GCSE Maths (Edexcel)

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Simplifying Basic Expressions

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Algebra Notation, Vocabulary and Manipulation

Simplifying Basic Expressions

5:36 Simple Algebraic Manipulation
Spec A4
Previous Multiplying & Dividing Terms Next Expanding Single Brackets
  • Expressions can be simplified using the rules of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing terms.
  • The goal is to have the least number of terms possible in the simplified expression.
  • The order of operations is important when simplifying expressions.
  • In an example of 7x plus 5x all over 4, the first step is to perform the addition in the numerator.
  • The expression is simplified by canceling common factors in the numerator and denominator.
  • Any number divided by 1 is itself, so the final simplified form is 3x.
  • When simplifying expressions with brackets, evaluate the part inside the brackets first.
  • In an example of 6t minus minus 4 times minus 2t plus 5 plus 2a, multiply two negatives to get a positive.
  • Rewrite the expression with the evaluated brackets and then perform the addition and subtraction from left to right.
  • Neaten up the expression by rewriting it in alphabetical order and with the number last.
  • In an example of 7x squared minus 2x plus 4x squared plus the square root of x squared, evaluate the square root first.
  • Rewrite the expression with the evaluated square root and group like terms.
  • Add the terms in x squared and x separately to get the fully simplified form.

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