Combining like terms with negative coefficients & distribution

Combining like terms with negative coefficients & distribution
Description
Exercise Name:	Combining like terms with negative coefficients & distribution
Math Courses:	Algebra I Course Mastery
Types of Problems:	3

The Combining like terms with negative coefficients & distribution exercise falls under the Algebra I Course Mastery section. The objective of this exercise is that the distributive property can be used with variables too.

Types of problems

Simplify the following expression

There are three types of problems in this exercise:

1. Simplify the following expression - This kind of problem has an expression and the user is required to simplify it using the distributive property.

Strategies

1. Suppose one has ${a(b+c)}$, they must multiply the ${\text{a(the term outside)}}$ by the two terms inside, getting ${ab+ac}$.

Real-life Applications

1. Combining like terms is one of the most fundamental simplifications procedures. Virtually all equations employ some kind of collecting like terms.
2. Combining like terms can be viewed as a justification for getting common denominators to add a (although circular). The different denominators are different "terms."
3. Knowledge of algebra is essential for higher math levels like trigonometry and calculus. Algebra also has countless applications in the real world.