Addition & Subtraction

Simplifying an Algebraic Expression:

Addition & Subtraction Simplifying an Algebraic Expression

Slide 2:

When you simplify an algebraic expression it means to make the expression smaller and simpler , by performing the prescribed operation on all like terms .

To simplify an algebraic expression, you must::

To simplify an algebraic expression, you must: See if the expression has like terms and group them together Perform the prescribed operation. i.e. either add or subtract like terms

Like terms have the same letter (or symbol or variable):

For example, in the expression 5a + 7b + 13a the terms that have the same letter/symbol are 5a & 13a. Like terms have the same letter (or symbol or variable)

So grouping them together, gives::

5a + 13a + 7b So grouping them together, gives: 5a + 13a Similarly, for 12 mn – 9ab + 28nm the letters mn & nm are the same, just in different order. 12 mn + 28mn – 9ab 12 mn + 28mn

Adding or Subtracting like terms:

To explain the concept of adding & subtracting like terms in algebra, let’s take a scenario involving soccer. Adding or Subtracting like terms

Slide 8:

Let’s take the teams AC Milan and Barcelona, where we can use the flag icons (symbol) to represent each team, or we can keep it simple and use the letters m (for Milan) and b (for Barcelona). At the start of the game, there are 11 m (Milan) players as well as 11 b (Barcelona) players on the field.

Slide 9:

Should a b player get red carded, then he is off the field, and then there would be 11 m but 11 b – 1 b = 10 b players . Since Barcelona got the red card, the player can only be taken out of this team, not out of Milan’s. Now, say it’s after 72 nd min & b is down by 1 goal and after continuous fouls from both sides (& with Gattuso’s hot head) both team gets a player sent off…HOW MANY PLAYERS WOULD EACH TEAM HAVE? 11 m + 11 b on the field

Slide 10:

So there are currently 10 b + 11 m on the field Both side gets red carded, which means 1 player is subtracted from both teams. ie. (10 b – 1 b) + (11 m – 1 m) = 9 b + 10 m (ans) ≠ 19 bm , since there is no such team as Barcilan or Millona Did you guess 10 m + 9 b? Let’s take a look.

Slide 11:

Did you understand how to subtract like terms?