Simplify an expression

Definition

Simplifying an expression means reducing it to its most basic form without changing its value. This involves combining like terms, factoring, and eliminating any unnecessary components.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Simplifying an expression often involves combining like terms, such as adding or subtracting coefficients of similar variables.
2. Factoring is a common method used in simplifying expressions; it involves breaking down a complex expression into simpler multiplicative components.
3. The distributive property (a(b + c) = ab + ac) is frequently used when simplifying expressions with parentheses.
4. Constants and variables are treated differently during simplification; constants are combined separately from variable terms.
5. Simplified expressions should have no parentheses left unless they denote multiplication.

Review Questions

• What is the result of simplifying the expression 3x + 4x - 2x?
• How would you simplify the expression (2y + 3)(y - 4)?
• Explain the process of using the distributive property to simplify 5(x + 6).

Related terms

Coefficient: The numerical factor multiplied by a variable in an algebraic term.

Distributive Property:

A property that allows for the multiplication of a sum by distributing the multiplier to each addend individually.

Like Terms:

Terms in an algebraic expression that have identical variable parts raised to the same power.