In an algebraic expression, like terms are terms that differ only in their numerical coefficients.
Example
In the algebraic expression 4[latex]xy^{2}[/latex] – 2[latex]x^{2}y[/latex] + 3[latex]x^{2}y^{2}[/latex] – 5[latex]xy^{2}[/latex], the terms 4[latex]xy^{2}[/latex] and –5[latex]xy^{2}[/latex] are like terms.
