brackets in algebra

Like terms can be added together –this is called collecting like terms and you can simplify expressions by collecting like terms.

Example 1 Collect like terms to simplify each expression.

a)     5a+4c+3a-2c=8a+2c (We combine the terms in a, and the terms in c).

b)     6ab+5y-2ab-2y+7z=4ab+3y+7z (We combine the terms in ab, and the terms in y but we can’t combine terms in z).

  Brackets in algebra 

      You can multiply out a bracket in algebra. You must multiply each term inside the bracket by the term outside the bracket.

 Example 2 Multiply out: