Like terms and simplifying expressions

Distinguish like terms and simplify using the distributive law.

Meaning

Like terms have identical variable parts and exponents. Expand brackets using the distributive law, then combine coefficients of like terms.

Example

becomes 3x and 2x count three and two copies of the same x, so they combine as (3+2)x. Expanding also counts three copies of both x and 2, giving 3x+6.3x and 3x² are not like terms. Multiply every term inside brackets by the factor outside.

Practice for this concept

Scope and references

Topics

Identifying like terms, collecting terms, expanding brackets, the distributive law

Learning goal

Distinguish like terms and simplify using the distributive law.

Helpful background

Connect terms, coefficients, and the distributive law as needed.

Expressions for the same quantity

Does not include transformations of complex polynomials or rational expressions.

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