What this covers
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions is taught in Year 7 (age 12 to 13) as a topic to introduce. It sits in the Algebra strand.
Worked example
Simplify 4x + 3y - x + 5y
- Group like terms: (4x - x) + (3y + 5y)
- Combine x terms: 4x - 1x = 3x
- Combine y terms: 3y + 5y = 8y
- Write expression: 3x + 8y
Answer: 3x + 8y
Difficulty scale
The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.
- Single variable with positive coefficients, e.g. 3a + 5a
- Two variables with positive coefficients, e.g. 3x + 4y + 2x
- Two variables including negative coefficients, e.g. 5a - 2b - 7a + 4b
- Expressions with powers, distinguishing between x and x^2 terms
- Expressions involving multiple variables and powers, e.g. 3x^2y - xy + 2x^2y
Common mistakes
- Combining unlike terms, such as writing 3x + 2y as 5xy
- Failing to associate the preceding sign with the term that follows it
Curriculum links
Indicative matches to Australian Curriculum v9. Check wording and codes against the official document.
- AC9M7A01 Create and simplify algebraic expressions by collecting like terms and multiplying or dividing terms.