To determine if terms are "like terms," we need to compare their variable parts.
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
1.
Understand the Rule: "Like terms" are terms that have the exact same variables raised to the exact same powers. The numbers (coefficients) in front can be different, but the letters and their exponents must match perfectly.
2.
Analyze Pair 1: `4g` and `4h`
* First term has variable `g`.
* Second term has variable `h`.
* Since `g` is not the same as `h`, these are
not like terms.
3.
Analyze Pair 2: `3h` and `-h`
* First term has variable `h` (which is $h^1$).
* Second term has variable `h` (which is $h^1$).
* The variables match perfectly. These
are like terms.
4.
Analyze Pair 3: `5x` and `4xy`
* First term has variable `x`.
* Second term has variables `x` and `y`.
* The second term has an extra `y` that the first one doesn't have. These are
not like terms.
5.
Analyze Pair 4: `2x²y³` and `2x²y⁵`
* Both terms have `x` and `y`.
* The `x` part matches ($x^2$).
* The `y` part does *not* match ($y^3$ vs $y^5$). The exponents are different.
* Therefore, these are
not like terms.
6.
Analyze Pair 5: `5p²q³` and `-4p²q³`
* First term has $p^2$ and $q^3$.
* Second term has $p^2$ and $q^3$.
* The variables and exponents match exactly. The numbers in front (5 and -4) don't matter for this check.
* These
are like terms.
Final Answer:
1) No
2) Yes
3) No
4) No
5) Yes
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of combining like terms printable worksheet.
