Question

In the algebraic expression $x+xy+2xz+3yz+4xy+yz+7x$, choose the combination that doesn't represent the like terms.

• A. $(xy,4xy)$
• B. $(3yz,yz)$
• C. $(xy,2xz)$
• D. $(x,7x)$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $(xy,2xz)$

Like terms are defined as the terms that have exactly the same variable. For like terms in an algebraic expression, only the numerical coefficients can vary. We can combine the like terms to simplify the algebraic expressions so that the result of the expression can be obtained very easily.

For example, $3z-z$ is an algebraic expression with like terms.

For the algebraic expression $x+xy+2xz+3yz+4xy+yz+7x$:

Option A: $(xy,4xy)$ is a pair of like terms as they have exactly the same variables $“xy”$.

Option B: $(xy,2xz)$ is not a pair of like terms as they have different variables $“y”\text{and}“z”$.

Option C: $(3yz,yz)$ is a pair of like terms as they have exactly the same variables $“yz”$.

Option D: $(x,7x)$ is a pair of like terms as they have exactly the same variable $“x”$.

Option B is correct as it doesn’t represent the combination of like terms.