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Da VIP Academy / GED / Math / Algebra & Functions

Expressions & Evaluating

Write, simplify, and evaluate algebraic expressions.

Practice this skillAll Math skills

How it works

Order of operations

Parentheses, then exponents, then multiply/divide left to right, then add/subtract. For 3x² − 2x at x = 4: 3(16) − 8 = 40.

Combine like terms

Distribute first, then add matching terms: 4(2x − 3) + 5x = 8x − 12 + 5x = 13x − 12.

Worked examples

  1. Simplify 4(2x − 3) + 5x.

    1. Distribute: 8x − 12.
    2. Add 5x: 13x − 12.

Words to know

Like terms
Terms with the same variable and exponent.

Test-day tips

  • • Substitute with parentheses so negatives stay correct.
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