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

Simplify the expression: 3x + 2y - 4x + 5y

Back

-x + 7y

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

Apply the distributive property: 3(5y - 2x)

Back

15y - 6x

Front

Apply the distributive property: 6(2x - 3y)

Back

12x - 18y

Front

Apply the distributive property: 4(3p - 5q)

Back

12p - 20q

Front

Apply the distributive property: 4(5x + 3)

Back

20x + 12

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable(s) 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 simplifying an expression with like terms?

Back

The first step is to group the like terms together.