Key learning points

1. Like terms and their coefficients can be identified.
2. Like terms can be represented using a bar model.
3. Like terms can be collected together, paying careful attention to coefficients.
4. Expressions are easier to read once you have collected all the like terms.

Keywords

• Like terms - Like terms are terms that have the same set of variables and corresponding exponents.

• Simplify - Simplifying is to write an expression in a more efficient and compact form without affecting the value of the original expression. Fully simplifying means the expression cannot be simplified further.

Common misconception