Worksheet 2: Terms and Polynomials

A. Like and unlike terms

For Questions 1–4, write “like” or “unlike”.

  1. \(5x\) and \(-8x\)

  2. \(4a\) and \(4b\)

  3. \(7m^2\) and \(2m\)

  4. \(3ab\) and \(-6ba\)

  5. From the list below, write all the terms like \(6y\): \(2y,\quad 6x,\quad -9y,\quad y^2,\quad y\).

  6. Arrange these terms into groups of like terms: \(3x,\quad 5y,\quad -2x,\quad 7,\quad y,\quad -4\).

B. Degree of polynomials

Find the degree of each expression.

  1. \(9x\)

  2. \(4a^2\)

  3. \(7\)

  4. \(x^3+2x+8\)

  5. \(5y^2-y+4\)

  6. \(3ab+2a+1\)

  7. \(2x^2y+5xy+6\)

  8. Simplify first, then find the degree: \(4x^2+3x-4x^2+7\).

C. Substitution

Find the value of each expression for the given value or values.

  1. \(3x+5\), when \(x=4\)

  2. \(7a-6\), when \(a=3\)

  3. \(2m^2+1\), when \(m=3\)

  4. \(p^2+2p+4\), when \(p=2\)

  5. \(4x+3y\), when \(x=2\) and \(y=5\)

  6. \(2a^2-b+3\), when \(a=2\) and \(b=6\)