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Collecting Like Terms

PROCEDURAL
Mathematics›Algebra|Ages 11—12|ID: mt_nNNVrLqPW3

Simplify algebraic expressions by collecting like terms — combine terms with the same variable and power (e.g., 3a + 2b + 5a = 8a + 2b) while maintaining equivalence

Mastery Evidence

  • Identify like terms in an algebraic expression
  • Combine like terms involving positive and negative coefficients
  • Simplify expressions involving multiple variables and constant terms

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] sees an expression like "5a + 3b + 2a," can they simplify it by collecting the like terms to get "7a + 3b"?”

Curriculum Standards3 alignments

6.EE.3Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Apply Properties of Operations

Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For example, apply the distributive property to the expression 3 (2 + x) to produce the equivalent expression 6 + 3x; apply the distributive property to the expression 24x + 18y to produce the equivalent expression 6 (4x + 3y); apply properties of operations to y + y + y to produce the equivalent expression 3y.

EE
6.EE.4Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Identify Equivalent Expressions

Identify when two expressions are equivalent (i.e., when the two expressions name the same number regardless of which value is substituted into them). For example, the expressions y + y + y and 3y are equivalent because they name the same number regardless of which number y stands for.

EE
KS3.Maths.Alg.4aThe national curriculum in England
Simplify Expressions: Collecting Like Terms

simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions to maintain equivalence by: collecting like terms

Mathematics · Key Stage 3

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