Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property
Please view this tutorial and answer the follow-up questions on loose leaf
to turn in to your teacher.
Basic Information
• When you are combining like terms, find terms with common variables (raised to the same power) then add the coefficients
• Make sure you use the distributive property to get rid of any parenthesis before combining like terms
• When an expression is completely simplified, you will only have one of each term from the original expression (ex. 4x +2y – 5)
Like TermsLet’s try to pick out the “like terms”
from the list below.
4x
−2x 2y
y
5y2
3y2
8xy
−7xy
Like Terms4x and -2x are like terms because they
both have an x.
4x
−2x 2y
y
5y2
3y2
8xy
−7xy
Like Terms8xy and -7xy are like terms because
they both have an xy.
4x
−2x 2y
y
5y2
3y2
8xy
−7xy
Like Terms3y2 and 5y2 are like terms because they
both have an x.
4x
−2x 2y
y
5y2
3y2
8xy
−7xy
Like Terms2y and y are like terms because they
both have a y.
4x
−2x 2y
y
5y2
3y2
8xy
−7xy
Combining Like TermsLet’s take a look at an
example problem.
3x−4x + 2
Combining Like TermsOne strategy to solve this problem is
to box things that are like terms.
3x−4x + 2Since both 3x and -4x have an x, they
are considered “like terms”.
Combining Like TermsNext, circle the next term that is not like the first. Circle any other terms
that are “like terms” for this.
3x−4x + 22 is a constant (it does not have a
variable) and it is the only term left.
Combining Like TermsNow you can combine the
coefficients for each set of like terms.
3x−4x + 2
−1x +2
Combining Like TermsThis is the simplified version of the expression after you combine like
terms.
3x−4x + 2
−1x +2
Combining Like TermsLet’s try something a little bit more
difficult. Group your like terms together before simplifying.
4y−5x + 2 −7x + 2y+ 64y and 2y are like terms because
they each have a y.-5x and -7x are like terms because
they each have an x.2 and 6 are like terms because they are each constants (no variable with
them).
Combining Like TermsSometimes, you’ll have the same
variable raised to different powers.
2x2 −3x−7x2 + 4x−8THESE ARE NOT LIKE TERMS!
Combining Like TermsLet’s find our like terms.
2x2 −3x−7x2 + 4x−8
These are like terms because they both have an x2.
Combining Like TermsLet’s find our like terms.
2x2 −3x−7x2 + 4x−8
These are like terms because they both have an x.
Combining Like TermsLet’s find our like terms.
2x2 −3x−7x2 + 4x−8
-8 doesn’t have any other like terms because it is the only constant.
Combining Like Terms
Now combine all your like terms to simplify the expression.
2x2 −3x−7x2 + 4x−8
−5x2 +x −8
Distributive Property
The distributive property is used to simplify expressions with parenthesis.
You multiply the term on the outside of the parenthesis by each term on the inside of the
parenthesis.
Let’s take a look at an example.
Distributive PropertyFor this problem, you need to multiply 3 by each
term on the inside of the parenthesis.
3(x−2)
3x 6−
You will use this same method for each set of
parenthesis in an expression or equation.
Distributive Property
4(2x +1)−2(3x−5)8x 4+
Take each set of parenthesis separately and then combine like terms to find the simplified
expression.
6x− + 102x +14
Distributive Property
−(3x + 2)
−3x 2−
If you have an expression with just a negative sign in front of the parenthesis, assume it is -1
and distribute.
Follow-Up Questions
Answer the following questions on loose leafand hand them in to your teacher.
Follow-Up Questions
4x + 7 + 8x
5−7x + x
a2 + 4b−3a2 −1
6xy +11y−2xy+ x
10m +12p−14p+ 8m −5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Follow-Up Questions
4(x + 9)
−5(8x −13)
7(x2 −1)
−6(6x − 2) − (3x −1)
9(2xy−4)+ 3(3xy−2)
6.
7.
8.
9.
5.
