Adding and Subtracting Terms

Like terms have exactly the same pronumeral part, such as \(5xy\) and \(-2yx\), and only like terms can be added or subtracted. In NSW Year 8 maths you simplify by combining the coefficients and keeping the pronumeral part as it is (NESA outcome MA4‑ALG‑C‑01).

You will collect like terms in expressions with negatives, squared terms and several pronumerals, such as \(7x^2 + 5x - 6x^2 - 7x\), and leave unlike terms alone. You will use the commutative and associative properties to move each term with its sign, and check answers by substituting a friendly number. Adding two clothing orders for a netball club works in exactly the same way. It is part of Year 8 Algebra.