Terms of an algebraic
expression can be
classified into two in terms
of their variables, the like
terms and the unlike
terms.
Like terms are terms
whose literal coefficients
are the same. Otherwise,
they are called unlike
terms. (Note: Numerical
coefficients may differ in
like terms)
Similar or like terms can be
combined into a single
term.
Therefore similar or like terms can be combined by:
Adding the numerical coefficients of the terms, then
Affixing the answer in step 1 to the common literal
coefficients of the like terms.
Polynomials
Polynomial comes from poly- (meaning
"many") and -nomial (meaning "term") ...
so, it says "many terms".
Expressions with the following
are not polynomials: fractional
exponent in the variable, variable
in the denominator, variable with
negative exponents