Download Like Terms

Introduction to Algebra
Vocabulary
Identifying Parts of an Algebraic
Expression
Distributive Property
of Multiplication
Expression: a group of terms.
Contains 3 things:
• Numbers
• Operations
• Variables
•
***DOES NOT CONTAIN AN EQUAL SIGN!!
VARIABLE
A LETTER/SYMBOL THAT REPRESENTS
AN UNKNOWN NUMBER
Every variable has a coefficient.
1-9 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
In the expression 7x + 9y + 15, 7x, 9y, and 15 are
called terms. A term can be a number, a variable,
or a product of numbers and variables. Terms in an
expression are separated by + and –.
7x + 5 – 3y2 + y + x
3
term
term
term
term term
In the term 7x, 7 is called the Coefficient
coefficient. A coefficient is a
number that is multiplied by a
variable in an algebraic
expression. A variable by itself,
like y, has a coefficient of 1.
So y = 1y.
Course 2
Variable
Identifying parts of an expression.
Constant: the term without a variable.
3,  6, 5, 32
Like Terms: terms with the same variable factors, but may
have different coefficients.
2

3x,  6 x, 21x  y, 0.75 y, 126 y,  32 y 
5

4ab 3 , 9ab 3 ,  7b 3 a


1-9 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Like terms are terms with the same variable
raised to the same power. The coefficients do
not have to be the same. Constants, like 5, 1
,
2
and 3.2, are also like terms.
Like Terms
Unlike
Terms
Course 2
w and w
5 and 1.8
7
5x2 and 2x
6a and 6b
3.2 and n
The exponents The variables Only one term
contains a
are different. are different
variable
3x and 2x
1-9 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Additional Example 1: Identifying Like Terms
Identify like terms in the list.
3t
5w2
7t
9v
4w2
8v
Look for like variables with like powers.
3t
5w2
7t
9v
Like terms: 3t and 7t
4w2
8v
5w2 and 4w2 9v and 8v
Helpful Hint
Use different shapes or colors to indicate sets of like
terms.
Course 2