1. Combining Like Terms and Combining Like Terms With Parentheses

2. What are terms and like terms?
A term is a number, a variable, or a product or quotient of numbers and variables.
Ex. 5x2, x, 3, 7x, xy/4
LIKE TERMS are terms that contain the same variables, with the same powers.
Ex. -3x and -5x, 7xy and -2xy, ax2 and 11ax2.

3. Simplify by combining like terms. Continue to follow your integer rules!!
When adding or
subtracting, KEEP
the same variables. 1)
Don’t forget to
FIX your double signs
first. 2)

4. What number is in front of the variables with NO numbers?
Ex. 3 and 4
Notice that the sign in front
of the number moves with
the number.
You can start by
Regrouping like
Terms together. 3)
You DO NOT have to write
a ONE in front of a variable.
It is understood to be there.
What number is in front of the
variables with NO numbers? 4)

5. Don’t forget to
FIX your
double signs
first.
Ex. 5 5)
Regroup 6)

6. Combining like terms with parentheses
You multiplied by a negative number.
WATCH OUT!! 7)
Before you can
combine like terms,
you must FIRST get
rid of the ( ).
DISTRIBUTE!!!
Regroup 8)