✏️ Collecting Like Terms

About Collecting Like Terms

Collecting like terms is the first genuinely algebraic thing most pupils do, and the mistake it exists to prevent is the most persistent in the subject: adding terms that cannot be added. Three x plus five x is eight x, but three x plus two y stays exactly as it is, and a pupil who has not internalised that will simplify their way to a wrong answer for years. Every expression on this worksheet is built from terms that carry a variable signature, and only terms whose signatures match are ever combined — so a question that appears to collapse to a single number never does unless the algebra genuinely says so. The levels add structure rather than size. The first uses one variable and positive coefficients; the second lengthens the expression; the third introduces a second variable so there are two groups to keep apart; the fourth brings in negative coefficients and mixed signs, which is where sign errors start; and the fifth adds a squared term, so a pupil must distinguish x from x squared as well. Every expression is guaranteed to have something to collect. Twelve questions per page in two columns. Each level prints as a clean A4 sheet in black and white and downloads with its own separate answer key. Its on-screen twin is Algebraic Terms Collect Arcade.

Common questions

What counts as a like term?

Terms with an identical variable part. 3x and 5x are like; 3x and 2y are not, and neither are 3x and 2x².

Can an answer be a single number?

Only when the algebra genuinely says so. Unlike terms are never combined to force a tidier answer.

How do the levels progress?

One variable, then more terms, then a second variable group, then negative coefficients, then a squared term.

Is an answer key included?

Yes. Every level downloads with its own separate answer key PDF.