Question

How is a radical considered a "like term"?

Answer 1

Like terms are terms whose variables are the same. If both terms do not have variables, then they are still like terms.

For example,

`4x` and `293x` are like terms.

`5xy` and `7y` are not like terms.

`sqrt 5 x` and `65x` are like terms.

`56xy^2` and `7xy` are not like terms.

`5` and `9284` are like terms.

As to your question, radicals on their own are like terms because they all do not have a variable.

`sqrt 43` and `sqrt 53` are like terms, as there are no variables on both of them.