Lesson Check: Combine like Terms and Distributive Property

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 is the distributive property in algebra?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, meaning you can distribute a factor across a sum or difference.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 11q + 8 - q?

Back

You combine like terms: 11q - q = 10q, so the simplified expression is 10q + 8.

Front

What is the result of simplifying -9n + 12n + 7?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

Combine like terms: 8x - 10x + x = -x.

Front

What is the simplified form of 14z - 17z?

Back

Combine like terms: 14z - 17z = -3z.

Front

How do you combine the like terms in the expression 12x + 2 + 3x?

Back

Combine like terms: 12x + 3x = 15x, so the simplified expression is 15x + 2.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, such as 3x and 5x.

Front

What is an example of using the distributive property?

Back

For example, using the distributive property: 2(3 + 4) = 2*3 + 2*4 = 6 + 8 = 14.

Front

How do you identify like terms in an expression?

Back

Look for terms that have the same variable and exponent; for example, 4x^2 and 7x^2 are like terms.