What Are "Like Terms"?
Part of Simplifying Expressions · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision
This key facts covers What Are "Like Terms"? within Simplifying Expressions for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Simplifying Expressions in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 11 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 2 of 19 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 19
Practice
11 questions
Recall
5 flashcards
What Are "Like Terms"?
Like terms have exactly the same variable(s) with the same power(s)
| Terms | Like or Unlike? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 3x and 7x | Like ✓ | Same variable (x) |
| 5y² and −2y² | Like ✓ | Same variable and power (y²) |
| 4 and 9 | Like ✓ | Both constants (numbers only) |
| 3x and 3y | Unlike ✗ | Different variables |
| 2x and 2x² | Unlike ✗ | Different powers |
| 5xy and 3yx | Like ✓ | Same! (xy = yx, order doesn't matter) |
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Simplifying Expressions. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Simplifying Expressions
Which two terms are like terms?
Explain why 3x + 2x² cannot be simplified to 5x³.
Quick Recall Flashcards
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