Combining Like Terms Worksheets, Grade 6 (6.EE.A.3) – Free PDF + Answer Key

First page of the combining like terms practice worksheet

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PDFs print on US Letter paper. Free for classroom and home use.

Watch: Combining Like Terms - Watch me solve this in under 2 minutes - then you try one!

Key idea

Group terms with the SAME variable part, then add or subtract their coefficients. 9k + 6 − 2k → (9k − 2k) + 6 = 7k + 6. A term with no like partner just stays.

Sample problems

Simplify 4a + 6a.
Simplify 9y − 3y.
Simplify n + 7n.
Simplify 5x + 3 + 2x.

Common mistakes to watch for

Answered 8x² — added the coefficients AND multiplied the variables. Adding like terms never changes the variable part.
Answered 4x — treated the lone x as nothing. Every variable has an invisible coefficient of 1.
Answered 12x — swept the 7 in with the x terms.

The answer key explains each one, so you can tell what a wrong answer means.

How to use this set

Teach with the slides (about 15 minutes), or watch the video together.
Practice with the worksheet. Questions climb from fluency to application to reasoning.
Check understanding with the exit ticket, and send the homework home.
Mark with the answer key — each answer shows the steps and the most likely mistake.