7th Grade · Expressions & Equations
Like Terms
7.EE.A.1
Definition
Terms with identical variable parts (same variables raised to the same powers). Only like terms can be combined by adding or subtracting their coefficients.
Examples
- 3x + 5x + 4x = 12x (all same variable, same exponent).
- 3x² and 7x² are like terms, but 3x and 3x² are NOT (different exponents).
Key rule
You can only combine like terms — different variables or exponents cannot combine.
Memory hook
Same variable, same power, then combine.