Like/unlike Terms:
“Like terms” are terms whose variables are the same.
In other words, terms that are “like” each other. e.g. 4x – 2x
Like terms can be added together to make one term: → 4x – 2x = 2x
If they are not like terms, they are called “unlike terms“: e.g. 4x – 3
Unlike terms can’t be added together to make one term: → 4x – 3
problem:
Combine the like terms to make a simpler expression:
a) 4x – 2 + 8x – 11 =
b) 8y – 3x – 8y + 7x =
c) 2x – 4y + 8z – 8x + 2y =
answers:
a) 4x – 2 + 8x – 11 = + 12x – 13
in detail:
4x + 8x = 12x
2 – 11 = – 13
b) 8y – 3x – 8y + 7x = + 4x
in detail:
– 3x + 7x = + 4x
+ 8y – 8y = 0
c) 2x – 4y + 8z – 8x + 2y = – 6x – 2y + 8z
in detail:
3x – 8x = – 6x
– 4y + 2y = – 2y
+ 8z = + 8z