Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

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What is an algebraic expression?

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

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What does it mean to simplify an algebraic expression?

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

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What are like terms?

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

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What is a coefficient?

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A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term of an algebraic expression. For example, in 6x, 6 is the coefficient.

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How do you combine like terms?

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To combine like terms, add or subtract their coefficients while keeping the variable part the same. For example, 3x + 5x = 8x.

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What is the first step in simplifying the expression 5z - z - z - z?

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The first step is to combine the like terms: 5z - z - z - z = 5z - 3z = 2z.

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How do you simplify the expression 17 + 7h - 19 + 14h?

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Combine the constant terms (17 - 19) and the like terms (7h + 14h) to get -2 + 21h, which simplifies to 21h - 2.

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What is the result of simplifying -r - 10r?

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Combine the like terms: -r - 10r = -11r.

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What is the distributive property?

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

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How do you apply the distributive property to 7(a + 8)?

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Using the distributive property: 7(a + 8) = 7a + 56.