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 4y + 2y, you add the coefficients: 4 + 2 = 6, so the result is 6y.

Front

Simplify: 4y + 8d - 2y + 3d

Back

11d + 2y

Front

What is the result of 3x - 5x?

Back

-2x

Front

Simplify: 3 + 5x + 8 - 2x

Back

11 + 3x

Front

What is 2x - 5x?

Back

-3x

Front

Simplify: 2x + 1 + 7x

Back

9x + 1

Front

What is the coefficient in the term 7x?

Back

The coefficient is 7.

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

To simplify an expression means to combine like terms and reduce it to its simplest form.

Front

What is the difference between like terms and unlike terms?

Back

Like terms have the same variable and exponent, while unlike terms do not. For example, 2x and 3x are like terms, but 2x and 3y are unlike terms.