Combining 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 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 identify like terms in an expression?

Back

To identify like terms, look for terms that have the same variable(s) and exponent(s). Group these terms together to simplify the expression.

Front

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

Back

The first step is to identify and group all the like terms in the expression.

Front

If you have the expression 5a + 2b - 3a + 4, how do you simplify it?

Back

Combine the like terms 5a and -3a to get 2a, then write the expression as 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

What is the result of combining the terms -2x and 6x?

Back

The result is 4x, since -2x + 6x = 4x.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 3 + 5x + 8 - 2x?

Back

Combine the constant terms (3 and 8) to get 11, and combine the like terms (5x and -2x) to get 3x, resulting in 11 + 3x.

Front

What is the simplified form of the expression 4y + 8d - 2y + 3d?

Back

The simplified form is 2y + 11d, after combining like terms.

Front

What happens when you combine the terms 2x and -5x?

Back

Combining these terms results in -3x, since 2x - 5x = -3x.

Front

Why is it important to combine like terms in algebra?

Back

Combining like terms is important because it simplifies expressions, making them easier to work with and understand.