Question

How do you know when you are finished gathering like terms?

Answer 1

You have to look at the equation to see if there are any other terms with the same variables.

Explanation:

For example, take the equation

3x+7y -16=-9+17x+y

First, you can combine the 3x and the 17x to equal 20x. Then you can combine the 7y and the 17y to get 24y. Then you can combine the -16 and -9 to get -25. That gives us the equation 20x+24y-25. None of the other equations have a similar variable, so all of the like terms have been combined, and the equation is in its most simplified form.

Answer 2

There will be no more duplicates of the same term