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Collecting Like Terms in Algebra
(KS3, Year 7)

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Like terms can be collected together to simplify an expression in algebra. Collecting like terms can make a long, complicated expression into a short, simple one. x plus 3 y plus 5 x plus 2 minus y plus x equals 7 x plus 2 y plus 2

How to Collect Like Terms in Algebra

Collecting like terms is easy.

Question

Simplify the expression below by collecting like terms. x plus 3 y plus 5 x plus 2 minus y plus x

Step-by-Step:

1

Identify the like terms.
  • Identify the x terms: x, 5x and x. collect the x terms
  • Identify the y terms: 3y and -y. collect the y terms
  • Identify the number terms: 2. collect the number terms

identifying the like terms.

2

Collect the like terms together. Bring the x terms next to each other. Bring the y terms next to each other. Bring the number terms next to each other. collect like terms together Don't forget: When you collect like terms, bring the sign in front of the term with it.

3

Add and/or subtract the like terms together.
  • Add the x terms together: x plus 5 x plus x
  • Subtract the y terms from each other: 3 y minus y
  • Add the number terms together. In our example, there is only one number term. 2
how to add like terms in algebra how to subtract like terms in algebra

4

Put the expression together. The expression has become: 7 x plys 2 y plus 2

Answer:

We have collected the like terms to simplify the expression:

x + 3y + 5x + 2 − y + 2

= 7x + 2y + 2

Lesson Slides

The slider below shows a real example of how to collect like terms.

What Is a Like Term in Algebra?

Like terms are terms with the same combination of letters (and/or brackets). The only difference is the sign or number in front of the group of letters. Each letter (and/or bracket) in a like term must have the same exponents - the number that sits to the top-right of the letter.

What Is a Term in Algebra?

A term is a collection of numbers, letters and brackets all multiplied together. Terms are separated by + or − signs in an algebraic expression.
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This page was written by Stephen Clarke.

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