ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS Is the result of performing a finite number of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, taking root (square root,

cube root, etc.) on a collection of variables and real numbers.

Examples: 1. 2. 3. A monomial in one variable is any algebraic expression of the form , where is a real number, is a variable representing a real number and is a positive integer. The number is called the numerical coefficient, or simply the coefficient of the monomial and is called the exponent. The expression is called the literal coefficient. Example: In , 5 is the coefficient, x is the variable and 4 is the exponent

Binomial sum of two monomials Polynomial any finite sum of monomials. Remarks: 1. Monomials in a polynomial are called terms of the polynomial. 2. The degree of the polynomial is the highest exponent of the variable considering all the terms. Example: The polynomial has 4 terms and of degree 5. 3. If a polynomial has 2 or more variables, then the degree is the greatest sum of all the exponents of a term. Example: The polynomial is 5. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials In adding and subtracting polynomials, add and subtract the numerical coefficients of similar terms (those with the same literal coefficients) and copy the literal coefficient. This can be done either horizontally or vertically. Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Find the sum of the polynomials: ( What is the algebraic sum of What is the sum of and ) ( Subtract: ( Simplify the algebraic expression ) and ( and ? ? ). * , ( )-+ ( ) ).

Exercises 1 A. In each of the following expressions, (a) find the sum of the expressions, and (b) subtract the second from the first. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. ( ( ( ) and and and ) and ( and ( ) )

and and and and ) and ( )

B. Simplify the following by removing grouping symbols and combining similar terms. 1. 2. 3. * , 4. ( 5. 6. ( 7. 8. 9. 10. , ( ( * ( ) ) * ( ( ) , ( ) ( ( ( ) ) ( ) , )( )( )-+ ( ( ) ( ) -+ ) * ) )-+ ) ) ( , ( ,( ) ) ( ) ( )+ )-