Combining like terms and the Distributive Property

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms?

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.

Front

Distribute and then Combine Like Terms: 5(2x - 3) + 12

Back

10x - 3

Front

Distribute and then Combine Like Terms: 2(4x + 7) + 3x

Back

11x + 14

Front

Combine Like Terms: -6c + 2c - 4 + 8

Back

-4c + 4

Front

Combine Like Terms: 6b + 5 - 2b + 6

Back

4b + 11

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable and exponent, such as 3x and 5x.

Front

What is an example of using the Distributive Property?

Back

For example, 3(2 + 4) = 3*2 + 3*4 = 6 + 12 = 18.

Front

How do you simplify -4x - 10x?

Back

Combine like terms to get -14x.

Front

What is the first step in using the Distributive Property?

Back

The first step is to multiply the term outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.