AlgebraStudy Notes

Worked Example 1: Basic Simplification

Part of Simplifying Expressions · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision

This study notes covers Worked Example 1: Basic Simplification 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 4 of 19 in this topic. Use this study notes to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 4 of 19

Practice

11 questions

Recall

5 flashcards

Worked Example 1: Basic Simplification

Simplify: 5x + 3 + 2x − 7

Step 1 Identify term types

x terms: 5x and 2x

Constants: +3 and −7

Step 2 Collect like terms

x terms: 5x + 2x = 7x

Constants: 3 − 7 = −4

Final Answer

7x − 4

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Simplifying Expressions. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Method: Collecting Like Terms Worked Example 2: Multiple Variables What Does "Simplify" Mean?What Are "Like Terms"?

Practice Questions for Simplifying Expressions

Which two terms are like terms?

A. 3x and 3y
B. 2x² and 5x
C. 4ab and 7ba
D. 6 and 6x

1 markfoundation

Explain why 3x + 2x² cannot be simplified to 5x³.

2 markshigher

Quick Recall Flashcards

Substitution

Replace each letter with its given value, then calculate

Like Terms

Terms with same letter and power: 2x and 5x are like terms

11 questions on Simplifying Expressions — practise free

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Method: Collecting Like Terms

Worked Example 2: Multiple Variables