Factor, Add and Subtract Expressions

Front

What is a linear expression?

Back

A linear expression is an algebraic expression in which the highest power of the variable is one. For example, 2x + 3 is a linear expression.

Front

What does it mean to factor an expression?

Back

Factoring an expression means to break it down into simpler expressions (factors) that, when multiplied together, give the original expression.

Front

What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers share. For example, the GCF of 8 and 12 is 4.

Front

How do you add linear expressions?

Back

To add linear expressions, combine like terms. For example, (x + 5) + (2x + 10) = 3x + 15.

Front

What is a like term?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms.

Front

How do you subtract linear expressions?

Back

To subtract linear expressions, distribute the negative sign and then combine like terms. For example, (2x + 5) - (x + 3) = x + 2.

Front

What is the process of factoring out the GCF?

Back

To factor out the GCF, divide each term of the expression by the GCF and write it outside a parenthesis. For example, for 22x - 220, the GCF is 22, so it factors to 22(x - 10).

Front

What is the result of adding (3x + 4) + (2x + 6)?

Back

The result is 5x + 10.

Front

What does it mean for an expression to be unfactorable?

Back

An expression is unfactorable if it cannot be expressed as a product of simpler expressions. For example, 15x + 22 cannot be factored.

Front

What is the result of subtracting (5x + 3) - (2x + 1)?

Back

The result is 3x + 2.