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Maths > Basic Algebra > Revise

In your maths exam you will have to show that you know how equations work. This section will help you revise the different methods that can be used to understand and simplify equations.

1. Collecting like terms

In algebra we often get very long expressions, which we need to make simpler. Simpler expressions are easier to solve!

To simplify an expression we collect like terms. Like terms include letters that are the same and numbers.

Have a look at the expression 4x + 5x -2 - 2x + 7

All the x terms can be collected together to give 7x.
All the numbers collected together to give 5.
So 4x + 5x -2 - 2x + 7 simplified is 7x + 5.

Remember that terms are separated by + and - signs and these are always attached to the front of a term.

Question 1

Simplify this expression: x + 5 + 3x - 7 + 9x + 3 - 4x

The Answer

Here's how to do it in easy steps:

Write down the expression.
x + 5 + 3x - 7 + 9x + 3 - 4x

Collect all the terms together which are alike. Remember that each term comes with an operation (+,-) which goes before it.
x + 3x + 9x - 4x + 5 - 7 + 3

Simplify the x terms.
x + 3x + 9x - 4x = 9x

Simplify the numbers separately.
5 - 7 + 3 = 1

Here's the answer - a simplified expression.
9x + 1

The expression x + 5 + 3x - 7 + 9x + 3 - 4x can be simplified to 9x + 1

2. Different terms

etc...
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Last updated: 22.03.2006