Show WorkingWorked example 1: collect like terms
Simplify 3a − 2a − 3b − 4a.
- Collect the a terms: 3 − 2 − 4 = −3, so −3a.
- Collect the b terms: −3 = −3, so −3b.
- Put the answer together: −3a − 3b.
Answer −3a − 3b
AlgebraFoundation and Higher
Simplifying expressions: GCSE maths practice with worked answers
Show Working has 1 kind of simplifying expressions question for GCSE Maths, for Foundation and Higher. Every question is new each time and comes with the working, step by step.
Simplifying an expression means collecting like terms: adding and subtracting the terms that have the same letter, and the number terms on their own.
Coming soon to the App Store01 / What's covered1 kind of question
Simplifying expressions questions in the app
Each kind makes fresh questions every time, so you can practise as often as you like.
- Collect like termsBoth tiers
Worked example 2: collect like terms
Simplify 9 − 8x − 9x − 8 − 6x.
- Add the plain numbers: 9 − 8 = 1.
- Collect the x terms: −8 − 9 − 6 = −23, so −23x.
- Put the answer together: −23x + 1.
Answer −23x + 1
A common mistake
Losing the sign in front of a term. The sign belongs to the term after it, so in 9 − 8x − 9x the two x terms are −8x and −9x.
02 / Practise itiPhone and iPad
Practise simplifying expressions in Show Working
In the app, open Topics and choose Simplifying expressions for ten fresh questions. Ask for a hint if you are stuck, and open the working to see the method one step at a time.
Coming soon to the App Store