SSAT Middle Level Math : How to add variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : How To Add Variables

Combine like terms and simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step is to multiply the expressions in the parantheses:

 

therefore : 

Then place the like variables next to each other:

And simply add the like terms and you have solved the problem:

 

Example Question #42 : How To Add Variables

Reduce the following solution, 

.

Possible Answers:

The expression is already reduced.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding variables, you may only add like variables.  

So you add  and  to get  then just leave  and  separate.

Example Question #1328 : Hspt Mathematics

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Begin by distributing the  to its entire group:

Next, group the like terms:

Finally, combine the like terms:

Example Question #43 : How To Add Variables

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite putting like terms together.  There are only two terms with  and two terms with  There is only one term with  

Evaluate each set of terms in the parentheses.

There is no other term to group  with.

Rewrite in simplest form.

 is the correct answer.

Example Question #61 : Operations

Simplify this mathematical expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite the expression

so that like terms are next to each other.

Evaluate the terms in the parentheses.

The constant is 20.

Rewrite in simplest form.

  is the correct answer.

 

Example Question #62 : Operations

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, 

  combine like terms.

In this expression, the only terms that can be combined are the ones that have  as the variable.

Rewrite in simplest form.

Example Question #63 : Operations

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite  by putting like terms together.

Because the Commutative Property of Multiplication states that (y times z) is equal to (z times y), then  and are the same.

Evaluate what is inside the parentheses and rewrite in simplest form.

  is the correct answer.

Example Question #64 : Operations

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to simplify , first rewrite by putting like terms together.

Then, evaluate the terms in each parentheses.

When you subtract a negative number, you are adding the inverse. Therefore,

There is nothing to combine the term with. The term  is the constant.

Rewrite in simplest form.

 is the correct answer.

Example Question #65 : Operations

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Distribute the  to each term within the parentheses.

Rewrite.

Then, rewrite the expression putting all like terms together.

Evaluate the terms in the parentheses.

The constant is 18.

Rewrite in simplest form.

Example Question #44 : How To Add Variables

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When solving this problem we need to remember our order of operations, or PEMDAS. 

PEMDAS stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction. When you have a problem with several different operations, you need to solve the problem in this order and you work from left to right for multiplication/division and addition/subtraction.

Parentheses: We are not able to add a variable  to a number, so we move to the next step. 

Multiplication: We can distribute (or multiply) the 

Addition/Subtraction: Remember, we can't add a variable  to a number, so the  is left alone.

Now we have 

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