Combining Like Terms

Front

What are like terms?

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, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that have the same variable. For example, in 4k + 6k - 3k, combine the coefficients: (4 + 6 - 3)k = 7k.

Front

Simplify: 4k + 6k - 3k + 3s - s

Back

7k + 2s

Front

What does it mean if terms cannot be simplified?

Back

If terms cannot be simplified, it means they do not have the same variable or power, and thus cannot be combined. For example, 4f^2 + 3h - g + f cannot be simplified.

Front

Simplify: 4f^2 + 3h - g + f

Back

Can't be simplified

Front

Simplify: 12b + 4b^2 - 10b

Back

4b^2 + 2b

Front

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

Back

The first step is to identify and group the like terms together.

Front

Simplify: 4q + 4t + 3q + t

Back

7q + 5t

Front

What is a coefficient in an algebraic expression?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term. For example, in 5x, 5 is the coefficient.

Front

Simplify: 7y^2 - 5y + 9y - 5y^2

Back

2y^2 + 4y