Question

Classify the following as like or unlike terms.

(A) $7xy,4yx$ (B)$a^{2}b,a{b}^2$ (C)$\frac{2}{3}xyz,\frac{-5}{7}yxz$ (D)$4a^{2}bc,3a{b}^{2}c,ab{c}^2$

Answer 1

Like terms $\to$

The terms which have the same literal coefficients raised to the same powers but may only differ in numerical coefficient are like terms.

Unlike terms $\to$

The terms which do not have the same literal coefficients raised to the same powers are called unlike terms.

Therefore,

$\left(A\right)7xy,4yx$ and $\left(C\right)\frac{2}{3}xyz,\frac{-5}{7}yxz$ are like terms.

$\left(B\right)a^{2}b,a{b}^2$ and $\left(D\right)4a^{2}bc,3a{b}^{2}c,ab{c}^2$ are unlike terms.