4+ Terms: Error Analysis & Misconceptions

Mathematics
GCSE Foundation
14 questions
~28 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A worksheet focusing on collecting like terms with 4 or more terms, exploring common misconceptions, and developing procedural mastery for GCSE Foundation students.

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4+ Terms: Error Analysis & Misconceptions

Subject: MathematicsGrade: GCSE Foundation
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade GCSE Foundation
A

Introduction

Review that collecting like terms involves combining terms with the same variable and exponent. Be aware of common mistakes such as combining unlike terms or missing signs. Practice carefully to avoid these errors.
1.
Simplify the expression: 3x + 2x + 4x + x
[2 marks]
2.
Identify the mistake: Simplify 5a + 3b + 2a + b as 7a + 4b.
[3 marks]
3.
Simplify: 4m + 3n + 2m + 5n + m
[2 marks]
4.
Explain why the following is incorrect: Simplify 2x + 3x + 4y + y as 9x + 5y.
[3 marks]
B

Fluency & Practice

Solve the following by collecting like terms carefully, paying attention to signs and variables.
1.
Simplify: 7x - 2x + 3x + 4x
[2 marks]
2.
Simplify: 5a + 3b + 2a + 4b + 2a
[2 marks]
3.
Simplify: 3x + 4x + 5x + 6x
[2 marks]
4.
Simplify: 2m + 4n + 2m + 3n + m
[2 marks]
C

Problem Solving & Reasoning

Solve multi-step problems involving collecting like terms. Explain your reasoning clearly.
1.
A student combines the terms 4x + 2x + 3y + y + 5x. What is the simplified expression? Explain any mistakes they might make.
[4 marks]
D

Real-world Applications

Apply collecting like terms to a real-world context involving algebra.
1.
A gardener plants 3 rows of flowers, each row containing 5 roses, 2 tulips, and 3 daisies. Write an expression for the total number of each type of flower and simplify if possible.
[4 marks]
E

Challenge & Extension

Tackle these advanced problems involving expressions with multiple like terms and potential misconceptions.
1.
Simplify: 6a + 4b - 2a + 3b + 7a - 5b + 2a.
[3 marks]
2.
Identify the error: Simplify 3x + 2y + x + y + 4z as 4x + 3y + 4z.
[3 marks]
F

Mixed Review & Error Analysis

Answer the following questions, identifying and correcting common mistakes in collecting like terms.
1.
Simplify: 2x + 3x + 4x + 5x. A student writes 14x. Is this correct? If not, correct it.
[3 marks]
2.
Identify and correct the mistake: Simplify 7a + 2b + 5a + 3b as 12a + 5b.
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet