Simplifying by Combining Like Terms

a + a + a + a

• a + 4 

• 4a 

• a to the fourth power 

• 4a + 4 

In the expression  x - 53 - 4x - w + 6x + 8  , the variables are

• x, w, 8

• -53, 8

• x, w

• x, -4x, 6x, -w

What terms can you combine in this equation?

• 5 and 15

• -4x and 2x

• -4x and 5

• 2x and 5

In order for terms to be like terms, they have to have the same variable and the same __________.

7b + 6 - 3b + 3

• 10 b + 9

• 4b + 9

• 4b + 3

• 10b - 3

10 + 3b + b - 3

• 3b - 7

• 4b + 13

• 4b - 7

• 4b + 7

10a + 7 + 3a - 2

• 13a - 5

• 7a - 5

• 13a + 5

• 13a - 9

12 + 6a - 4b + 3a - 5

• 9a - 4b + 17

• 3a + 4b + 17

• 9a - 4b - 7

• 9a - 4b + 7

7xy + 2 - 3xy + 6 - 4

• 4xy + 12

• 10xy + 4

• 10xy - 4

• 4xy + 4

4d + 2d - 6 - d

• 6d - 6

• 5d - 6

• 7d - 6

• 5d + 6