Simplifying Variable Expressions

Front

What does it mean to simplify a variable expression?

Back

To simplify a variable expression means to combine like terms and reduce the expression to its simplest form.

Front

What are like terms in an expression?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 4x and 2x are like terms.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, you add or subtract their coefficients while keeping the variable part the same. For example, 3x + 2x = 5x.

Front

What is the coefficient in a variable expression?

Back

The coefficient is the numerical factor that multiplies a variable. In the expression 5x, 5 is the coefficient.

Front

What is the constant term in an expression?

Back

The constant term is a term that does not contain any variables. For example, in the expression 3x + 4, the constant term is 4.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 4b + 6 - 4?

Back

You combine the constant terms: 4b + (6 - 4) = 4b + 2.

Front

What is the result of simplifying the expression 7x - x?

Back

The result is 6x, as you combine the like terms.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 10x + 17 - 38x + 23?

Back

Combine like terms: (10x - 38x) + (17 + 23) = -28x + 40.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a term by each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

How do you apply the distributive property to the expression 2(7 + n) + 4?

Back

Distribute 2: 2*7 + 2*n + 4 = 14 + 2n + 4 = 18 + 2n.