SIMPLIFYING EXPRESSIONS

Algebraic expressions can sometime look messy since they contain alphabetic symbols as well as numbers. Lets take a closer look at how we can simplify these expressions. Simplifying Expressions To simplify an algebraic expression, we must gather like terms. When an algebraic expression is simplified, an equivalent expression is found that is simpler than the original. This usually means that the simplified expression is smaller than the original expression. There are many different kinds of algebraic expressions, so there is no standard procedure for simplifying all of them. Here is a list of steps to follow.

Prepare the algebraic expression to be simplified (such as expanding). Identify and group like terms. Combine like terms.

_____________________________________________________________________ Example: Simplify the expression 5 x 3 y 9 z 8 x 6 y . Solution: The expression does not need to be prepared, so first identify and group like terms:
(5x 8x) (3 y 6 y) 9z

Next, combine like terms:

3x 9 y 9 z

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_____________________________________________________________________ Example: Simplify the expression 4(5a 4b) 7(6a 2b) . Solution: First prepare the expression to be simplified (expand): 20 a 16b 42 a 14b Next, identify and group like terms: Lastly, combine like terms:
( 20 a 42 a ) ( 16b 14b)
22a 20b

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It is important to understand that not all algebraic expressions can be simplified. For example, the expression 56a 8b 7c 5 cannot be simplified any further since there are no like terms in the expression. Lets finish off with one more example of an expression that has products and quotients of simple factors that include powers with the same base. They can be easily simplified by adding and subtracting the indices of the powers (using exponent laws). _______________________________________________________________________ Example: Simplify the expression Solution:
12 w 3 x 5 The expression does not need to be prepared, so combine like terms: yz
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24 w 4 x 5 z . 2 wyz 2