Expression simplification is the process of reducing a mathematical expression to its simplest form. This involves combining like terms, eliminating unnecessary parentheses, and applying mathematical operations to make the expression easier to understand and work with. For example, in the expression 3x + 2x, the like terms can be combined to simplify it to 5x. In algebra, expression simplification is essential for solving equations and inequalities. It helps in identifying the core components of an expression, making it easier to analyze and manipulate. Techniques such as factoring, distributing, and using the order of operations are commonly employed during this process to achieve a clearer and more concise representation of the original expression.