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Like and Unlike Terms

How like and unlike terms are different from each other?


Like Terms:

When the terms have the same literal factors, they are called like terms.

For example: 4x, - 7x are like terms.


Definition of Like Terms:

The terms which have the same literal coefficients raised to the same powers but may only differ in numerical coefficient are called similar or like terms.

For Example:

(i) 3m and –7m are like terms.

(ii) z and  32z are like terms.

Unlike Terms:

When the terms have the different literal factors, they are called unlike terms.

For example: xy, - 7xyz are unlike terms.


Definition of Unlike Terms:

The terms which do not have the same literal coefficients raised to the same powers are called dissimilar or unlike terms.

For Example:

(i) 9p and 9q are unlike terms

(ii) x3 and y3 are unlike terms


Solved examples on like and unlike terms:

1. In algebraic expression 5x2y + 4xy2 – xy – 9yx2

Here, the like terms are 5x2y, – 9yx2 since each of them having the same literal coefficients x2y.

And the unlike terms are 4xy2, – xy since each of them having the different literal coefficients.



2. In algebraic expression 5x2 – 3y2 – 7x2 + 5xy + 4y2 + x2 – 2ab

Here, the like terms are 5x2, – 7x2, x2 and – 3y2, 4y2.

And the unlike terms are 5xy and – 2ab



3. Separate like & unlike terms from algebraic expression 5m2 – 3mn + 7m2n.

Here we see that all the terms of the given expression are unlike.


4. List out the like terms from each set:

(i) 7a, -5a, -8b, -a, a/3

7a, -5a, -a, a/3 are the set of like terms.

(ii) –xy, 3y, 5xy, -x, -xy/11

–xy, 5xy, -xy/11 are the set of like terms.

(iii) 2p3q2, -4p2q3, 7q2p3, -2p3q2

2p3q2, 7q2p3, -2p3q2 are the set of like terms.

(iv) 2x2y, 3x3y, 2xy2, 4yx2, -2x2y, -3yx2

2x2y, 4yx2, -2x2y, -3yx2 are the set of like terms.

(v) a2b3, -5a3b2, 7a3b2, 11a3b3, -3b2a3

-5a3b2, 7a3b2, -3b2a3 are the set of like terms.


5. Which of the following are like terms ?

(i) 3xy, -2y, 8x

(ii) 5mn, mn, -3mn

(iii) -7pq, 5pq, 6p

(iv) -4uv, v, 5uv


Solution:

Like terms have the same literal factors.

Thus, the option (ii) satisfies the condition.


Like and Unlike Terms

Note: We can add or subtract like terms but in case of unlike terms we cannot add or subtract.

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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