Terms in an expression that have the same variable part. In the expression 5 2 + 3 2 + 2, the first two terms are like terms, because their variable parts are identical.
In an algebraic expression, either the constant terms, or any variable terms that contain the same variable or variables. For example, 4y and 7y are like terms in 4 – . To combine like terms means to rewrite the sum or difference of like terms as a single term. For example, 5 can be rewritten as 11, because 5 = (5 + 6) = 11. Similarly, 16 can be rewritten as 13.
Terms with exactly the same variables raised to the same powers.
terms that have the same variable raised to the same power (also called similar terms).
Terms that contain identical vari- ables with identical exponents.
Terms that have the same literal part (e.g., in the expression 3x2 + 4x + 5 + 2x + 4x3 + 5x2, 3x2 and 5x2 are like terms, as are 4x and 2x).