How do you simplify algebraic expressions?

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Simplifying means rewriting an expression in its simplest form-combining like terms, removing parentheses, and reducing coefficients where possible.

Steps to Simplify:

• Remove parentheses: Apply the distributive property if needed:

Example: 2(x + 3) becomes 2x + 6

• Combine like terms: Add or subtract terms with the same variable and exponent.

Example: 3x + 2x becomes 5x

• Order terms: Arrange according to variable or degree (often highest to lowest).

Example

Simplify: 2x + 4 + 3x - x + 2

1. Combine like terms (2x + 3x - x = 4x)
2. Combine constants (4 + 2 = 6)
3. Write final answer:

4x + 6

Tips:

• Only combine terms with the same variables and exponents.
• Careful with subtraction and negative signs!

Takeaways

• Use distributive property and combine like terms to simplify.
• Final form has no parentheses and all like terms are merged.