Simplify Expressions

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression in algebra?

Back

To simplify an expression means to combine like terms and reduce it to its simplest form.

Front

Define 'like terms' in algebra.

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, such as 5x and -8x.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, add or subtract their coefficients while keeping the variable part the same.

Front

What is the result of simplifying the expression 5a + 2b - 3a + 4?

Back

The result is 2a + 2b + 4.

Front

What is the simplified form of the expression 2x + 1 + 7x?

Back

The simplified form is 9x + 1.

Front

Explain the process of expanding an expression.

Back

Expanding an expression involves distributing multiplication over addition or subtraction, such as using the distributive property.

Front

What is the expanded form of 3(2a + 5)?

Back

The expanded form is 6a + 15.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 3(2a + 5) + 5(a - 2)?

Back

First expand to get 6a + 15 + 5a - 10, then combine like terms to get 11a + 5.

Front

What is the result of simplifying -6x + 4(-x - 3)?

Back

The result is -10x - 12.

Front

What is the distributive property in algebra?

Back

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