Algebra

Simplifying
Expressions
 Learning Objective
To simplify expressions by collecting like terms

Success Criteria
• To identify like terms in simple expressions.
• To simplify expressions containing more than one variable.
• To present a solution in its simplest terms.
 Why Do I Need Algebra?
Algebra has many uses. It is applied in the development of computer
software and video games, as well as in the construction of buildings.
 Starting to Use Algebra

We want to find out the total cost of these shoes.

Each pair is the same price.

We could use the letter f to represent the cost of 1 pair.

How many pairs have we got?

We have 3 pairs, so the total cost is 3f.

f + f + f = 3f
 The Rules
Henry buys 4 apples. He then buys another 3 apples.
How much do they cost altogether?

Letters are used to represent variables; for this problem, we are going
to let the letter a stand for the cost of an apple.

The cost of 4 apples (a + a + a + a) is 4a, and 3 apples (a + a + a) is 3a.

Since Henry buys only apples, we only need the variable a.

This is called collecting like terms, and allows us to use a simple

calculation to find the solution:

4a + 3a = 7a
Key Terms
variable – a number with an as-yet unknown value.
like terms – terms that have the same variables raised to the same power.
 Your Turn
a. a + a + a a. a + a + a = 3a

b. b + b b. b + b = 2b

c. 2a + 5a c. 2a + 5a = 7a

d. 6b + b d. 6b + b = 7b

e. 2b – b e. 2b – b = b

f. 3b – 5b f. 3b – 5b = -2b

g. 3a + 2a – a g. 3a + 2a – a = 4a

Tip: If we only have 1 of something, we simply write the letter: b instead

of 1b.
We can subtract terms as well as add them.
 The Rules
I want to work out the total cost of a number of apples and bananas.

Let’s begin by assigning a variable to each fruit. We’ll use a for the
cost of an apple and b for the cost of a bunch of bananas.

We now need to count up what we have: 5 apples and 3 bunches of

bananas:
(a + a + a + a + a) + (b + b + b).

Collecting like terms gives us 5a and 3b.

So the total cost of the apples and bananas is 5a + 3b.

Remember: we do not know how much each apple or banana costs, so

we can only collect the like terms to form an expression for the total
cost.

Equally, since a and b are different variables, we cannot simply add

 Your Turn
a. x + x + x + y + y + y a. x + x + x + y + y + y = 3x + 3y

b. 4p – p – p – p – p + 2p b. 4p – p – p – p – p + 2p = 2p

c. 9x + 2y + 5z – 5x + 3z – 3y c. 9x + 2y + 5z – 5x + 3z – 3y = 4x –
y + 8z
 Expression Games
Cut out the Matching Cards.

You should have 16 cards.

Each card matches with another card. You should have a

pair: one card is its partner expressed in its simplest
form.

Collect the like terms to find the 8 pairs.

 Answers
Cut out the Matching Cards.
a+a+a+a = 4a

b + 2a + 3b – a = a + 4b

2a + 5b – 3a + 6b = 11b – a

7a + 5a – 3b – b = 12a – 4b

a + 7b + 5c – 5b + 3a = 4a + 2b + 5c

-4a – 2b – 3a – 6b = -7a – 8b

2a – 3b + 5b + b = 2a + 3b

5a + 4b – 2b + 3a – 5b + 2a = 10a – 3b

Remember: the function in front of the variable is important.

If we are subtracting the variable, we treat it as a negative number.
 Memory Pairs
Shuffle one set of cards and place them face down on the table. You
only need one set of cards between you.

With your partner, decide who will go first.

Player One turns over 2 cards.

If they match, they claim that pair of cards.

If they do not match, turn them back face down.

Player Two now has their turn.

Keep going until all the cards are claimed.

The winner is the person with the most pairs of cards.

 2D Perimeters
Give a fully simplified expression for the perimeter of each of the
shapes.
a b f c.
4y
. . 10p
s s
2y 2y 4f 4f
10p
4y
f
d e f.
3m 3b
. . 5g 5g
n n 2c 2c
7m 3h
3b
g h i. 3x – y
. t t . 4x
2y x x
z
4s 4s z y y
2y
3s 4x 3x – y
 Answers
a. 12y

b. 10f

c. 20p + 2s

d. 10m + 2n

e. 6b + 4c

f. 10g + 3h

g. 11s + 2t

h. 8x + 4y + 2z

i. 8x
 An Introduction to Types of Angles
Angles can be seen everywhere!

An angle is the space between two straight lines that start at the same
point. If you stand on one spot and turn to face in another direction, you
have turned through an angle.

Angles measure between 0° and 360°. ° is the symbol we use for degrees.

50°
 Right Angles

A right angle is the angle you turn through when you

make a quarter turn.

A right angle is found at the corner of a square or 90°

rectangle. It measures 90°.

We see right angles everywhere - for example on doors,

on books and windows. Look out for right angles around you!

Right angles are sometimes marked by a small square tucked

into the right angle.

There are 4 right angles or 4 quarter turns in a full turn - that’s 360°.
 Right Angles

Which of these are right angles?

a
× d
√

e ×
b √

c
× f
√
 Acute Angles

An acute angle is less than 90°. It is smaller than a right angle.

Which of these angles is acute?

a
√ d
√

e ×
b ×

c
√
f
×
 Obtuse Angles

An obtuse angle is more than 90° but less than 180°. It is greater
than a right angle.

Which of these angles is obtuse?

a
√ d ×

b
√ e ×

c
× f √
 Straight Angles and Reflex Angles

A straight angle is when the arms of the angle lie in a straight line.
It measures 180°.

A straight angle is the angle you turn when you make a half turn.

A reflex angle is bigger than a straight angle. It measures more than 180°
but less than 360°.
 Complementary Angles

Complementary angles add together to form

20°
a right angle or 90°.
70°

If you know one complementary angle in a right angle you can subtract
it from 90° to find the other.

Find the complementary angles.

30° 25°
?
45°
60°
? ?45° 65°
 Supplementary Angles
Supplementary angles add together to form a straight line or 180°.

70° 110°

If you know one supplementary angle on a straight line you can subtract
it from 180° to find the other.

Find the supplementary angles.

?
95° 4?0° 140°
30°
? 150° 85°
 Measuring Angles

We can use a protractor to measure angles.

First, put the centre of the protractor on the vertex of the angle you
are measuring.

Next, line up one side of the angle with the zero line of the protractor
(the line with the number 0).

The other side of the angle will cross the number scale on the protractor
showing the degrees or the measurement of the angle.
 Drawing Angles

We can use a protractor to draw angles too.

First, using a ruler, draw a straight line.

Next, place the centre of the protractor at one end of the line. This point
will become the vertex or corner of the angle you are making. Make sure
the line you have drawn lines up with the base line of the protractor
(the line marked 0°).

If you want to draw an angle of 70° look for 70° on the protractor. There
are two number scales on the protractor - on the inside and on the outside.
Make sure you are using the correct scale! Mark a dot or line at 70° at the
edge of the protractor.

It’s important to check your angle once you

have drawn it. Make sure you measure it with
your protractor again.