Simplifying Expressions: Distribute and Combine
Simplifying expressions by distributing and combining like terms is a Grade 6 algebra skill in Big Ideas Math Advanced 1, Chapter 13: Expressions and Equations. Students apply the distributive property to expand parentheses, then combine like terms (terms with the same variable and exponent) to write an equivalent expression in its simplest form.
Key Concepts
To simplify algebraic expressions, apply the laws of algebra by distributing to remove parentheses and combining like terms. This process reduces expressions to their simplest form without changing their value.
Common Questions
How do you simplify expressions by distributing and combining like terms?
Step 1: Apply the distributive property to expand any parentheses. Step 2: Identify like terms (same variable and power). Step 3: Add or subtract the coefficients of like terms. For example: 3(2x + 4) + x = 6x + 12 + x = 7x + 12.
What is the distributive property?
The distributive property states: a(b + c) = ab + ac. Multiply the factor outside the parentheses by each term inside. For example, 4(3x + 2) = 12x + 8.
What are like terms in an algebraic expression?
Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power. In 5x + 3 + 2x + 7, the terms 5x and 2x are like terms (combine to 7x), and 3 and 7 are like terms (combine to 10). The simplified expression is 7x + 10.
Where is this skill taught in Big Ideas Math Advanced 1?
Simplifying expressions by distributing and combining is covered in Chapter 13: Expressions and Equations of Big Ideas Math Advanced 1, the Grade 6 math textbook.