Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: 5/2x + 3/2x
In algebra, simplifying expressions is an essential skill to master. It involves combining like terms to create a simplified form of an expression. In this article, we will explore how to simplify the expression 5/2x + 3/2x.
What are Like Terms?
Before we dive into simplifying the expression, let's first understand what like terms are. Like terms are terms that have the same variable (x, in this case) and coefficient (the number multiplied by the variable). In other words, like terms have the same form, but may have different coefficients.
Simplifying 5/2x + 3/2x
Now, let's simplify the expression 5/2x + 3/2x.
Step 1: Identify Like Terms
The expression 5/2x + 3/2x has two terms: 5/2x and 3/2x. Both terms have the same variable x and the same coefficient (2). Therefore, they are like terms.
Step 2: Combine Like Terms
To simplify the expression, we can combine the like terms by adding their coefficients:
5/2x + 3/2x = (5 + 3)/2x = 8/2x = 4x
And that's it! We have simplified the expression 5/2x + 3/2x to 4x.
Conclusion
Simplifying algebraic expressions is a crucial skill in algebra. By identifying like terms and combining them, we can simplify complex expressions to their simplest forms. In this article, we learned how to simplify the expression 5/2x + 3/2x to 4x. Practice simplifying different expressions to become proficient in algebra!
