Unit 1

Algebraic Expressions

At the end of this module you are expected to:

1. Define the following: constants, variables, expressions, terms, monomial, multinomial
(binomial, trinomial…), polynomials, coefficients, factors, degree of a term/polynomial,
2. Perform the fundamental operations on polynomials,
3. Identify and to factor polynomials with common factors with special products
(difference of two squares, perfect trinomial, sun and difference of tow cubes) of the
general quadratic trinomial form, by adding and subtracting the same expression,
4. Perform the fundamental operations on algebraic fractions;
5. Simplify a complex fraction.

Algebraic Expression

Algebraic expression is any meaningful collection of variables, constants,

grouping symbols and symbols of operation.

Example: The expression shown below are algebraic expressions.

a. 5x2y, b. xb3/y, c. 𝜋r2,

d. x3y – 5x2y2 + 11xy3 + y4,

𝑥 4 −3𝑥 3 +4𝑥 2 −11𝑥−5

e. and
𝑥 2 −3𝑥+6

4
f. √𝑥 + 5
 Term is any constant, variable or indicated product, quotient, or root of constants
and variables. Terms in algebraic expression are separated by plus or minus.

Example: Identify the number of terms in algebraic expressions.

a. 3x2 – 3x + 5. There are three terms

↑ ↑ ↑
1st 2nd 3rd
b. 4x2y3z5 There is only one term
c. a3 + (b3 + c3) There are two terms
↑ ↑
1st 2nd

NOTE:

An expression within grouping symbols is treated as a single number even though

there may be several terms within the group.

5𝑦 3 +4𝑥 2 −4𝑥𝑦
d. 5xyz5 + There are two terms
2𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑦

↑ ↑
1st 2nd

Coefficient is a factor in a term

Example: In the algebraic expression 4x2y – 5xy + z, 4 is called the number

coefficient of the term 4x2y, x2 is the coefficient of 4y in 4x2y, and y is the coefficient of
4x2 in 4x2y; -5 is the coefficient of xy in -5xy (take not that the coefficient of a term in an
algebraic expression includes the sign that precedes it.); and 1 is understood the
coefficient of z.

Polynomial is an algebraic expression consisting of one or more terms that have

real number coefficients, all variables raised only to natural number exponents, and the
operations involving variables are limited to addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
 Example: The following are examples of polynomials

a. 5x – 7
b. 7x3y + 5x2y2 + 9
c. -3x2y2
𝑥
d. +𝑦
2

e. √3 x2 – 𝜋 x – 5

On the other hand, the expressions shown below are not polynomial

f. 4x – 3x2 + 7x + 1/x
g. x-4 + 3x – 6

NOTE:

A polynomial containing only one variable x is called polynomial in x. A

polynomial in one variable if the exponent on the terms of the polynomial decreased from
the left to right.

GENERAL FORM: 𝒂𝟎 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 𝒙𝒏−𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒏

1. Monomial is a polynomial containing just one term.

2. Binomial is a polynomial containing two terms.
3. Trinomial is a polynomial containing three terms.

Degree of a term with one variable is the exponent of the variable.

Example:

a. 5 is the degree of 3x5

b. 3 is the degree of 2z3
c. 0 is the degree of 6. (since 6 can be written as 6x0)
 Degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of any of the following terms in
polynomial.

Example: Determine the degree of each of the following polynomials.

a. The degree of the polynomial 4x3 + 5x2 – 3x + 6 is 3, since the 4x3 has
the highest degree of terms.
b. 5x4 + 6x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 1/x has no degree, since the given algebraic
expression is not a polynomial.

Like terms have the same variables to the same power.

Example: determine the following expression whether similar or dissimilar terms.

a. The term 3x, 5x, 9x, x are like terms

b. 2ab, -5ab, and 7ab are like terms
c. 4x2y and 5 x2y are like terms
d. a, b, and c are not like terms
e. 4xy2z3, -6x2yz3 and 5x3y2z are not like terms

Learning Activity 1

In numbers 1 and 2, classify each polynomial as a monomial, binomial, or trinomial.

1. 7x2 – 9x + 11 2. -6x2 + 4y3

In numbers 3 and 4, write each number in standard form.

3. 7 + 3x2 – 5x 4. 3y2x + 5yx2

5. What is the degree of the second term in item no.3?

Operations on Polynomial

A. ADDITION and SUBTRACTION

Using the symmetric property of equality and the commutative property of

multiplication, we can write the distributive property of multiplication over addition as

ax + bx = (a + b)x

and the distributive property of multiplication over subtraction

ax – bx = (a – b)x

Rule 1: Perform the operations by combining like terms (i.e. terms with the same
literal coefficient).

NOTE:

Using the distributive property to replace two or more like terms with one term is
called combining terms.

Example: Perform the indicated operation

a. Add: 2k3 – 3kt + t2 and k2 + 2kt + 5t2

Solution:

Adding polynomials horizontally

Use the commutative and associative property to rearrange the polynomial to

combine like terms together.

(2k3 – 3kt + t2) + (k2 + 2kt + 5t2)

= (2k3 + k2) = (-3kt + 2kt) + (t2 – 5t2)

= 3k3 – kt – 4t2
Adding polynomial vertically

2k3 – 3kt + t2

k2 + 2kt + 5t2

3k3 – kt – 4t2 add columns

b. Subtract 2x – 3y + 4z2 from 5x – 3y + 7z2

Solution:

Subtracting polynomials horizontilly

(5x – 3y + 7z2) – (2x – 3y + 4z2)

5x – 3y + 7z2 - 2x – 3y + 4z2

↑ ↑ ↑

change every sign.

The add like terms

(5 – 2)x + (-3 + 3)y + (7 – 4)z2

3x + 0y + 3z2 = 3x + 3z2

Subtracting polynomial vertically

5x – 3y + 7z2

- (2x – 3y + 4z2)

Change every sign in the second polynomial

5x – 3y + 7z2

+ -2x + 3y - 4z2

3x + 0y + 3z2

= 3x + 3z2
NOTE:

With practice, you should be able to carry out addition and subtraction by grouping
mentally and simply adding or subtracting the coefficient of the like terms.

c. Remove all grouping symbols and perform the indicated addition and
subtraction.
(5s2 – 3ab +6b2) – (2a2 – 7ab – 2b2) + (4a2 – 5ab + b2)
= 5s2 – 3ab +6b2 – 2a2 – 7ab – 2b2 + 4a2 – 5ab + b2
= (5 – 2 +4)a2 + (-3 + 7 – 5)ab + (6 – 2 + 1)b2
= 7a2 – ab + 5b2

d. Remove all grouping symbols and perform the indicated addition and
subtraction.
(4x2 – 2xy + 8y2) - {4x2 – [2xy – (3x2 – 4xy + 7y2)]}
= (4x2 – 2xy + 8y2) - {4x2 – [2xy – (3x2 – 4xy + 7y2)]}
= (4x2 – 2xy + 8y2) - {4x2 – 2xy – 3x2 – 4xy + 7y2}
= (4x2 – 2xy + 8y2) – {7x2 – 6xy + 7y2}
= 4x2 – 2xy + 8y2 – 7x2 – 6xy + 7y2
= -3x2 + 4xy +y2
e. Subtract 8xy – y2 from the sum of 3x2 + 4xy and 3x2 – 6xy = 2y2
Solution
{(3x2 + 4xy) + (3x2 – 6xy = 2y2)} – (8xy – y2)
= (6x2 – 2xy – 2y2) – (8xy – y2)
= 6x2 – 2xy – 2y2 – 8xy – y2
= 6x2 – 10xy – y2
 B. MULTIPLICATION
1. Multiplying Monomials

Use the commutative and associative properties, along with the rules for exponents.

Example: Fine the product of (-3x2y) and (4xy2), applying the commutative and
associative properties.

= (-3)(4)(x2 ∙ x)( y ∙ y2) along with the rules for exponent, = -12x3y3

2. Multiplying Monomial and a Polynomial

The distributive properties can be used to extend this process to find the product of
any two polynomials.

CONCEPT

When multiplying polynomial by a monomial, multiply each term of the polynomial

by a monomial, and add or subtract the resulting products, according to the sign of each
product.

Example: a. Find the product of -2 and 5x3yz4 – 4x2 y2z3 + 3xy3z2

Solution:

Use the distributive property.

-2(5x3yz4 – 4x2 y2z3 + 3xy3z2)

= -2(5x3yz4) – 2(-4x2y2z3) – 2(3xy3z2)

= -10x3yz4 + 8x2y2z3 – 3xy3z2

b. Find the product of 4x2y4z and 3x3yz4 + 8x2y2z3 - 3xy3z2

Solution:

4x2y4z(3x3yz4 + 8x2y2z3 - 3xy3z2), apply the distributive law

=4x2y4z(3x3yz4) + 4x2y4z(8x2y2z3) + 4x2y4z(- 3xy3z2)

 and also apply the laws for exponent, we have
= 12x5y5z5 + 32x4y6z4 – 12x3y7z3

3. Multiplying two polynomials

When multiplying two polynomials, we multiply each term of the first polynomial by

each term of the second polynomial and then combine like terms.

Example: Perform indicated operation and then combine like terms.

a. (x + 3y) (2x – y), multiply x in each term of (2x – y) and 3y in each term (2x – y)
= x(2x) + x(-y) + 3y(2x) + 3y(-y)
= 2x2 – xy + 6xy – 3y2, then combine like terms
= 2x2 + xy – 3y2

NOTE:

It is easier to multiply polynomials by writing them vertically.

Proceed as follows to find the results in example a.

Step 1. Multiply 2x and x + 3y x + 3y

Step 2. Multiply -y and x + 3y 2x – y

Step 3. Combine like terms 2x2 + 6xy

- xy – 3y2

2x2 + xy – 3y2
 b. Find the product of 5x2y – 3xy2 + 4y3 and 2xy2 – 7xy
Solution:
5x2y – 3xy2 + 4y3
2xy2 – 7xy
10x3y3 – 6x2y4 + 8xy5; 2xy2 time 5x2y – 3xy2 + 4y3

- 35x3y2 + 21x2y3 – 28xy4; [-7xy(5x2y – 3xy2 + 4y3)]

10x3y3 – 6x2y4 + 8xy5 - 35x3y2 + 21x2y3 – 28xy4 combine like terms

c. Find the product of 2x3 + 3x2 – 3x – 6 and x3 + 2x2 – 3x – 5

Solution:
2x3 +3x2 –3x –6
x3 +2x2 –3x –5
2x6 3x5 -3x4 -6x3
4x5 6x4 -6x3 -12x2
-6x4 -9x3 +9x2 +18x
-10x3 -15x2 +15x +30
2x6 +7x5 -3x4 -31x3 -18x2 +33x +30

C. DIVISION OF POLYNOMIALS
1. Dividing a polynomial by monomial

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term in the polynomial by a

monomial and then write each quotient in the lowest terms.

Example: a. Divide 24x2 – 60x + 12 by 12

Solution:

Divide each term of a polynomial by 12; then write in lowest terms.

24 60 12
= 12 𝑥 2 − 𝑥+ = 2x2 – 5x + 1
12 12
 Check this answer by multiplying it by the divisor 12, you should get

24x2 – 60x + 12

12(2x2 – 5x + 1) = 24x2 – 60x +12

Quotient Original polynomial

Divisor

Example: b. Perform the indicated operation

6𝑥 3 −12𝑥 2 +10𝑥 6𝑥 3 12𝑥 2 10𝑥

a. = − +
2𝑥 2 2𝑥 2 2𝑥 2 2𝑥 2

5
=3𝑥 − 6 +
𝑥

2. Dividing one polynomial by another

Rule:

In dividing one polynomial by another, arrange both polynomials according to

descending powers off the variable.

Example: Divide x2 – 2x – 15 by x – 5

Solution:

Make sure that both polynomials are written in descending powers of

variables.

𝑥 − 5 √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15

Divide the first term of x2 – 2x – 15 by the first term of x – 5.

Since 𝑥 2 ÷ 𝑥 = 𝑥, place this result above the division line

𝑥2
x result of
𝑥
𝑥− 5 √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15
 multiply x – 5 by x, and place the result below x2 – 2x – 15

𝑥 − 5 √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15

x2 – 5x

Now subtract x2 – 5x from x2 – 2x – 15. Do this by changing the

sign on x2 – 5x.
x
𝑥 − 5 √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15

-x2 + 5x

3x

Bring down -15 and continue dividing -3x by x and repeat the procedure.

x+3
𝑥 − 5 √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥
3 − 15

- x2 + 5x

3x – 15

3x – 15

Finally, x2 – 2x – 15 ÷ x – 5 = x + 3. To check multiply x – 5 by x + 3 and it should

be equal to x2 – 2x – 15.

3. Dividing a polynomial with a missing term

Rule:

Arrange the polynomial in descending order and supplying zero for the missing
terms.
 Example: a. Perform the indicated operation.

a. Divide x4 – 23x2 -18x + 40 by x + 4

missing term

x + 4 x4 + 0x3 – 23x2 – 18x + 40

start with x4 ÷ x = x3

x3 𝑥4
= 𝑥3
𝑥
x + 4 x4 + 0x3 – 23x2 – 18x + 40
-(x4 + 4x3)
-4x3 – 23x2

Subtract by changing the sign on x4 + 4x3 and adding and bring down -23x3, resulting to
3x3-23x2

−4𝑥3
x3-4x2 = 4x2
𝑥

x+4 x4+0x3 -23x2 18x + 40 X

-(x4+ 4x3)

-4x3-23x2

- 4x3-16x2 -4x2 (x+4); subtract and bring down-18x

-7x-18x

7𝑥 2
In the next step, − = -7x
𝑥

7𝑥 2
x3-4x2 – 7x − = −7𝑥
𝑥

x+4 x + 0x3 -23x-18x + 40

- (x4 +4x3)

-4x3 – 23x2
 -4x3 – 16x2

-7x2 - 18x

-7x2 - 28x subtract and bring down +40

10x +40

10𝑥
Finally, = 10
𝑥

10𝑥
x3 - 4x2 - 7x + 10 = 10
𝑥

x + 4 x + 0x3 - 23x - 18x + 40

- (x + 4x3)

-4x3 – 23x2

-4x3 – 16x2

-7x2 – 18x

-7x2 – 28x

10x + 40

10x + 40 subtract

Thus x4 – 23x2 – 18x + 40 ÷ x+4 = x – 4x – 7x +10.

Example: b. Divide x5 + 5x4 + 2x3 – 11x27x – 3 by (x2 +3x – 3)

Solution:

x3 + 2x2 – x – 2

x2 ÷ 3x – 3 x5 + 5x4 + 2x3 – 11x2 + 7x – 3

x5 + 3x4 – 3x3 subtraction

2x4 + 5x0 – 11x2

 2x4 + 6x3 – 6x2 subtraction

- x3 – 5x2 + 7x

- x3 – 3x2 + 3x subtraction

-2x2 + 4x – 3

-2x2 – 6x + 6 subtraction

10x – 9 remainder

Thus x5 + 5x3 + 2x3 – 11x27x – 3 ÷ x2 + 3x – 3

10𝑥−9
= x3 + 2x2 – x – 2 + 𝑥2 +3𝑥− 3