Question

Which terms are considered like terms in the following expression?
3n+18 - 7n+3 + 5m

can you please explain how you found the answer

Answer 1

"like terms" means they have a common factor.

For instance suppose you have 3 rocks and 2 rocks. You can add these together to have 5 rocks, right?

Similarly, if we just call our "rocks" as "x" instead you can see that we can collect these "like terms" as well!

3x+2x=5x

just like

3 rocks + 2 rocks = 5 rocks.

Now if you try to add these, don't be fooled, these are not like terms:

x^2+x^3 can not add them

because think about it, x squared and x cubed. You can't add squares with cubes, they're not the same!

Answer 2

I'm still a little confused.

Answer 3

Sure, I'll help clear it up. So show me which terms you think are "like terms" and tell you what you need to do from there.

Answer 4

3n and 7n im guessing.

Answer 5

@carlene

Like terms are terms that have the same variables raised to the same exponents. To add or subtract them, you simply add or subtract their coefficients. e.g. -2x² and 4x². Their sum is 2x² (-2x² + 4x² = 2x²). Similarly 3x²y³ + x²y³ = 4x²y³.

Unlike terms are terms that have different variables or the the same variables raised to different exponents. e.g. 3x and y or x²y³ and -x³y². You can't add or subtract these.

Multiplying or dividing like or unlike terms is allowed, however you should familiarize yourself with the exponent laws.

Answer 6

Yep, so the like terms are:

3n, 7n, and 5n

and

18 and 3

You can add these all up.

So for example 3n+7n becomes 10n.

Answer 7

Yes 3n, -7n, and 5n would be like terms for example. You get it now. Similarly 18 and 3 are also like terms.

Answer 8

sorry that was suppose to be 5m

Answer 9

OH then only 3n and -7n are like terms, as well as 18 and 3. 5m will remain as 5m in the final answer but it won't be added to anything because there are no other m terms.

Answer 10

Thanks everybody who helped i get it now.