-algebraic term or algebraic number should be a root of a non-

zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.

Let us have some examples…

3x - 5xy + y
 3x, -5xy, and y are all algebraic terms
 Each term has a coefficient and a variable
 In the example, 3x - 5xy + y, the term y has a coefficient
positive 1
2m - 3n + 4p + 5m
 2m, -3n, 4p, and 5m are all algebraic terms
 Each term has a coefficient and a variable

✏Combining Like Terms

“Like terms have the same variable”, either we add them or
subtract them.

In the later example, 2m - 3n + 4p + 5m, 2m and 5m are like

terms. We will combine them by simply adding or subtracting
them. If we simplify this, we will get, 7m - 3n + 4p. We added
2m and 5m since they are both positive integer and like terms.

Example 1: 5x + 6b + 2y - 8x + 3b - a + 4b
Like terms: 5x, -8x 6b, 3b, 4b
Simplifying like terms:
5x - 8x 6b + 3b + 4b
= -3x = 13b

Answer: -3x + 13b + 2y - a or -a + 13b - 3x + 2y

Rewriting in alphabetical order.

Example 2: 2x + 3p - 2p + x
Like terms: 2x, x 3p, -2p
Simplifying like terms:
2x + x 3p - 2p
= 3x = 1p or simply p

Answer: 3x + p or p + 3x

Rewriting in alphabetical order.

Example 3: 2x - 3c + 8 - c + 2x
Like terms: 2x, 2x -3c, -c
Simplifying like terms:
2x + 2x -3c + (-c)
= 4x = -4c

Answer: 4x - 4c + 8 or -4c + 4x + 8

Rewriting in alphabetical order.

✏Simplifying Algebraic Terms Using Distributive Law

 In the form: a(b + c) or a(b - c)
Example 1: 2(3x + 4y - 5)

(2)(-5) = -10
(2)(4y) = 8y
(2)(3x) = 6x
Answer: 6x + 8y - 10

Example 2: m(-5m - 4n - 7)

(m)(-7) = -7m
(m)(-4n) = -4mn
 (m)(-5m) = -5m2
Answer: -5m2 - 4mn - 7m

Example 3: -x(x + 4y + 6)

(-x)(6) = -6x
(-x)(4y) = -4xy
(-x)(x) = -x2
Answer: -x2 - 4xy - 6x

 In the form: a + (b + c) or a + (b - c)
Example 1: 5x + (y + 4x)
5x + y + 4x - simply remove the
grouping symbol
9x + y - combining like terms,
5x and 4x, by using
addition
Answer: 9x + y

Example 2: 12p + (q - 3r)

12p + q - 3r - simply remove the
grouping symbol
Answer: 12p + q - 3r

 In the form: a - (b + c) or a - (b - c)
Example 1: 2x - (4y + x)
2x - 4y + x - remove the grouping
symbol
3x - 4y - combining like terms,
2x and x, by using
addition
Answer: 3x - 4y
Example 2: 7y - (5y - 5z)

7y - 5y + 5z - removing the
 grouping symbol and
multiplying the negative
signs outside and inside
the grouping symbol
2y + 5z - combining like terms,
7y and -5y, by using
subtraction
Answer: 2y + 5z

Example 3: 2a - (-4a - b)

2a + 4a + b - removing the
grouping symbol and
multiplying the negative
signs outside and inside
the grouping symbol
6a + b - combining like terms,
2a and 4a, by using
addition
Answer: 6a + b

 More examples…
Example 1: -3(4x - 5y)
(-3)(4x) - (-3)(5y)
-12x - (-15y)
-12x + 15y
Answer: -12x + 15y

Example 2: x - 2(-4y + 3x)

x - (2)(-4y) - (2)(3x)
x - (-8y) - 6x
x + 8y - 6x
x - 6x + 8y
-5x + 8y
Answer: -5x + 8y