Objects are often represented in algebra by a single letter.
Like terms share the same letter(s) and power(s), eg 饾懃 or 饾懃虏
Algebraic expressions can be collected together if they are like terms. This is done by adding or subtracting.
Find out how to collect like terms in algebra
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How to represent a problem using terms
3 apples and 2 plums can be represented as:
3a + 2p
If we were to add a further 2 apples and 4 plums to this, we would represent this as:
3a + 2a + 2p + 4p
3a, 4p etc. are called terms. Numbers without letters, are also known as terms.
What are 'like' terms?
Terms that contains the same letter(s) or power(s) are called like terms:
e.g. a, -21a and 550a are like terms. 13p, 440p and -2p are like terms. And 饾懃虏, 70饾懃虏 and -23饾懃虏 are all like terms, too.
How to collect terms
Example
3a + 2p + 2a + 4p
Firstly, re-write the equation so that the like terms are together:
3a + 2a + 2p + 4p
Finally use addition to collect them:
5a + 6p
Collecting terms with different mathematical signs
When collecting terms, the sign at the front of the number (co-efficient) tells us if we need to add or subtract them.
Example
3t - 2y + 10t - y - 12
Firstly, re-write the equation so that the like terms are together:
3t + 10t - 2y - y - 12
Finally, add or subtract where appropriate:
13t - 3y - 12
Like terms quiz
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More on Algebraic terms and expressions
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