Combining Like Terms and Solving Equations
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Transcript of Combining Like Terms and Solving Equations
Combining Like Termsand
Solving Equations
A quick lesson in simple Algebra
Combining Like Terms
In Algebra, there is no better way to make your life easier than to learn how to simplify problems by combining like terms.
Ok, well, maybe not that easy. But just think, by combining like terms, you make problems shorter and simpler.
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Which would you rather have
This problem:
Or, this one:
546273 xaaxaaa
842 aax
Which would you rather have
This problem:
Or, this one:
Believe it or not, they are the same problem, but I sure would rather deal with the second one.
546273 xaaxaaa
842 aax
So, what is a like term?
Like terms are terms that have the same variables in the same form or an equivalent form.
Blah, blah, blah. The people who write math books are too smart for their own good.
This just means that in like terms, the variable parts match.
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On to an example
Simplify by adding like terms:
Our first step will always be to rewrite the problem with the variables in alphabetical order.
546273 xaaxaaa
546273 axaxaaa
Identify like terms
Now, starting with the first term, go through and put a circle around all of the terms that match it.
Notice how I included the sign in front of each term. This will be important later.
Now, do the next term with a different shape.
Identify and combine like terms
Etc. etc. until all terms are “identified”.
Now, I can put my shapes together. I’ll start with my red circles.
A 1st Grade review: “put together” means what?
Combine like terms
Then, do the same thing with your other shapes.
Now I can rearrange my pieces to get my answer.
842 aax
Combining Like Terms Part 2
Putting Apples with Apples and Oranges with Oranges
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User “Neutrality”, “Citrus sinensis” December 11, 2005 via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Simplify by Adding Like Terms
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Look at that mess. Wow!! Remember, we want to “simplify” to make your
life easier! First we want to move the letters around so
that they are in the same order in each term.
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Now that the variables in our terms are all in order, let’s do something that may seem strange.
In case you don’t like the circles and squares from before, let’s do it differently.
Let’s say that every is an apple, and every is an orange. Makes sense since we are comparing apples and oranges.
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So, now we will get a different looking problem.
Now, what does that give me?
Now just put the nasty looking stuff back in for our apples and oranges.
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Solving Equations!!!