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 combine the terms 3n and 2n?

Back

You add the coefficients of the like terms: 3n + 2n = (3 + 2)n = 5n.

Front

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

Back

The result is 8x, since 6x + 2x = (6 + 2)x = 8x.

Front

If you have the expression 7v + 2 + 12 + 2v, how do you simplify it?

Back

Combine like terms: 7v + 2v = 9v and 2 + 12 = 14, so the simplified expression is 9v + 14.

Front

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

Back

Identify and group all the like terms together.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms. They are separate types of terms.

Front

What is the simplified form of the expression y + x + y + y + x?

Back

The simplified form is 2x + 3y, combining like terms for x and y.

Front

What is the importance of combining like terms in algebra?

Back

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

Front

How do you identify like terms in an expression?

Back

Look for terms that have the same variable(s) and exponent(s). For example, in the expression 4a^2 + 3a + 2a^2, 4a^2 and 2a^2 are like terms.