Collecting Like Terms Mastery
An interactive lesson on screen. Your child works through worked examples, practises on their own, then tests themselves with questions that get harder as they go.
About this lesson
By the end of this lesson your child can look at any algebraic expression, spot which terms are like and which aren't, and simplify it correctly first time, even when powers, constants, and negative signs are all mixed together.
Topics covered:
- Like and unlike terms, spotting the difference and why the variable and power both have to match
- Parts of an expression, coefficients, variables, powers, signs, terms and constants explained through live examples
- Collecting basic like terms, including negative terms
- Mixing letters and constants in the same expression
- Collecting terms with powers, for example combining x² terms separately from plain x terms
- Number pyramids and shape perimeters, applying the skill to non-standard exam-style questions
Your child works through this lesson on any screen. They click to reveal each step of a worked example, try the practice questions on paper, then click to check their own answer.
How it's structured:
- Each unit opens with a worked example clicked through line by line, then practice questions colour-coded easy, medium and hard
- 65 questions in total, each with a click-to-reveal answer and a reveal-all option
- Two hands-on Explore activities, matching like and unlike term pairs and building expressions from a glossary, both with instant feedback
Negative signs are taught as part of the term from the first unit, not bolted on later as an exception. A dedicated negatives unit gives your child focused practice collecting terms like -4x and 7x, so treating the sign as part of the term becomes a habit rather than a rule they have to remember mid-exam.
Use this if:
- Your child is in Year 4 to Year 11 and needs to simplify algebraic expressions with confidence
- You're preparing for the 11+, where collecting like terms turns up in every algebra question
- Your child is doing GCSE Foundation and loses marks mixing up like and unlike terms
- You want a resource your child can check their own work with, not one more thing on your to-do list
Built by an experienced maths teacher with over 3,000 hours of one-to-one tutoring experience and a Master's in Education.
Format: Interactive digital lesson, link sent by email straight after purchase.
Suitable for: Year 4 to Year 11, 11+, KS2, KS3, KS4, GCSE Foundation.
Who this is for
Built for students who want to practise independently, at their own pace, with clear examples and instant feedback rather than a static worksheet.
What's included
Worked examples
See the method explained step by step before trying it yourself.
Guided practice
Work through questions with answers hidden until you're ready to check.
Exam-style questions
Split easy to hard, so your child is always working at the right level.
How it works
Buy the lesson
Complete checkout securely through Shopify.
Get your link by email
Your lesson link lands in your inbox straight after payment.
Work through it on screen
Open the link on any device and start straight away.
FAQs
How do I access the lesson?
You'll get an email with your lesson link as soon as payment goes through. Click it to open the lesson in any browser, no login and no app to install.
How does the marking work?
There's no typing answers into a box. Your child works it out on paper, then clicks to reveal the correct answer and checks their own work. Full working is shown too, not just the final answer, so mistakes are easy to spot.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
It works best on a tablet or laptop, where there's more room to read the examples and questions. It'll open on a phone too, but the text and diagrams can feel quite small on a smaller screen.
Can I use the lesson more than once?
Yes. There's no limit on how many times you open the link, so it's there for revision right up to the exam.
What if I lose the link or don't get the email?
Email info@shlc-tutor.co.uk and we'll resend it straight away.
Ready to start?
Link sent to your email, ready in seconds
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