When combining terms, what is the first step?

When combining terms, what is the first step?

• A. Group all constants together
• B. Identify like terms
• C. Multiply all terms
• D. Simplify the coefficients directly

Answer: (B)

The first step in combining terms involves identifying like terms. Like terms are those that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, in the expression \(3x + 5x\) and \(2y - 4y\), \(3x\) and \(5x\) are like terms, as are \(2y\) and \(-4y\). Recognizing these terms allows you to efficiently combine them by adding or subtracting their coefficients. If you were to group all constants together or simplify coefficients directly without first identifying like terms, you might miss opportunities to combine terms that actually belong together, which could lead to incorrect simplifications. Multiplying all terms is unrelated to the process of combining like terms and would not lead to a correct simplification in this context. Thus, beginning with identifying like terms is essential for accurate algebraic simplification.

The first step in combining terms involves identifying like terms. Like terms are those that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, in the expression (3x + 5x) and (2y - 4y), (3x) and (5x) are like terms, as are (2y) and (-4y). Recognizing these terms allows you to efficiently combine them by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

If you were to group all constants together or simplify coefficients directly without first identifying like terms, you might miss opportunities to combine terms that actually belong together, which could lead to incorrect simplifications. Multiplying all terms is unrelated to the process of combining like terms and would not lead to a correct simplification in this context. Thus, beginning with identifying like terms is essential for accurate algebraic simplification.