Combine Like Terms to Solve Equations

Presentation

•

Mathematics

•

7th - 9th Grade

•

Hard

Joseph Anderson

FREE Resource

4 Slides • 10 Questions

Bell Ringer

Combine like terms to simplify the expressions.

1. 8x - 6y + x - 2y

2. 7x² - 1/4 x - 4x²

THEN, Join this Quizizz.

Open Ended

How do you know that two numbers are "Like Terms" and can be combined?

Type response here

Multiple Choice

3y = -15

-5

-3

Multiple Choice

-4x + 1 = 21

x=120

x=5

x=30

x=-5

Multiple Choice

12x = 144

x = 12

x = 4

x = 2

x = 132

Multiple Choice

What should you do first when solving for x?

2x - 8 = 16

Divide by 2

Subtract 8 from both sides

Subtract 16 from both sides

Add 8 to both sides

Sometimes, when you are solving equations, you will need to combine like terms before you can solve it. In other words, it is easier to get your variable on its own if all of that variable is combined into one term on one side of the equal sign.

Poll

Which of these would be easier/faster to solve?

5x + 2x = 21

1x + 6x = 21

2x + 3x + 2x = 21

7x = 21

The first thing you will want to do with an equation is scan it and make sure that all your variables are on one side. Then, you will want to combine any like terms that you can. Finally, you should solve the equation like normal.

Let's try some examples!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a valid first step in solving the following?

2x - 3 + 4x = 27

6x - 3 = 27

-2x + 3 = 27

-2x - 3 = 27

6x + 3 = 27

Multiple Choice

$5+30=x+10$

-45

-25

Multiple Choice

Combine like terms and solve the 2-step equation:

3 + 12c - 4c = 35

c = 4

c = 2

c = 4.75

c = 3.18

Multiple Choice

Combine like terms and solve the 2-step equation:

3x + 20 - 5 = 36

x = 17

x = 3.6

x = 20.3

x = 7

Homework! (Copy these down on a sheet of paper!)

Bell Ringer

Combine like terms to simplify the expressions.

1. 8x - 6y + x - 2y

2. 7x² - 1/4 x - 4x²

THEN, Join this Quizizz.

Show answer

Auto Play

Slide 1 / 14

SLIDE

Similar Resources on Wayground

11 questions

Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Presentation

•

8th - 9th Grade

11 questions

Proportional Relationships in Tables

Presentation

•

7th - 8th Grade

10 questions

Transformations Review

Presentation

•

8th - 9th Grade

10 questions

Equations Of All Kinds!!!

Presentation

•

8th Grade

10 questions

System of Equations

Presentation

•

8th Grade

10 questions

Solving Equations with Squares and Square Roots

Presentation

•

6th - 10th Grade

10 questions

Tables and Graphs

Presentation

•

6th - 8th Grade

8 questions

Solving Two-Step Equations

Presentation

•

7th - 9th Grade

Popular Resources on Wayground

10 questions

Safety Day 2026 – Student Review

Quiz

•

9th Grade

21 questions

Continents and Oceans

Quiz

•

6th Grade

20 questions

Parts of Speech

Quiz

•

5th Grade

16 questions

Subject & Predicate

Quiz

•

5th Grade

25 questions

Multiplication Facts

Quiz

•

5th Grade

12 questions

Map Skills

Quiz

•

3rd Grade

22 questions

Continents and Oceans

Quiz

•

5th Grade

15 questions

Rounding Decimals

Quiz

•

5th Grade

Discover more resources for Mathematics

20 questions

Rational and Irrational Numbers

Quiz

•

8th Grade

16 questions

Proportional and Non Proportional Relationships in Tables, Graphs, and Equations

Quiz

•

7th Grade

20 questions

Constant of Proportionality

Quiz

•

7th Grade

20 questions

Halloween Trivia

Quiz

•

7th Grade

15 questions

One-Step Equations

Quiz

•

7th Grade

20 questions

Add and Subtract Integers

Quiz

•

6th - 8th Grade

16 questions

Adding and Subtracting Integers

Quiz

•

7th Grade

20 questions

Slope from a Graph

Quiz

•

8th Grade