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

\( 3x+4x+7+2=\text{?} \)

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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