Algebra 1 · Expressions

Simplifying Expressions

Combining like terms and using the distributive property.

Score: 0 / 10

1. Simplify: 3x + 5x

2. Simplify: 7y − 2y

3. Simplify: 4(x + 3)

4. Simplify: 2x + 3 + 5x − 1

5. Simplify: 6a − 2a + 3

6. Simplify: 3(2x − 4)

7. Simplify: 5x² + 3x²

8. Simplify: −2(x − 5)

9. Simplify: 4x + 2y − x + 3y

10. Simplify: 9x − (3x + 2)

Answer key — Simplifying Expressions

  1. A — 8x. Add the coefficients of like terms: 3x + 5x = 8x.
  2. B — 5y. Subtract the coefficients: 7y − 2y = 5y.
  3. B — 4x+12. Distribute the 4: 4 × x + 4 × 3 = 4x + 12.
  4. A — 7x+2. Combine like terms: (2x + 5x) + (3 − 1) = 7x + 2.
  5. A — 4a+3. Combine like terms: 6a − 2a = 4a, plus the constant 3.
  6. B — 6x−12. Distribute the 3: 3 × 2x − 3 × 4 = 6x − 12.
  7. B — 8x². Add the coefficients of like terms: 5x² + 3x² = 8x².
  8. B — −2x+10. Distribute the −2: −2 × x − (−2) × 5 = −2x + 10.
  9. A — 3x+5y. Combine like terms: (4x − x) + (2y + 3y) = 3x + 5y.
  10. A — 6x−2. Distribute the minus sign: 9x − 3x − 2 = 6x − 2.

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