Simplify (4x^2 + x) + (2x^2 - 3x)

Step by step

The question

Question: simplify (4x² + x) + (2x² − 3x).

Simplify means: write it shorter, with the same value.

1 Open the brackets

A bracket with a plus or nothing in front can just be removed.

Now we have 4x² + x + 2x² − 3x.

2 Group like terms

Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.

Like terms are the same kind: same letters, same powers.

All the x² terms go together.

Each colour is one kind.

We move like terms next to each other.

Each term takes its sign with it.

4x² + 2x² is 6x².

It is like 4 apples plus 2 apples: that is 6 apples.

x − 3x is −2x.

So the expression is 6x² − 2x.

3 Check

Let's check.

We pick a number for each letter: x = 2.

We put it into the start.

Now into our answer.

Both give 20.

Same value, so 6x² − 2x is right!

Let's look back.

First: open the brackets.

Then: group like terms.

Last: check.