Simplifying Expressions

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

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

Front

What are like terms?

Back

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

Front

Simplify: 5(2 - 7n)

Back

10 - 35n

Front

What is the first step in simplifying an expression with parentheses?

Back

The first step is to distribute any coefficients outside the parentheses to each term inside.

Front

Simplify: 6x + 3(-2 - x) - 4

Back

3x - 10

Front

What is the process of combining like terms?

Back

Combining like terms involves adding or subtracting the coefficients of terms that have the same variable.

Front

Simplify: 3x + 4 + 5x + 3

Back

8x + 7

Front

What is the result of subtracting a negative number?

Back

Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart.

Front

Simplify: 9z - 21 - 3z + 10

Back

6z - 11

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

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