Expressions Worksheet: Simplify and Combine Like Terms
In algebra, simplifying and combining like terms are essential skills to master. This worksheet will help you practice these skills with a variety of expressions.
What are Like Terms?
Like terms are terms that have the same variable(s) with the same exponent(s). For example, 2x and 3x are like terms because they both have the variable x with the same exponent (1). On the other hand, 2x and 2y are not like terms because they have different variables.
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying an expression means rewriting it in a more compact form by combining like terms. Here are some examples:
- 2x + 3x = 5x (combining like terms)
- 2x - 2x = 0 (combining like terms)
- x^2 + 3x^2 = 4x^2 (combining like terms)
Combining Like Terms
To combine like terms, you need to add or subtract their coefficients (the numbers in front of the variables). Here are some examples:
- 2x + 5x = (2 + 5)x = 7x
- 3y - 2y = (3 - 2)y = y
- 4z^2 + 2z^2 = (4 + 2)z^2 = 6z^2
Worksheet
Now it’s your turn to practice simplifying and combining like terms! Work through the following expressions and simplify them as much as possible.
- 2x + 4x - 3x =
- 5y - 2y + y =
- 3z^2 + 2z^2 - z^2 =
- 2a + 3a - a =
- x^2 + 2x^2 - x^2 =
Answers
- 3x
- 4y
- 4z^2
- 4a
- 2x^2
📝 Note: Make sure to combine like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.
More Practice
Here are a few more expressions to simplify and combine like terms:
- 2x^2 + 5x^2 - 3x^2 =
- 4y - 2y + y =
- 3z + 2z - z =
- 2a^2 + a^2 - a^2 =
- x^2 + x^2 + x^2 =
Answers
- 4x^2
- 3y
- 4z
- 2a^2
- 3x^2
Tips and Tricks
- Always combine like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.
- Make sure to simplify expressions as much as possible.
- Use the distributive property to expand expressions (if necessary).
What are like terms in algebra?
+Like terms are terms that have the same variable(s) with the same exponent(s).
How do I simplify expressions in algebra?
+Simplifying an expression means rewriting it in a more compact form by combining like terms.
What is the distributive property in algebra?
+The distributive property is a rule that allows you to expand expressions by multiplying a single term to multiple terms.
Now that you’ve practiced simplifying and combining like terms, you’re ready to move on to more advanced algebra topics! Keep practicing and soon you’ll be a pro at simplifying expressions.
Related Terms:
- Subtracting Linear Expressions Worksheet PDF
- Multiply linear expressions worksheet
- Factoring expressions worksheet
