Chapter 12 Lesson 1 Simplifying Expressions

Chapter 12 Lesson 1 Simplifying Expressions

Simplifying Expressions

• To simplify variable expressions you combine like terms

What are like terms?

• numbers with no variables: 3, -3, 7, -9, 0

• numbers with the SAME variables : 2x, 4x, -3x, -9x, 8x

Example 1

• Simplify by combining like terms

• -11a + 9a  (these are like terms because they have the same variable a)

• - 11 + 9 = -2

• Don't forget to add  your variable

• Answer: -11a + 9a= -2a

Example 2

• Simplify

• - 4x - -6x

• *special rule, two negatives together turn into a plus

• -4x + 6x

• One negative, one positive so you subtract

• 6-4=2

• Look at bigger number (6), it's positive so your answer is positive 2x