Subtraction of Like Terms

In subtraction of like terms when all the terms are negative, subtract their coefficients, also the variables and power of the like terms remains the same.


For example:

1. Subtract xy from 10xy.

Here, 10xy, xy are like terms

The difference of the coefficients = 10 - 1, [xy means 1xy]

Therefore, 10xy - xy = 9xy

Note: The result of subtraction of two like terms is also a like terms whose numerical coefficient is obtained by taking the difference of the numerical coefficients of like terms.

2. Subtract 4x from -8x

Here, 4x and -8x are like terms.

= -8x – (4x)

= -8x - 4x, [open the parenthesis]

= -12x.


3. Subtract -3x from -7x

Here, -3x and -7x are like terms

= -7x – (-3x)

= -7x + 3x, [since negative times negative is positive so, -(-3x) = +3x]

= -4x.


4. 15x - 4x - 12y - 3y

Here, 15x and 4x are like terms

and also 12y and 3y are like terms

15x - 4x = 11x

12y - 3y = 9y

Therefore, the answer is 11x - 9y.


5. Subtract 4x + 3y + z from 2x + 3y - z.

(2x + 3y - z) - (4x + 3y + z)

= 2x + 3y - z - 4x - 3y - z, [open the parenthesis]

Here, 4x and 2x are like terms,

3y and -3y are like terms

and also z and -z are like terms.

Now arranging the like terms, we get

= 2x - 4x + 3y - 3y - z  - z

= -2x + 0 - 2z, [Since, + 3y - 3y = 0]

= -2x - 2z

Note: The subtraction of two or more like terms is another like term whose numerical coefficient is the subtraction of the numerical coefficients of these like terms.

Thus, we observed that for solving the problems on subtracting like terms we can follow the same rules, as those used for solving subtraction of integers.

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






Algebra Page

6th Grade Page

From Subtraction of Like Terms to HOME PAGE


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.



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.



Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Multiplication of a Number by a 3-Digit Number |3-Digit Multiplication

    Mar 28, 24 06:33 PM

    Multiplying by 3-Digit Number
    In multiplication of a number by a 3-digit number are explained here step by step. Consider the following examples on multiplication of a number by a 3-digit number: 1. Find the product of 36 × 137

    Read More

  2. Multiply a Number by a 2-Digit Number | Multiplying 2-Digit by 2-Digit

    Mar 27, 24 05:21 PM

    Multiply 2-Digit Numbers by a 2-Digit Numbers
    How to multiply a number by a 2-digit number? We shall revise here to multiply 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by a 2-digit number (multiplier) as well as learn another procedure for the multiplication of…

    Read More

  3. Multiplication by 1-digit Number | Multiplying 1-Digit by 4-Digit

    Mar 26, 24 04:14 PM

    Multiplication by 1-digit Number
    How to Multiply by a 1-Digit Number We will learn how to multiply any number by a one-digit number. Multiply 2154 and 4. Solution: Step I: Arrange the numbers vertically. Step II: First multiply the d…

    Read More

  4. Multiplying 3-Digit Number by 1-Digit Number | Three-Digit Multiplicat

    Mar 25, 24 05:36 PM

    Multiplying 3-Digit Number by 1-Digit Number
    Here we will learn multiplying 3-digit number by 1-digit number. In two different ways we will learn to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number. 1. Multiply 201 by 3 Step I: Arrange the numb…

    Read More

  5. Multiplying 2-Digit Number by 1-Digit Number | Multiply Two-Digit Numb

    Mar 25, 24 04:18 PM

    Multiplying 2-Digit Number by 1-Digit Number
    Here we will learn multiplying 2-digit number by 1-digit number. In two different ways we will learn to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number. Examples of multiplying 2-digit number by

    Read More

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