6th 7th 8th Grade Combining Like Terms & Distributive Property Worksheet

A worksheet on simplifying algebraic expressions by combining like terms. Consisting of 16 questions that include the cases of negative coefficients (requiring to add positive and negative integers) and brackets (require to use the distributive property). An answer key is provided.

Master introductory algebra skills with this comprehensive collecting like terms and expanding brackets worksheet! Designed perfectly for Key Stage 3 math students (Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9), this resource scaffolds beautifully from basic single-variable grouping to complex linear expressions involving negative coefficients and distribution.

Are you looking for a rigorous, no-prep resource to help your secondary students build absolute fluency with algebraic expressions? This practice worksheet is perfectly structured to take students from basic linear expression simplification all the way to multi-step expressions involving brackets and negative values.
This worksheet provides clean, maths-focused layouts with zero visual distraction, making it excellent for independent desk work, homework assignments, or emergency cover lessons.

What’s Included in This Worksheet?
• Core Collecting Like Terms: Scaffolded practice grouping positive and negative constants, single variables, and multiple variables together (e.g., combining x and y terms).
• Negative Coefficient Fluency: Target drills designed to build confidence when working with directed numbers, preventing common arithmetic mistakes.
• Expanding Single Brackets: Scaffolded problems introducing basic expansion, distributing with negative numbers, and subtracting an entire bracketed expression.
• Multi-Step Simplifying: Advanced expressions requiring students to correctly expand single brackets first, then collect the remaining like terms to find the final simplified answer.
• Full Solutions Provided: Includes a complete, step-by-step printed answer key displaying the exact algebraic breakdowns for rapid grading or student self-marking.

Perfect For:
• Independent Classwork or Main Lesson Tasks
• Homework Assignments or Flipping the Classroom
• KS3 Maths Revision & Targeted Intervention Groups
• Fast Finishers or Extension Tasks
• Quick, No-Prep Cover Work

Curriculum Alignment:
• UK National Curriculum: Fits perfectly into the Key Stage 3 (KS3) Algebraic Proficiency framework, focusing on simplifying and manipulating algebraic expressions by maintaining directed numbers, expanding products, and collecting like terms.