How do you combine like terms?

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Answer 1 · 2014-12-14T23:33:51

You combine like terms by variable(s) and exponent(s).

The variables and exponent must match in order to combine.

So take $x^{2} + x$ $x^2 + x$ . Variables (x and x) match, but exponents (2 and 1) do not, so you cannot combine

Take $x^{2} + y^{2}$ $x^2 + y^2$ . Exponents (2 and 2) match, but variables (x and y) do not.

Now, take $3 x^{2} + 5 x^{2}$ $3x^2 + 5x^2$ These CAN be combine since the variable of x and power of 2 match.

So we have $3 x^{2} + 5 x^{2} = (3 + 5) x^{2} = 8 x^{2}$ $3x^2 + 5x^2 = (3 + 5)x^2 = 8x^2$