DefinitionEquivalent expressions are expressions that have the same value or meaning but may appear to be different because of the notation, the order of operations, or simple variable substitution. Use algebraic properties to simplify terms, to combine terms into equivalent expressions, or to perform operations (e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation, factoring...) As with any system of mathematics, it is fundamental to recognize equivalence of expressions; this is a primary for simplification of expressions as well as for solving equations and for proving algebraic and logical identities in algebra and calculus. Example: 2x+3 and x+x+3 are equivalent expressions because they represent the same linear function of x.
