What is a term?
Parts of a variable expression separated by
an addition or subtraction sign
What is a like term?
Terms that contain the same
variable and exponent
Here is a variable expression:
3x + 4y + 2x – 2y
*** 3x, 4y, 2x, and -2y are the terms
in this variable expression!
*** 3x and 2x are the like terms in the expression!
*** 4y and -2y are like terms TOO!!
Okay—so a like term . . .
. . . is a term that contains a
number and a variable
7x, 5y, 8m, 3n,…
REMEMBER: If there is variable
by itself… 3x + y…it means 1y!
Consider these two expressions:
8x + 7x
8x + 7y
What makes them different?
What do they have in common?
8x + 7x
LIKE TERMS
8x + 7y
 UNLIKE TERMS
When combining like terms we combine
everything that is the same:
3x
+
4x
–
5y
7x
+
3y
So our solution is:
8y
7x + 3y
TRY SOME OUT!
3x – 4x + 4y + 2y
4y + 3x – y + 4