1. Making Equivalent Expressions By Combining Like Terms

2. What are like terms?
Like terms are terms that contain the same variables, and have the same powers or exponents.
Examples: 2x, 3x, 6x
4y2, 9y2
7t, 12t, 6t
A number with NO variable is called a constant.

3. Combining Like Terms 4x + 6y – x + 7y To combine like terms:
Identify all terms with the same variables and/or exponents
ALWAYS use the operation DIRECTLY in FRONT of the terms you are combining
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide the coefficients
The operation that is between the unlike terms is kept.
4x + 6y – x + 7y
3x + 13y

4. Combine like terms to create equivalent expressions:
7x + 5 – 3x + x3
6w2 + 15w + 8w2 – 11w
7x – 6x
x3 + 3x3 + 2x2 + 6x2 + 4 x + 12x + 5
2x + 3x + 7 – x y – 7 + x3

5. 5t + 6y – 4t + 7y
9b2 - 7y – 4b2 + 8y
x + y+ x + y + x + x + y + y + x
10t – 8h + 24t -6h
76w + 65y – 13w -42y

6. Determine If The Expressions Are Equivalent
1) y + y + y = 3y
2) 2 (3 – y) = 6 – 2y
3) 9v + 7v = 14v

7. Determine If The Expressions Are Equivalent
1) 2(3x + 2y) = 6x + 4y
2) t + t = 4t
3) 5x + 3x = 8x