Question

In this expression Marianna claims that 2X And negative X are not like terms because -x doesn't have a coefficient.Is she correct?Explain your reasoning

Answer 1

She is incorrect

Explanation:

Given:

2x and -x

Required

Like term or not?

Like terms are determined by the term itself and not by their coefficients;

Take for instance;

`x^2` and
`2x` are not like terms because a term has square while the other doesn't

Another instance;

`-3x` and
`2x` are like terms because they both have the presence of just 1 x

In Marianna's case;

2x and -x are like terms;

Reason being that: -x can be rewritten as -1x; giving it a coefficient of -1