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com

Is this a positive 5 or plus 5?

+5

positive 5 is the same as a plus 5

BOTH
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HINT: If you dont see a negative

or positive sign in front of a

number it is always positive.

+5
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Is this a negative 7 or minus 7?

-7

negative 7 is the same as a minus 7

BOTH
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HINT: The sign in front of the

number BELONGS TO THE NUMBER !

7
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Simplify means to
combine like terms and
complete all operations

2x + 2x + 3x = 7x
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Terms in an expression are

like terms if they have identical
variable parts.
You can combine terms that are
alike.
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To look at combining like terms we

are going to use ALGEBRA TILES!
Algebra Tiles help us to visualize
what each term represents.

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Algebra Tiles
Small Square

Rectangle

Large Square

1
x

Area = 1
1

Area = x
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Area = x2

Algebra Tiles
How much
do I have
here?

I have 5x + 4
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Algebra Tiles
How much
do I have
here?

I have x + 2x + 6
Notice that we write the largest shape first, then
the medium size, then the smallest. We write them
in order from largest to smallest.
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Algebra Tiles
You can only combine terms that are alike, or
terms that have the same variable.

x x
2

When I combine like terms I have 2x + 3x + 6

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Algebra Tiles
You are going to get your own set of
algebra tiles to use.
Take them out of the bag and put them
on your desk. The red should be on
the bottom.
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Algebra Tiles
Small Square

Rectangle

Large Square

1
x

Area = 1
1

Area = x
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Area = x2

Algebra Tiles
Small Square

Rectangle

Large Square

1
x

-1

Area = -1
-1

Area = -x
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-x

Area = -x2

Algebra Tiles
2

Show me 3 + x with your tiles

Since no terms are alike, we cant combine

2
anything, so my answer is x + 3
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Algebra Tiles
Show me x +3 + 2x with your tiles

We can combine the terms that are alike.

So my answer is is 3x + 3
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Algebra Tiles
Show me 3x + 2 + x + 4 with your tiles

We can combine the terms that are alike. So

my answer is is 4x + 6
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Try these problems with your algebra tiles. Combine

like terms. Give me a thumbs up when you know the
answer.

= 6x + 5

1) 2x + 4 + 4x + 1
2

2) 2x +2x + 3 + x + 1

= 3x + 2x + 4
= 4x +3x+2
2

3) 1 + 3x + 3x + 1 + x

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Like terms can be combined!

Like Terms
Unlike Terms
7x 3x 10x

7x

3y

5a 4 a 9a

3a

6m m 5m

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3x

Combine the following like terms.

Say these!

1) 3x + 5y + 4x
7x + 5y
2) 4a + 6 - 3a - 2
a +4

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Combine the following like terms.

Say these! 3) x + 3y + 2x + 4y - z
3x + 7y - z
4) 5x 2 4x 3x 2 x 2 6x
9x 10x
2

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1) 7m - 2m + 8m
4) -3k + 5k + -k + 2k
Say these!
13m
3k
2) -3y + y - 8y

5) t - 4t + -3t + 2t
-4t

-10y
3) 11r - 5r - 9r

6) 11x - 4x + x + -3x

-3r

5x
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Put your algebra tiles back in your

bag and ziplock them.
Pass your tiles forward quickly.

Take Out Your Study Guide!!!

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#5

Terms are in expressions or equations, and they

are separated by addition or subtraction signs.

3 terms

6x2 + 3x 4
2

x x
2

When I combine like terms I have 2x + 3x +6

Write terms in order from largest shape to smallest.
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Combine Like Terms

#6

1) 7x - 4y + 2x -1y
9x - 5y
2) 3m + 10n - 4m + 1
-m + 10n + 1
3) 6a - (5a) + 2a + (-3)
3a - 3

You can only

combine terms
that are alike, or
terms that have
the same
variable.

4) 4k - (2j) - 6k - j
-2k - 3j
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Extra slides

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#Extra

xx

x
A=xx =

xy
y

1
2

x A = 1 x = x A = x y = xy
yy

y
1
2
A = y y= y A = 1 y = y
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1 1
1

1 -1
-1

A=1

A = -1