"Like Terms"
It may help you to read Introduction to Algebra first
Like Terms
"Like terms" are terms whose variables (and their exponents such as the 2 in x2) are the same.
In other words, terms that are "like" each other.
Note: the coefficients (the numbers you multiply by, such as "5" in 5x) can be different.
Example:
Are all like terms because the variables are all x
Example:
Are all like terms because the variables are all xy2
Combining Like Terms
You can add like terms together to make one term:
Example: 7x + x
They are both like terms, so you can just add them:
7x + x = 8x
Example: 3x2 - 7 + 4x3 - x2 + 2
Some of the terms are like terms.
Combine like terms:
(3x2 - x2) + 4x3 + (2 - 7)
Then add like terms:
2x2 + 4x3 - 5
Unlike Terms
If they are not like terms, they are called "Unlike Terms":
| Unlike Terms |
Why they are "Unlike Terms" |
| |
-3xy |
-3y |
12y2 |
← these are all unlike terms
(xy, y and y2 are all different) |
|
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