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Chapter overview
Learning goals
Learning Goals
Maths
Types of numbers
Number calculations
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Algebraic manipulation
Formulae and equations
Straight line graphs
Other graphs
Ratio
Proportion
Rates of change
Shapes
Properties of shapes
Lines and angles
Drawing shapes
Trigonometry
Probability
Maths
Summary
Algebraic terms which have the same letter are called 'like terms'. Like terms can be added or subtracted, e.g. 2x+3x=5x. This is called simplifying. If terms have different letters, they cannot be simplified, e.g. 5x+3y. Take care with + or −signs. The − belongs to the term it is in front of.
In the expression 2x−7t, the − belongs to 7t.
Terms with different powers cannot be added or subtracted..
5a+10b−2a−3b | 3a+7b |
3x2+2x | cannot be simplified further |
3x2+2x−x2+7x | 2x2+9x |
4xy+3x+xy | 3x+5xy |
It is possible to use expressions to help you solve geometric problems.
Write an expression for the perimeter of the following shape.
| m | |
n | | |
Perimeter =2m+2n
Write an expression for the perimeter of the following shape. Simplify your answer as much as possible.
x+y | | x+y |
3x−y |
Perimeter =x+y+x+y+3x−y
Perimeter =5x+2y
Algebraic terms which have the same letter are called 'like terms'. Like terms can be added or subtracted, e.g. 2x+3x=5x. This is called simplifying. If terms have different letters, they cannot be simplified, e.g. 5x+3y. Take care with + or −signs. The − belongs to the term it is in front of.
In the expression 2x−7t, the − belongs to 7t.
Terms with different powers cannot be added or subtracted..
5a+10b−2a−3b | 3a+7b |
3x2+2x | cannot be simplified further |
3x2+2x−x2+7x | 2x2+9x |
4xy+3x+xy | 3x+5xy |
It is possible to use expressions to help you solve geometric problems.
Write an expression for the perimeter of the following shape.
| m | |
n | | |
Perimeter =2m+2n
Write an expression for the perimeter of the following shape. Simplify your answer as much as possible.
x+y | | x+y |
3x−y |
Perimeter =x+y+x+y+3x−y
Perimeter =5x+2y
FAQs
Question: Can you simplify terms with different letters?
Answer: If terms have different letters, they cannot be simplified. For example, 2a+3b cannot be simplified further.
Question: How do you simplify expression in algebra?
Answer: You can simplify expressions by adding or subtracting 'like terms'. Like terms contain the same letter or same combination of letters.
Question: What are 'like terms' in algebra?
Answer: Algebraic terms which have the same letter are called 'like terms'. They can be added or subtracted.
Theory
Exercises
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