How to Combine Like Terms? (+FREE Worksheet!)
Learn how to combine 'like' terms (terms with the same variable and same power) to simplify algebraic expressions.
Related Topics
- How to Translate Phrases into an Algebraic Statement
- How to Simplify Variable Expressions
- How to Simplify Polynomial Expressions
- How to Use the Distributive Property
- How to Evaluate One Variable
Step-by-step guide to combining like terms
- Terms are separated by “+” and “– “signs.
- Like terms are terms with the same variables and same powers.
- Be sure to use the “+” or “– “that is in front of the coefficient.
Combining like Terms – Example 1:
Simplify this expression. (−2)(2x −2)+2x=
Solution:
First use Distributive Property formula: a(b + c)=ab + ac
(−2)(2x −2)=−4x + 4
Now, combine like terms: −4x+2x=−2x
Then: −4x + 4 +2x=−2x+4
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Combining like Terms – Example 2:
Simplify this expression. 4(− 2x + 6)=
Solution:
Use Distributive Property formula: a(b + c)=ab + ac
4(− 2x + 6)= −8x + 24
Combining like Terms – Example 3:
Simplify this expression. 8x –6 –2x=
Solution:
Combine like terms: 8x –2x=6x
Then: 8x−6 –2x=6x –6
Combining like Terms – Example 4:
Simplify this expression. (−3)(2x−2)+6=
Solution:
First use Distributive Property formula: a(b+c)=ab+ac
(−3)(2x−2)=−6x+6
Now, combining like terms: 6+6=12
Then: −6x+6+6=−6x+12
Exercises for Combining Like Terms
Simplify each expression.
- (–11x) –10x
- 3x –12–5x
- 13+4x –5
- (–22x)+8x
- 2(4+3x) –7x
- (–4x) –(6–14x)
Download Combining like Terms Worksheet
Answers
- –21x
- –2x–12
- 4x+8
- –14x
- –x+8
- 10x–6
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