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 is a 'like term'?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable(s) raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 4y are not.

Front

How do you simplify the expression -6k + 7k?

Back

You combine the like terms: -6k + 7k = (7 - 6)k = 1k = k.

Front

What is the result of simplifying the expression a + a + a + a?

Back

The result is 4a, since you are adding four like terms.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 3a + 7 - 2a?

Back

Combine the like terms: (3a - 2a) + 7 = 1a + 7 = a + 7.

Front

What is the simplified form of 5a + 2b - 3a + 4?

Back

Combine like terms: (5a - 3a) + 2b + 4 = 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 7v + 2 + 12 + 2v?

Back

Combine like terms: (7v + 2v) + (2 + 12) = 9v + 14.

Front

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

Back

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

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 importance of combining like terms in algebra?

Back

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