simplifying expressions

Collecting like terms

To simplify an expression, we use like terms.

Look at the expression:

To simplify:

• The terms can be collected together to give .
• The numbers can be collected together to give .

So simplified is .

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

Question

Simplify this expression:

A Hide answer

To work it out:

• Write down the expression
• 

• Collect all the terms together which are alike. Remember that each term comes with an operation (+, -) which goes before it.
• 

• Simplify the terms.
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• Simplify the numbers separately.
• 

Answer: can be simplified to