Identifying Like Terms

Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Identifying Like Terms

Open Ended

What do you think it means for terms to be alike?

CCSS Math 7.EE.1

Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

Lesson Objective

I can identify terms, like terms, coefficients, and constants in algebraic expression.

Identify Parts of an Expression

• Term: a number, a variable, or a product or quotient of numbers and variables

Identify Parts of an Expression

• Variable: a symbol, usually a letter, used to represent a number in mathematical expressions or sentences

• Constant: A term without a variable

• Coefficient: The numerical factor of a term that contains a variable

Like Terms

Terms that contain the same variables raised to the same power. Example: 5x and 6x are like terms.

Multiple Choice

Which term below is a like term with the following?

$$-4x^3$$  
HINT: Like terms have same variables to the same powers

• $$-4x^2$$  

• $$x^3$$  

• -4

Multiple Select

What are the terms in the following expression?

$$6n-7n-4+n$$  
Hint: When addition or subtraction signs separate an algebraic expression into parts, each part is called a term.

• 6n

• 7n

• -4

• n

• -7n
  

Multiple Select

What are the like terms in the following expression?

$$6n-7n-4+n$$  
HINT: Rewrite expression with negative addition. a - b = a + (-b)

• 6n

• 7n

• -4

• n

• -7n
  

Multiple Select

What are the coefficients in the following expression?

$$6n-7n-4+n$$  
HINT: Remember coefficients are numerical factors of a multiplication expression that contains a variable. Also, n = 1 x n. 

• 6

• 1

• -4

• n

• -7
  

Multiple Select

What are the constants in the following expression?

$$6n-7n-4+n$$  
HINT: Constants are term that don't change. Variables change!

• 6

• 1

• -4

• n

• -7
  

Multiple Select

What are the terms in the expression?

$$9y-4-11y+7$$  

• 9y

• -4

• 11y

• -11y

• 7

Multiple Select

What are the like terms in the expression?

$$9y-4-11y+7$$  
Hint: There are multiple answers! Constant terms can also be like terms.

• 9y, -11y

• -4, 7

• 9y, 11y

• 4, 7

Multiple Select

What are the coefficients in the expression?

$$9y-4-11y+7$$  

• 9

• -4

• 4

• -11

• 11

Multiple Select

What are the constants in the expression?

$$9y-4-11y+7$$  

• 9

• -4

• 4

• -11

• 7

Today's Takeaway

• Like Terms are Terms that contain the same variable to the same power.

• Constants are Terms without a Variable. Constant terms are also like terms.

Next Time!

• Homework: Play Prodigy for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat each night until you are done with the game.

• Next class, we will continue identifying terms, like terms, coefficients, and constants. We will begin adding and subtracting linear expressions with rational coefficients.

Multiple Choice

Identify the terms, like terms, coefficients, and constants, in the expression.

$$3x\ +2-10-3x$$  

• Terms: 3x, 2, -10, -3x
  Like Terms: 2, -10
  Coefficients: 2, -10
  Constants: 2, -10

• Terms: 3x, 2, -10, -3x
  Like Terms: 3x, -3x
  Coefficients: 2, -10
  Constants: 3, -3

• Terms: 3x, 2, -10, -3x
  Like Terms: 3x, -3x; 2, -10
  Coefficients: 3, -3
  Constants: 2, -10

• Terms: 3x, 2, -10, -3x

  Like Terms: 3x, -3x; 2, -10

  Coefficients: 3, -3, 2, -10

  Constants: 2, -10