Which of the following pairs are like terms?

Which of the following pairs are like terms?
  1. $3x^{2}y$ and $-7xy^{2}$
  2. $5ab^{2}$ and $-2ab^{2}$
  3. $4x$ and $4x^{2}$
  4. $2pq$ and $3p^{2}q$

Solution

Like terms have the same variables raised to the same powers. Only $5ab^{2}$ and $-2ab^{2}$ qualify.

Asked in: IMO

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