ALGEBRA

 Algebraic Expressions
 Conducting Operations on Algebraic Expressions
 Substituting Numbers for Algebraic Symbols
 Translating Verbal Phrases in to Algebraic Expressions
 Binary Operations
 Removing and Inserting Brackets
 Indices
 Linear Equations
 Simultaneous Linear Equations
 Linear Inequality
 Algebra Quiz #1

Algebraic Expressions
x2 + 6x + 9
Above is an example of an algebraic expression. Algebraic expressions are expressions which
contain terms, variables and coefficients, and constants.
Terms
Terms are the elements in an algebraic expression, separated by the arithmetic signs.

Example

A term may consist of variables and coefficients, or a constant.

Variables
The letters in a term (by extension, algebraic expression) are called variables.
Example

Coefficients
Coefficients are the numbers before variables.
Example
Constants
Constants are the terms that contain numbers only.
Example

Conducting Operations on Algebraic Expressions

Addition and Subtraction
When adding, and subtracting algebraic expressions follow the steps below:
Step 1: Group like terms (like terms are those with the same variables). Only like terms can be added
and subtracted.
Step 2: Add or subtract the coefficients of the grouped like terms.
Examples
Multiplication and Division
The rules for the multiplication and division of positive and negative numbers:
When multiplying algebraic expressions, follow the steps below:
Step 1: List the coefficients and variables of each term separately.
Step 2: Multiply the coefficients and constants.
Step 3: Multiply the variables.
Note when multiplying variables:

Examples
When dividing algebraic expressions, follow the steps below:
Step 1: List the coefficients and variables of each term separately.
Step 2: Divide the product of the coefficients and constants in the numerator, by the product of the
coefficients and constants in the denominator.
Step 3: Cancel the like variables in the numerator, by those in the denominator.
Examples
Substituting Numbers for Algebraic Symbols
Algebraic symbols are the variables in an algebraic expression. The values of algebraic expressions are
obtained by substituting numbers in place of variables, and simplifying.
Examples
Translating Verbal Phrases in to Algebraic Expressions
Before attempting to translate verbal phrases in to algebraic expressions, the following
terminologies and their meanings must be known:
Terminologies Signs/Meanings
Equals, is, adds up to =
Times, product, of, multiplied by x
Divided by, quotient, per, out of ÷
Plus, added to, sum, and, total, +
combined
Minus, less than, subtracted from, -
difference between, less than
Examples
Binary Operations
A binary operation is one which takes two elements (no more, no less) and combines them into one.
Examples

In algebra, symbols are used to represent and perform operations on binary.

Examples
Removing and Inserting Brackets
Removing Brackets
The distributive law is used when removing brackets. It is summarised by the identity below:
(a + b) c = a x c + b x c
The distributive law basically states that when removing a bracket, use the term outside the bracket to
multiply each term in the bracket.
Examples
Inserting Brackets
The distributive law is also used to insert brackets. However, when inserting brackets, the law is used in
reverse.

The distributive law in reverse is a means of factorizing. Factorization is the breakdown of numbers into
factors, which when multiplied yields the original numbers.
When factorizing using the distributive law, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Write the variables and coefficients (if any) common to all the terms outside the brackets.
Step 2: Divide each term by the term placed outside the brackets in step 1, placing the quotient of the
divisions inside the brackets.
Examples
Indices
Before attempting to simplify expressions with indices (powers), revisiting the laws of indices is always
advised.
The laws of indices:

Examples
Linear Equations
A linear equation by definition is an equation which when graphed produces a straight line. The
following are two examples of linear equations with one unknown:

When solving linear equations with one unknown:

Step 1: Place the unknown variables on the left hand side of the equal sign, and the numbers on the
right hand side of the equal sign.
Note:
- To move a positive number from one side of the equal sign, to the other, subtract the number from
both sides.

- To move a negative number from one side of the equal sign, to the other, add the number to both
sides.
- If the coefficient of the unknown variable is multiplying it, divide both sides by the coefficient.

Step 2: Solve for the unknown variable.

Examples
Simultaneous Linear Equations
Simultaneous equations are two or more equations, with the same unknowns (variables) and solutions.
They are solved by using one of two methods: Elimination or Substitution. Below are examples of
simultaneous equations.

Elimination
In this method, the first objective is to eliminate one of the two unknowns (variables). This is done by:
1. Adding the equations. This procedure is carried out if the coefficients of one of the unknowns are the
same, but they have different signs.
2. Subtracting the equations. This is done if the coefficients of one of the unknowns are the same and
have the same sign.

3. Multiply one or both equations by a number(s) then add or subtract. If the coefficients of one of the
unknowns are not the same, multiply one or both equation by a number(s) which will make the
coefficients of one of the unknowns the same. Then, add or subtract the equations (depending on if they
satisfy #1 or #2 above).
Having eliminated one of the unknowns, solve for the value of the remaining unknown. On finding its
value, substitute it in one of the two equations, and solve for the value of the remaining unknown.

Example
Note: Re-visit the rules in carrying numbers across the equal sign in Linear Equations (with one
unknown), if needs be.
Substitution
To use the method of substitution when solving simultaneous equations, follow the steps listed below,
illustrated using the simultaneous equations:

Step 1: Using one of the equations, make one of the unknowns the subject of that equation (that is,
have it alone on one side of the equal sign).

Step 2: Substitute the value of the subject in the other equation and solve for the value of the remaining
unknown.
Step 3: Solve for the unknown which was made the subject, by substituting the value obtained in step 2
in the equation made by the subject.

Example

Linear Inequality
All the rules governing the solution of linear equations apply to the solution of linear inequalities, except
for the differences listed below:
1. Inequalities do not have equal signs. They are represented by the signs: < which means, less than; ≤
which means, less than or equal to; > which means, greater than; ≥ which means, greater than or equal
to.
2. When an inequality is multiplied or divided by a negative number the sign changes. That is, a < (less
than) sign would change to a > (greater than) sign, a ≥ (greater than or equal to) sign would change to a
≤ (less than or equal to) sign etc.
3. The solution of an inequality is a range, which can be drawn on a number line, and is therefore
written as a solution set.
Examples
Solve the following linear inequalities:
(a) x + 7 ≥ 9
(b) x + 2 < 10 – x
Solutions:
(a)
x+7≥9
x+7–7≥9–7
x≥2
That is, {x: x ≥ 2}

(b)
x + 2 < 10 – x
x + x + 2 < 10 – x + x
2x + 2 -2 < 10 – 2
2x < 8
x<4
That is, {x: x < 4}

Algebra Quiz #1
Question 1
Simplify

(a)
(b) 2x4y2 + 8xy2 – 4x3y

Question 2
(a) Given m = 4, n = -3
Calculate, (3m + n) (2m – 2)
(b) x*y = 4x – 3y
Find 6*4
Question 3
Factorize Completely
(a) 16p + 2q
(b) 169a2 – 13a
Question 4
Simplify:
(a) (53)2
(b) b1/4
Question 5
Solve the Simultaneous equations:
5y + 6x = 28
2y + 3x = 13