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COMBINING LIKE TERMS
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The concepts for this exercise are summarized below.
For a complete discussion, read the text.
Terms with the same variable part are called like terms
because they look "alike" as far as the variable part is concerned.
The phrase like terms can refer to two or more terms.
Thus, 2x and -5x are like terms.
In each term, the variable part is x .
Also, x2 , (1/3)x2 , and
(4.2)x2 are like terms.
In each term, the variable part is x2 .
Only like terms can be combined, and they are combined by adding the coefficients.
For example, 2x + 5x = 7x and 7y - 4y = 3y .
Terms that are not like terms cannot be combined.
For example, there is no simpler way to write 2x + 5y or 7y - 2y2 .
EXAMPLES:
Combine like terms: 2x - 3y + x + 5y
Answer: 3x + 2y
Note: the variable x occurs first in the original expression, and it must be written first
in the answer.
Even though the answer "2y + 3x" is correct, it is not recognized as correct by this program.
Combine like terms: x2 - 3xy + 5y - 4x2 + xy - 6y
Answer: -3x^2 - 2xy - y
Note: In the original problem, the x2 term comes first, the xy term
second, and the y term last;
they must be written in this order in your final answer.
Note that exponents are written using the ^ key.
Combine like terms: 2t + 4w - 3w + t - w
Answer: 3t
Note: If a term has a coefficient of 0 (like 4w - 3w - w), then it will not appear in your final answer.