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Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

1) Letters are used to represent unknown numbers in algebra, allowing patterns to be observed and rules/formulae to be developed and used. 2) Terms in an algebraic expression involve coefficients and variables, where the coefficient is the number in front of the variable(s). 3) To simplify expressions, addition and subtraction involve combining like terms by adding/subtracting their coefficients, while multiplication combines all terms using indexing laws.

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283 views4 pages

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

1) Letters are used to represent unknown numbers in algebra, allowing patterns to be observed and rules/formulae to be developed and used. 2) Terms in an algebraic expression involve coefficients and variables, where the coefficient is the number in front of the variable(s). 3) To simplify expressions, addition and subtraction involve combining like terms by adding/subtracting their coefficients, while multiplication combines all terms using indexing laws.

Uploaded by

prashant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Letters (variables) are used to stand in the place of numbers that we dont know. This
enables us (or others) to observe patterns and write rules (laws) and formulae to describe
situations. It also enables us to use other peoples rules or formulae to perform calculations
in a specific situation. Understanding basic algebra allows us to do these things.
Background Ideas
1.

In algebra the multiplication sign is left out.


2a = 2 x a

2.

abc = a x b x c

3(a + 4) = 3 x (a + 4)

The number in a group of letters (term) is the co-efficient and is always at the front.
3abc never a3bc

3.

a = 1a and -a = -1a (the co-efficient of 1 is not written)

First Question What is the operation?


Operations are things we do to numbers the four basic operations are addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. The way we simplify algebraic expressions changes for different
operations.

Addition and Subtraction


1.

You can only add/subtract terms if the letters are exactly the same.
For example:

2a + 3a

can add

2a + 3b

cannot add

2ab + 3ac

cannot add

3x + 2x

cannot add

5x - 3x

can subtract

(5x - 3x = 2x)

5abc - 2abc

can subtract

(5abc - 2abc = 3abc)

Unitec: /var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_1/275811641.doc

(2a + 3a = 5a)

2.

Add/subtract the co-efficients. The letter(s) does not change.


For example:

2a + 3a = 5a
5x - 3x = 2x
5abc - 2abc = 3abc

3.

Every term grabs the sign on the left hand side of it.
3a

+12b

+5a

2x

-5y

+3x

3a

+5b

+a

-2b =
-8y

8a + 10b

+ 3w

5x - 13y + 3w

-b = 4a + 4b

If the answer is positive, add it


If the answer is negative, subtract it.
You need to be able to add/subtract negative numbers if unsure check on calculator
Exercise 1:

Simplify the following

1. 2a + 5a
4. 6b - b
7. 3a + 4b + 2a - 3b

2. 6b - 4b
5. 3a + 2c
8. 3p + 2q - 2r - p + 5q

9. 3a 2 b 2ab 2 a 2b 3ab 2

10. 4a - 3b - 6a - 2a + 2b + 10

3. a + a
6. 3ab + 2ac

Multiplication
1.

You can multiply any terms together.

2.

In multiplication the letter(s) do change.

3.

Multiply the co-efficients (numbers).

4.

Multiply letters by leaving out multiplication sign.


For example:

a x b = ab
3a x 2b = 6ab

To simplify more complicated expressions involving multiplication we need to know some


index laws
Unitec: /var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_1/275811641.doc

Index Laws
1.

an

am

a2 x a4 a6

For example:
2.

(a m ) n

a x a5 a6

and

(Note: a1 a )

a mn

For example: (a 2 ) 3 a 6
3.

(ab)

a mb m

For example:

(2ab) 4 2 4 a 4 b 4 16a 4 b 4

and

(3a 2b 3 ) 2 9a 4 b 6

Putting ideas about multiplication and the index laws together


Examples:

3a 2 b 5 x 2a 3 b 3 c 6a 5 b 8 c

a 2 b x ab 3 a 3 b 4

(2a 2 b) 3 x (3ab 4 ) 2 8a 6 b 3 x 9a 2 b 8 72a 8 b11

Exercise 2:
1. 3a x 2b

2. 3bc x a

3. 2a 2 b x 3ab 2

4. 3a 3b 5 x 4ab 6

5. 2a x 3a 2 x 4a 3

6. (a 2b 5 ) 4

7. (2a 2 b) 3

8. (3a 2b) 2 x (2ab) 4

Exercise 3:
1. 2a + 3a

2. 2a x 3a

3. a + a

4. a x a

5. 3a 2 b 4a 2b

6. 3a 2 b x 4a 2 b

7. 3a 2b 5ab 2

8. 3a 2b x 5ab 2

9. (6ab 3 c 5 ) 2

Answers
Exercise 1

Unitec: /var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_1/275811641.doc

1. 7a

2. 2b

3. 2a

4. 5b

5. cant add

6. cant add

7. 5a + b

8. 2p + 7q - 2r

9. 2a b 5ab 2

1. 6ab

2. 3abc

3. 6a 3 b 3

4. 12a 4 b 11

5. 24a 6

6. a 8 b 20

7. 8a 6 b 3

8. 144a 8 b 6

1. 5a

2. 6a 2

3. 2a

4. a 2

5. 7a 2b

6. 12a 4 b 2

7. cant add

8. 15a 3 b 3

9. 36a 2b 6 c 10

10. -4a - b + 10
Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Unitec: /var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_1/275811641.doc

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