Question

how do i know if the terms are "like" or "unlike"?

1) 4x,-9x
2) x^2,x^6

Answer 1

Check out the variables.

Answer 2

Terms are like terms if the exponent is the same. So, in the case of (1), exponent of x is one. So, they are like terms. You can add, subtract them just as you do for any numbers. In case of (2), you have different exponents - 2 and 6 - for x. So, they are not like terms and you can't add or subtract them.

Answer 3

so if they're different exponents they're "unlike"?

Answer 4

Yes.

Answer 5

what if the other numbers are the same?

Answer 6

For example, if I said what is:
4x - 2x, you can say it is 2x because they are like terms and you can subtract.

Similarly, if I said, what is:
4x^2 - 2x^6, then you can't do the same.

Answer 7

like this...