M3.8.3 For the adult
Collecting like terms
Sipho has 3 boxes of mangoes and 2 boxes of limes. A mango box holds a mangoes. A lime box holds b limes. He gets 5 more mango boxes and gives away 1 lime box. How many pieces of fruit does he have?
What this chapter teaches
Terms with the same letter part, like 3a and 5a, can be added into one term. Terms with different letters, or a letter and a plain number, stay apart. Putting numbers in is a good way to check the answer.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Are 4x and 4y like terms? Why or why not?
- Why does the b stay when you simplify 7a − 3a + 2b?
- How can you check 8a + b by putting in a = 2 and b = 3?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Say which terms are like terms and which are not
- Simplify 3a + 2b + 5a − b
What they copy into their notebook
Like terms have the same letter part. Collect them: 3a + 5a = 8a. A letter alone, such as b, means 1b. Different letters stay apart.