📚 What are Like Terms?

Like terms are terms that have exactly the same letter parts (variables). We can add or subtract like terms by combining their numbers.

Worked Examples:

Example 1: 6a + 3b + 2b + 2a

Step 1: Identify like terms: 6a and 2a are like terms (both have 'a'), 3b and 2b are like terms (both have 'b')

Step 2: Group like terms: (6a + 2a) + (3b + 2b)

Step 3: Add the numbers: 8a + 5b

Example 2: 5x + 3y - 2x + 4y

Step 1: Identify like terms: 5x and -2x are like terms, 3y and 4y are like terms

Step 2: Group like terms: (5x - 2x) + (3y + 4y)

Step 3: Calculate: 3x + 7y

Example 3: 4p + 7q - 3p + 2r - q

Step 1: Identify like terms: 4p and -3p, 7q and -q, 2r stands alone

Step 2: Group like terms: (4p - 3p) + (7q - q) + 2r

Step 3: Calculate: p + 6q + 2r

✏️ Practice Questions