Collecting Like Terms
Mathematics · Algebra · procedural
Simplify algebraic expressions by collecting like terms — combine terms with the same variable and power (e.g., 3a + 2b + 5a = 8a + 2b) while maintaining equivalence
What mastery looks like
- Identify like terms in an algebraic expression
- Combine like terms involving positive and negative coefficients
- Simplify expressions involving multiple variables and constant terms
Check your understanding
If Collecting Like Terms sees an expression like "5a + 3b + 2a," can they simplify it by collecting the like terms to get "7a + 3b"?
Prerequisites
Required first