"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:
| 7x | x | -2x |
Are all like terms because the variables are all x
Example:
| (1/3)xy2 | -2xy2 | 6xy2 |
Are all like terms because the variables are all xy2
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) |
|
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