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Algebra

Combining Like Terms
Combining Similar Terms

Attention to SIGNS NUMBERS LETTERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples

a + a = 2a

4b + 3b = 7b

8x + 5x = 13x

a + a + b = 2a + b

2b + b + c = 3b + c

5x + 6x + y = 11x + y

Put like terms together

2a + b + a = 2a + a + b = 3a +b

5b + y + 3b = 5b + 3b + y = 8b + y

Letters are usually put in alphabetical order

3w + 8x + 7x = 8x + 7x + 3w = 15x + 3w

2t + 4a - a = 4a - a + 2t = 3a + 2t

It is often easier to work by putting
the positives of each before the negatives

- 7b + 2b + a = a + 2b - 7b = a - 5b

- 2x - z + x = x - 2x - z = - x - z