Simplifying Expressions：简化的表达式.ppt

Simplifying Expressions By: Karen Overman Objective This presentation is designed to give a brief review of simplifying algebraic expressions and evaluating algebraic expressions. Algebraic Expressions An algebraic expression is a collection of real numbers, variables, grouping symbols and operation symbols. Here are some examples of algebraic expressions. Consider the example: The terms of the expression are separated by addition. There are 3 terms in this example and they are . The coefficient of a variable term is the real number factor. The first term has coefficient of 5. The second term has an unwritten coefficient of 1. The last term , -7, is called a constant since there is no variable in the term. Let’s begin with a review of two important skills for simplifying expression, using the Distributive Property and combining like terms. Then we will use both skills in the same simplifying problem. Distributive Property Examples Example 2: -4(x – 3) Distribute the –4. -4 (x – 3) = x(-4) –3(-4) = -4x + 12 Practice Problem Examples with 1 and –1. Example 3: (x – 2) = 1( x – 2 ) = x(1) – 2(1) = x - 2 Notice multiplying by a 1 does nothing to the expression in the ( )’s. Example 4: -(4x – 3) = -1(4x – 3) = 4x(-1) – 3(-1) = -4x + 3 Notice that multiplying by a –1 changes the signs of each term in the ( )’s. Like Terms Like terms are terms with the same variables raised to the same power. Hint: The idea is that the variable part of the terms must be identical for them to be like terms. Examples Like Terms 5x , -14x -6.7xy , 02xy The variable factors are identical. Unlike Terms 5x , 8y The variable factors are not identical. Combining Like Terms Recall the Distributive Property a (b + c) = b(a) +c(a) To see how like terms are combined use the Distributive Property in reverse. 5x + 7x = x (5 + 7) = x (12)