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 reduce it to its simplest form by combining like terms and performing operations.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 2x and 3x 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

Simplify: 2(x + 3) + 4.

Back

2x + 6 + 4 = 2x + 10.

Front

What is a coefficient in an expression?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term. For example, in 5x, 5 is the coefficient.

Front

What is a variable in an expression?

Back

A variable is a symbol (often a letter) that represents an unknown value in an expression or equation.

Front

Simplify: 3x + 4x.

Back

7x.

Front

What is the order of operations?

Back

The order of operations is a set of rules that determines the sequence in which calculations are performed: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). (PEMDAS)

Front

Simplify: 5 + 2(3 + 4).

Back

5 + 2(7) = 5 + 14 = 19.