PERT Practice Test 2026 – Complete Guide for Exam Prep

Combining like terms in an expression simplifies the expression by consolidating terms that have the same variable and exponent into a single term. For example, in the expression 3x + 5x, the like terms (3x and 5x) can be combined to give 8x. This process reduces the overall number of terms and makes the expression easier to understand and work with. Simplification is fundamental in algebra, as it allows for clearer comparisons, easier calculations, and improved problem-solving efficiency. By condensing the expression, it helps clarify its meaning and makes it easier to perform further operations.