Like terms

In algebra, like terms are terms that have the same variables and powers. The coefficients do not need to match.^[1]

Unlike terms are two or more terms that are not like terms, i.e. they do not have the same variables or powers. The order of the variables does not matter unless there is a power. For example, 8xyz² and −5xyz² are like terms because they have the same variables and power while 3abc and 3ghi are unlike terms because they have different variables. Since the coefficient doesn't affect likeness, all constant terms are like terms.

Combination

If all terms in an expression are like terms, the expression can be simplified, or rewritten as a fraction or equation for mathematical purposes. For example, 2a,2a are the same number and variable making it a like term.

Each term has the same literal factor, x². Only the coefficients are different. The coefficient of x² in the first term is 4. The coefficient in the second term is −5. We include the minus sign. See Naming terms in Lesson 3. And in the last term, the coefficient of x² is undertood to be 1. For, x² = 1x².

Here, on the other hand, is a sum of unlike terms:

x² − 2xy + y²

Footnotes

1. ^ "Like terms in Depth". Math Online. Math Online. http://www.math.com/school/subject2/lessons/S2U2L4DP.html. Retrieved 2008-09-07. 

This algebra-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Algebra stubs Elementary mathematics Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат Combining Cyrillic Hundred Thousands Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol Look at other dictionaries: like terms — noun a) monomial expressions whose variable components are identical. b) algebraic expressions whose literal coefficients represent the same value regardless of the numbers assigned to them …   Wiktionary Like and unlike terms — In algebra, like terms are two or more terms that have the same variables and/or powers. The coefficient do not matter. [cite web |url=http://www.math.com/school/subject2/lessons/S2U2L4DP.html |title=Like terms In Depth |accessdate=2008 09 07… …   Wikipedia Like a Virgin — Studio album by Madonna Released November 12, 1984 …   Wikipedia like# — like vb Like, love, eiyoy, relish, fancy, dote are comparable when meaning to be so attracted to a person or thing as to regard him or it with favor. Like (opposed to dislike), the most general and, especially when unqualified, the most colorless …   New Dictionary of Synonyms like work — Under Section 1 of the Equal Pay Act 1970, where a worker of one gender is engaged in like work (work of the same or broadly the same nature), if her job is rated as equivalent (under a proper non discriminatory job evaluation study) or is of… …   Law dictionary terms of address — are used to index social relations between the addresser and the addressee. Since China is traditionally known to have put much emphasis on social hierarchy, it is no coincidence that Chinese possesses a sophisticated system of address forms. In… …   Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture Terms of a proportion — Term Term, n. [F. terme, L. termen, inis, terminus, a boundary limit, end; akin to Gr. ?, ?. See {Thrum} a tuft, and cf. {Terminus}, {Determine}, {Exterminate}.] 1. That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Terms of Endearment (Drawn Together episode) — Infobox Television episode Title=Terms of Endearment Series=Drawn Together Season=2 Episode=8 Airdate= January 25, 2006 (supposed to air December 8, 2004) Writer= Sam Freiberger and Bill Freiberger Caption = Foxxy as a minstrel show stereotype.… …   Wikipedia Like a Virgin — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Like a Virgin (homonymie). Like a Virgin Single par Madonna extrait de l’album Like a Virgin …   Wikipédia en Français Like a Virgin (album) — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Like a Virgin (homonymie). Like a Virgin Album par Madonna Sortie 12 novembre 1984 …   Wikipédia en Français 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”