How do you combine like terms in math? - Answers

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 ========================= Answer Provided by previous responder: ========================= We combine terms that have the same variables.