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Your students will use this collection of activity worksheets to learn how to solve for variables to simplify algebraic expressions. These sets of worksheets introduce your students to the concept of combining like terms, and provide examples, short practice sets, longer sets of questions, and quizzes. This is a paramount skill in algebra, you will need to master it in order to have an easy transition to higher level math. To combine like terms we either subtract or add numerical coefficients. You basically are cleaning up an expression or equation to just make it more workable. We suggest whenever you are evaluating expressions or equations to think about like terms first. This series of lessons and worksheets teach the steps for simplifying equations by matching or combining terms that are alike until there are no more steps that can be performed. A variety of equations are provided ranging from simple to advanced.
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Difficult Worksheet 2
Simplify for each. Students should have a good handle on the use of exponents for these problems. Example: 12x2 - 5 + 4x2 + 12.
Difficult Review Worksheet
Review the steps for simplifying an equation, then complete the practice problems. You will need to take this review. Example: x2+8x2+5x2+6x2
Combining Like Terms Difficult Quiz
This quiz will help you understand how to simplify expressions. For each problem, simplify. Then check your answers and record your total score below. Example: 15x2 - 10 + 3x2 + 15
Difficult Do Now
This worksheet is great to kickoff a class period. Complete the following problems, then put your answer in the "My Answer" box. Example: 8x2+50 - 4x2 - 2x = _____
Simple Worksheet 1
For each, simplify the given equation. Some of these problems with get you going in the right direction. Example: 5n - 2(5-2n) + 2(4n-5) + 10 (4n - 2)
Simple Worksheet 2
Break these down into digestiable pieces for yourself. Start by putting things to together. Example: 14n - 2(2-3n) + 4(3n-1) + 2(4n-6)
Simple Like Terms Quiz
For each problem, simplify the given equation. Then check your answers and record your total score below. Example:
Simple Do Now
We label these as "simple", but they include many terms, so they may be a challenge for some students. Example: 7x + (x-5) + 3x - (2x-5) + 6x +2 =
Worksheet 2
Solve for each given equation. There are 10 on this page. Example: 7x + 5 + 3x = 85
Worksheet 4
We are working to get everything to the other side of the equals sign. Example: 92 = 7x + 3x + 2
Worksheet 5
You wanted more practice and you got it! Example: 6 + 7x + 3x = 46
Worksheet 6
We made the base numbers very similar, don't get tricked. Example: 28 = 2x + 2x + 4
Worksheet 2
This are setup a little more straight forward. Example: 89 = 5x + 5x - 1
Worksheet 3
You will find a whole bunch of negative values here. Example: - 3x - 1 + 5x = - 9
Combining Like Terms Lesson
Follow along with the steps below to solve this equation: (4x+7y) - 2(-3y + 2x). You will need to expand everything to get it going.
Try the Skill
These can be used with more advanced learners: 3(n+7) + 8(3n+4) + 12(2n-4)
Practice the Skill
Simplify each equation as we show you in the first example. Example: 3(a+2) + 4(2a+5) + 8(4a-2)
Show the Skill
See if you are ready to be a show off yet. Example: 20m - 12m - 14m + 8m + 11 - 6 + 3m - 2m
Skill Warm Up
Remember to underline as needed. Example: 17m - 15m - 10m + 9m + 14 - 2 + 8m - 4m
Meet the Skill 2
Do not let the exponents get in your way. An example problem here: -3x2 - 4x + 3 + x2 + 8x - 2
Try the Skill 2
The exponents should not scare you here: -18x + 13 + x2 - 9x + 11
Show the Skill 2
Simplify each equation that is shown. Example: 7x2+ 13 - 4x2 + 8
Warm Up 2
This one allows you a great deal of room to move around with. Example: -26x + 16 + x2 - 14x + 18
Independent Practice 2
Solve each equation. You will work with basic terms and constants. Example: 12a + 15 - 9 - 3a
Like Terms Lesson
Learn how to group like terms in more complex expressions such as: a + a 3a - a 5a4 / a2
Show the Skill
We introduce quotients to this for you. Example: 6g ÷ 2 2g x 2g x 2g 8g3 ÷ g
Warm Up
A great way to get students off and running. Example: 4a + 2a 6a6 / 3a22a4
Worksheet 1
Time to work on this topic at an advanced pace. Example: f × f x f2x f3
Worksheet 2
You have to group all these terms into five different groups. Example: a × a a2 a3
Review Sheet
You are first reminded about the skill and then asked to work on your own. Then complete the practice problems. b × b x b2 x b3
Like Terms Quiz 2
For each problem, group the like terms, and then check your answers and record your total score below. Example: r × r x r2 x r3
How to Combine Like Terms in Math
Before we get into like and unlike terms in math, it is essential to look at algebraic expressions quickly. An algebraic expression is a mathematical expression that includes constants and variables and operators like addition and subtraction.
A variable is used for a term that’s value is not known, whereas the value of a constant term is definite. A variable usually comes with a numerical number known as a coefficient. Some examples of such algebraic expressions include 2x + 3x – 5, 5x – 10, 5x2 - 3xy + 8, etc.
Two like math terms have the same variables. This could be the base number or variable. It could also be a base variable that has the same exponent. As we advance with this skill, we will learn that coefficients can be different in like terms. For example, the value -4yz2 and yz2/3 are like terms. In order to solve equations and expression, you will combine like terms often. Often it the first step to solve just about anything in algebra. Be sure that you carry any math operator that is attached to the term. For example: 4y + 7x - 5y + 3x. The 5y carries the negative operator with it. When we combine this, we will end up with -1y + 10x. I like to urge students to underline like terms. If you have two like terms that involve the variable x and y, I would have them underline the x terms once. This would be followed by underlining the y terms twice.
Like Terms- What are They?
In an algebraic expression, terms are commonly differentiated by additional or subtraction. For example, there is only one term for a monomial expression. For instance, 5x, 3y, 6x, etc. Similarly, there are two terms in a binomial expression, such as 3y + x, 4x + 5, x + y, etc. There are three terms in a trinomial, while polynomials have several terms if they are of higher degrees.
In algebra, like terms are those that have identical variables and exponents, whatever their coefficients might be. In an algebraic expression, like terms are combined so that it is not difficult to calculate the result of the expression.
For instance, 6xy + 7y + 7xy is an algebraic equation. The terms of this equation are 6xy and 7xy. Hence, if you want to simplify this expression, you can combine the terms 6xy + 7xy + 7y = 13xy + y. it must be kept in mind that when you combine like terms in math, only the coefficients of the terms will be added.
Unlike terms, on the other hand, they do not have identical exponents and variables. For instance, an expression 9x + 4y contains terms because it has different variables that have not been raised to a similar power.
How to Combine Like Terms in Math
Now that you understand the theory, let’s learn how to combine like terms in math with some examples:
Example 1
Look at this expression: 3x + 4y
Since x and y have different variables, it is impossible to simplify this expression.
Example 2
If you want to simplify this expression 3x2 + 4x + 8y + 4x + 10x2, here is what you will have to do:
First, sort the terms so that your expression looks like this: 10x2 + 3x2 + 4x + 4x + 8y.
Then, solve the expression so that it comes to 13 x2 + 8x + 8y.
We can solve this expression because the terms have the same variables that have been raised to the same exponent as well.
Conclusion
When looking at like terms in math, all you need to keep in mind is that terms that have the same variables, as well as the same exponents are those that can be solved. With like terms, two things can be added or subtracted, depending on the kind of equation you are dealing with.
For example, you know that you can add the terms 3 + 4, and you will be left with a final answer, 7. The reason why you can solve this expression is that both the terms are numerical. Using the same logic, you cannot combine 2x + 3y because these are not like terms, meaning the expression will have to remain unsolved.