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In algebra, we use letters to stand for numbers. We need to be able to work with these letters by following a few simple rules. This bite revises these basic rules. Together we can do it. Good luck!
Collecting like terms
We can often simplify algebraic expressions by 'collecting like terms'.
Look at the expression 
.
There are four terms
and 
.
Two of the terms involve 
, and two involve 
.
We can re-order the terms in the expression so that the x terms are together and the y terms are together:
.
Now we can combine the x terms and combine the y terms to get:
.
So, when simplified, becomes .
Remember that 
does not equal 
!
Example
Collect like terms and simplify this algebraic expression:
.
Change the order to 
.
Simplify to 
.
Now have a go at simplifying the following expressions.
- Question
- Answer
- Question
- Answer
- Question
- Answer
Well done if you got the correct answers!
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