Simplify

Simplify: to make simpler!

One of the big jobs we do in Algebra is "simplification". You will often get asked to express something "in simplest form".

What is the Simplest Form?

In general, it is simpler if it is easier to use.

And:

And:

That last example might be controversial ... some people say that you should remove parentheses to make it "simpler", but (x-3)(x+1) is usually a lot easier to use.

The moral of the story:

How to Simplify

Simplifying uses much the same skills as solving equations, that page has some good advice.

But here is a small list of tips:

• Combine Like Terms
• Factoring
• Expanding (the opposite of factoring) can also sometimes help
• Clear out fractions by multiplying
• Recognizing a pattern you have seen before, like the difference of squares

And Which Is Simpler Here?

Here is one more interesting case:

This:				seems simple enough
But this:				has a rationalized denominator (normally considered simpler)

Which is simpler? You decide!