Like Terms

The like terms having the same literal coefficients. The like terms may differ only in their numeral coefficients.

For example:

(i) xy, 7xy, -2xy are like terms

[Each having same literal coefficient xy]

(ii) -5x²y, 11x²y, 1.95x²y are like terms.

[Each having same literal coefficient x²y]

(iii) 0.6a, 1.8a, -11a, a are like terms

[Each having same literal coefficient a]

(iv)2x,5x,4.5x,0.25x are like terms

[Each having same literal coefficient x]







(v) 18x³y³,10x³y³ are like terms

[Each having same literal coefficient x³y³]

Now look at the terms of the following polynomials:

(i) 7ab² - 2/5ab²
We observe that the two terms(7ab² and 2/5ab²) of the binomial have same variables(ab) raised to the same power(2). Only the numerical coefficients are different. So, the binomial is made up of two like terms.

(ii) 15x² - 2x² + 10x²
We observe that the three terms(5x², 2x² and 10x²) of the trinomial have same variables(x²) raised to the same power(2). Only the numerical coefficients are different. So, the above trinomial is made up of three like terms.

(iii) 4x³y³z³ - x³y³z³ + 10x³y³z³ - 2x³y³z³
The four terms of the polynomials have same variables (xyz) raised to the same power (3). Only the numerical coefficients are different. So, the polynomials is made up of four like terms.

● Terms

Like and Unlike Terms

Like Terms

Addition of Like Terms

Subtraction of Like Terms

Adding and Subtracting Like Terms

Unlike Terms

Addition of Unlike Terms

Subtraction of Unlike Terms

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