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 and exponent. For example, 2x and 3x are like terms, while 2x and 3y are not.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 5 + 2x - 4x - 5?

Back

You combine like terms: 2x - 4x = -2x, and 5 - 5 = 0, resulting in -2x.

Front

What is the result of combining the like terms in the expression 2x + 5 + x - 4?

Back

The like terms 2x and x combine to give 3x, and the constants 5 and -4 combine to give +1, resulting in 3x + 1.

Front

How do you simplify the expression -8x + -10x + 5?

Back

Combine the like terms: -8x - 10x = -18x, so the expression simplifies to -18x + 5.

Front

What is the simplified form of the expression x - 3x - 4x?

Back

Combine the like terms: x - 3x - 4x = -6x.

Front

How do you simplify the expression -2x + 5 - 6?

Back

Combine the constant terms: 5 - 6 = -1, so the expression simplifies to -2x - 1.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying an expression with like terms?

Back

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

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms when simplifying?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms. Only like terms can be combined.

Front

What is the importance of combining like terms in algebra?

Back

Combining like terms helps to simplify expressions, making them easier to solve and understand.