Simplifying Expressions

Front

What is an expression in mathematics?

Back

An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators (such as +, -, *, /) that represents a value.

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

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 inside a parenthesis.

Front

What is the equivalent expression for 3b?

Back

b + b + b.

Front

How do you factor an expression?

Back

Factoring an expression involves rewriting it as a product of its factors. For example, 12a + 9b can be factored as 3(4a + 3b).

Front

What is the equivalent expression for 12a + 9b?

Back

3(4a + 3b).

Front

What is the equivalent expression for 9p + 18?

Back

10p + 13 - p + 5.

Front

How do you combine like terms?

Back

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that have the same variable. For example, 7z + 5z = 12z.

Front

What is the equivalent expression for 7z - 4 + 5z + 2?

Back

12z - 6.