How Do You Use Like Terms

A common technique for simplifying algebraic expressions. When combining like terms, such as 2x and 3x, we add their coefficients. For example, 2x + 3x = (2+3)x = 5x.

How do you do like terms in math?

1. Objects are often represented in algebra by a single letter.
2. Like terms share the same letter(s) and power(s), eg 𝑥 or 𝑥²
3. Algebraic expressions can be collected together if they are like terms. This is done by adding or subtracting.

How do you teach like terms to collect?

To collect like terms, add up the numbers in front of each letter separately. We combine the r terms: 4r + 2r = 6r. We don’t write the number 1 in front of letters in algebra so ‘t’ is the same as ‘1t’. So 3t + t = 4t.