3.2: 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 is the result of simplifying the expression 3x + 2x?

Back

The result is 5x.

Front

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

Back

You combine the coefficients of like terms: -6 + 7 = 1, so the simplified expression is k.

Front

What are the terms in the expression 10x + 5 + 2x - 4?

Back

The terms are 10x, 5, 2x, and -4.

Front

What is the simplified form of -2x + 11 + 6x?

Back

The simplified form is 4x + 11.

Front

What is a coefficient in an algebraic expression?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor that multiplies a variable in an algebraic term.

Front

What is a constant term in an expression?

Back

A constant term is a term that does not contain any variables and has a fixed value.

Front

How do you identify like terms in an expression?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

The first step is to group the like terms together.

Front

Can you combine terms with different variables? Why or why not?

Back

No, you cannot combine terms with different variables because they represent different quantities.