Mastering the Art of Combining Like Terms

The video tutorial from Friendly Math 101 covers the concept of combining like terms in algebraic expressions. It begins by defining like terms as terms with the same variable and exponent. The tutorial provides three examples, demonstrating how to identify and combine like terms by adding their coefficients. The first example focuses on terms with variables x and y, the second on constants and arranging terms in descending order, and the third on a more complex expression with multiple exponents. The video emphasizes the importance of organizing polynomials by descending exponents.

What are like terms?

• Terms with different variables and different exponents

• Terms with the same variable raised to the same power

• Terms with different variables and the same exponent

• Terms with the same variable and different exponents

In the expression 3x + 4x, what is the result of combining the like terms?

• 7

• 12x

• 7x

• 3x4x

When combining -7y and 9y, what is the resulting term?

• -2y

• 16y

• 2y

• 0

What is a constant in an expression?

• A term with a variable and an exponent

• A term with the highest exponent

• A term with a variable but no exponent

• A term without a variable

In the expression 8 + 1 - 12, what is the result of combining the constants?

• 3

• -9

• 9

• -3

What is the result of combining 4x and 5x?

• 0

• 20x

• 9x

• 1x

Why do we arrange polynomials in descending order?

• To make them easier to read

• To match the highest exponent first

• To simplify calculations

• To follow mathematical conventions

What is the result of combining -2x^3 and -4x^3?

• 2x^3

• 6x^3

• -6x^3

• -2x^6

In the expression 7x + 11x, what is the resulting term?

• 77x

• 4x

• 0

• 18x

What is the correct descending order for the expression -6x^3 + x^2 + 18x - 5?

• -6x^3 + 18x + x^2 - 5

• 18x - 6x^3 + x^2 - 5

• x^2 - 6x^3 + 18x - 5

• -6x^3 + x^2 + 18x - 5