Identify like terms

Like terms have identical variable parts: the same variables raised to the same powers, while their numerical coefficients may differ; constants are like terms with one another. This understanding distinguishes, for example, $3x$ from $3x^2$ and $2ab$ from $2a$ , and supports combining coefficients when simplifying algebraic expressions; more advanced polynomial structures and generalized exponent systems are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Identify like terms

To identify like terms, compare their variable parts.

The variables must be the same.
Their exponents must also be the same.
The numerical coefficients may be different.
Constants, which have no variables, are like terms with other constants.

For example, consider:

6a^2+3ab-4a^2+9-2a+5ab-1

Step 1: Look at each term’s variable part.

$6a^2$ has variable part $a^2$ .
$3ab$ has variable part $ab$ .
$-4a^2$ has variable part $a^2$ .
$9$ is a constant.
$-2a$ has variable part $a$ .
$5ab$ has variable part $ab$ .
$-1$ is a constant.

Step 2: Group terms with identical variable parts.

$6a^2$ and $-4a^2$ are like terms.
$3ab$ and $5ab$ are like terms.
$9$ and $-1$ are like terms.
$-2a$ has no other matching term, so it has no like term in this expression.

The coefficients can be different, but the variable part must match exactly. For example, $a^2$ and $a$ are not the same, so $6a^2$ and $-2a$ are not like terms.

Learn by doing: Identify like terms

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Like Terms - Identify - Order 1 - Whole - Multiple Variables - Expression to Pair

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Identify like terms

Detailed Explanation: Identify like terms

Learn by doing: Identify like terms

Practice with unlimited practice problems

Practice:

Like Terms - Identify - Order 1 - Whole - Multiple Variables - Expression to Pair