diff --git a/java/examples/Topics/Simulate/MultipleParticleSystems/Particle.pde b/java/examples/Topics/Simulate/MultipleParticleSystems/Particle.pde
index b519208ca..078ef23c5 100644
--- a/java/examples/Topics/Simulate/MultipleParticleSystems/Particle.pde
+++ b/java/examples/Topics/Simulate/MultipleParticleSystems/Particle.pde
@@ -31,14 +31,10 @@ class Particle {
     fill(255,lifespan);
     ellipse(location.x,location.y,8,8);
   }
-  
+
   // Is the particle still useful?
   boolean isDead() {
-    if (lifespan < 0.0) {
-      return true;
-    } else {
-      return false;
-    }
+    return (lifespan < 0.0);
   }
-}
 
+}