Transcript Collecting Like Terms

Collecting Like Terms
Lesson 21
Terms



Literal Coefficients – are variables
(letters) that represent unknown
numbers.
Numerical coefficients – are
numbers
Terms – are made up of numerical
and literal coefficients.
Like Terms

Terms with identical literal coefficients
are like terms.

EXAMPLE:
y, 3y, -2y are like terms
x, -2g, 3k are not like terms

Basically the variable has to be the same.


Like Terms

Also the variable needs to be to the same
power to be like terms.

Example:
y2, -2y2, 45y2 are like terms
y, -20y2, 5y3 are not like terms

The exponent has to be the same number.


Try These

Which are like terms? Why?

5b, 3g, -2g, 2g2, 5g, ½g, -g
Solution:

Which are like terms? Why?

5b, 3g, -2g, 2g2, 5g, ½g, -g


Red – like terms. ( they all have the same
variable to the same power)
White – not like terms.
Combining Like Terms



t + t + t+ t + t
There are five variables which are like
terms therefore we simply add them
like we would if they were numbers.
t + t + t+ t + t = 5t
Combining Like Terms

4t + 3t + t = (4+3+1)t = 8t

2t2 + 8 – 5t2



Rearrange the variables so that all like
terms are side by side.
2t2 – 5t2 + 8 ( notice that the sign in front
of the number came with the number)
2t2 – 5t2 + 8 = -3t2 + 8
Combining Like Terms




2t + 3t2 – 2t –t2
3t2 – t2 + 2t – 2t (collecting like terms)
2t2 + 0
2t2
Combining like terms




3ab + 4a – 3b + 4ab – 7a + 2b
3ab + 4ab + 4a – 7a – 3b + 2b
7ab -3a – b
Finished the question because none of
the variables are the same.
Class work

Lesson 21 - Worksheet