Simplification in Mathematics

Simplification is the process of reducing an expression to its simplest form by performing various operations such as combining like terms, factoring, and reducing fractions.

Combining Like Terms: Involves adding or subtracting terms that have the same variables and exponents.
Factoring: Involves expressing an expression as a product of its factors.
Reducing Fractions: Involves simplifying fractions by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Here are some examples of simplification:

Example 1: Simplify the expression 3x + 2x - 5

Solution: Combining like terms, we get 5x - 5

Example 2: Simplify the expression 2x² + 4x - 6x²

Solution: Combining like terms, we get -4x² + 4x

Example 3: Simplify the fraction 12/18

Solution: Reducing the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, we get 2/3

Now, it's time to practice some problems to reinforce your understanding of simplification. Try simplifying the following expressions:

Simplification involves reducing an expression to its simplest form.
Operations involved in simplification include combining like terms, factoring, and reducing fractions.
Practice is key to mastering the skill of simplification in mathematics.