Like terms have exactly the same letters. 3a and 5a are like terms, but 3a and 3b are not. You can add or subtract like terms: 3a + 5a = 8a.
To simplify 2a + 7b − 2b − 4a, group the a terms and the b terms. 2a − 4a = −2a and 7b − 2b = 5b. So the answer is −2a + 5b. The sign in front of a term belongs to it, so move it with the term.
Worked example
Simplify 5x + 3y − 2x + y
- x terms: 5x − 2x = 3x.
- y terms: 3y + y = 4y.
Answer:3x + 4y
Key words
- term
- a single part of an expression, like 5x
- like terms
- terms with the same letters
- simplify
- write in a shorter way
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 6.EE.A.3, 6.EE.A.4