This deep dive covers Method: Collecting Like Terms within Simplifying Expressions for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Simplifying Expressions in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 11 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 3 of 19 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Method: Collecting Like Terms
Look for: x terms, x² terms, y terms, constants, etc.
Collect all x terms, then all y terms, then constants
3x + 5x = 8x (just add 3 + 5, keep the x)
Highest power first, then alphabetically: x² terms, x terms, y terms, constants
Practice questions for Simplifying Expressions
Which two terms are like terms?
Explain why 3x + 2x² cannot be simplified to 5x³.