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This topic simplifies algebraic expressions by collecting like terms and using the laws of indices to combine terms. It's examined right across GCSE and iGCSE Maths. Work through it free on eClassroom, with clear worked examples and instantly-marked questions that build your confidence for the exam.
How you do it
Collect like terms — terms with exactly the same letters raised to the same powers. Keep the sign in front of each term with it as you move things around. Unlike terms cannot be combined, so 3a and 3a squared stay separate.
Before you start
Everything here rests on algebraic notation and index laws. It carries straight through to expanding, factorising and solving. It appears at Foundation and Higher tier.
What you learn
To simplify an expression we tidy it up without changing its value. We collect like terms by adding their coefficients, and we multiply terms by multiplying the numbers and the letters separately. Like terms have the same letters, so they can be combined by adding or subtracting their coefficients. To multiply terms, multiply the numbers together and the letters together. Tidy each term, then collect the like terms that remain. The course works through collecting like terms, multiplying terms and mixed expressions. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Simplifying Expressions is part of the Algebra strand of our free GCSE maths courses, studied in Foundation tier. There are 3 teaching sections and 2 fully worked examples, plus 3 sets of check questions. Students often pair it with Simultaneous Equations, Substitution and Algebraic Fractions. Endless extra practice on this strand is available on the Algebra revision engine, which generates a fresh question each time.
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