1. Combining
Like Terms

2. Combining Like Terms
Is this a “positive 5” or “plus 5”? +5
BOTH

3. Combining Like Terms
HINT: If you don’t see a negative or positive sign in front of a number it is always positive. 5 +

4. Combining Like Terms
Is this a “negative 7” or “minus 7”? -7
BOTH

5. –7 HINT: The sign in front of the number BELONGS TO THE NUMBER!
Combining Like Terms
HINT: The sign in front of the number BELONGS TO THE NUMBER! –7

6. Combining Like Terms
“Simplify” means to combine like terms and complete all operations
2x + 2x + 3x
= 7x

7. You can combine terms that are alike.
Combining Like Terms
Terms in an expression are like terms if they have identical variable parts.
You can combine terms that are alike.

8. To look at combining like terms we are going to use ALGEBRA TILES!
Algebra Tiles help us to visualize
what each term represents.

9. Algebra Tiles Combining Like Terms Area = x Area = 1 Area = x2
Large Square
Rectangle
Small Square 1 x x 1
Area = 1 1 x
Area = x
Area = x2

10. I have 5x + 4 Algebra Tiles How much do I have here?
Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
How much do I have here?
I have 5x + 4

11. Algebra Tiles I have x2 + 2x + 6 How much do I have here?
Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
How much do I have here?
I have x2 + 2x + 6
Notice that we write the largest shape first, then the medium size, then the smallest. We write them in order from largest to smallest.

12. Algebra Tiles Combining Like Terms 6 x2 x x x2 x
You can only combine terms that are alike, or terms that have the same variable. 6 x2 x x x2 x
When I combine like terms I have 2x2+ 3x + 6

13. Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
You are going to get your own set of algebra tiles to use.
Take them out of the bag and put them on your desk. The red should be on the bottom.

14. Algebra Tiles Combining Like Terms Area = x Area = 1 Area = x2
Large Square
Rectangle
Small Square 1 x x 1
Area = 1 1 x
Area = x
Area = x2

15. Algebra Tiles Combining Like Terms Area = -x Area = -1 Area = -x2
Large Square
Rectangle
Small Square 1 x x -1
Area = -1 -1 -x
Area = -x
Area = -x2

16. Show me 3 + x2 with your tiles
Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
Show me 3 + x2 with your tiles
Since no terms are alike, we can’t combine anything, so my answer is x2 + 3

17. Show me x +3 + 2x with your tiles
Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
Show me x x with your tiles
We can combine the terms that are alike. So my answer is is 3x + 3

18. Algebra Tiles Show me 3x + 2 + x + 4 with your tiles
Combining Like Terms
Algebra Tiles
Show me 3x x + 4 with your tiles
We can combine the terms that are alike. So my answer is is 4x + 6

19. = 6x + 5 = 3x2+ 2x + 4 = 4x2 +3x+2 Combining Like Terms
Try these problems with your algebra tiles. Combine like terms. Give me a thumbs up when you know the answer.
= 6x + 5
2x x + 1
2x2 +2x x2 + 1
1 + 3x + 3x x2
= 3x2+ 2x + 4
= 4x2 +3x+2

20. Like terms can be combined! Like Terms Unlike Terms
Combining Like Terms
Like terms can be combined!
Like Terms
Unlike Terms

21. Combine the following like terms.
Combining Like Terms
Combine the following like terms.
1) 3x + 5y + 4x
Say these! 7x
+ 5y
2) 4a a - 2 a
+ 4

22. Combine the following like terms.
Combining Like Terms
Combine the following like terms.
Say these!
3) x + 3y + 2x + 4y - z 3x
+ 7y
- z 4)

23. Combining Like Terms 1) 7m - 2m + 8m 4) -3k + 5k + -k + 2k Say these!
2) -3y + y - 8y
5) t - 4t + -3t + 2t
-10y
-4t
3) 11r - 5r - 9r
6) 11x - 4x + x + -3x
-3r 5x

24. Take Out Your Study Guide!!!
Combining Like Terms
Put your algebra tiles back in your bag and ziplock them.
Pass your tiles forward quickly.
That's all Folks!
Take Out Your Study Guide!!!

25. #5
Terms
Terms are in expressions or equations, and they are separated by addition or subtraction signs.
3 terms
6x x - 4 6 x2 x x x x2
When I combine like terms I have 2x2+ 3x +6
Write terms in order from largest shape to smallest.

26. #6
Combine Like Terms
1) 7x - 4y + 2x - y 1
You can only combine terms that are alike, or terms that have the same variable. 9x
- 5y
2) 3m + 10n - 4m + 1 -m
+ 10n + 1
3) 6a - (5a) + 2a + (-3) 3a
- 3
4) 4k - (2j) - 6k - j
-2k - 3j

27. Extra slides

28. xy x2 y2 x x x x y y y y #Extra Algebra Tiles A = x • x A = 1 • x
A = x • y y y y y2 1 1 -1 1 1 -1 y 1
A = 1
A = -1
A = y • y
= y2
A = 1 • y
= y