Select all the like terms in the following expression

3x4-8x2+9y+10xy+7x2-xy+8z

a
3x4

b
-8x2

c
9y

d
10xy

e
7x2

f
8z

g
-xy

1 answer

To identify the like terms in the expression \( 3x^4 - 8x^2 + 9y + 10xy + 7x^2 - xy + 8z \), we need to group the terms based on their variables and exponents.

Here's the breakdown:

  • \( 3x^4 \) is a term by itself since it contains \( x^4 \).
  • \( -8x^2 \) and \( 7x^2 \) are like terms since they both contain \( x^2 \).
  • \( 9y \) is a term by itself as it contains \( y \).
  • \( 10xy \) and \( -xy \) are like terms since they both contain the product \( xy \).
  • \( 8z \) is a term by itself, as it contains \( z \).

Based on this categorization, the like terms are:

  • \( -8x^2 \) (option b)
  • \( 7x^2 \) (option e)
  • \( 10xy \) (option d)
  • \( -xy \) (option g)

So, the selected like terms are:

  • b: -8x2
  • e: 7x2
  • d: 10xy
  • g: -xy

The options can be combined with their like terms:

  1. -8x²
  2. 7x²
  3. 10xy
  4. -xy

These terms can be combined or simplified in the context of further algebraic manipulation.