In algebra we can only add and subtract terms with the same
variables raised to the same power. These terms are called like
terms.
Example
8x and 6x are like terms
4x2 and 22x2 are also
like terms
7y2 and 3x2 are not like
terms because they do not have similar variables.
Remember we can only add or subtract like terms. Now lets try an
example:
Example
Simplify the following:
8x + 6y – 3x + 9a
= 5x + 6y + 9a
Notice that the only like terms in this problem are 8x and -3x.
we cannot do anything with the 6y or 9a terms. So we group together
the terms we can subtract, and just leave the rest.
Example
Let’s try another one:
Simplify -6{-3(2x-3y) + y]
Hint: go back to the order of operations if you are not sure what
to do first.
-6[-3(2x-3y) + y]
= -6 [-6x + 9y + y]
= 36x – 54y +y
= 36x – 53y
|
Printable Lesson