Combine 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.

Front

Simplify: 3x + 5 + 2x - 7

Back

5x - 2

Front

Simplify: 3a + 4a + 9

Back

7a + 9

Front

Distribute: -3(4x + 2)

Back

-12x - 6

Front

Distribute: -2(x + 7)

Back

-2x - 14

Front

Combine like terms: 5x + 3x - 9

Back

8x - 9

Front

What are like terms?

Back

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

Front

How do you identify like terms in an expression?

Back

You identify like terms by looking for terms that have the same variable and exponent.

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.