What are like and unlike terms?
Algebraic Expressions are made up of different terms coming together. Terms along with mathematical operations form an Algebraic Expression. Algebraic expressions are formed by coming together variables, operators, coefficients, and constants as an equation. An algebraic expression is composed of the following parts:
Parts of an algebraic expression
In an algebraic expression, there are different components, like terms, variables, constants, and coefficients. Let’s take a look at the definitions of these components,
- Terms: Terms are basically components such as variables with coefficients or simply constants that lead to the formation of an algebraic expression.
- Variables: Variables denote Changing values. Variables can take up any value and store that value.
- Constants: Constants are fixed numeric values. The value of constants do not change.
- Coefficients: Coefficients are constant values that are directly attached to variables through multiplication or division operators.
Operators
- Operators are mathematical symbols such as +, -, ×, ÷.
- Operators bind different variables, coefficients, and constants together.
Example of algebraic expression
An example of algebraic expression would be: 60xy + 5z + 30
Here,
Variable: In the above expression xy and z are constants because it’s value changes with time.
Constant: In the above expression 30 is the constant term because its value doesn’t change with time.
Coefficient: In the above expression, 60 and 5 are coefficients of the terms xy and z respectively.
Operators: In the above expression, ‘+’ is the operator used in the expression.
Types of algebraic expressions
Depending on the number of terms in an algebraic expression. Further, there are different categories of Algebraic expression:
- Monomial algebraic expression
These are the algebraic expression containing only one term
Example – 4x, xyz, 5yx, 8s, etc.
- Binomial algebraic expression
These are the algebraic expression containing two terms
Example – 4x + 3, xyz – 4x, 5yx + 6s, 8s + 4, etc.
3. Trinomial algebraic expression
These are the algebraic expression containing three terms
Ex – 4x + 3z+ 2 , xyz -4x -4, 5yx + 6s+ z, 8s +4 + 14st etc.
- Polynomial algebraic expression
These are the algebraic expression containing more than three terms
Example – 4x + 3z + 2 + t, xyz – 4x – 4 + y, 5yx + 6s + z + yz, 8s + 4 + 14st + x, etc.
What are like and unlike terms give one example each?
Answer:
- Like Terms
Terms with the same variable i.e terms having variables with the same exponent power for them are called Like terms. Example: 5x & 16x
Here, 5x and 16x are called Like Terms because they have the same coefficient x, assigned to them.
- Unlike Terms
Terms with different variables i.e terms having variables with different exponent power for them are called, Unlike terms. Example: 5z & 16x
Here, 5z and 16x are called Unlike Terms because they have different coefficients z and x, assigned to them.
Conceptual Questions
Question 1: Identity LIKE TERMS to 5zy from the following:
7x4, 4z, 15yz, 10z3xy, 7x2y, 4zy
Answer:
15yz and 4zy
Question 2: Only LIKE TERMS can be added/subtracted. True or False
Answer:
True
Question 3: Only LIKE TERMS can be multiplied/divided. True or False
Answer:
False
Question 4: Identity LIKE TERMS from the following:
6zy2x, 3xy2z, 3xz2y, 4x2yz
Answer:
Like Terms: 6zy2x, 3xy2z