Question

Which of these expressions CANNOT be simplified by combining like terms? 5ab3+7−3a2b2+a3b−10 5ab3+3a2b2+a3b−10 5ab3+2b(3ab2)+a3b−10 5a3b3+3a2b2+a3b3−10ab

Answer 1

B. 5ab3+3a2b2+a3b-10

Explanation:

Answer 2

Hello!

The answer is: is B.
`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10`

Why?

Let's put a letter to each option in order to make the option identification easier:

A -
`5ab^(3)+7-3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10`

B -
`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10`

C -
`5ab^(3) + 2b(3ab^(2))+a^(3)b-10`

D -
`5a^(3)b^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2)+a^(3)b^(3) -10ab`

Calculations:

A

`5ab^(3)+7-3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10= 5ab^(3)+7-3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-3`

We combined like terms for -10 and 7.

B

`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10`

There is no way to simplify by combining like terms.

C

`5ab^(3) + 2b(3ab^(2))+a^(3)b-10=5ab^(3) + 6ab^(3) +a^(3)b-10=11ab^(3)+a^(3)b-10`

We simplified by combining like terms for
`ab^(3)`

D

`5a^(3)b^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2)+a^(3)b^(3) -10ab=6a^(3)b^(3) +3a^(2)b^(2)-10ab`

We simplified by combining like terms for
`a^(3)b^(3)`

Therefore, the expression that can not be simplified by combining like terms is B.
`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2) +a^(3)b-10`

Have a nice day!