Question

Which of the following are like terms?

• A. $-5xy{z}^2$,$-3x{y}^{2}z$
• B. $5xy{z}^2$, $25x^{2}yz$
• C. $15xy{z}^2$, $45xy{z}^2$
• D. $55xy{z}^2$, $x^2{y}^2{z}^2$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $15xy{z}^2$, $45xy{z}^2$

Like terms are the terms that contain same variables raised to the same power, the coefficients need not be the same.

Here, $15xy{z}^2$ and $45xy{z}^2$ contain same variables x, y and z. Their powers are $x^1,y^1$ and $z^2$.
The coefficients are 15 and 45.

So, $15xy{z}^2$, $45xy{z}^2$ are like terms.