alleryStart learning →Two algebraic terms are called like terms when they share what characteristic?
AThe same numerical value
BThe same number of terms
CSame variables and exponents
DThe same sign and letter
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Same variables and exponents
1. The rule for like terms says they must be constants, or have the same variables raised to the same exponents.
2. Two terms can be like terms even though their coefficients are completely different numbers.
3. Sharing a sign or a single letter is not enough on its own, since the exponents must match too.
_Source: OpenStax Prealgebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "The Language of Algebra", section 2.2 Evaluate, Simplify, and Translate Expressions_
Keep practising The Language of Algebra
Browse all The Language of Algebra questions for Key Stage 3 (KS3), or explore more Mathematics topics.
Related questions
Complete the number line rulePick the number line fact, fastThe number 1 has only one factor, itself. Where does 1 fit among prime and composite numbeA prime number is a counting number greater than 1 with what property regarding its factorIf two counting numbers a and b multiply to give m, what are a and b called?Is 645 divisible by 3, using the divisibility test based on the sum of its digits?Using the divisibility test for 2, which digit in the ones place tells you a number is divA number is a multiple of n when it fits which description?