Terms whose variables (such as x or y) with their exponents (such as the 2 in x 2) are the same. Examples: 7x and 2x are like terms because they are both "x". 3x 2 and −2x 2 are like terms because they are both "x 2 ". But 7x and 7x 2 are NOT like terms (the exponents are different), they are unlike terms. Like terms can be added together.

Like terms are algebraic expressions that have the same variables raised to the same powers. For example, 3x 2 y and -5x 2 y are considered like terms because both contain x 2 y as their variable part. On the other hand, 4xy 2 and 7x 3 y would not be classified as like terms since their variable parts (xy 2 and x 3 y) differ from each other.

Like terms are terms that have the same exponent AND the same variable or variables. For example, (2x) and (–5x) are like terms, and (3y^2) and (y^2) are like terms.