Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property

Front

What are like terms in algebra?

Back

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

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, you add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that have the same variable. For example, 3x + 5x = 8x.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parentheses.

Front

How do you apply the distributive property to simplify expressions?

Back

To apply the distributive property, multiply the term outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses and then combine like terms if possible.

Front

What is the result of applying the distributive property to -9(x - 3)?

Back

The result is -9x + 27.

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What is the result of applying the distributive property to -3(2c - 5)?

Back

The result is -6c + 15.

Front

What does it mean to simplify an algebraic expression?

Back

Simplifying an algebraic expression means to combine like terms and apply the distributive property to make the expression as simple as possible.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying the expression 3d - 12 + d - 17 - 15x?

Back

The first step is to combine like terms: 3d + d and -15x.

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What is the final simplified form of the expression 3d - 12 + d - 17 - 15x?

Back

The final simplified form is 4d - 15x - 29.

Front

How do you handle negative signs when applying the distributive property?

Back

When applying the distributive property with a negative sign, distribute the negative sign to each term inside the parentheses.