5 Algebraic Expressions and Simplification Free Online FlashCards

What is a variable?

A variable is a letter that represents a number, such as $x$ or $n$.

What distinguishes an algebraic expression from an equation?

An algebraic expression combines numbers, variables, and operation symbols; it has no equals sign.

What is the coefficient of $x$ in $4x$?

In $4x$, the coefficient of $x$ is $4$.

What is the constant in $4x+7$?

In $4x+7$, the constant is $7$.

What is a term in an algebraic expression?

A term is a number, a variable, or a product of numbers and variables.

What makes two terms like terms?

Like terms have the same variables raised to the same powers; their coefficients may differ.

Why are $x$ and $x^2$ unlike terms?

They are unlike terms because the variable powers differ: $x=x^1$, while the other term has power $2$.

How do you simplify $5x-2x$?

Add the coefficients and keep the variable part: $5x-2x=3x$.

Can constant terms be like terms?

Yes. Constants are like terms with other constants, so they can be combined.

What does the distributive property do?

Multiply the factor by every term inside the parentheses: $a(b+c)=ab+ac$.

Simplify $-2(3x-5)$.

$-2(3x-5)=-6x+10$. The negative factor multiplies both terms, and $(-2)(-5)=10$.

Factor $6x+12$ using the distributive property in reverse.

Factor out the common factor: $6x+12=6(x+2)$.