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Manipulating and simplifying expressions

Example Key Words

Expression

A mathematical expression uses letters to represent numbers. It does not contain an equals sign

Variable

An unknown quantity, usually shown by a letter. Variables can take different values

Term (of an expression)

Each of the ‘bits’ in an expression, separated by plus or minus signs is called a term

Expand

Multiply out brackets to remove them from an expression

Factorise

Rewrite an expressions by putting it in brackets with a factor on the outside

Simplify

Make something simpler by dividing by common factors or collecting like terms