Combining 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 simplify the expression 10d - 3d + 4d?

Back

You combine the coefficients of like terms: (10 - 3 + 4)d = 11d.

Front

What is the result of simplifying the expression 5p + 7y + 2t - 3p + 4y?

Back

The result is 2p + 11y + 2t.

Front

What is the simplified form of m + m + m + m?

Back

The simplified form is 4m.

Front

Can the expression 4f^2 + 3h - g + f be simplified? Why or why not?

Back

No, it cannot be simplified further because there are no like terms to combine.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 4q + 4t + 3q + t?

Back

Combine like terms: (4q + 3q) + (4t + t) = 7q + 5t.

Front

What is the first step in combining like terms?

Back

Identify and group the like terms in the expression.

Front

What is the importance of combining like terms in algebra?

Back

Combining like terms simplifies expressions, making them easier to work with and solve.

Front

What is an example of unlike terms?

Back

An example of unlike terms is 2x and 3y; they cannot be combined because they have different variables.