Like terms are terms that have same variable. For example:
- 2x and x are like terms because they have same variable which is x.
- y and 3y both are like terms because they have same variable which is y.
- 2x and y both are not like terms because x-term and y-term are not the same variable or term.
The thing that you need to becareful is about the degree. Even though x² and x both are also x-term, but they are not considered like terms. So basically like terms are terms that have same variable and same degree.
Given the expression below:
[tex] \large{2x + 2y + {x}^{2} - x + {x}^{2} }[/tex]
From the expression:
- 2x and x are like terms.
- x² and x² are also like terms.
Arrange in better form for our calculation.
[tex] \large{(2x - x) + 2y + ( {x}^{2} + {x}^{2} )} \\ \large{x + 2y + 2 {x}^{2} }[/tex]
You might also want to arrange the expression degree (optional but recommended).
[tex] \large{2 {x}^{2} + x + 2y}[/tex]
Answer
