Addition of Like Terms
The rules of addition of like terms are:
Rule I: When all the terms are positive, add their coefficients, also the variables and power of the like terms remains the same.
Examples:
1. 5xy, 4xy and xy.
Here, 5xy, 4xy and xy are like terms
The sum of the coefficients = 5 + 4 + 1 [xy means 1xy]
Therefore, 5xy + 4xy + xy = 10xy
Note:
To add two or more like terms, we add the numerical coefficients of the given terms and form another like term with the sum obtained as the numerical coefficient of the resulting term.
2. 5x + 4x + 2y + 3y
Here, 2x and 3x are like terms
and also 6y and 5y are like terms
5x + 4x = 9x
2y + 3y = 5y
Therefore, the answer is 9x + 5y
Here, 3x3 + 7x3 are like terms
And also 4y2 + 7y2 are like terms
3x3 + 7x3 = 10x3
4y2 + 7y2 = 11y2
Therefore, the answer is 10x3 + 11y2
Rule II: When all the terms are negative, add their coefficient without
considering their negative signs and then prefix the minus sign (-) to
the sum.
Examples:
1. -3ab, -5ab and -ab
Without considering the negative signs, the coefficients of the given terms are 3, 5 and 1 respectively; and 3 + 5 + 1 = 9.
Therefore, addition of -3ab, -5ab and –ab = -9ab
i.e. (-3ab) + (-5ab) + (-ab) = -9ab
2. -5x + (-4x) + (-2y) + (-3y)
Here, -5x and -4x are like terms
and also -2y and -5y are like terms
(-5x) + (-4x) = -9x
(-2y) + (-3y) = -5y
Therefore, the answer is -9x - 5y.
Rule III: When all the terms are not of same sign. The same rule as that for the addition of integers should be applied.
Examples:
1. Addition of 21m and –9m
= 21m + (-9m)
= 21m - 9m
= m(21 - 9)
= 12m
2. 9xy – 4xy – 5xy + 7xy – xy
= 5xy – 5xy + 7xy – xy
= 0 + 7xy – xy, [since, 5xy – 5xy = 0]
= 6xy.
● Terms
Adding and Subtracting Like Terms
Algebra Page
6th Grade Page
From Addition of Like Terms to HOME PAGE
Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.
Recent Articles
-
Months of the Year | List of 12 Months of the Year |Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Feb 18, 25 02:20 PM
There are 12 months in a year. The months are January, February, march, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. The year begins with the January month. December is t… -
Measurement of Time | Time | Clock | Hours | Minutes | Seconds
Feb 18, 25 12:39 PM
We know that the measurement of time is read by a clock or a watch. Any clock or watch except a digital watch, has a dial. On the circular border of the dial of a watch or clock there are the -
Worksheet on Interpreting a Calendar | Questions on Calendar
Feb 18, 25 10:34 AM
In worksheet on interpreting a calendar, all grade students can practice the questions on calendar. This exercise sheet on interpreting a calendar can be practiced by the students to get more ideas to… -
Conversion of Hours into Minutes | Hours to Minutes Conversion | Time
Feb 18, 25 03:17 AM
We will discuss here about the conversion of hours into minutes. We know 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes which is required to convert the measuring time from hours to minutes. -
Reading and Interpreting a Calendar | Calendar | Reading a Calendar
Feb 18, 25 03:16 AM
In reading and interpreting a calendar we need to know days in a week, days in a month and months in a year. There are 7 days in a week. The first day of the week is Sunday.
● Terms - Worksheets
Worksheet on Like and Unlike Terms
Worksheet on Addition of Like Terms
Worksheet on Subtraction of Like Terms
Worksheet on Adding and Subtracting Like Terms
Worksheet on Combining Like Terms
Worksheet on Addition of Unlike Terms
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.