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Use term grouping, mathematical operations, and mathematical theorem/identity property rules.

For example: 4x + 5 + x^2 - 2 - x = 1

1. Group (rearrange) similar terms together. Group all the x terms in descending exponential order and group all the decimal number from greatest value to least value as shown below. Note: You may need to use identity property rules to ensure the proper sign/s of a term/s when moving it/them from one side of an equation (i.e. terms placed on both sides of an equal (=) symbol) to the other. Similar terms are terms that look similar (they have the same base & exponent.

x^2 + 4x - x + 5 - 2 - 1 = 1 - 1

Note: - 1 was added to both sides of the equation to facilitate combining decimal numbers in step 2 (below), using the "identity property of addition" method.

2. Combine like terms using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and or division (where applicable).

x^2 + 3x + 2 = 0

Note: x^2 and 4x could not be combined because they do NOT have the same exponents.

3. Below is an example to show the application of the identity property of multiplication:

4x = 2x + y

-2x + 4x = 2x + y -2x

2x = y

1/2 * 2x = y * 1/2

x = y/2

check: x,y=(10,20)

4*10 = 2*10+20

40 = 20+20

40 = 40 = true

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Answer Provided by previous responder:

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We combine terms that have the same variables.

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Q: How do you combine like terms in math?
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Related questions

What word means putting together in math?

Combine Like terms


What does combine like terms mean in math?

it means to put together the terms that have the same variable. so if you had the equation: 2x+4y+5x it would simplify to 7x+4y because you would combine to the two x-variables.


How do you add like terms?

To add like terms, find the terms that have the same (or no) variable, and combine the coefficients of the terms. For instance, if you have a+b where a and b are real numbers, you can combine them.


When you combine like terms you are able to?

There is nothing that you can do when you combine like terms that you cannot do without combining them. Some procedures might be easier, though, if like terms are combined.


Can you combine like terms?

yes


What do you do to combine like terms?

Add


Do combiming like terms mean the same as combine the expression?

no, combining like terms means combine the terms that are the same 15+x+6+x=28 combine like terms 21+2x=28 2x=7 x=3.5


How do you simplify 21t plus 14-12t-30?

You can combine like terms - combine the terms that have a "t" in them; separately, combine the terms that don't.


How do you simplifly rational expressions?

Combine 'like' terms.


How do you combine unlike terms?

Unlike terms are terms in an equation that are different. These terms cannot be combined. Like terms, however, can be combined.


What is combining like terms in algebra?

All multiples of x are like terms, as all multiples of x2 are also like terms. To combine terms is simply to add them up. So if you have an equation such as, 3x2 + 4x2 + 2x + 6x + 10 = 0, you can combine the like terms; the result is 7x2 + 8x +10 = 0.


Combine like terms where possible 8y4 - 3y4?

5y4