Simplifying Expressions/Combining Like Terms

One of the most important Algebra skills is the ability to simplify expressions.  Whether you’re solving equations, evaluating expressions, or learning how to factor, simplifying helps make your life…simpler.  Once you have mastered the art of simplifying expressions, you can reduce huge algebraic expressions to something that’s much easier to work with.

One crucial idea to remember when simplifying, is that you can always combine terms that have the same variable and the same degree,or power.  Whenever you see algebraic terms that have the same variable, like an ‘x’, and the same power, you can combine them into one term.

In the problem sets below, you’ll also have the opportunity to get better at working with exponents.  By showing all of your work, you should have a much better understanding of where are exponent rules are derived from.  By the time you complete these free math worksheets, you’ll be an expert at making your Algebra homework just a little bit simpler.

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 1–Here is a ten problem worksheet featuring like terms.  Students will be asked to simplify each algebra expression by combining all of the like terms.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 1 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 1 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 1 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 2–Here is another ten problem worksheet featuring like terms.  Students will be asked to simplify each algebra expression by combining all of the like terms.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 2 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 2 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 2 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 3–In this 12 problem worksheet, you get to work with variables, exponents and multiplication at the same time, as you construct a rule for multiplying variables with exponents.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 3 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 3 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 3 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 4–In this 12 problem worksheet, you get to work with variables, exponents and multiplication at the same time, as you construct a rule for multiplying variables with exponents.  I threw a few decimals into this set, but nothing to be afraid of.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 4 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 4 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 4 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 5–In this 9 problem worksheet, you get to work with variables, exponents and division at the same time, as you construct a rule for dividing variables with exponents.  Just follow the examples and you’ll do fine.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 5 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 5 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 5 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 6-In this 9 problem worksheet, you get to work with variables, exponents and division at the same time, as you construct a rule for dividing variables with exponents.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 6 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 6 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 6 in Your Browser
View Answers

Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 7–Here is another ten problem worksheet featuring featuring the distributive property.  You will use the distributive property to simplify expressions that contain variables and exponents.  For a few of the problems, you’ll have to combine like terms to truly simplify the expression.
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 7 RTF
Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 7 PDF
Preview Simplifying Expressions Worksheet 7 in Your Browser
View Answers

Leave a comment

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By Using This Website You Agree to the Terms of Use.