WILLOW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

GRADE 7B NOTES MATHEMATICS

TOPIC:

 Expressions and equations.

9.1: Collecting like terms

Lets look at the two coloured shapes below

𝑥 𝑦

When you join together three of the black shape, the total length you get is 3𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥

= 3𝑥

When you join together 5 of the yellow shapes, the total length you get is 5𝑦.

𝑦 + 𝑦 + 𝑦 + 𝑦 + 𝑦 + 𝑦
= 5𝑦

When you join together four of the black shapes and 2 of the yellow shapes, the total length yo
get would be 4𝑥 + 2𝑦

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑦
= = 4𝑥 + 2𝑦

We can only add or subtract like terms.(terms that have the same letters).

Terms that have different letters cannot be combined.

Each expressions can be simplified by collecting ike terms,meaning you rewrite the expression in as
short a form way as possible.
Examples

Simplify each expression

a) 4𝑥 + 5𝑥
b) 9𝑦 − 3𝑦
c) 3𝑝 + 4𝑞 + 5𝑝 − 𝑞
d) 6𝑡 + 8 − 4𝑡 + 4

Solutions

a) 4𝑥 + 5𝑥
=9𝑥
This is because 4x and 5x are like terms, so we add them togeher to get 9x.

b) 9𝑦 − 3𝑦
=6𝑦
This is because 9y and 3y are like terms, so we subtract them to get 6y

c) 3𝑝 + 4𝑞 + 5𝑝 − 𝑞
=8𝑝 + 3𝑞
3p+5p=8p and 4q – q = 3q, we see that 8p and 3q are not like terms so we cannot simplify
any further, we leave the answer the way it is.

d) 6𝑡 + 8 − 4𝑡 + 4
=2𝑡 + 12

6t – 4t = 2t and 8 + 4 = 12, but 2t and 12 are not like terms so you cannot simplify any
further.

9.2 Expanding brackets

In maths, some algebraic terms may include brackets.

To expand the terms with the brackets, you will need to multiply each term inside the
brackets by the term outside the brackets. Expanding a term with brackets may also be
called expanding the brackets or multiplying out the brackets.

4(𝑛 + 3) means 4 x (𝑛 + 3), but the expression is usually written without the
multiplication sign.
 Examples
Expand the brackets
a) 3(𝑎 + 5)
b) 4(𝑦 − 3)
c) 2(3𝑐 + 𝑛)

Solutions
a) 3(𝑎 + 5)
=3×𝑎+3×5
= 3𝑎 + 15
Study the solution properly and see what has been done.

b) 4(𝑦 − 3)
=4×𝑦−4×3
=4𝑦 − 12

c) 2(3𝑐 + 𝑛)
= 2 × 3𝑐 + 2 × 𝑛
= 6𝑐 + 2𝑛
Please note that 2 × 3𝑐 is the same as 2 × 3 × 𝑐 which is 6c

9.3 Constructing and solving equations

To solve an algebraic equation here means that we need to find the value of the unknown letter.
For example let’s look at the equation:
𝑎 + 4 = 10
If you take away 4 from both sidies of the equation:
𝑥 + 4 − 4 = 10 − 4, then you have found the solution of the equation
𝑥=6

Example
a) Solve these equations and check your answer
i. 𝑐 − 4 = 15
ii. 2𝑥 + 4 = 16

b) Alayna thinks of a number, she divides it by 2, then adds 3 and her answer is 7.
i. Write an equation for Alayna’s unknown number.
ii. Solve the equation to find the value of Alayna’s number.
 Solutions

a)
i. C – 4 = 15
C = 15 + 4
C = 19
Check : 19 – 4 = 15
ii. 2𝑥 + 4 = 16
2𝑥 = 16 − 4
2𝑥 = 12
12
𝑥=
2
𝑥=6

b)
𝑛
i. +3 = 7
2

𝑛
ii. =7−3
2

𝑛
=4
2
𝑛 =4×2
𝑛=8