Algebra basics
Simplify algebraic expressions
ALEKS placementTEAS math
Your job is to rewrite the expression in a shorter form. There is no value of x to find.
What this covers
- First, find the pieces separated by plus or minus signs. A term is one of those pieces.
- If you see parentheses, multiply the number outside by every term inside.
- Find terms that match exactly: x with x, x² with x², and plain numbers with plain numbers.
- The number in front is called the coefficient. Add or subtract only those numbers, and keep the letter part unchanged.
- Stop when there are no parentheses and no matching terms left to combine.
Worked example
Worked example
Simplify 3(2x - 5) - (x - 4).
- 6x−15−x+4Multiply 3 by both terms in the first group. The minus before the second group changes both signs.
- 5x−116x and -x match, so they become 5x. The plain numbers -15 and +4 become -11.
Another worked example
Simplify −(2x − 5) + 3x.
- −2x+5+3xMultiply both terms in the group by −1. The negative 5 becomes positive 5.
- x+5Combine −2x and 3x. This is an expression valid for any x, not a solution for x.
A common mistake
A mistake Lemma catches
From −(2x−5)+3x
−2x+3x−5−2x+3x+5
“The minus sign in front of the parentheses changes the sign of every term inside, not only 2x: -(-5) = 5, but the line still has -5.”
Try one
Sample problem
Simplify.
2x+5xPractice simplify free
No account, no email. Every line you type is checked by the same computer algebra system as the worked example above.
Where this fits
Before this
After this