Simplifying expressions

Collecting terms Multiplying terms Dividing terms Multiply out brackets

Remember Remember BODMAS says
•Y × X = YX •You can divide powers of the •
­3x same number by subtracting the
Object 18

•P × P = P 2 You can also do the sum like this

powers, so •
•–4 × 5 = –20 Object 19

Remember that a 'term' has a

Object 14

•–7 × –9 = +63 So, look at the lines...

sign, a number and a letter. The • The rules are the
sign stays 'glued' onto the number So Object 15 Object 20

and letter so you can move them same as for multiplying

around... ­3x × 2y = –6xy
Try to follow these examples (and
The steps remember your directed numbers)
E.G. 1. So is the
The steps
Object 1

same as 1.Sort out the signs

1.Sort out the signs
Object 2

because I just moved the -3x. This 2.Cancel the numbers

2.Multiply the numbers 1.
works out to be Object 21

3.Multiply the letters

Object 3

3.Work out the powers of the 2. Object 22

E.G. 2. Sometimes you have to letters

Some examples 3.
think about the directed numbers,
Object 23

A few examples
so is the same 4. Object 24

1.
Object 4

as Object 5
Object 8

1. Xs cancelled
2. Object 16

Object 9

A minus sign outside the bracket

E.G. 3. Powers must be treated 3. 2. simply switches all the signs in
as different symbols, so in the Object 10

4. the bracket.
expression ,
Object 13

Object 11
Object 6

2
you treat p as different to p, 3. If there are two brackets, just
5.
giving
Object 12

Object 17

1.Multiply out the first

Make sure you know how the
Your turn, try cancelling the 2.Multiply out the second
examples work, and then try the
Object 7

algebraic fractions on the practice

Try the ones on the practice sheet ones on the practice sheet before 3.Collect the terms!
sheet...
now before moving on... moving on...
Your turn...

KPB 2009