Download Combining Like Terms

Combining Like Terms
Variable
A symbol which represents an unknown.
Examples:
x
m
z
y
Expression v. Equation
Expression: Numbers, symbols, and
operators grouped together that show
the value of something. For example:
3x – 5
Equation: A Statement formed when a
equality symbol is placed between two
equal expressions. For example:
y = 3x – 5
*Make sure to leave the right form on any assessment*
Algebra Tiles
*These tiles are positive side up ( The red side is always negative)*
1
1
x
x
x2
x
5
y
Unit
Tile
x
Tile
5
Piece
x
y
y2
x
1
1
y
x2
Tile
y
Tile
xy
y
y
1
xy
Tile
y2
Tile
Jumbled Piles
x
x
x2
x2
y
x
y
y
x
y
x2
x
2  y   x  x   x   x  2 x  2  3 y  2 x  1
2
2
Jumbled Piles
y
x
y
x2
2
y
y
x2
x
Zero
Pair 2
x
x
x
x
Zero Pair
Zero
Pair
2 x   xx x3x44xy43y  4  1
22
Combining like Terms
Terms: Variable expressions separated by a plus or minus sign.
Like terms: Terms with the same variable(s) raised to the same power.
Combine Like Terms: Add the the numbers the liked terms are being
multiplied by.
Ex: Simplify the expression below:
The x2 Tile
The x Tile
2
2
x+6
x + 5 + 2x
x + 3x
x + 4x
6x
2
8x + 7x + 11
6+2
4+3
5+6
Unit Tiles
Different Meanings
What does the symbol below mean? Find as many
ways to describe the symbol.
Three different meanings:
Negative
Subtraction
Opposite
The Opposite
Rewrite the following expression:
  4  2x 
The
opposite
of…
x
x
4  2x