Question

combining like terms
which terms are like terms? (not all terms will be used.)
circle all terms that can be combined with 3a. draw a square around all terms that can be combined with 4b. underline all terms that can be combined with ( a^{2} ). draw an x through all terms that can be combined with 5.

1. ( 14a ) 2. ( 5ab ) 3. ( 3b ) 4. ( 3a^{2} ) 5. ( 4b^{2} ) 6. ( 17 ) 7. ( 100 ) 8. ( 14ab ) 9. ( 5a^{3} ) 10. ( 4a ) 11. ( 16b ) 12. ( 73a^{2} )

Explanation:

Circle all terms that can be combined with \(3a\)

Step1: Identify like terms for \(3a\)

Like terms have the same variable part. For \(3a\), terms with variable \(a\) (degree of \(a\) is \(1\)).

• Term \(1\): \(14a\) has variable \(a\) (degree \(1\))
• Term \(10\): \(4a\) has variable \(a\) (degree \(1\))

Draw a square around all terms that can be combined with \(4b\)

Step1: Identify like terms for \(4b\)

Like terms have the same variable part. For \(4b\), terms with variable \(b\) (degree of \(b\) is \(1\)).

• Term \(3\): \(3b\) has variable \(b\) (degree \(1\))
• Term \(11\): \(16b\) has variable \(b\) (degree \(1\))

Underline all terms that can be combined with \(a^{2}\)

Step1: Identify like terms for \(a^{2}\)

Like terms have the same variable part. For \(a^{2}\), terms with variable \(a^{2}\).

• Term \(4\): \(3a^{2}\) has variable \(a^{2}\)
• Term \(12\): \(73a^{2}\) has variable \(a^{2}\)

Draw an X through all terms that can be combined with \(5\)

Step1: Identify like terms for \(5\)

Like terms are constants.

• Term \(6\): \(17\) is a constant
• Term \(7\): \(100\) is a constant

Answer:

• Circle: \(14a\), \(4a\)
• Square: \(3b\), \(16b\)
• Underline: \(3a^{2}\), \(73a^{2}\)
• X - mark: \(17\), \(100\)