Question

Write the steps which should be followed to check if two terms are like or unlike. Are $x^{2}y$ and $xy$ like terms? [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

Steps: 2 Marks
Answer: 1 Mark

Steps to be followed to decide whether the given terms are like or not are as followed:
i) Ignore the numerical coefficients.
ii) Check the variables in the terms. They must be same otherwise they are unlike terms.
iii) Next, check the powers of each variable in the terms. They should be the same and if they are not then they are not like terms.

We have to check if $x^{2}andxy$ are like terms.

The variables in both these expressions are $xandy$.

The power of $y$ is equal in both the expressions.

But the power of $x$ in the term $x^{2}y$ is 2, while in the term $xy$ it is one.

$\therefore$ The terms are not like.