Question 1138510


Adding and subtracting like terms is the same as adding and subtracting of numbers, i.e., natural numbers, whole numbers and integers.

So, the sum and the difference of several like terms is another like term whose coefficient is the sum and the difference of the coefficient of several like terms.


Example of adding like terms:

1. Add {{{7mn}}}, {{{-9mn}}}, {{{-8mn}}}

The sum will be another like term with coefficient {{{7 + (-9) + (-8) = -10}}}

Therefore, {{{7mn + (-9mn) + (-8mn) = -10mn}}}



Example of subtracting like terms:

1. Subtract {{{12xy }}}from {{{27xy}}}

The difference will be another like term with coefficient{{{ 27 -12 = 15}}}

Therefore, {{{27xy-12xy = 15xy}}}

The difference is that you don't combine all numbers. They must have the same {{{variable}}} value attached to them in order to add/subtract the numbers.