Combining Like Terms & Distributive Property

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms in an algebraic expression?

Back

Combining like terms means to simplify an expression by adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What is the distributive property in algebra?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, meaning you can distribute a factor across a sum or difference.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 4(-x - 6)?

Back

To simplify 4(-x - 6), apply the distributive property: 4 * -x + 4 * -6 = -4x - 24.

Front

What is the result of simplifying 3(9 + 2d) + 4d?

Back

The result is 27 + 10d, obtained by distributing 3 and then combining like terms.

Front

How do you simplify the expression -9(-3f + 5)?

Back

To simplify -9(-3f + 5), apply the distributive property: -9 * -3f + -9 * 5 = 27f - 45.

Front

What is the simplified form of 9x + 5(x + 3)?

Back

The simplified form is 14x + 15, achieved by distributing 5 and combining like terms.

Front

How do you simplify the expression 5a + 2 - 3a + 4?

Back

To simplify, combine like terms: (5a - 3a) + (2 + 4) = 2a + 6.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms in an expression that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

What is the first step in applying the distributive property?

Back

The first step is to multiply the term outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.

Front

Can you give an example of combining like terms?

Back

Yes, in the expression 2x + 3x, you can combine like terms to get 5x.