Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Flashcards

💡Keep the sign with the term.

💡Include its sign.

💡Coefficients may differ.

💡Only identical variable parts combine.

💡Exponent is part of the variable part.

💡Do not add exponents.

💡Every internal term receives the factor.

💡Think \(-1\) times the grouping.

💡Move each term with its sign.

💡Parentheses move.

💡Scan for grouping and matching variable parts.

💡Combine signed coefficients.

💡Negative times negative is positive.

💡Treat coefficients as ordinary fractions.

💡A minus affects the whole expression.

💡Distribution is multiplication over a sum.

💡Use \(0,1,-1\) first.

💡Do not force a variable into the answer.

💡Do not combine through parentheses first.

💡Letters can be coefficients too.