Adding & Subtracting
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At this point, we know that expressions have multiple terms which are separated by addition or subtraction signs. These terms can be combined if they are like terms. Look at the expression below...

Adding Practice 1

The expression above has three sets of like terms (9x & -2x; 4xy2 & -2xy2; 4 & -3). Like terms have two things in common: 1) they have the same variables & 2) they have the same exponents. Here is another example…

Adding Practice 2

Notice in the expression above that 3x2y and -2x2y are like terms but 7xy2 is left out. Do you recognize why? The terms 3x2y and -2x2y have the variable x to the 2nd power; on the other hand, 7xy2 has the variable y to the 2nd power. 


Now that you know what like terms are, let's take a look at how to collect/combine like terms. Watch the video below which puts everything we've done so far together. In addition, the video will explain how we collect/combine like terms.

Add Practice Link
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