Combining Like Terms Using The Distributive Property - Algebra | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms in various examples.

Key Insights

• ✊ Like terms in algebraic expressions have the same variables raised to the same powers.
• 🍉 Only like terms can be combined by adding or subtracting their coefficients.
• 😑 Constants cannot be combined with variables in algebraic expressions.
• 😑 The distributive property can be used to simplify expressions that contain parentheses.
• 😑 Simplifying expressions involves adding or subtracting the coefficients of like terms.
• 🍉 It is important to distinguish between like terms and unlike terms in order to correctly simplify algebraic expressions.
• 😑 Combining like terms makes expressions easier to work with and understand.

Transcript

in this video we're going to work on some examples of algebra problems where you have to combine like terms so let's start with a simple example let's say we have the algebraic expression 5x plus 8 plus 7x and we're told to simplify the expression how can we do so well we'll need to do something called combine like terms so which terms are like ter... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are like terms in algebraic expressions?

Like terms in algebraic expressions have the same variables raised to the same powers. For example, 5x and 7x are like terms because they both have the variable x.

Q: Why can't we add or subtract unlike terms?

Unlike terms have different variables or different powers of the same variable, so they cannot be combined. Adding or subtracting them would result in an incorrect solution.

Q: Can constants be combined with variables?

No, constants cannot be combined with variables. Constants do not have variables attached to them, so they cannot be added or subtracted with variables.

Q: Is rearranging the expression necessary before combining like terms?

No, rearranging the expression is not necessary before combining like terms. You can combine like terms without rearranging, but it may be easier to do so to keep similar terms together.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video provides examples of algebraic expressions that require combining like terms to simplify.

• Like terms are terms that have the same variables raised to the same powers.

• By adding or subtracting the coefficients of like terms, the expressions can be simplified.