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In algebra, we often get very long expressions that we need to make simpler. Simpler expressions are easier to solve.
Collecting like terms
To simplify an expression, we collect like terms. Like terms include letters and numbers that are the same.
Look at the expression 4x + 5x -2 - 2x + 7
To simplify:
- The x terms can be collected together to give 7x.
- The numbers can be collected together to give 5.
So 4x + 5x -2 - 2x + 7 simplified is 7x + 5.
Remember that terms are separated by + and - signs, and these are always attached to the front of a term.
- Question
Simplify this expression: x + 5 + 3x- 7 + 9x+ 3 - 4x
- Answer
To work it out:
- Write down the expression
- x + 5 + 3x - 7 + 9x + 3 - 4x
- Collect all the terms together which are alike. Remember that each term comes with an operation (+, -) which goes before it.
- x + 3x + 9x - 4x + 5 - 7 + 3
- Simplify the x terms.
- x + 3x + 9x - 4x = 9x
- Simplify the numbers separately.
- 5 - 7 + 3 = 1
Answer: x + 5 + 3x - 7 + 9x + 3 - 4x can be simplified to 9x + 1
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On bbc.co.uk
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