Algebraic Expressions 10

Table of Contents

• Addition of Algebraic Expressions
• Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions
• Summary
• What’s Next?

In the previous segment, we learnt about the factorisation of polynomials. In this segment, we will learn how to add and subtract algebraic expressions.

How to Add algebraic expressions?

Only like terms of algebraic expressions can be added.

To add two like terms, add the coefficients and retain the variables in the result. For example,

7??³ ??? 8??³ are two like terms. They can be added as follows:

7x?³ + 8x?³ = 15x?²

How to subtract algebraic expressions?

Only like terms of algebraic expressions can be subtracted.

To find the difference between two like terms, subtract the coefficients and retain the variables in the result.

For example,

21a?² and 6a?² are two like terms. They can be subtracted as follows:

21a?² − 6a?² = (21 − 6)a?² = 15a?²

Summary

Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions

Only like terms can be added or subtracted Coefficients added or subtracted, and variables retained

What’s next?

In the next segment of Class 7 Maths, we will learn how to apply addition and subtraction of like terms to simplify large algebraic expressions.