Question

Select the like term that would combine with 3x^2y in the expression 3x^2y + 3x − 5xy^2 − 8xy + 8x^2y.

Option 1: 5xy^2
Option 2: -8xy
Option 3: 8x^2y
Option 4: 3x

Answer 1

The like term that can combine with 3x^2y from the given expression is the term 8x^2y, as they have the same variable components and exponents.The like term that would combine with 3x^2y is -8xy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The like term that would combine with 3x^2y in the expression 3x^2y + 3x − 5xy^2 − 8xy + 8x^2y is -8xy (Option 2).

Like terms have the same variables with the same exponents. In this expression, the terms 3x^2y and 8x^2y both have the same variables (x and y) and the same exponent for x^2, so they are like terms. The term -8xy also has the same variables (x and y) but with a different exponent, so it is a like term that can be combined with 3x^2y.