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As this example shows, when like terms exist in an expression, they may be combined by adding or subtracting (whatever the expression indicates) the coefficients, and maintaining the common factor of both terms. Such combination is called combining like terms or collecting like terms, and it is an important tool used for solving equations.
Terms that are either constants or have the same variables raised to the same powers are called like terms. If there are like terms in an expression, one can simplify the expression by combining the like terms. One adds the coefficients and keeps the same variable. + + =
By the commutative law, the middle two terms cancel: = leaving (+) = The resulting identity is one of the most commonly used in mathematics. Among many uses, it gives a simple proof of the AM–GM inequality in two variables. The proof holds in any commutative ring.
Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one that is simpler (usually shorter), according to a well-founded ordering. Examples include: Simplification of algebraic expressions, in computer algebra; Simplification of boolean expressions i.e. logic optimization
Expansion of a polynomial expression can be obtained by repeatedly replacing subexpressions that multiply two other subexpressions, at least one of which is an addition, by the equivalent sum of products, continuing until the expression becomes a sum of (repeated) products. During the expansion, simplifications such as grouping of like terms or ...
These identities are useful whenever expressions involving trigonometric functions need to be simplified. An important application is the integration of non-trigonometric functions: a common technique involves first using the substitution rule with a trigonometric function, and then simplifying the resulting integral with a trigonometric identity.
John Wallis built upon this work by considering expressions of the form y = (1 − x 2) m where m is a fraction. He found that (written in modern terms) the successive coefficients c k of (− x 2 ) k are to be found by multiplying the preceding coefficient by m − ( k − 1) / k (as in the case of integer exponents), thereby ...
An algebraic equation is an equation involving polynomials, for which algebraic expressions may be solutions. If you restrict your set of constants to be numbers, any algebraic expression can be called an arithmetic expression. However, algebraic expressions can be used on more abstract objects such as in Abstract algebra.