Determine This

Simplify

Afrikaans: Vereenvoudig

Express the given expression in its simplest algebraic form. You are not solving for a variable — there is no '= 0' to introduce and no value to find.

Common mistake

Setting the expression equal to zero and solving for x when no equation was given.

Signal phrases

  • Simplify fully
  • Write in simplest form

Past paper examples

Simplify fully: (x² − 9) / (x² + x − 6)

Source: DBE Mathematics Paper 1, November 2021, Question 1.3

Simplify: 3x²y / (6xy²) without using a calculator.

Source: DBE Mathematics Paper 1, May/June 2023, Question 1.1

Where this comes up