Mathematics Algebrausually ages 11–12

Collecting Like Terms

Simplify algebraic expressions by collecting like terms — combine terms with the same variable and power (e.g., 3a + 2b + 5a = 8a + 2b) while maintaining equivalence

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Identify like terms in an algebraic expression
Combine like terms involving positive and negative coefficients
Simplify expressions involving multiple variables and constant terms

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Try this together

If your child sees an expression like "5a + 3b + 2a," can they simplify it by collecting the like terms to get "7a + 3b"?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Expressions & Equations Vocabularyages 11–12Collecting like terms requires knowing what terms, coefficients, and like terms mean

Collecting Like Termsthis skill · ages 11–12

Unlocks

Expanding Single Bracketsages 11–13Expanding brackets produces terms that then need collecting

Expanding Double Bracketsages 13–14Expanding double brackets requires collecting like terms to simplify the result

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M5N05low confidenceYear 5 · Number

solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies

AC9M6A02low confidenceYear 6 · Algebra

find unknown values in numerical equations involving brackets and combinations of arithmetic operations, using the properties of numbers and operations

AC9M6N05low confidenceYear 6 · Number

solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions using knowledge of equivalent fractions

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA3-MR-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3

MA3-AR-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M5N05low confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Number strand

VC2M6N05low confidenceMathematics · Level 6 · Number strand

VC2M6A02low confidenceMathematics · Level 6 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Algebraic Notationages 11–12 Algebraic Transformationsages 11–13 Coordinates (age 11+)ages 11–12 Expanding Single Bracketsages 11–13

All Algebra skills →