Can the terms 3xy and -3xy^2 be combined?

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Multiple Choice

Can the terms 3xy and -3xy^2 be combined?

Explanation:
The terms 3xy and -3xy² cannot be combined because they are not like terms. Like terms are defined as terms that have the same variable components with the same exponents. In this case, while both terms share the variable x, they differ in their y component. The first term contains y to the first power, while the second term contains y squared. Because of this difference in the exponent of y, the two terms cannot be combined through addition or subtraction. Therefore, the correct answer is that they cannot be combined.

The terms 3xy and -3xy² cannot be combined because they are not like terms. Like terms are defined as terms that have the same variable components with the same exponents. In this case, while both terms share the variable x, they differ in their y component. The first term contains y to the first power, while the second term contains y squared. Because of this difference in the exponent of y, the two terms cannot be combined through addition or subtraction. Therefore, the correct answer is that they cannot be combined.

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