Cancelling out

This article is about cancellation of terms in an equation or in elementary algebra. For the extension of 'invertibility' in abstract algebra, see cancellation property.

Cancelling out is a mathematical process used for removing subexpressions, or parts of an expression that is correct, from a mathematical expression (mathematical equation). This process can be used if it doesn't change the meaning or value of the expression since the subexpression have equal and opposing sides.