simplify algebra expression
To simplify an algebraic expression, follow these steps:
1. Combine like terms: Look for terms that have the same variables raised to the same exponents and combine them. For example, 3x + 5x can be simplified to 8x.
2. Remove parentheses and simplify: If there are parentheses in the expression, use the distributive property to remove them. For example, if you have 2(3x + 4), you can multiply both terms inside the parentheses by 2 to get 6x + 8.
3. Combine any remaining like terms: After removing parentheses, check if there are still like terms that can be combined.
4. Simplify further if possible: Look for any other simplifications that can be done, such as canceling out terms or factoring.
Let's look at an example to illustrate these steps:
Expression: 3x + 2(4x - 5) - 2x
1. Combine like terms: We have 3x and -2x, which can be combined as 3x - 2x = x.
2. Remove parentheses and simplify: Inside the parentheses, we have 4x - 5. Applying the distributive property, we multiply 2 to both terms inside the parentheses: 2 * 4x = 8x and 2 * -5 = -10. So the expression becomes x + 8x - 10 - 2x.
3. Combine like terms again: We now have x + 8x - 10 - 2x. Combining the x terms, we have x + 8x - 2x = 7x.
4. Simplify further if possible: In this case, the expression 7x - 10 cannot be simplified any further.
Therefore, the simplified expression is 7x - 10.