Combine Like Terms and Distributive Property

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in an expression?

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

Simplify the expression: 7p - 3q + 2p - 5q

Back

9p - 8q

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, meaning you can distribute a factor across terms inside parentheses.

Front

Apply the distributive property: 4(3p - 5q)

Back

12p - 20q

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, such as 2x and 5x.

Front

Simplify the expression: 6x - 4y + 3x - 2y

Back

9x - 6y

Front

Apply the distributive property: 4(5x + 3)

Back

20x + 12

Front

What is the first step in simplifying an expression with like terms?

Back

Identify and group the like terms together.

Front

Simplify the expression: 5x - 3y + 2x - 4y

Back

7x - 7y

Front

What do you do when you encounter a negative sign in front of parentheses?

Back

Distribute the negative sign to each term inside the parentheses.