1. Combining
Like
Terms

2. What is a term? What is a like term?
Parts of a variable expression separated by
an addition or subtraction sign
What is a like term?
Terms that contain the same
variable and exponent

3. Here is a variable expression:
3x + 4y + 2x – 2y
*** 3x, 4y, 2x, and 2y are the terms
in this variable expression!
*** 3x and 2x are the like terms in the expression!

4. . . . is a term that contains a number and a variable
Okay—so a like term
. . . is a term that contains a number and a variable
7x, 5y, 8m, 3n,…
REMEMBER: If there is variable by itself… 3x + y…it means 1y!

5. Consider these two expressions:
8x + 7x
8x + 7y

6. What makes them different?
What do they have in common?
8x + 7x
LIKE TERMS
8x + 7y
 UNLIKE TERMS

7. 3x + 4x – 5y + 8y 7x 3y So our solution is:
When combining like terms we combine
everything that is the same:
3x x – y y 7x 3y
So our solution is:

8. 7x - 3y

9. TRY SOME OUT!
3x – 4x + 4y + 2y
4y + 3x – y + 4