A term is a number or product of numbers and variables.
ex. 4x is a term; 7 is a term; 3xy is a term; ½ xy is a term
A numerical coefficient is the number factor of a term
ex. 5 is the coefficient of 5xy
1 is the coefficient of x2
Like terms are terms with the same variables raised to the
same powers
ex. 2x & 7x are like terms; 8xy & -xy are like terms; 3x2
& -4x² are like terms
To combine like terms , add or subtract the coefficients .
Keep the variables and exp onents the same .
ex. 1) 2x+3x=5x
2) 7xy-5xy=7xy+ (-5xy) =2xy
3) -6x²+2x²= -4x²
Use the distributive property to multiply before adding or
subtracting if necessary.
ex. 1) -2(x+3) =-2x+ (-6)
2) -3(x-1)-(x+2)
=-3(x+ (-1)) + (-1) (x+2)
= -3x+3+ (-x) + (-2)
= -4x+1
