When combining like terms in the expression 14a + 7 + 21a, what is the result?

When combining like terms in the expression 14a + 7 + 21a, what is the result?

• A. 14a + 7
• B. 35a + 7
• C. 21a + 7
• D. 35a

Answer: (B)

Combining like terms means adding the coefficients of terms that share the same variable. In this expression, the terms with the variable a are 14a and 21a, so you add their coefficients: 14 + 21 = 35, giving 35a. The 7 is a constant (no a), so it stays as +7. Putting it together, the simplified form is 35a + 7. This is correct because the constant cannot be combined with the a-terms, and the two a-terms do combine to give 35a.

Combining like terms means adding the coefficients of terms that share the same variable. In this expression, the terms with the variable a are 14a and 21a, so you add their coefficients: 14 + 21 = 35, giving 35a. The 7 is a constant (no a), so it stays as +7. Putting it together, the simplified form is 35a + 7. This is correct because the constant cannot be combined with the a-terms, and the two a-terms do combine to give 35a.