ACT Preparation / Unit 8 ACT 0702 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Combining Like Terms
Captions available
The idea
Like terms have the same variables raised to the same powers. Polynomials are added or subtracted by combining like terms, adding their coefficients.
In practice
(3x² + 5x − 2) − (x² − 4x + 6) = 2x² + 9x − 8.
Where people slip
Subtracting a polynomial changes the sign of every term in it, not only the first.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for ACT Preparation