Question

Given that $x^{3}y$ and $7x^{3}y$ are like terms, then the sum of these two terms will be:

• A. $11x^{3}y$
  
• B. $8x^{3}y$
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• C. $4x^{3}y$
  
• D. They cannot be added

Answer 1

The correct option is B

$8x^{3}y$
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$x^{3}y$ and $7x^{3}y$ are like terms. Thus, they can be added to give a single term. Now, the coefficients get added up, so the coefficient of the single term will be
$1+7=8$. The variable component of the term remains as it is.
Hence the final term is $8x^{3}y$.