Common Mistakes Students Make When Collecting Like Terms

When students are working with math, especially when collecting like terms, they sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common errors to watch out for:

1. Ignoring Coefficients
   Many students forget to add or subtract the numbers in front of the variables, called coefficients.
   For example, instead of correctly adding $3x$ and $5x$ to get $8x$, they might mistakenly think it adds up to $8xy$.

2. Combining Unlike Terms
   Sometimes, students try to add terms that aren't alike.
   For instance, if they add $4x$ and $2y$, they might incorrectly say it equals $6xy$. But $4x$ and $2y$ can’t be combined because they are different types of terms.

3. Neglecting Negative Signs
   Forgetting about negative signs can lead to big mistakes.
   For example, if students see $-2x + 3x$, they should get $x$, but some might wrongly add it up to $5x$.

4. Organizational Issues
   If students don’t keep their work organized, it can get confusing.
   Using a clear way to write down terms, like stacking like terms together, can make things easier to understand.

Studies show that more than 25% of students make these mistakes when simplifying expressions in algebra. So, being careful and organizing your work can help!