alleryStart learning →The terms 3x squared and 5x cubed cannot be combined because they differ in their:
ASign value
BCoefficient
CExponent
DBase value
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Exponent
1. Like terms must agree on more than the letter used.
2. Combining like terms requires the same base with the same exponent.
3. Both terms here use the same base, x.
4. But one carries exponent 2 and the other carries exponent 3.
5. Differing exponents mean they are not like terms.
_Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 'Polynomials', sections 6.1-6.8_
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