Understanding Unlike Terms in Algebra

Understanding Unlike Terms in Algebra

Read each question carefully and follow the instructions to simplify algebraic expressions involving unlike terms. Remember that unlike terms cannot be combined through addition or subtraction.

1. Which of the following pairs represents unlike terms?

2. Which expression contains only unlike terms?

3. Terms that have different variables or different exponents for the same variable are called   terms.

4. When simplifying an algebraic expression, we can only combine   terms.

5. Explain in your own words why 3xy and 3x²y are considered unlike terms.

6. The terms 7abc and 5cba are unlike terms.

7. The expression 4x + 3y - 2z can be simplified further.

8. Simplify the following expression by combining like terms:

5x² + 3y - 2x² + 7y - 4

9. Simplify the expression:

(2ab + 3a) - (5ab - a + 4b)

Match each expression on the left with its simplified form on the right.