Objective - To combine like terms to simplify expressions. Lesson 1.5 Combining Like Items 1:5 Combining Like Terms Objective - To combine like terms to simplify expressions. Term - a product or quotient involving numbers and/or variables. Terms are separated in expressions by addition or subtraction. Examples of terms: -3x 5 y -ab Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series Algebra 1 by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint

Numerical terms - numerals. All rational numerical terms can be combined. Examples: 5 2.03 -17 Variable terms - Terms with variables and coefficients. Only like variable terms can be combined. Examples: 3x -2y m Coefficient - The numeral in a variable term usually preceding the variable. Examples: 3x -2y m 1 Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series

Like terms - variable terms that differ only in their coefficients. Unlike Terms 7x -3x 7x -3y 5y -y 5y 10xy 2yx 2a 3ab Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series

Simplify by combining like terms. 1) 7x - 4y + 2x - y 6) 10 - 4x + 3y - 17x 9x - 5y -21x + 3y + 10 2) 3m + 10n - 4m + 1 7) 6r - 2.3s - -9r - 3.5s -m + 10n + 1 15r - 5.8s 3) 7x + 3y 8) 7x + 3y 1 2 p - 5q 6 4) 6x - (5x) + 2x + (-3) 9) 16 - 14m - - m - 27 3x - 3 -13m - 11 5) 4k - (2j) - 6k - j 10) 8e + 3f + (-5e) - -5f -2k - 3j 3e + 8f Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series

Irrational numbers can’t be combined with rational numbers. Irrational Terms Irrational numbers can’t be combined with rational numbers. Like terms Unlike terms Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series

Simplify by combining like terms. 1) 6) 2) 7) 3) 8) 4) 9) 5) 10) Algebra I by James Wenk © 2003 published by TEACHINGpoint as part of the Expert Systems for Teachers Series