How do you simplify an algebraic expression?

Answer 1

Ex. 5x-2y+3z-2x-y+4z

Alright so this is how i do it:

I circle all the ones that have the x as variables and are like terms. (you don't have to do this, but i find it helps and makes it go faster)

So i would have circled 5x and -2x because the sign in front of the term is with the term.

Then i would have added together the two terms and that would end up being 3x because 5x plus -2x is 3x. and i write 3x down below.

then i would have gone to the next thing in the problem which would be the y's.

-2y and -y. when added together it is -3y. so i write -3y below with 3x so it should be 3x-3y.

Then i go to the z's. 3z and 4z. 3z+4z is 7z. so i write that below. so far it should be: 3x-3y+7z because 7z is positive.

And that is your final answer because you can't simplify any more because they are not like terms.