Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions

What is a term in algebra?

A term refers to the variables and numbers in a mathematical expression separated by a '+' or 'Minus' sign ONLY.

What is a variable?

Variables are all the unknowns in the expression, represented by letters.

What is a constant?

A constant is a number without a variable attached to it, constantly stays the same.

What is a coefficient?

A coefficient is a number written alongside a variable, multiplied by the variable.

What is an exponent?

An exponent is the number that a variable is raised to.

How do we simplify algebraic expressions?

First, collect like terms. Then, add or subtract coefficients of like terms.

What happens with the same base and different exponents?

Collect like terms and add/subtract the coefficients of like terms.

What are the rules for addition/subtraction in algebra?

Collect like terms and add/subtract the coefficients of like terms. Variables and their exponents remain the same.

What is the first step in simplifying expressions?

Collect like terms.

What do we do after collecting like terms?

Add or subtract coefficients of like terms.

What is an exponent?

An exponent is the number that a base is raised to.

What is the rule for addition/subtraction of terms?

Collect like terms and add/subtract the coefficients of like terms while keeping the variables and exponents the same.

What are like terms?

Like terms have the exact same variables and exponents; coefficients may differ.

What are unlike terms?

Unlike terms do NOT have the same variables and exponents.