# Subtraction of Unlike Algebraic Terms

A mathematical operation of subtracting any two unlike algebraic terms is called the subtraction of unlike algebraic terms.

## Introduction

Two unlike algebraic terms are connected by a minus sign in algebraic mathematics to find the difference between them. Mathematically, it is not possible to subtract an algebraic term from another in the case of unlike algebraic terms due to the different literal coefficients. So, the subtraction of the unlike algebraic terms is simply expressed as an expression by displaying a minus sign between them.

$6xy$ and $4x^2$ are two unlike algebraic terms. Take, the term $6xy$ is subtracted $4x^2$.

#### First step

Write the term $4x^2$ and then $6xy$ in a row, and display a minus sign between them.
$4x^2-6xy$

1. The literal coefficient of $4$ is $x^2$
2. The literal coefficient of $6$ is $xy$

The literal coefficients of both the terms are different. Therefore, they cannot be subtracted as the subtraction of the like algebraic terms. So, the subtraction of unlike algebraic terms is simply expressed as an expression.

### Examples

Observe the following example to study the subtraction of unlike algebraic terms in mathematics.

$(1)\,\,\,\,\,\,$ $a-2b$

$(2)\,\,\,\,\,\,$ $5cd^2-3c^2d$

$(3)\,\,\,\,\,\,$ $3e^3-ef^3$

$(4)\,\,\,\,\,\,$ $2gh^4i-2g^4hi$

$(5)\,\,\,\,\,\,$ $5j-7k$

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