How do you combine like terms in math?

Answer 1

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.