Which of the following terms are considered like terms?

Which of the following terms are considered like terms?

• A. 3x and 2y
• B. 5x and 4y
• C. 3x and 5x
• D. 7y and 9z

Answer: (C)

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. In this case, the correct answer is based on the fact that both terms involve the same variable, which is 'x'. In the choice that consists of 3x and 5x, both terms share the variable 'x' raised to the first power. This means they can be combined through addition or subtraction because they represent the same kind of quantity in algebraic expressions. For example, if you were to combine them, you would get 8x (3x + 5x = 8x). The other choices consist of terms that involve different variables or terms raised to different powers, making them unlike terms. Therefore, they cannot be combined for simplification in the same manner. Understanding the nature of like terms helps in simplifying algebraic expressions correctly.

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. In this case, the correct answer is based on the fact that both terms involve the same variable, which is 'x'.

In the choice that consists of 3x and 5x, both terms share the variable 'x' raised to the first power. This means they can be combined through addition or subtraction because they represent the same kind of quantity in algebraic expressions. For example, if you were to combine them, you would get 8x (3x + 5x = 8x).

The other choices consist of terms that involve different variables or terms raised to different powers, making them unlike terms. Therefore, they cannot be combined for simplification in the same manner. Understanding the nature of like terms helps in simplifying algebraic expressions correctly.