Pre-Algebra 2.2: Combining Like Terms

Combining Like Terms

Pre-Algebra 2.2

Parts of an Expression

• Consider this algebraic expression: 14x + 9 - 2x + 8 - 5x + 1

• What are the Variable Terms?

• 14x, -2x, -5x

• What are the Coefficients?

• 14, -2, -5

• What are the Constant Terms?

• 9, 8, 1

Examples

• Let's do a few together, then you can try!

  (Variable Terms, Constants, Coefficients)

• #1) 11a, 4a | none | 11, 4

• #2) 3x, 7x | 6, -4 | 3, 7

• #3) -12m, 4m | -3, 16 | -12, 4

• #4) 6k, k | -4, -2 | 6, 1

• #5) -5p, -2p | 3, 13 | -5, -2

• (make sure you're writing this all down in your notes packet!)

Now you try!

Don't stress if you get these wrong, or if you think you go it right but it marked you wrong. Just make sure you are following along in your notes & copying down the correct answer once it's revealed.

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For Example #6 in your notes, type any/all of the VARIABLE TERMS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #6 in your notes, type any/all of the CONSTANTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #6 in your notes, type any/all of the COEFFICIENTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #7 in your notes, type any/all of the VIARABLE TERMS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #7 in your notes, type any/all of the CONSTANTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #7 in your notes, type any/all of the COEFFICIENTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #8 in your notes, type any/all of the VARIABLE TERMS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #8 in your notes, type any/all of the CONSTANTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #8 in your notes, type any/all of the COEFFICIENTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #9 in your notes, type any/all of the VARIABLE TERMS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #9 in your notes, type any/all of the CONSTANTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #9 in your notes, type any/all of the COEFFICENTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #10 in your notes, type any/all of the VARIABLE TERMS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #10 in your notes, type any/all of the CONSTANTS. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

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For Example #10 in your notes, type any/all of the COEFFICIENT. (Type your answers in order and separate them with commas)

Combining Like Terms

• First, combine terms with the same variable (in this case, x) by adding and/or subtracting the coefficients:

  14x -2x -5x = ?

• 7x

• Then, combine the constants:

  9 +8 +1 = ?

• 18

• 14x + 9 - 2x + 8 - 5x + 1 --> 7x + 18

Examples

• #11) 11x

• #12) -5k

• #13) 17c + 1

• #14) -2y + 19

• #15) 6m - 13

Examples (cont.)

• #16) 8a -22

• #17) 5v + 7

• #18) -5n - 15

• #19) -2w - 11

• #20) 8r - 7

Now you try!

Don't stress if you get these wrong, or if you think you go it right but it marked you wrong. Just make sure you are following along in your notes & copying down the correct answer once it's revealed. (To increase your chances of it being marked correctly, always write the variable term first.)

Fill in the Blanks

Example #21

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Example #22

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Example #23

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Example #24

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Example #25

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Example #26

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Example #27

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Example #28

You did it!

You finished the notes, awesome! Now you can start your homework on ALEKS.