Simplifying Basic Expressions

Tutorial Videos

Algebra Basics: What Is Algebra? – Math Antics

Algebra Basics: What Is Algebra? – Math Antics by mathantics

TRANSLATING WORDS INTO ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS!

TRANSLATING WORDS INTO ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS! by Mashup Math

How to write algebraic expressions from word problems | 6th grade | Khan Academy

How to write algebraic expressions from word problems by Khan Academy

Algebraic Notation

Corbett Maths Algebraic Notation

Activities & Resources

• Go Teach Maths treasure trove of activities & ppts
  • Definitions
  • Notation
• Miss Konstantine (MathsHKO)
  • Equivalent Expressions
• Andy Lutwyche
  • Algebra Codebreakers
• Math = Love (Sarah Carter)
  • Translating Algebra Around the Room
  • Translating Algebra Flyswatter Game
  • Translating Algebra Dry Erase Mat
  • Parts of an Expression Book
  • Translating Algebra Keywords Foldable
  • Expression/Equation/Inequality Foldable
  • Translating Algebra Organiser
  • Expression Writing Practice
  • Words into Symbols Colouring Notes
  • Parts of an Expression Foldables
  • Translating Expressions Foldable
• Don Steward
  • Three Operations, Expressions✦
  • Algebra Snakes and Branches
  • Six Legs✦
  • Simple Cuisenaire Relationships
  • Six Legs (Simpler)
  • Tapping
  • Both Ways
  • Translating English to Algebra, Relationships
  • Translating English to Algebra, Expressions✦
  • Why x?
  • Algebra = a Study of Variables
• Transum
  • Algebraic Notation
  • Writing Expressions
• Access Maths
  • Matching Expressions (Expression, Description & Visual)
  • Writing Expressions Fluency & Reasoning Sheet
• Jo Morgan
  • Introduction to writing algebraically✦
  • Algebraic order of operations✦
• MathsPad
  • Number tricks✦
• Standards Unit
  • Algebraic expressions✦
• SMILE
  • abc✦ (original by SMILE; copy hosted on Jo Morgan’s Drive)
  • Words won’t fail me✦ (original by SMILE; copy hosted on Jo Morgan’s Drive)
• Ticktock Maths
  • Writing Expressions lesson (slides)
• NCETM
  • NCETM Key Idea: Using a letter to represent unknown values/variables (PowerPoint)

• Maths 4 Everyone
  • Algebraic Shorthand Loop: Set 1 · Set 2

Worksheets

• Access Maths Worksheet
• Corbettmaths
  • Notation Practice Questions & Solutions
  • Notation Worksheet✦ & Solutions
• Maths 4 Everyone The 5 Words into Expressions worksheets are mainly forming equations, but may also be relevant.
  • Algebraic Shorthand: First Steps · Strengthen
  • Words into Expressions: First Steps · Strengthen
  • Words into Longer Expressions: First Steps · Strengthen · Extend
• CIMT MEP (online self-checking)
  • Basic Algebra
• Maths Genie
  • Writing an Expression: Booklet · Worksheet · Solutions · Lesson · Topic page
• Kuta Software
  • Variable and verbal expressions
• Physics & Maths Tutor
  • Notation and Vocabulary: Notes · Worksheet · Solutions
• Pret Homework (@RBeckett_Yd)
  • Introducing Algebra (@RBeckett_Yd, pptx)

Dr Frost Video

Extra Questions

• Dr Frost Questions

Key Skills

Note all numbers are subject to change and will be updated once all key skills have been finished by Dr Frost

• 190a: Distinguish between constants, variables, terms, expressions, equations and formulae.
• 190: Exam Practice: Algebraic terminology

Tutorial Videos

Simplifying Algebra

Courtesy of Maths Genie. Up to 3:21

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Hegartymaths

Multiplying Algebraic Terms – Corbettmaths

Corbettmaths Multiplying Algebraic Terms

Activities & Resources

• Bossmaths Lesson (Includes some comparisons between addition and multiplication)
• Go Teach Maths treasure trove of activities & ppts
• Access Maths Fill in the Multiplication Grid
• Go Teach Maths
  • Simplifying Expressions: Multiplying & Dividing
  • Simplifying Squared & Cubed Expressions
• Ticktock Maths
  • Multiplying Algebraic Terms lesson (slides)

Worksheets

• Access Maths Worksheet
• Corbettmaths
  • Multiplying Terms Practice Questions & Solutions
  • Multiplying Terms Worksheet✦ & Solutions
• Maths 4 Everyone
  • Positive Terms: First Steps · Strengthen · Extend
• Resourceaholic Algebra exercises from the 1950s
• Dr Austin Maths
  • Dividing Practice Strips (Word | PDF | Answers)
• Access Maths
  • Multiplying Algebra: True or False RAG Sheets | Fluency & Reasoning Sheet
• Starting Points Maths
  • Multiplication of Terms

Dr Frost Video

Multiplying Algebraic Terms

Whole Topic Video

Key Skill – Multiply Algebraic Terms

K148: Multiply Algebraic Terms.

Key Skill – Multiply algebraic terms with powers.

K149: Multiply Algebraic Terms With Powers.

Dr Frost Slides & Activities

Dr Frost Slides (1-4 & 10)

Exam Practice

• Exam Practice

Extra Questions

• Dr Frost Questions 1 (very big)
• Dr Frost Questions 2 (second half of above task only)

Key Skills

Note all numbers are subject to change and will be updated once all key skills have been finished by Dr Frost

• 191a: Multiply an algebraic term involving one variable by a positive integer.
• 191b: Multiply two or more algebraic terms with no coefficients, in one variable only.
• 191c: Multiply an algebraic term involving multiple variables by a positive integer.
• 191d: Multiply algebraic terms with positive coefficients, giving an answer with no powers.
• 191e: Multiply algebraic terms with positive coefficients, giving an answer with a maximum power of 2.
• 191f: Multiply algebraic terms with negative coefficients, giving an answer with a maximum power of 2.
• 194d: Multiply algebraic terms with powers.
• 191: Exam Practice: Multiplying single algebraic terms (no index laws)
• 194: Exam Practice: Algebraic index laws (basic)

Tutorial Videos

Collecting Like Terms – Corbettmaths

Corbettmaths Collecting Like Terms

Simplifying Algebra

Courtesy of Maths Genie. From 3:21

GCSE Maths – How to Simplify Expressions by Collecting Like Terms #28

Cognito

Collecting Like Terms (1)

Hegartymaths

Online Platforms (with Videos & Exercises)

• Maths Made Easy
• Maths with Mum (basics)
• Khan Academy
  • Collecting like terms: Videos & practice

Activities & Resources

• Bossmaths lesson (Move on to Indices after a few slides)
• Go Teach Maths treasure trove of activities & ppts
• interactive-maths.com
  • Random Question generator (One at a time)
  • 10 Quick Questions
  • Bingo
• Andy Lutwyche
  • Algebraic Spiders
  • Codebreaker
  • Clumsy Clive
  • Codebreakers
  • Pyramid Puzzles – 1
  • Spiders
  • Codebreakers (2)
  • Expressions 1, 2
• Miss Konstantine (MathsHKO)
  • Simplifying Expressions (Zero Pairs)
• Math = Love (Sarah Carter)
  • Combining Like Terms Practice
  • Like Terms Frayer Model
  • Two Truths and a Lie Activity
  • Combining Like Terms Maze
  • Like Terms Cut & Paste
• Don Steward
  • Simplifications Involving 'm' for a Million
  • Radiating Expressions (3)
  • Radiating Expressions (2)
  • Radiating Expressions (1)
  • V-Problems
  • Expressions Arithmagons
  • Grid Moves
  • Plank Magic Squares
  • Expression Pyramids with 'p'
  • More Expressions Magic Squares
  • L-shaped Perimeters✦
  • Fireworks
  • Plank Algebra
  • Lengthy Expressions
  • Expressions Pyramid
  • Expression Sums
• PhET Interactive Simulations
  • PhET Expression Exchange Interactive Simulation (embedded below)
• Transum
  • Collecting Like Terms
• Access Maths
  • Hulk Smash Brick Wall Problems: Brick Wall Problems | Answers
  • Collecting Like Terms: True or False RAG Sheets | Fluency & Reasoning Sheet
• Interactive Maths
  • Collecting Like Terms: Count Down | Relay
• Goal Free Problems
  • Foundation Algebra set Q3 (original questions)
• thewessens.net Classroom Apps
  • Introduction to Algebra Tiles (build expressions with zero pairs and like terms)
• MathsPad
  • Interactive simplifying activities✦
• MEI
  • Algebraic Expressions Maze✦ (original by MEI; copy hosted on Jo Morgan’s Drive)
• dooranran
  • Six-a-side maths (simplifying algebra)✦
• Ticktock Maths
  • Collecting like terms lesson (slides)

• Teachingmaths_ collection of worksheets and matching activities (TES Account Required)
• Don Steward Pyramids ✦(Median)
• variationtheory.com lesson
• Access Maths Magic Square collecting like terms

Worksheets

• Dr Austin Maths
  • Practice Strips (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Odd One Out (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Adding and Subtracting Practice Strips (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • True or False (Word | PDF✦ | Answers✦)
  • Crack the Code (Word | PDF | Answers)
• Corbett Maths
  • Collecting Like Terms Practice Questions & Solutions – some, but minimal indices
  • Collecting Like Terms Worksheet ✦(Part 1 Only) & Solutions
• interactive-maths.com generate you own worksheet (bottom of page)
• Maths 4 Everyone
  • Single Variable: First Steps · Strengthen
  • Multiple Variables: First Steps · Strengthen
  • Single Variable Collecting Like Terms Codebreaker Stage 2
  • Single Variable Collecting Like Terms Codebreaker Stage 3
• Resourceaholic Algebra exercises from the 1950s
• CIMT MEP (online self-checking)
  • Simplifying Expressions
• Maths Genie
  • Simplifying Algebra: Booklet · Worksheet · Solutions · Lesson · Topic page
• Kuta Software
  • Simplifying variable expressions
  • Adding and subtracting polynomials
• Physics & Maths Tutor
  • Collecting Like Terms: Notes · Worksheet · Solutions
• MME
  • Collecting Like Terms (exam style): Questions | Answers
• @taylorda01
  • Simplifying expressions questions✦ (answers✦)
• Starting Points Maths
  • Collecting Like Terms: Representations · PDF
• Mr Morley Maths
  • Collecting Like Terms: Notes jotter/worksheet · How-to sheet · Exam questions · Mark scheme
• Pret Homework (@sazzlemaths)
  • Simplifying Expressions (@sazzlemaths, pptx)

Dr Frost Video

Collecting Like Terms

Whole Topic Video (Up to 6:03)

Key Skill – Add and Subtract Algebraic Terms Containing the Same Variable.

K141: Add and Subtract Algebraic Terms Containing the Same Variable.

Key Skill – Collect like terms which are positive and without powers.

K142: Collect Like Terms Which are Positive and Without Powers.

Key Skill – Collect Like Terms Without Powers

K143: Collect Like Terms Without Powers.

Dr Frost Slides & Activities

Dr Frost Slides (Slide 6, Addition Pyramid also a nice activity)

Exam Practice

• Exam Practice

Extra Questions

• Dr Frost Questions

Key Skills

Note all numbers are subject to change and will be updated once all key skills have been finished by Dr Frost

• 193a: Add algebraic terms containing the same variable.
• 193b: Add and subtract algebraic terms containing the same variable.
• 193c: Collect like terms involving multiple variables, which are positive and without powers.
• 193d: Collect like terms involving multiple variables and without powers.
• 193: Exam Practice: Collecting like terms

Worksheets

• variationtheory.com Worksheet✦

Tutorial Videos

Combining like terms, but more complicated | Introduction to algebra | Algebra I | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Collecting Like Terms (2)

Hegartymaths

Online Platforms (with Videos & Exercises)

• Maths Made Easy
• Khan Academy
  • Adding & subtracting polynomials: Videos & practice

Activities

• Go Teach Maths
  • Snap (3 Levels) ppt, Small PDF or Standard PDF
• @sgiekAHS Like Terms Search
• Math = Love (Sarah Carter)
  • Adding & Subtracting Polynomials organiser
  • Adding & Subtracting Polynomials Notes
  • Adding & Subtracting Polynomials Activity

Worksheets

• Dr Austin Maths
  • Practice Strips (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Odd One Out (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Involving Brackets and Powers Fill in the Blanks (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Powers Match-Up (Word | PDF | Answers)
• Corbettmaths
  • Collecting Like Terms Practice Questions & Solutions – Minimal Indices
  • Collecting Like Terms Worksheet ✦& Solutions
• Maths 4 Everyone
  • Combined Variables: First Steps · Strengthen

Dr Frost Video

Collecting Like Terms

Whole Topic Video (From 6:03)

Collecting Like Terms

K144: Collect Like Terms With Powers.

Dr Frost Slides & Activities

• Dr Frost Slides (7-8, 7 good in particular for equivalence, Addition Pyramid also a nice activity)

Exam Practice

Extra Questions

• Dr Frost Questions

Key Skills

Note all numbers are subject to change and will be updated once all key skills have been finished by Dr Frost

• 193e: Collect like terms with powers.
• 193f: Collect like terms with powers and combinations of two variables within each term.
• 193: Exam Practice: Collecting like terms

Further Practice

• Practise Questions

Worksheets

• variationtheory.com Worksheet✦

Tutorial Videos

GCSE Maths – How to Simplify Algebraic Expressions (2026/27 exams)

GCSE Maths – How to Simplify Algebraic Expressions by Cognito

Collecting Like Terms – Simplifying (Higher & Foundation) | GCSE Maths Tutor

Collecting Like Terms – Simplifying (Higher & Foundation) by The GCSE Maths Tutor

82 Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions

82 Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions by TheMathsTutorAU

Multiplying Algebraic Terms – Corbettmaths

Corbett Maths Multiplying Terms

Online Platforms (with Videos & Exercises)

Activities & Resources

• Go Teach Maths
  • Notation Penalty Shootout
  • Multiplying and Adding Snap 3 Level Standard PDF or Small PDF
  • Simplifying Expressions: Mixed Arithmetic
• mrsmorgan1 True or False (TES Account Required)
• Pixi Maths
  • Simplifying and Substituting ppt
  • Simplifying Pair Activity

Worksheets

• Dr Austin Maths
  • Multiplying Fill in the Blanks (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Division Fill in the Blanks (Word | PDF | Answers✦)
• Corbettmaths
  • Multiplying Terms Practice Questions & Solutions
  • Multiplying Terms Worksheet✦ & Solutions
• WW Mixed Addition & Multiplication Worksheet Word Doc or PDF

Extra Questions

• Dr Frost Questions

Key Skills

No Key Skills Yet

Acute Learning Problem Pairs

• Collecting Like Terms as PowerPoint or PDF

Worksheets

• Dr Austin Maths
  • Decode the Joke (Word | PDF | Answers)
  • Practice Grid (Word | PDF | Answers)
• Maths 4 Everyone
  • Algebraic Expressions KS2 SATS Questions and Solutions
• Andy Lutwyche
  • Non-Examples – Formulae – Reasoning Tasks
• MathedUp
  • Simplifying & Substitution: Worksheet · Practice · Quiz · Question Gallery
• Mathsaurus (Kevin Olding)
  • Easy algebra 1 (exam questions)
  • Easy algebra 2 (exam questions)
• Physics & Maths Tutor
  • Simplifying Expressions: Notes · Worksheet · Solutions

Activities

• NRICH (student problems)
  • Linear & Quadratic Expressions (Age 11-14): Problems
  • Linear & Quadratic Expressions (Age 11-14): Short Problems
  • Linear & Quadratic Expressions (Age 14-16): Problems
  • Linear & Quadratic Expressions (Age 14-16): Short Problems
• Don Steward
  • Both Ways Extensions
  • Transformational Spiders
  • Going Places
  • Steps
  • Sum and Product
  • Equivalence✦
  • Algebraic Simplification
  • Loop
  • Same and Transformed Expressions
  • Odd One Out
  • Transforming Expressions✦
  • Transforming Expressions, Snakes (and Worms)
• Transum
  • Algebra Pairs
• Go Teach Maths
  • Simplifying Expressions
• thewessens.net Classroom Apps
  • Algebra Squares (2048-style game combining like terms and multiplying with indices)
• Phlynn
  • Algebra True or False Cards✦
• SMILE
  • Algebra match✦ (original by SMILE; copy hosted on Jo Morgan’s Drive)

External

• NCETM
  • NCETM Checkpoints: Expressions and equations (diagnostic tasks)
• Durham Maths Mysteries (Shirley Fall, Durham County Council)
  • Algebra Mystery · expression cards · blank grid (card-sort mystery;