Explain which terms are alike 7xy -9x^2 -15xy^2 -14xy
To determine which terms are alike in the expression 7xy -9x^2 -15xy^2 -14xy, we need to identify terms that have the same combination of variables with the same exponents.
Let's break down each term in the expression:
1. 7xy: This term consists of the variables x and y, both raised to the power of 1 (or implicitly 1). The coefficient of this term is 7.
2. -9x^2: This term consists of the variable x raised to the power of 2. The coefficient of this term is -9.
3. -15xy^2: This term consists of the variables x and y, with x raised to the power of 1 and y raised to the power of 2. The coefficient of this term is -15.
4. -14xy: This term consists of the variables x and y, both raised to the power of 1. The coefficient of this term is -14.
To identify the terms that are alike, we consider the combination of variables and their exponents. In this case, the terms 7xy and -14xy share the same combination of variables (x and y raised to the power of 1) and thus, are alike.
Therefore, the terms that are alike in the expression are 7xy and -14xy.