Foundation and Higher · simplifying

Simplifying:
collect the
like terms.

the sign belongs to
the term after it

terms you can add together —

Like terms

the same letters

with the same powers

step 1 of 4

Collect like terms

1. Letters together, numbers together.

2. Each term keeps the sign in front of it.

✓ 5x + 4 cannot go any further

3x + 5 + 2x − 1

3x + 2x = 5x

+ 5 − 1 = + 4

= 5x + 4

step 2 of 4

Watch the signs

1. The sign in front stays with its term.

2. 4 − 6 is negative, so −2a.

✓ 2b − 2a is just as good

4a − 3b − 6a + 5b

4a − 6a = −2a

−3b + 5b = + 2b

= −2a + 2b

step 3 of 4

Powers are different

1. x² and x are not like terms.

2. x on its own means 1x.

✓ Never add x² to x

x² + 3x + 2x² − x

x² + 2x² = 3x²

3x − x = 2x

= 3x² + 2x

step 4 of 4

Multiplying terms

1. Numbers first, then the letters.

2. x × x = x², not 2x.

✓ No × signs in the final answer

3a × 4b = 12ab

2x × 5x = 10x²

12y ÷ 4 = 3y

simplifying —

Like terms

same letter, same power

Signs

stay with the term after them

x × x

is x², never 2x

Brackets? Expand first,
then collect.

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