Simplifying Algebraic
Expressions
Today you will learn to:
• use the Distributive Property to simplify
algebraic expressions
M7.A.2.1.1
Warm-up Problem: Simplifying
Algebraic Expressions
Four friends went to
a local amusement park.
Three of the friends bought
ride tickets for x dollars, plus
a game pass for $10. The
other friend bought just a
ride ticket. Write and
simplify an expression
showing the amount of total
money spent.
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
When plus or minus signs separate an algebraic
expression into parts, each part is a term. The numerical part of
a term that contains a variable is called the coefficient of the
variable. The coeffiecient for a variable without a number is
assumed to be one.
Like terms are terms that contain the same variables,
such as 6n and 3n. A term without a variable is called a
constant. Constant terms are also like terms.
Some algebraic expressions can contain more than one
variable. To simplify algebraic expressions, you simply combine
all like terms.
Watch the following video from Khan Academy featuring Chuck
Norris!!
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is in simplest form if it has
no like terms and no parentheses. When you use the
Distributive Property to combine like terms, you are
simplifying the expression. Using the Distributive
Property in reverse is called factoring.
Simplifying Algebraic
Expressions: Examples
Simplifying Algebraic
Expressions: Sample Questions