Combining Like Terms

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in algebra?

Back

Combining like terms means to simplify an expression by adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable(s) raised to the same exponent. For example, 2x and 3x are like terms, while 2x and 2y are not.

Front

How do you combine the terms 2x and -5x?

Back

To combine 2x and -5x, you subtract the coefficients: 2 - 5 = -3, so the result is -3x.

Front

What is the result of combining the terms 3b, b, and -2b?

Back

Combining 3b, b, and -2b gives you 3 + 1 - 2 = 2, so the result is 2b.

Front

How do you simplify the expression -2x + 11 + 6x?

Back

Combine -2x and 6x to get 4x, then add 11, resulting in 4x + 11.

Front

What is the simplified form of 2x + 1 + 7x?

Back

Combine 2x and 7x to get 9x, so the simplified form is 9x + 1.

Front

How do you collect like terms in the expression 4y + 8d - 2y + 3d?

Back

Combine 4y and -2y to get 2y, and combine 8d and 3d to get 11d, resulting in 2y + 11d.

Front

What is the first step in combining like terms?

Back

The first step is to identify all the like terms in the expression.

Front

Can constants be combined with variable terms?

Back

No, constants cannot be combined with variable terms. They are separate types of terms.

Front

What is the coefficient in the term 5x?

Back

The coefficient in the term 5x is 5, which is the number multiplying the variable x.