1. Unit 2: Adding Similar (like) Terms
Similar terms have identical variables:
Similar 2a
-7a
2xy
3xy
5x2y
-2x2y
4ab
6ba
3st
-2ts
Not Similar 3a -b
5ab
6ac
7a2b
-8ab2
8xy
9yz
3x2
-2x3

2. (we add the numerical coefficients)
Adding Similar Terms
(we add the numerical coefficients)
Simplify the following (add similar terms):
Example (1): a + 7a
= (3 + 7)a
= 10a

3. Example (2): b – 6b
= (8 – 6)b
= 2b
Example (3): c – 5c + 3c
= (12 – 5 + 3)c
= 10c

4. Example (4): x – 11x + 3y
= (8 – 11)x + 3y
= – 3x + 3y
Example (5): 2a – 5b + 2b
= 2a + (– 5 + 2)b
= 2a + (– 3)b
= 2a – 3b

5. Example (6): 8(x – 3) + 10 = 8x – 24 + 10 = 8x – 14
Expand and Simplify the following:
(multiply and add similar terms):
Example (6): 8(x – 3) + 10
= 8x –
= 8x – 14
Example (7): 6(x + 2) – 5(2x + 5)
= 6x + 12 – 10x – 25
= 6x – 10x + 12 – 25
= (6 – 10)x + (12 – 25)
= – 4x – 13