Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: Year 8 maths

What this covers

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions is taught in Year 8 (age 13 to 14) as a main teaching focus. It sits in the Algebra strand.

Worked example

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

1. Single variable with positive coefficients, e.g. 3a + 5a
2. Two variables with positive coefficients, e.g. 3x + 4y + 2x
3. Two variables including negative coefficients, e.g. 5a - 2b - 7a + 4b
4. Expressions with powers, distinguishing between x and x^2 terms
5. 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.

• AC9M8A01 Expand algebraic expressions using the distributive law and collect like terms.