Question

Which of the following is a like term with $10x^2$?

• A. $5x^3$
• B. $10x^{2}y$
• C. $21x^2$
• D. $3y^2{x}^2$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $21x^2$

Like terms have the same variables and the powers of these variables are also the same.
The variable in the terms $10x^2$ and $5x^3$ is the same, which is ${}^{\prime }{x}^{\prime }$. But the exponent of $x$ in $10x^2$ is 2 and the exponent of $x$ in $5x^3$ is 3.
So, $10x^2$ and $5x^3$ are not like terms.
Also, $10x^2$ and $10x^{2}y$ are not like terms as the variables are different.
Similarly, $10x^2$ and $3y^2{x}^2$ are not like terms.
The terms $10x^2$ and $21x^2$ have the same variable and the same exponent.
$\therefore$ $10x^2$ and $21x^2$ are like terms.