2x = 3x and 8 + 14 = 22, so the result is 3x + 22.

Front

How do you combine the terms 3a + 4a + 9?

Back

Combine like terms: 3a + 4a = 7a, so the result is 7a + 9.

Front

What is the coefficient in the term 5x?

Back

The coefficient is the number in front of the variable, which is 5 in this case.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms. They can only be combined with other constants.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying an algebraic expression?

Back

The first step is to identify and group like terms together.