Module ALGEBRA

I. REAL NUMBERS Basic Properties of Real Numbers (The Axioms of the System)
For the mathematical system that consists of the set of real numbers together with
the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, the resulting
properties are called the properties of real numbers.

A real number is a value that represents a quantity along a

continuous number line. Real numbers can be ordered. The symbol
for the set of real numbers is , which is the letter R in the
typeface "blackboard bold".

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Additional Properties of Real Numbers II. ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS AND OPERATIONS

These additional properties are often called theorems, and the formal arguments
that justify the theorems are called proofs.

Main Concept
• Algebraic expression is formed from variables and constants using
different operations.
• Expressions are made up of terms.
• A term is the product of factors. Factors may be numerical as well as
algebraic (literal).
• Coefficient is the numerical factor in a term. Sometimes, any factor

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in a term is called the coefficient of the remaining part of the term.

• The terms having the same algebraic factors are called like terms.
• The terms having different algebraic factors are called unlike terms.
• Expression with one term is called a 'Monomial’.
• Expression with two unlike terms is called a 'Binomial’.
• Expression with three unlike terms is called a 'Trinomial’.
• In general, an expression with one or more than one term (with non
negative integral exponents of the variables) is called a ‘Polynomial’.
• The sum (or difference) of two like terms is a like term with coefficient
equal to the sum (or difference) of coefficients of the two like terms.
• When we add (or subtract) two algebraic expressions, the like terms
are added (or subtracted) and the unlike terms are written as they
are.
• To find the value of an expression, we substitute the values of the
variables in the expression and then simplify.
• Rules and formulas in mathematics are written in a concise and
general form using algebraic expressions.

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IV. EQUATION AND INEQUALITIES

LINEAR EQUATIONS

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LITERAL EQUATIONS

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V. ROOTS AND POWERS

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VI. POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

Graphs of polynomial functions

Turning points of polynomial functions

A turning point of a function is a point where the graph of the function changes
from sloping downwards to sloping upwards, or vice versa. So the gradient changes
from negative to positive, or from positive to negative. Generally speaking, curves
of degree n can have up to (n − 1) turning points.

a. b. c. d.
a. For instance, a quadratic has only one turning point.
b. A cubic could have up to two turning points, and so would look something
like this.
c. However, some cubics have fewer turning points: for example f(x) = x3. But
no cubic has more than two turning points.
d. In the same way, a quartic could have up to three turning turning points,
and so would look something like this.

A polynomial of degree n can have up to (n −1) turning points.

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Roots of polynomial functions VII. FACTORING POLYNOMIALS

• The root x = −1 has multiplicity 5, so the graph crosses the x-axis at (−1,0).
• The root x = 2 has multiplicity 3, so the graph crosses the x-axis at (2,0).
• The root x = −2 has multiplicity 4, so the graph touches the x-axis at (−2,0).

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Logarithm functions

VIII. SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATION

A system of equations is a collection of two or more equations containing common
variables. When solving a system of equations, we try to find values for each of the
The relationship between exponential functions and logarithm functions
unknowns that will satisify every equation in the system. The equations in the
system can be linear or non-linear.

Methods for Solving a System of Linear Equations. X. PROGRESSIONS

a. The Method of Substitution
b. Elimination Sequences
c. Graphing

IX. EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITMIC FUNCTION Series

Exponential functions

Arithmetic progressions

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The sum of an arithmetic series

Geometric progressions

The sum of a geometric series

Convergence of geometric series

SUMMARY

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