Question

Identify and write the like terms in each of the following groups.
$7p,8pq,-5pq,-2p,3p$

• A. $(7p,-2p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$
• B. $(7p,-2p,3p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$
• C. $(7p,3p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$
• D. $(-2p,3p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $(7p,-2p,3p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$

We know that like terms are terms that contain the same variables raised to the same exponent (power). Only the numerical coefficients are different.

Here, the given terms are $7p,8pq,-5pq,-2p,3p$ and amongst these terms,

$7p,-2p$ and $3p$ are like terms since they contain the same variable $p$ to the same power, the power of $p$ is $1$ in both terms.

Also, $8pq$ and $-5pq$ are like terms since they contain the same variable $p$ and $q$ to the same power, the powers of $p$ and $q$ is $1$ in both terms.

Hence, the like terms are $(7p,-2p,3p)$ and $(8pq,-5pq)$.