1. Combining Like Terms and the Distributive Property Objectives: Students will be able to explain the difference between algebraic equations and expressions. Students will be able to combine like terms. Students will be able to use the distributive property.

2. Variable: A letter that represents a number or a set of numbers. Algebraic expression: one or more algebraic terms in a phrase that may include variables, constants, and operating symbols (+, -, x, and ÷). An expression does NOT have an equal sign, so you CANNOT SOLVE an expression. You can evaluate an expression if you are given the variable(s) values or you may be able to simplify an expression. Examples: Algebraic Equation: Includes variables, operations, and an equal sign. Important Vocabulary

3. Combining Like Terms Term: Part of the expression or equation separated by + and - Variable: Letter that represents a number, or a set of numbers. Coefficient: A number in front of a variable. Tells us what to multiply the variable by. Constant: A term with no variables (number by itself).

4. Like terms: terms in an expression that have the same variables raised to the same power.

5. Combining like terms allows us to simplify an expression. To combine like terms ADD or SUBTRACT (look at the signs) the COEFFICIENTS. The variables and their exponents will remain the same. Examples:

6. Try:

7. The Distributive Property

9. Example 1: Rewrite each expression using the distributive property. Then evaluate.

10. Example 2: Rewrite each product using the distributive property. Then simplify. a)b) d) c)

11. Try : 1) 2)3) 4)5) Write each expression in simplest form.

12. Example 3: a) b)

13. Try: 5) 6) 7)