Simplify Complicated Expressions

In previous activities, we have collected like terms to simplify an expression.

 

For example:

 

We moved onto mixed ones:

 

We even introduced brackets:

 

In this activity, we are going to form an expression before collecting the like terms.

A typical question would look like this!

 

Example

Write an expression to represent the perimeter of the triangle.

 

 

 

 

Answer

Well, first of all, we need to know how to find the perimeter of a triangle. Do you know?

Yes, it is all the way around the shape!

 

If the sides were numbers, we would just add them all together to give an answer.

We do the same here!

 

Perimeter:

 

This is an expression for the perimeter, but we collect the like terms to simplify it. 

 

 

2a + 2a + a = 5a

4 - 3 + 5 = 6 (Be careful with the negatives, the sign in front of the term belongs to it)

 

The finished answer is:

 

Let's try some questions!