Simplifying Expressions
Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
Simplifying Expressions
Definition: Simplifying expressions involves combining like terms to reduce the expression to its most concise form.
Example:
- Original expression: 3x + 4 - 2x + 7
- Step 1: Group like terms together.
- Identify the terms with the variable x: 3x and -2x
- Identify the constant terms: 4 and 7
- Step 2: Rewrite the expression by grouping like terms.
- (3x - 2x) + (4 + 7)
- Step 3: Combine the like terms.
- (3x - 2x) = x
- (4 + 7) = 11
- Step 4: Write the simplified expression.
- x + 11
Solution: The simplified form of the expression 3x + 4 - 2x + 7 is x + 11.