Simplifying Expressions

7th Grade•78 minutes•CC 7.EE.1

Learning Objective

I can simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms and using the distributive property.

When simplifying algebraic expressions with parentheses, always use the distributive property to remove the parentheses before combining like terms.

When distributing a number to an expression in parentheses, multiply the number by each term inside the parentheses, paying attention to signs.

When writing simplified expressions, list variable terms first, in order from greatest to least exponents, then list constant terms last.

This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. Simplify the expression: 5 + 3(x + 2).

2. Combine like terms to simplify: 7y - 3y + 2.

3. Use the distributive property to expand: -2(a - 4).

...and 9 more questions

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Parentheses: A Beginner’s Guide | Algebra | Math with Mr. J

Math with Mr. J