1. Combining Like Terms and Combining Like Terms With Parentheses

2. What are terms and like terms? A term is a number, a variable, or a product or quotient of numbers and variables. Ex. 5x 2, x, 3, 7x, xy / 4 LIKE TERMS are terms that contain the same variables, with the same powers. Ex. -3x and -5x, 7xy and -2xy, 8ax 2 and 11ax 2.

3. Simplify by combining like terms. Continue to follow your integer rules!! 1) When adding or subtracting, KEEP the same variables. 2) Don’t forget to FIX your double signs first.

4. 3) You can start by Regrouping like Terms together. Notice that the sign in front of the number moves with the number. You DO NOT have to write a ONE in front of a variable. It is understood to be there. 4) What number is in front of the variables with NO numbers? Ex. 3 and 4

5. 5) Ex. 5 Don’t forget to FIX your double signs first. 6)

6. Combining like terms with parentheses 7) Before you can combine like terms, you must FIRST get rid of the ( ). DISTRIBUTE!!! WATCH OUT!! You multiplied by a negative number. 8)