Practice Simplification in Math

Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.

Quick Recap

The process of replacing a complex expression or model with a simpler equivalent that preserves the essential features.

The art of knowing what to throw away. Good simplification keeps the behavior that matters while discarding noise.

Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.

Example 1

easy
Simplify 5x+3x−2x.

Example 2

medium
Simplify x2−4x−2 and state any domain restriction.

Example 3

medium
Simplify the set expression (A∪B)∩(A∪B′) and justify each step.

Example 4

medium
Simplify (x+1)(x−2)(x−2)(x+3) and state restrictions.

Example 5

easy
Simplify 48 to lowest terms.

Example 6

easy
Simplify: ¬(¬p).

Example 7

hard
Simplify ∑k=1n(1k+1−1k+2).

Example 8

challenge
A model has f(x)=1+2x+0.001x2. For ∣x∣≤1, justify the first-order simplification f(x)≈1+2x and bound the discarded error.

Example 9

challenge
Simplify ∑k=1n(1k−1k+1) using telescoping, and state the closed form.

Example 10

medium
Simplify x2+2xx and state the restriction.

Example 11

medium
Simplify 2x2+6x4x and state any restriction.

Example 12

medium
Simplify ¬(p∨q) using De Morgan's law.

Example 13

medium
Simplify 1x+1+1x−1 into a single fraction.

Example 14

easy
Simplify x+x+x.

Example 15

medium
To estimate 101, a student uses the linear approximation around 100=10. What simplification is being made, and what is the estimate?

Example 16

medium
A long polynomial 3x2+0x−0+2x2 is given. Simplify and explain what makes this 'cleaner'.

Example 17

easy
Simplify A∪A.

Example 18

hard
Simplify log⁡b ⁣(b5x2x) for x>0.

Example 19

medium
Simplify a2bab2 for a,b≠0.

Example 20

challenge
A model has terms of orders 1, ϵ, and ϵ2 with ϵ=0.001. Justify which terms to keep for a first-order simplification and what error you incur.