Expressions: Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property

Front

What is a like term in algebra?

Back

A like term is a term that has the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms.

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, 3x + 5x = (3+5)x = 8x.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parentheses.

Front

Simplify: 5x + 3x.

Back

8x.

Front

Simplify: 4y - 2y + 7y.

Back

9y.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying an expression?

Back

Identify and combine like terms.

Front

Simplify: 2a + 3b - 4b + a.

Back

3a - b.

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

Simplify: 7x - 2 + 3x - 5.

Back

10x - 7.

Front

What is the result of applying the distributive property to 3(2x + 4)?

Back

6x + 12.