Question

Explain how to tell if two terms are alike. Show one pair of like terms that each contain at least two variables. Show how to add these like terms. Then show a second pair of terms that are NOT alike, but share some of the same variables. Explain why they are not alike.

Answer 1

Two mathematical terms are alike (not alike) , if they have same (different) variables & in same (different) mathematical treatment.

Explanation:

Two mathematical terms are alike, if they have same variables & in same mathematical treatment.

Eg : 2 xy , 5 xy. These are alike, as they have product of x & y being multiplied with constants.

They can be added, subtracted by adding or subtracting their constants.

2 xy + 5 xy = (2 + 5) xy = 7 xy

5 xy - 2 xy = ( 5- 2 ) xy = 3 xy

• Two mathematical terms that are not alike are : 2 xy & 5xz , as former has variables x & y, latter has variables x & z