Combining Like Terms Without Exponents
Learn to combine like terms without exponents in Grade 9 algebra. Identify matching variable terms, add or subtract coefficients, and simplify polynomial expressions efficiently.
Key Concepts
Property To combine like terms, use the Distributive Property in reverse: $ax + bx = (a+b)x$.
Examples $6x + 9x = (6 + 9)x = 15x$ $ 5y ( 2y) + 4y = ( 5 + 2 + 4)y = 1y = y$ $7ab 2c + 5ba = 7ab + 5ab 2c = (7+5)ab 2c = 12ab 2c$.
Explanation Time to organize the party! Round up all the terms that are alike and group them together. Then, simply add or subtract their coefficients. The variable part is just a label that comes along for the ride and doesn't change. It’s like saying '5 apples plus 7 apples equals 12 apples,' not '12 super apples!'.
Common Questions
What are like terms in algebra?
Like terms share the same variable(s) with the same power. Only their coefficients differ, so they can be added or subtracted together.
How do you combine like terms without exponents?
Identify terms with the same variable, then add or subtract their coefficients. For example, 3x + 5x = 8x because both terms have the variable x.
Why is combining like terms important in algebra?
It simplifies expressions to their most compact form, making equations easier to solve and revealing the structure of algebraic problems clearly.