CHAPTER 2

LINEAR EQUATIONS &

INEQUALITIES
2.1: SIMPLIFYING
EXPRESSIONS
Objectives:
Simplify expressions by combining similar
terms.
Simplify expressions by applying the
distributive
property & then combining similar terms.
Calculate the value of an expression for a
given
value of the variable.

Think & Share
If a cellular company charges 1,000 Baht per month
plus 7.50 Baht for each minute, or fraction of a
minute, that you use one of their cellular phones,
then the amount of your monthly bill is given by
the expression
1,000 + 7.50t

If you use the phone for 30 minutes in one month,
how much will you pay for the company?



1,000 + 7.50 (30) = 1,000 + 225 = 1,225
Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is a collection of real
numbers, variables, grouping symbols and
operation symbols.

Here are some examples of algebraic
expressions.




( ) 2 7 ,
7
5
3
1
, 4 , 7 5
2
+ x xy x x
Consider the example:
The terms of the expression are separated by addition.
There are 3 terms in this example and they are.


The coefficient of a variable term is the real number
factor. The first term has coefficient of 5. The second term
has an unwritten coefficient of 1.

The last term , -7, is called a constant since there is no
variable in the term.

7 5
2
+ x x
7 , , 5
2
x x
Similar or Like Terms
Definition: Two or more terms with the same
variable part are called similar (or like) terms.
Examples:
Examples
Like Terms
5x , -14x

-6.7xy , 02xy

The variable factors
are identical.
Unlike Terms
5x , 8y



The variable factors
are not identical.
2 2
8 , 3 xy y x
Simplifying/Combining Like
Terms
Recall the Distributive Property
a (b + c) = a(b) + a(c)

To see how like terms are combined use the
Commutative
Property and then the Distributive Property,
(b + c) a = b(a) +c(a)
5x + 7x = (5 + 7) x
= (12) x
= 12x
Example
All that work is not necessary every time. Simply
identify
the like terms and add their coefficients.

4x + 7y x + 5y = 4x x + 7y +5y
= 3x + 12y

Collecting Like Terms Example

3 13 16
terms. like Combine
3 13 3 4 12 4
terms. the Reorder
3 3 12 4 13 4
2
2 2
2 2
+ +
+ + +
+ + +
y x x
y x x x x
x x x y x
IFL
In simplifying algebraic expressions, we collect and
combine like terms. This is similar with collecting types of
friends in life.

Tell me who your friends are and I will tell
you who you are.

*Our choice of friends affect our destiny. Choose
friends who will be a strong influence for good.
Simplifying Expressions Containing
Parentheses
To simplify some expressions we may need to
use the Distributive Property, a (b + c) = ab +
ac.
Example 1:
5(x 2) 3(2x 7)
Distribute the 5 and the 3.
5(x) 5(2) 3(2x) 3(-7)
= 5x 10 6x + 21
Combine like terms.
= - x+11
More Examples
Example 2: 6(x + 2)
Distribute the 6.

6 (x + 2) = 6(x) + 6(2)
= 6x + 12


Example 3: -4(x 3)
Distribute the 4.

-4 (x 3) = -4(x) -4(-3)
= -4x +12
Examples with 1 and 1.
Example 4: (x 2)

= 1( x 2 )

= x(1) 2(1)

= x - 2

Notice multiplying by a 1 does
nothing to the expression in the
( )s.



Example 5: -(4x 3)

= -1(4x 3)

= -1 (4x) -1 (-3)

= -4x + 3

Notice that multiplying by a
1 changes the signs of each
term in the ( )s.
Simplifying Example

Distribute.
( ) ( ) 4 3 10 6
2
1
+ + x x
( ) ( )
12 3 5 3
4 3 3 ) 10 (
2
1
) 6 (
2
1
+ +
+
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
x x
x x
Combine like terms.
7 6 x
The Value of an Expression
Find the value (evaluate) the expression 2x 3xy
+4y
when x = 3 and y = -5.

To find the numerical value of the expression, simply replace
the variables in the expression with the appropriate number.
Remember to use the correct order of operations.
Substitute in the numbers.
2(3) 3(3)(-5) + 4(-5)
Use correct order of operations.
6 + 45 20
51 20
31
Example
Remember correct order of operations.
1 and 2 when 3 4 Evaluate
2 2
= = + y x y xy x
( ) ( )( ) ( )
2 2
1 3 1 2 4 2 +
Substitute in the numbers.

( )( ) ( ) 1 3 1 2 4 4 +
3 8 4 + +
15
Reminder: Common Mistakes
Incorrect

Correct







Problem Set 2.1(pp. 89-92)
Simplify the following
expressions.
7.) 3a 2a + 5a
17.) -4x + 8 -5x 10
23.) 7(3y+2) 8
31.) -9 4(2-y) + 1
37.) 8(2a+4) (6a-1)

= 6a
= -9x - 2
= 21y + 14 8 = 21y + 6
= -9 8 + 4y + 1 = 4y -16
= 16a + 32 6a + 1
=10a + 33

Problem Set 2.1(pp. 89-92)
Evaluate the following expression when x is -3 and y is
5.
61.) x
2
+ 6xy + 9y
2


63.) (x + 3y)
2

Find the value of 12x 3 if x is
69.) 3
2
= (-3)
2
+ 6(-3)(5) + 9(5)
2
= 9 90 + 225 = 144
= [-3 + 3 (5)]
2
= (12)
2
= 144


= 12 3 - 3 = 18 3 = 15
2

Problem Set 2.1(pp. 89-92)
73.) Fill in the table to find the sequences formed by substituting
the first four counting numbers into the expressions 3n and n
3
.
a.) n 1 2 3 4
3n __ __ __ __

b.) n 1 2 3 4
n
3
__ __ __ __



3 6 9 12
1 8 27 64



Problem Set 2.1 (pp.89-92)
Individual Practice: Homework
Multiples of 6
Questions Nos. 6, 12, 18108

*Applying the concepts (111-116)