This introduction covers What Does "Simplify" Mean? within Simplifying Expressions for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Simplifying Expressions in Algebra for GCSE Mathematics with 11 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 1 of 18 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 1 of 18
Practice
11 questions
Recall
5 flashcards
What Does "Simplify" Mean?
Imagine your pencil case has 3 red pens and 2 blue pens, then someone gives you 4 more red pens and takes 1 blue pen. You wouldn't say "I have 3 red + 2 blue + 4 red − 1 blue" - you'd say "7 red and 1 blue"! Simplifying is just combining things that are the same type. In algebra, "3x + 2y + 4x − y" becomes "7x + y".
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