Adding and subtracting algebraic expressions
LEARNING INTENTION
To review how to collect like terms and simplify algebraic expressions
SUCCESS CRITERIA
1. Identify like terms: Recognise terms in an algebraic expression that have the same
variables and exponents.
2. Combine like terms: Successfully combine or add like terms together in an
expression to simplify it.
KEY IDEAS
• Like terms contain exactly the same pronumerals with the same powers;
the pronumerals do not need to be in the same order, e.g. 4 ab and 7ba are
like terms.
• Like terms can be combined when they are added or subtracted to
simplify an expression, e.g. 3xy + 5xy =______.
• A subtraction sign stays in front of a term even when it is moved.
EXAMPLES
1. Simplify each of these.
(a) 3a + 9a
(b) 14v − 5v
(c) 4 y − y
(d) 6a 2 + 4a 2
(e) 18cd − 6cd
(f) 5m − m
LEARNING INTENTION
To review how to collect like terms and simplify algebraic expressions
SUCCESS CRITERIA
1. Identify like terms: Recognise terms in an algebraic expression that have the same
variables and exponents.
2. Combine like terms: Successfully combine or add like terms together in an
expression to simplify it.
KEY IDEAS
• Like terms contain exactly the same pronumerals with the same powers;
the pronumerals do not need to be in the same order, e.g. 4 ab and 7ba are
like terms.
• Like terms can be combined when they are added or subtracted to
simplify an expression, e.g. 3xy + 5xy =______.
• A subtraction sign stays in front of a term even when it is moved.
EXAMPLES
1. Simplify each of these.
(a) 3a + 9a
(b) 14v − 5v
(c) 4 y − y
(d) 6a 2 + 4a 2
(e) 18cd − 6cd
(f) 5m − m
