Procedure for Combining Like Terms
Combining like terms is a systematic, three-step procedure used to simplify algebraic expressions:
- Identify: Locate the like terms within the expression—these are terms that share the exact same variables raised to the identical exponents.
- Rearrange: Reorder the expression so that the identified like terms are grouped adjacent to one another.
- Combine: Add or subtract the numerical coefficients of each group of like terms, leaving the variable portion of the terms completely unchanged.
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OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
OpenStax Elementary Algebra
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OpenStax Intermediate Algebra
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