Collecting like terms: grouping letters

The Maths Habit Handout to print

Describe what is in this pile, as quickly as you can.

5 circles and 3 triangles. Sort them first. Circles and triangles do not join.

Term
One part of an expression, between the + and − signs.
Like terms
Terms with the same letter.
Expression
Terms joined by + and − signs.
Simplify
Write it in a shorter way.

aa+b+aaaa3abb
  1. Put the same letters together.Each letter has its own tray. a and b never mix.
  2. Count each group.Three a tiles make 3a.

Are these like terms?

3a and 5a Yes: the same letter

Are these like terms?

2a and 2b No: different letters

4a + a + 2aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7a

aaaa+a+aaaaaaaaa7a

3b + 2b + 3bWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 8b

bbb+bb+bbbbbbbbbbb8b

4a + a + 2aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7a

aaaa+a+aaaaaaaaa7a

2c + 4c + cWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7c

cc+cccc+cccccccc7c

4a + a + 2aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7a

aaaa+a+aaaaaaaaa7a

2x + 3x + xWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 6x

xx+xxx+xxxxxxx6x

4a + a + 2aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7a

aaaa+a+aaaaaaaaa7a

3a + 2b + aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 4a + 2b

aaa+bb+aaaaa4abb2b

4a + a + 2aWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 7a

aaaa+a+aaaaaaaaa7a

b + 4a + 2bWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 3b + 4a

b+aaaa+bbbbb3baaaa4a

Collecting like terms: grouping letters worksheet, page 1

What is left?

aaaaaa−aaaaaaaa4a 4a

Are these like terms?

3 and 3a No: 3 is a number, 3a is three as

2a + 5 + 3a + 1Write it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 5a + 6

aa+5+aaa+1aaaaa5a5 + 16

6b + 4 − 2bWrite it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 4b + 4

bbbbbb+4−bbbbbbbb4b44

2a + 5 + 3a + 1Write it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 5a + 6

aa+5+aaa+1aaaaa5a5 + 16

5x + 7 − x − 2Write it as simply as you can.
Put the same letters together.
Count each group. 4x + 5

xxxxx+7−x−2xxxxx4x7 − 25

Collecting like terms: grouping letters worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. 2a + 3a = 5a

    Right

  2. 3a + 2b = 5ab

    Wrong: 3a + 2b

  3. 4b − b = 4

    Wrong: 3b

  4. 2a + 3 = 5a

    Wrong: 2a + 3

  5. a + a + a = 3a

    Right

  1. Find the missing term: 3a + ? = 7a

    4a

  2. A triangle has sides of a, a and b cm. Write its perimeter as simply as you can.

    2a + b

  3. Write two different expressions that simplify to 4a + 2b.

    3a + 2b + a

  1. Simplify 4a + 2a.

    6a

  2. Simplify 3a + 2b + a.

    4a + 2b

  3. Simplify 6a + 5 − 2a + 1. Put the same letters together. Count each group.

    4a + 6
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