TOPIC OVERVIEW In this article, I will explain the use of a Like Term, and suggest a better way of thinking about the topic. Please add your ideas in the comments. Like Term : This is a term whose variables are the same. in other words, terms that are "Like" each other. Note: the coefficients (the numbers you multiply by, such as "5" in 5x) can be different. Example 7 x x -2 x Are all like terms because the variables are all x (1/3) xy 2 −2 xy 2 6 xy 2 xy 2 /2 Are all like terms because the variables are all x Unlike Term : If they are not like terms, they are called " Unlike Terms ": Unlike Terms Why they are "Unlike Terms" −2 xy −4 y 13 y 2 ← these are all unlike terms ( xy , y and y 2 are all different) 2 x 2 x 2 2 y ...