Which pair are like terms in the expression 4a + 2a - 3b?

Which pair are like terms in the expression 4a + 2a - 3b?

• A. 4a and 2a
• B. 4a and -3b
• C. 2a and -3b
• D. 2a and 3b

Answer: (A)

Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power, so they can be added or subtracted together. In 4a + 2a - 3b, the terms with a share the same variable a to the first power, so they are like terms and can be combined: 4a + 2a = 6a. The term -3b uses a different variable, b, so it isn’t like the a terms and can’t be combined with them. Therefore, the pair that are like terms is 4a and 2a. The expression simplifies to 6a - 3b.

Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power, so they can be added or subtracted together. In 4a + 2a - 3b, the terms with a share the same variable a to the first power, so they are like terms and can be combined: 4a + 2a = 6a. The term -3b uses a different variable, b, so it isn’t like the a terms and can’t be combined with them. Therefore, the pair that are like terms is 4a and 2a. The expression simplifies to 6a - 3b.