Combining like terms

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 4y are not.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that are alike. For example, 3x + 5x = (3 + 5)x = 8x.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

Simplify: 2(4 + 9w)

Back

8 + 18w

Front

What is the result of combining 5a + 2b - 7b + 4a?

Back

9a - 5b

Front

Simplify: 7 + 3(1 - 2x)

Back

10 - 6x

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

To simplify an expression means to combine like terms and perform any operations to make the expression as concise as possible.

Front

What is the coefficient in the term 7x?

Back

The coefficient is 7, which is the number multiplying the variable x.

Front

What is the constant in the expression 3x + 5?

Back

The constant is 5, which is the term without a variable.

Front

How do you handle negative coefficients when combining like terms?

Back

When combining like terms with negative coefficients, treat the negative sign as part of the coefficient. For example, -2x + 3x = (3 - 2)x = 1x.