Combining Like Terms

Vocabulary

ConstantA number with nothing else attached to it.

Examples: 1, 2, 47, 925

Vocabulary

Variable

A letter that represents an unknown number.

Examples: a, b, x, y

Vocabulary

ConstantA constant is the number with nothing else

attached to it.

Example: 1, 2, 47, 925

Vocabulary

Coefficient

The number in front of the variable.

Examples: 3x 3 is the coefficient

-2x -2 is the coefficient

Vocabulary

Exponent The number “on top” of the variable.

Example: x³ 3 is the exponent

Vocabulary

Simplify Rewrite an expression as simply as possible.

Reducing to lowest terms.

5 + 3

8

5 cats + 3 cats

8 cats

5 boxes + 3 boxes

8 boxes

5 pillows + 3 pillows

8 pillows

5a + 3a

8a

5b + 3b

8b

5c + 3c

8c

5 cats + 3 dogs

5 cats + 3 dogs

5 apples + 3 oranges

5 apples + 3 oranges

5 + 3

8

5 + 3

8

5 + 3

8

12r – 8 – 12

12r –8 –12

12r –8 –12

12r – 20