simplify
part of speech
verb (simplify, simplifies, simplified, simplifying)
meaning for a pupil
1) To simplify something is to make it simpler or easier to understand or do. tree →
2) (maths) To simplify a fraction is to write it with smaller numbers that mean the same amount, by dividing the top and bottom by the same number. tree →
3) (maths) To simplify an expression is to write it in a shorter way, for example by collecting like terms. tree →
sense in the lessons
In maths lessons it is a common instruction: «Simplify 6/8» means write it as 3/4. In algebra «simplify 2a + 3a» means 5a. In everyday life and writing it means removing extra details so something is clearer. Phrases: simplify a fraction, simplify fully, simplify the rules, in its simplest form.
examples
- Can you simplify the instructions for the little ones? tree →
- Simplify 10/15 by dividing both numbers by 5 to get 2/3. tree →
- Simplify 3x + 4x to get 7x. tree →
- The new app simplifies homework by putting it all in one place. tree →
- We simplified the game so everyone could play. tree →
- Always simplify your answer fully. tree →
- The teacher simplified the story for the younger class. tree →
note
Spelling: simplify, simplifies, simplified, simplifying (keep y before -ing). The noun is simplification. In maths, simplifying never changes the value: 4/8 and 1/2 are equal. «Simplify fully» means you cannot divide top and bottom by anything else (except 1).
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «simplify» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.