combining like terms and distributive property

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 the distributive property?

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 5a + 2b - 3a + 4?

Back

You combine like terms to get 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

What is the result of simplifying x + 3x + 6x + x?

Back

The result is 11x.

Front

How do you simplify the expression m + 9 - 4m?

Back

Combine like terms to get -3m + 9.

Front

What is the result of applying the distributive property to 6(x + y + 7)?

Back

The result is 6x + 6y + 42.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 7t - 3t + t - 3t?

Back

Combine like terms to get 2t.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms; they are considered separate.

Front

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

Back

Identify and group like terms together.