Simplify the Expression: a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c Step by Step

Combining Like Terms with Mixed Variables

a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c=? a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Simplify the expression
00:04 Mark the variables
00:10 Use the commutative law and arrange equal variables together
00:25 Collect like terms
00:40 Factor out the common term from parentheses
00:49 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c=? a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify and group like terms.
  • Step 2: Combine the coefficients for each type of term.

Let's begin the simplification process:

First, we identify and group the like terms in the expression a+b+bc+9a+10b+3c a + b + bc + 9a + 10b + 3c .

Notice: - The terms involving a a are a a and 9a 9a . - The terms involving b b are b b and 10b 10b . - The terms involving c c are 3c 3c , and the multiplication term with c c is bc bc .

Step 2: Combine the like terms:

a+9a=10a a + 9a = 10a

b+10b=11b b + 10b = 11b

The term bc bc can be rearranged with 3c 3c as (b+3)c(b+3)c.

Thus, after combining the terms, we have:

10a+11b+(b+3)c 10a + 11b + (b + 3)c .

Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is:

10a+11b+(b+3)c 10a + 11b + (b + 3)c

3

Final Answer

10a+11b+(b+3)c 10a+11b+(b+3)c

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Like Terms: Variables and coefficients must match exactly to combine
  • Grouping: Collect terms like a+9a=10a and b+10b=11b separately
  • Check: Count each variable type: 2 a-terms, 2 b-terms, 2 c-terms ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Combining unlike terms such as variables with coefficients
    Don't add bc + 3c = 4bc or combine different variables like a + b = ab! This creates entirely wrong expressions because variables represent different unknown values. Always combine only terms with identical variable parts.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Are the expressions the same or not?

\( 20x \)

\( 2\times10x \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I combine bc with 3c to get 4c?

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bc means 'b times c' while 3c means '3 times c'. These are different because one has variable b in it! You can only factor: bc + 3c = c(b + 3).

How do I know which terms are 'like terms'?

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Like terms must have identical variable parts. For example: 5a and 9a are like terms, but 5a and 5b are not. The coefficients can be different, but the variables must match exactly.

What's the difference between 10a + 11b + 4c and the correct answer?

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The term bc is not the same as c! You cannot write bc + 3c = 4c. Instead, factor out c: bc + 3c = (b + 3)c, which gives the correct form.

Can I rearrange the terms in any order?

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Yes! Addition is commutative, so you can write the terms in any order you prefer. Many people like to put them in alphabetical order: 10a + 11b + (b + 3)c.

How do I check if my simplified expression is correct?

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Substitute simple values like a=1, b=1, c=1 into both the original expression and your simplified version. If they give the same result, you're correct!

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