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) 4x2 and ½ x2

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) 2x2 and 3y2

Some more examples :

1)In the algebraic expression 5x2y + 7xy2 -3xy – 4yx2
Like terms 5x2y and – 4yx2
Unlike terms 7xy2 and -3xy

2)In the algebraic expression a2 - 3b2 + 7b2 - 9a2 + 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, 12m2n2
(c) 3pr2, 12pr2
(d) 2x, 3y
(e) 14ab, 21ab
(f) –3x, x
(g) 4x2 + 3y2-2x2 + y2
(h) -2a2 + 5b2-a2 + b3
(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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