like terms
In mathematics, like terms refer to terms with the same variable(s) raised to the same power(s)
In mathematics, like terms refer to terms with the same variable(s) raised to the same power(s). When dealing with algebraic expressions, it is important to identify and combine like terms.
For example, let’s consider the expression 3x + 2y – 5x – 4y.
In this expression, the terms 3x and -5x are like terms because they both have the variable x raised to the power of 1. Similarly, the terms 2y and -4y are like terms because they both have the variable y raised to the power of 1.
To simplify the expression by combining like terms, we can add or subtract the coefficients (numbers multiplied by the variables) of the like terms. So, combining the like terms, we have:
3x – 5x = -2x
2y – 4y = -2y
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression 3x + 2y – 5x – 4y is -2x – 2y.
Remember that like terms must have the same variables raised to the same powers. If the variables or their powers differ, they cannot be considered like terms.
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