Like and Unlike Terms
In this section we will discuss about like and unlike terms in solving algebraic expressions.
Like terms : The terms having the same literal (variable) with same exponents are called
Like terms.
Example: 1) 12x and -5x 2) 4x
2 and ½ x
2
Unlike terms : The terms having the same variable with different exponents or different variable with same exponents are called
Unlike terms.
Example : 1) 5x and 5y 2) 2x
2 and 3y
2
Some more examples :
1)In the algebraic expression 5x
2y + 7xy
2 -3xy – 4yx
2
Like terms |
5x2y and – 4yx2 |
Unlike terms |
7xy2 and -3xy |
2)In the algebraic expression a
2 - 3b
2 + 7b
2 - 9a
2 + 6ab + 5
Like terms |
Unlike terms |
a2 and - 9a2 |
a2and 6ab |
- 3b2 and 7b2 |
7b2 |
3)
Like terms |
Unlike terms |
Reason |
|
16x; 16y |
Variables are not same |
x2y ; -7x2y |
- |
Variables as well as exponents are same |
- |
9ab ; - 6b |
1st term contains ab and 2nd term contains 'b' only |
Note: Only like terms can be added or subtracted.
Practice
(Q.1) Sate whether a given pair of terms is of like or unlike terms.
(a) 23, 203
(b) 12mn, 12m
2n
2
(c) 3pr
2, 12pr
2
(d) 2x, 3y
(e) 14ab, 21ab
(f) –3x, x
(g) 4x
2 + 3y
2-2x
2 + y
2
(h) -2a
2 + 5b
2-a
2 + b
3
(i) 12, 13a, -1/2b, a, -1/2
Algebraic Expressions
• Like and Unlike terms in Algebra
• Addition of algebraic expressions
• Subtraction of algebraic expressions
• Multiplication of algebraic expressions
• Division of Algebraic Expressions
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