Combining Like Terms for Kids: Simplify Algebraic Expressions (Grade 7 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are simplifying expressions by combining like terms. It is like sorting a messy drawer, putting matching things together so the expression is shorter and easier to use.

Like terms have exactly the same variable part. Three x and five x are like terms. Three x and three y are not, because the letters are different. Plain numbers, called constants, are like terms with each other.

To combine like terms, add the numbers in front, called coefficients, and keep the variable the same. Three apples plus five apples is eight apples. So three x plus five x is eight x.

Let's simplify four x plus seven plus two x plus three. Group the x terms: four x plus two x is six x. Group the constants: seven plus three is ten. The simplified expression is six x plus ten.

Watch the signs. Each sign belongs to the term right after it. In five a plus eight minus two a minus three, five a minus two a is three a, and eight minus three is five. The answer is three a plus five.

Sometimes we use the distributive property first. Two times the quantity x plus four, plus three x. Two times x is two x, and two times four is eight. Then two x plus three x is five x. The answer is five x plus eight.

Now it's your turn. Simplify six n plus two minus four n plus five. Pause and try. Six n minus four n is two n, and two plus five is seven. The answer is two n plus seven.

Great job! Remember, like terms have the same variable part, combine them by adding coefficients, keep each sign with its term, and distribute first when you see brackets. Practice combining like terms in Middle School Math at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!