Mathematics - ALGEBRA

Engr. Eugene P. Barbonio, ECE

Factoring
The Factors of a given algebraic expression consist of
two or more algebraic expressions which when
multiplied together produce the given expression.
Examples: Factor each algebraic expression.
1.

Answers:
Factorization Procedures
• Common monomial factor. Type: ac + ad = a(c+d)
A.
Ex. (a)

B. Difference of two squares. Type:

Ex. (a)

C. Perfect Square Trinomials. Type:

Ex. (a)
• Sum, Difference of two cubes.
D.
Type:

Ex. (a)

E. Grouping of terms.
Type: ac + bc + ad + bd = c(a + b) + d(a + b) = ( a + b)(c + d)

Ex. 2ax - 4bx + ay - 2by

•
Exercises:
Factor each of the following polynomials

1.

2.

3.

4.
•
COMPLEX FRACTIONS
A complex fraction is one which has one or
more fractions in the numerator or denominator,
or in
both. To simplify a complex fraction:
Method 1
1. Reduce the numerator and denominator to
simple fractions.
2. Divide the two resulting fractions.
Example:
•
Method 2
(1) Multiply the numerator and denominator of the
complex fraction by the LCM of all denominators of
the fractions in the complex fraction.
(2) Reduce the resulting fraction to lowest terms.

Example:
•
Exercises:
Simplify the following complex fraction.

1.

2.

3.

4.
Radical
A radical is an expression of the form which denotes the
principal nth root of a. The positive integer n is the index, or
order, of the radical and the number a is the radicand. The
index is omitted if n = 2.

Radical Expression:
n – index

a – radicand
Laws of Radicals

A. D.

B. E.

C.
SIMPLIFYING RADICALS
• Removal of perfect nth powers from the radicand.
1.
Ex.

2. Reduction of the index of the radical.

Ex.

3. Rationalization of the denominator in the

radicand.
Ex. Rationalize the denominator of
 • Ex. 1. Rationalize the denominator of

2. Perform

NOTE:
A radical is said to be in simplest form if:
1. All perfect nth powers have been removed from the radical,
2. The index of the radical is as small as possible,
3. No fractions are present in the radicand, i.e., the
denominator has been rationalized.
OPERATIONS WITH RADICALS
•
Two or more radicals are said to be similar if after
being reduced to simplest form they have the same
index and radicand. Thus are similar since it is equal
to
Addition/Subtraction of Radicals
• To add algebraically two or more radicals, reduce
each radical to simplest form and combine terms
with similar radicals. Thus:
Perform

20 + 2 75 - 4 12
Multiplication of RADICALS
• To multiply two or more radicals having the
a.
same index, use Law B:

Ex] 1. (2)(3)

2. (3
• To multiply radicals with different indices it is
b.
convenient to use fractional exponents and the laws of
exponents.

Ex] 1. ()()

2. ()()
Division of RADICALS
• To divide two radicals having the same index,
a.
use Law C , and simplify.

Ex]
• To divide two radicals with different indices it
b.
is convenient to use fractional exponents and the
laws of exponents.

Ex] 1.

2.
RATIONALIZING BINOMIAL DENOMINATORS
• To rationalize a fraction whose denominator is a
binomial with radicals of index 2, multiply the
numerator and denominator by the conjugate.

Ex]
•
Ex]