1. Lesson 3: More with Combining Like Terms
Moving Straight Ahead
Lesson 3: More with Combining Like Terms

2. EQ: How can I combine like terms that have multiple variables and/or exponents?
Sometimes an expression includes terms that have multiple variables and/or exponents
Steps to simplify:
1. Identify like terms (the variables and exponents behind the coefficients must match exactly)
2. Combine like terms (by adding the coefficients)

3. 3xy2 – 4x + 12x2 + 4xy2 -2x
Example 1:
1st Step: Identify the Like Terms 2nd Step: Combine Like Terms

4. -7a2b – 2ab2 + 8a – 6ab2 – 3a
Example 2:
1st Step: Identify the Like Terms 2nd Step: Combine Like Terms

5. Try These: -10t2 + 4s3t – 9t3 -2t2 + 12t3 - 4s3t
p2 + 2r3 – 17p2 –r3 + rs -10rs + r3
14xy4 + 17xy – 14xy + 3xy3 – 2xy4 -12xy3 + 5xy2

6. EQ: How can I use the distributive property to simplify algebraic expressions?
Review: What is the distributive property? Simplify the expression using the distributive property. 4(3x + 5) = -2 (4 – x) =

7. What do you do if…
There is a negative number being distributed? Let’s find out! Here’s an example… - ( 4x – 5y)  (- 1)(4x) – (-1)(5y) ANSWER: -4x +5y

8. Adding and Subtracting Linear Expressions
Step 1: Distribute any negatives and/or terms outside the parentheses Step 2: Identify Like Terms Step 3: Combine Like Terms EXAMPLE: (3b + 4a) – (2b – 8a) Answer: 12a + b
Don’t forget
to distribute the negative before combining like terms

9. to distribute the negative before combining like terms
Let’s practice…
Don’t forget
to distribute the negative before combining like terms
(-4c + 2d) + ( 2c – 5d)
(8m + 12 v) - (10 m – 5v)

10. to distribute the negative before combining like terms
Don’t forget
to distribute the negative before combining like terms
-(7x – 4 y) – (x – 12y)
4. -2(9z + 6g) – (-7g + z) + 8g