Combine the like terms to make a simpler expression 5n-2n

Question

what is the like term of 5n-2n

Answer 1

"LIKE" terms are terms whose LETTER parts are IDENTICAL.

 

In your case, both are n-related, so the coefficients (5, -2) are added to give 3n.

 

Here' is another situation which it's helpful to study: 5x²  + xy - 3x² + 6 will be simplified to 2x² + xy + 6.

Answer 2

5n-2n = 3n

 

This would typically be written as:  f(x) = 3n

 

 

Answer 3

Hi Iya from Stockbridge, GA. Hope you had a great day at school today.

Okay...let's get started with me asking you, Do you know what it means then it says 'like terms'? Just in case, think of it like the saying, 'apples and oranges'. You can't add each because they aren't the same. So if I had 3 apples and 6 oranges, and I want to add them I can't because they aren't the same. Right? 

Now consider if I had 2 oranges, 4 apples, 6 oranges, 10 apples. If I want to add them I do this

              2 oranges + 4 apples  +  6 oranges  +  10 apples  = 

But before I can proceed, even though I can easily get the answer, you will want to combine the like terms like this:

              2 oranges  +  6 oranges +  4 apples + 10 apples  =

Completing the operations you get:

                 8 oranges + 14 apples  =  8 oranges  +  14 apples

That is the furthest you can proceed because there are no other like terms

     Here is an example of your problem. I won't give you the answer but use the example to come up with your own solution. Then you will know how to solve these kind of problems.

         12 cats - 5 cats = 7 cats    That would be one way of combining the

                                                 like terms.

Another way is to use the Distributive Property and make the change:

         12 cats  -  5 cats  =    since cats are the same for 12 and 5

         (12 - 5)cats  =   (7)cats  =  7 cats which is the same as above.

This is what it means to combine like terms.

Now use the example with your expression to solve.

If you have further problems, contact me on Wyzant