Question

Are 8x^2y and -5yx^2 like terms? Explain.

Answer 1

Like terms must have the same variables and those variables must have the same powers.

`7a^2b^3` and
`9a^2b^3` are like terms, because they both have
`a^2` and they both have
`b^3`.

`7a^2b^3` and
`7a^3b^2` are NOT like terms, because the powers no longer match.

In your example, do you have the same variables and do the variables have the same powers in both expressions?