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, or 5a3b3+3a2b2+a3b3−10ab

Answer 1

5ab3 + 3a2b2 + a3b -10

Explanation:

Answer 2

`5ab^(3) +7-3a^(2) b ^(2) +a^(3)b+10` can be simplified to by adding the 7 and 10 to get
`a^(3)b-3a^(2) b ^(2)+ 5ab^(3) + 17`.


`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2)+a^(3)b -10` cannot be simplified any more by combining like terms.

By distributing the 2b into the parentheses, you can simplify the expression:

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

Here you can just add:

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

Thus, the only expression that cannot simplify any more using adding like terms is the second,
`5ab^(3)+3a^(2)b^(2)+a^(3)b -10`.