Algebraic Expression Calculator with Steps

What is an algebraic expression?

An algebraic expression combines numbers, letters and operations without asserting an equality. In 4x + 7, 4 is the coefficient of x and 7 is a constant term. The value changes when x changes; at x = 3, the value is 19.

Like terms have the same variable part and powers. You can combine 2x and 5x into 7x, but 2x and 5x² are different kinds of terms. A coefficient may be negative or a fraction. The calculator uses exact rational coefficients, so x/3 + x/6 gives (1/2)x without rounding thirds first.

Simplify, expand or evaluate

Simplifying combines like terms and removes unnecessary operations. Expanding applies multiplication across brackets. Evaluating substitutes a number for each variable and calculates the resulting value.

For 2(x + 3) + 4x − 1, distribute 2 to get 2x + 6 + 4x − 1. Combine the x terms and constants to obtain 6x + 5. At x = 2, the result is 17. The input with brackets and the simplified expression have the same value.

For (x + 2)(x − 3), multiply every term in the first bracket by every term in the second: x² − 3x + 2x − 6. Combining −3x and 2x gives x² − x − 6.

Notation and supported expressions

Enter multiplication as 3x, 3*x or 2(x + 1). Write powers using ^, such as x^2. Adjacent single-letter variables mean multiplication: ab means a × b, rather than one variable named “ab”. Use parentheses to show grouping and use a slash for constant fractions.

This tool supports polynomial expressions of total degree 8 or less, up to six variables and 128 collected terms. Exponents on variables must be nonnegative whole numbers. It does not solve equations, differentiate functions or simplify a variable denominator. Use the algebra solver for an equation, and the fractions calculator for rational expressions in x.

If you see an input error, check unmatched brackets, a missing value after an operator or an unsupported exponent. A clear error means the tool has not produced a mathematical answer.