Beginning Algebra Tutorial 11


Beginning Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems
Tutorial 11: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions


WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > Beginning Algebra > Tutorial 11: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 1a

problem 1a

Are there any like terms that we can combine? 

It looks like it.  All three terms have the same variable part, c
 

ad1a

*Combine the coefficients of the like terms

 
(return to problem 1a)

 


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 2a

problem 2a
 

Let's first apply the distributive property (found in Tutorial 8: Properties of Real Numbers), then regroup and combine like terms:

 
ad2a

*Dist. 2 to EVERY term of the ( )
 
 

*Combine like terms
 
 

(return to problem 2a)

 


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 2b

problem 2b
 

Regrouping and combining like terms we get:

 
ad2b
*Combine like terms
 

 
(return to problem 2b)

 


 

checkAnswer/Discussion to 3a

The sum of 9 times a number and 5, subtracted from 4 times a number.
 

x is representing the unknown number.  The sum of 9 times a number and 5 can be written as 9x + 5.  From there we need to subtract that from 4x.

Writing this as an algebraic expression we get:
 

ad3a

 
Using the distributive property (found in Tutorial 8: Properties of Real Numbers) and then combining like terms we get:

 
ad3a

*Dist. the - to EVERY term of the ( )
*Combine like terms

 
(return to problem 3a)

 

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WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab >Beginning Algebra >Tutorial 11: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions


Last revised on July 26, 2011 by Kim Seward.
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