1. MTH 091 Sections 3.1 and 9.2 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

2. Simplifying an Algebraic Expression An algebraic expression consists of 1.variables with “counting number” exponents 2.coefficients 3.constants 4.arithmetic operations and grouping symbols An expression will not have an equal sign. To simplify an algebraic expression: 1.Apply the distributive property to remove parentheses. 2.Combine like terms.

3. The Distributive Property Multiply the number outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses. Be careful of your signs. If your parentheses has a subtraction sign outside of it, write in an understood “1”, then multiply -1 by each term inside the parentheses (this is sometimes called distributing the negative). Do not solve: it’s not an equation.

4. Combining Like Terms For like variables, add the coefficients together. For constant terms, add them together. Do not solve: it’s not an equation.

5. All Together Now 1.Apply the distributive property. 2.Combine like terms. 3.Do not solve: it’s not an equation.

6. Examples

7. More Examples

8. Still More Examples