Question

Which of the following are like terms in the expression?
12a-7+7a+12b
A.7and7a
B. 12 and 12a
C. -7 and 12b
D. 7a and 12a

Answer 1

I will fan who ever helps!!

Answer 2

When we refer to the phrase "like terms," this means terms that have the same variables so that they can be used to perform operations.

Answer 3

So, in this case, 7 and 7a are NOT like terms because they do not share the same variables.

Answer 4

Do you understand now what the answer would be?

Answer 5

ok i see so your saying oh ok thanks

Answer 6

No problem!

Answer 7

i still dont get it but ok thanks

Answer 8

@myah, Please let's not give up so easily.

Would you say that 1 boy plus 4 girls equals 5 girls? Why or why not?
Would you say that 7 + 7a = 14a? Why or why not?

Answer 9

Wow i would have never thought about it that way? And would it be no?

Answer 10

Indeed, no. What would be 1 boy plus 5 boys? 2 girls plus 18 girls?

Answer 11

1 boy + 5 boys would be 6 boys. 2 + 18 girls would be 20?

Answer 12

right. You can add this number of boys to that number of boys, because both quantities refer to boys. In other words, 1 boy and 5 boys are "like terms."
Does this help you to answer the question at hand?

Answer 13

Which of the following are like terms in the expression?
12a-7+7a+12b
A.7and7a
B. 12 and 12a
C. -7 and 12b
D. 7a and 12a

Answer 14

yes very much

Answer 15

Great. Which of the four choices is the correct one?

Answer 16

That was a good way of explaining it @mathmale!

Answer 17

b.?

Answer 18

Are 12 and 12a "like terms?"

are 12 girls and 12a boys like terms?

Answer 19

d.?

Answer 20

D. 7a and 12a both terms contain the SAME variable, a, and thus these are like terms.

Answer 21

A special thanks to @OpenStudier.