Subject Code M1 Elementary Algebra

Module Code 3.0 Algebraic Expressions

Lesson Code 3.2.1 Simplifying and Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
Time Limit 30 Minutes

TARGET

After completing this module, you are expected to:

simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms.

2 minutes [Actual Time Allotment: _____ minutes]

HOOK

In the previous lesson, you have learned about similar and dissimilar terms. This concept is
essential in simplifying algebraic expressions by combining similar terms. Moreover, you
have also learned that a variable in an algebraic expression is a placeholder for unknown
quantities. Knowing this will help you understand how to evaluate algebraic expressions.

Concept Review

Terms in an algebraic expression are similar if the following conditions are

satisfied.

1. The terms should have the same variables.

2. The exponents of the variables of the terms under consideration are
the same.

28 minutes [Actual Time Allotment: _____ minutes]

IGNITE

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

An algebraic expression is said to be simplified if there are no more terms that involve grouping
symbols and if there are no more terms that are similar. So, in order to simplify an algebraic expression,
the following steps may be taken.

1. Perform first the operation/s on the terms that involve grouping symbols. If there are no terms
involving grouping symbols, you may proceed to the next step.

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 2. Combine the terms that are similar through addition or subtraction.

When adding or subtracting similar terms, we only add or subtract the numerical coefficients of the
terms, then copy the variable/s (including the exponents) common to the terms.

EXAMPLES

Simplify the algebraic expressions.

1. 2𝑥 + 4𝑥

= (2 + 4)𝑥 [Add the numerical coefficients of the similar terms.]

= 6𝑥 [Simplify.]

2. 5𝑎 + 8𝑎2 − 3𝑎 + 7𝑎 2

= (5 − 3)𝑎 + (8 + 7)𝑎2 [Add the numerical coefficients of the similar terms.]

= 2𝑎 + 15𝑎2 or 15𝑎 2 + 2𝑎 [Simplify.]

3. 2(𝑐 2 − 6𝑐) + 5(3𝑐 + 1)

= 2(𝑐 2 ) + 2(−6𝑐) + 5(3𝑐) + 5(1) [Apply distributive property.]

= 2𝑐 2 − 12𝑐 + 15𝑐 + 5 [Simplify.]
2 ( )
= 2𝑐 + −12 + 15 𝑐 + 5 [Add the numerical coefficients of the similar terms.]
= 2𝑐 2 + 3𝑐 + 5 [Simplify.]

4. 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 8𝑥𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 2

= (3 + 4)𝑥 2 𝑦 + (8 − 1)𝑥𝑦 2 [Add the numerical coefficients of the similar terms.]

= 7𝑥 2 𝑦 + 7𝑥𝑦 2 [Simplify.]

5. 10𝑥 3 − 14𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 [Dissimilar terms cannot be combined.]

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PRACTICE EXERCISE

Simplify the algebraic expressions. Write your answers on the space provided after each item.

1. 23𝑥 + 48𝑥 Answer: ______________________

2. −67𝑠 2 + 39𝑠 2 Answer: ______________________
3. 36𝑎𝑏 + 27𝑎𝑏 Answer: ______________________
2 2
4. 13𝑥𝑦 + 18𝑥𝑦 Answer: ______________________
5. 4(2𝑥 + 5) + 3(𝑥 − 7) Answer: ______________________
6. 2(4𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 ) − 7𝑦 2 Answer: ______________________
7. 5(𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 2 ) + 3(𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 2 ) Answer: ______________________
8. 7(𝑟 − 𝑟 2 ) + 8(𝑟 − 𝑟 2 ) Answer: ______________________
1 1
9. (18𝑎 + 12𝑏) − (21𝑎 − 42𝑏) Answer: ______________________
2 3
1 2
10. (24𝑚 2 𝑛 − 8𝑚𝑛2 ) + (9𝑚 2 𝑛 + 15𝑚𝑛2 ) Answer: ______________________
4 3

REFERENCES

Albarico, JM. (2013). THINK Framework. (Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.)
Science LINKS. Rex Bookstore, Inc.)

Coronel, A. C., Marasigan, J. A., & Manalastas Jr., P.R. (1998). Mathematics I: An integrated
approach, second edition. Philippines: Bookmark, Inc.

Fair, J. & Bragg, S. (1993). Algebra 1. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Larson, R., Boswell, L., Kanold, T. D., & Stiff, L. (1999). Passport to algebra and geometry.
Illinois: McDougal Littell, Inc.

Prepared by: JIMVILEO P. QUESADA Reviewed by: MARIA GENILE C. CABALLERO

Position: SST II Position: SST IV
Campus: PSHS-CARC Campus: PSHS-CMC

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SOLUTIONS and ANSWERS TO PRACTICE EXERCISE

1. 𝟐𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙 2. −𝟔𝟕𝒔𝟐 + 𝟑𝟗𝒔𝟐 3. 𝟑𝟔𝒂𝒃 + 𝟐𝟕𝒂𝒃

= (23 + 48)𝑥 = (−67 + 39)𝑠 2 = (36 + 27)𝑎𝑏

= 71𝑥 = −28𝑠 2 = 63𝑎𝑏

4. 𝟏𝟑𝒙𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟖𝒙𝒚𝟐 5. 𝟒(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓) + 𝟑(𝒙 − 𝟕) 6. 𝟐(𝟒𝒚𝟑 + 𝒚𝟐 ) − 𝟕𝒚𝟐

= (13 + 18)𝑥𝑦 2 = 8𝑥 + 20 + 3𝑥 − 21 = 8𝑦 3 + 2𝑦 2 − 7𝑦 2
= 31𝑥𝑦 2 = (8 + 3)𝑥 + (20 − 21) = 8𝑦 3 + (2 − 7)𝑦 2
= 11𝑥 − 1 = 8𝑦 3 − 5𝑦 2

7. 𝟓(𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝒙𝒚𝟐 ) + 𝟑(𝒙𝟐𝒚𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙𝒚𝟐 )

= 5𝑥 2 𝑦 + 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 12𝑥𝑦 2
= 5𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + (5 − 12)𝑥𝑦 2
= 5𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 7𝑥𝑦 2

8. 𝟕(𝒓 − 𝒓𝟐 ) + 𝟖(𝒓 − 𝒓𝟐 ) 1 1
9. (𝟏𝟖𝒂 + 𝟏𝟐𝒃) − (21𝑎 − 42𝑏)
2 3
2 2
= 7𝑟 − 7𝑟 + 8𝑟 − 8𝑟
= (7 + 8)𝑟 + (−7 − 8)𝑟 2 = 9𝑎 + 6𝑏 − 7𝑎 + 14𝑏
= 15𝑟 − 15𝑟 2 = (9 − 7)𝑎 + (6 + 14)𝑏
= 2𝑎 + 20𝑏

𝟏 𝟐
10. (𝟐𝟒𝒎𝟐 𝒏 − 𝟖𝒎𝒏𝟐) + (𝟗𝒎𝟐 𝒏 + 𝟏𝟓𝒎𝒏𝟐 )
𝟒 𝟑

= 6𝑚 2 𝑛 − 2𝑚𝑛2 + 6𝑚 2 𝑛 + 10𝑚𝑛2
= (6 + 6)𝑚 2 𝑛 + (−2 + 10)𝑚𝑛2
= 12𝑚 2 𝑛 + 8𝑚𝑛2

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