Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Front

What is an algebraic expression?

Back

An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that can include numbers, variables, and operation symbols. For example, 3x + 5 is an algebraic expression.

Front

What does it mean to simplify an algebraic expression?

Back

To simplify an algebraic 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

What is the distributive property?

Back

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

Front

Simplify: 2x + 3x

Back

5x

Front

Simplify: 4a + 2b - 3a + 5b

Back

a + 7b

Front

What is the coefficient in an algebraic expression?

Back

The coefficient is the numerical factor in a term. For example, in 4x, 4 is the coefficient.

Front

What is a variable in algebra?

Back

A variable is a symbol, often a letter, that represents a number in an expression or equation. For example, x and y are variables.

Front

Simplify: 5xy + 3xy

Back

8xy

Front

What is the product of two variables?

Back

The product of two variables is the result of multiplying them together. For example, the product of x and y is written as xy.