UNLIKE TERMS

Posted by : Allan_Dell on Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 2:31 PM

THE UNLIKE TERMS

Unlike term is the opposite of like terms. The unlike term(s) is an expression composed of numerical or literal coefficients. It is said that when we identify Algebraic terms, it should be a variable or a constant separated by the "+" or "-" sign. Either of them. In this article, we are looking for literal coefficients, or variables, which are not the same nor similar. By definition, it is a term or term in a series of Algebraic expressions that have no literal coefficients the same, or they are the dissimilar literal coefficients in Algebraic expression. It is also a term that has not the same literal coefficients including exponents. It is said to be that the unlike terms cannot be added nor subtracted because the said operation only happened in the Algebraic expressions with like terms. Like and unlike terms are totally opposite.

Sample Step Guide on How to Do It

Illustration:

$1.)2{\color{Red} x}{\color{Blue} y}+{\color{Blue} y}$ , look at the terms of the given expression. They are obviously dissimilar. The first term is composed of 2xy and only y for the second. In this series of expressions, we cannot perform its indicated operation, hence there's no term similar. It will remain as is to its position.

$2.){\color{Red} x}{\color{Blue} y}-3{\color{Blue} y}+4$ - this is obviously an, unlike terms. This expression is three terms with no term similar The literal coefficients are xy and -3y thus, xy and -3y are unlike terms or dissimilar terms. The "4" is also part of the series of expression but it's a constant.

$3.)3{\color{Red} x}^3-2{\color{Red} x}^2$ -this is another example of expression which of, unlike terms. Notice that "x" is present to the first two terms but they don't have similar powers or exponents. So this means that the first term has "three- x's" and the second term has "two-x's". Hence, they are not the same.

$4.)3{\color{Red} x}^3-2{\color{Red} x}^3$ -this is an expression with "like terms" or similar terms. The literal coefficients of the first and second terms are x³ and x^3. This is so because its powers are the same which is 3. Therefore this is "not" an, unlike terms as an example.

$5.){\color{Red} x}^4+4{\color{Red} x}^4-7$ , this expression is also an example of "like terms". Their literal coefficient is the same in terms of variables and powers. There are three terms in this expression with one constant which is -7.

Example Problems with Solutions

Identify if the given is similar (like) terms or dissimilar (unlike) terms.

$1.) 2a-3a$ -like terms

$2.) 5ab+3a$ -unlike terms

$3.) 3x^{2}+2x^{3}$ -unlike terms

$4.) 23ab + 5ba$ -like terms

$5.) 2ab+abc$ -unlike terms

$6.) \frac{1}{2}a-\frac{2}{3}a$ -like terms

   $7.) \frac{2}{3}m-\frac{1}{2}n$ -unlike terms

   $8.) \sqrt{a}+\sqrt{a}$   -like terms

$9.) \frac{4}{3}b+\frac{3}{2}b$   -like terms

   $10.) \sqrt{ab}+(ba)^{\frac{1}{2}}$   -like terms

Problems with Partial Solutions

Write "like" if the given expression has like terms and can be simplified, otherwise "unlike". Write your answer by clicking the blank after each series of expressions.

$1.) (bca)^{\frac{1}{2}}-\sqrt{abc}$ = _like________

$2.) 2x^{2}-3x^{2}y$ = _________

$3.) 4y^{1/2}-3\sqrt{y}$ = _________

$4.) 3abc+2bcd$ = _________

$5.) 3abc+2bca$ = _________

$6.) 5x^4+4x^4-6$ = _________

$7.) 3xy^4-x^4+2$ = _________

$8.) 2ay^\frac{1}{2}-\sqrt{ay}$ = _________

$9.) (2ay)^\frac{1}{2}-\sqrt{ay}$ = _________

   $10.) \frac{3}{4}axy-\frac{4}{3}2bxy-\frac{1}{2}cxy$ = _________