Bell Work – November 3, 20101. Simplify:

9 + 13 – 5 + 3

2. What is the y-intercept of the line represented by y = ½ x + 4?

3. Divide:

½ ÷ ¾

11-1 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Terms in an expression are separated by plus or minus signs.

Like terms can be grouped together because they have the same variable raised to the same exponents.

Constants are like terms that do not have a variable. For example: 4.5, 11, and 3 are all like terms because none of them have a variable!

To simplify an expression, perform all possible operations, including combining like terms.

*Like terms have the same variable, but typically have different coefficients!

Combining Like Terms to Simplify

1. 7x + 2x

2. 3x – 4 + 2x

3. 6x + 3 – 4x – 1

4. 5m2 – 2m + 8 – 3m2 + 6

Combining Like Terms in Two-Variable Expressions

1. k + 3n2 – 2n2 + 4k

2. 3f – 9g2 + 15

3. 4m3 + 9n – 2

4. 5t2 + 7p – 3p – 2t2

Practice

• pg. 590 # 1 - 6

Using the Distributive Property to Simplify

Use the distributive property to simplify:3 (x – 2)

Simplify:6(y + 8) – 5y

6(5 + n) – 2n

Combining Like Terms to Solve Algebraic Equations

Solve 9x – x = 64.

1. First combine like terms.2. Solve the equation for x

Solve x + 3x = 48.