MCR 3U – Unit 2 1

Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.1 Adding and Subtracting Algebraic Expressions & 2.2 Multiplying Polynomials

Learning Goal:
I can determine whether polynomial expressions are equivalent by adding, subtracting,
and multiplying polynomials.

Recall:
• A polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of a ________ or
__________________ of terms
• A term is a number, variable or the product of a number and variable(s)
• The number that is multiplied to the variable is called a __________________
• A term that contains only a number is called a _________________
• The degree of a term is the sum of the exponents on the variables contained in
the term
• The degree of a polynomial is the ________________ degree of all its terms
• Standard form is to write terms in descending order: _________________ to
lowest degree
o Ex:
• To simplify a polynomial means to ________________ and collect ________
_____________
• In order to add or subtract polynomial expressions, you must have like terms,
meaning that the terms must have the same ________________ and
__________________

Example 1
Expand and simplify the following polynomials.

a) (3𝑥 2 – 7𝑥 + 5) + (𝑥 2 – 𝑥 + 3) b) (𝑥 2 – 6𝑥 + 1) – (– 𝑥 2 – 6𝑥 + 5)

c) 2𝑥(3𝑥 – 5𝑥 2 + 4𝑦) d) (3𝑥 – 4)(2𝑥 + 5)

e) (2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4𝑧)2 f) (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 3)

MCR 3U – Unit 2 2
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
Example 2
Expand and simplify.
3(2𝑥 – 1)2 – 5(4𝑥 + 1)(4𝑥 – 1)

Two polynomial functions or expressions are equivalent if:

• They __________________ algebraically to give the same function or
expression
• They produce the same graph

Two polynomial functions or expressions are NOT equivalent if:

• They result in _______________________ values when they are evaluated with
the same numbers substituted for the variable(s).
o The values 0, 1, and -1 are often good choices, since they usually make
expressions easy to evaluate.

Example 3
For the given pair of functions, determine whether the two functions are equivalent in
two different ways.
𝑓(𝑥) = (−2𝑏 + 3𝑎) – (−3𝑎 + 2𝑏) 𝑔(𝑥) = (4𝑏 + 10𝑎) – (8𝑏 + 4𝑎)

Method 1: Method 2:
MCR 3U – Unit 2 3
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
NOTE: Evaluating both functions at a single value is sufficient to demonstrate
non-equivalence but is not enough to demonstrate equivalence.

Example 4
Determine if the two functions graphed below are equivalent.

Example 5
Is 3(𝑦 − 2𝑥)3 = −24𝑥 3 + 36𝑥 2 𝑦 − 18𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑦 3 ?
MCR 3U – Unit 2 4
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.3 Factoring Polynomials

Learning Goal:
I can review factoring skills and be able to recognize which factoring strategy to use.

Factoring a polynomial means writing an expression as a product. Factoring

therefore is the opposite of _____________________.

1. Common Factor - divide out the greatest common factor

a) 2𝑥 2 𝑦 + 10𝑥 4 𝑦 2 – 8𝑥 3 𝑦 3 b) 𝑥(𝑥 – 6) + 3(𝑥 – 6)

2. Difference of Squares 𝑎2 – 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 – 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏)

a) 𝑥 2 – 81 b) 25𝑏 2 – 36

3. Simple Trinomials 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 where 𝑎 = 1

a) 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 12 b) 𝑥 2 – 3𝑥 – 10

4. Complex Trinomials 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 where 𝑎 ≠ 1

a) 4𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 + 6 b) 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 – 4
MCR 3U – Unit 2 5
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
5. Perfect Square Trinomials 𝑎2 ± 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 ± 𝑏)2

a) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 b) 4𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 + 25

6. Factor By Grouping (4 term polynomials)

a) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 – 𝑥𝑦 – 𝑦 b) 2𝑎𝑏 + 2𝑎 – 3𝑏 – 3

7. Combinations of Various Types of Factoring

a) 3𝑝2 – 30𝑝 + 48 b) 𝑦 4 – 81

SUMMARY

▪ Always check if there is a _________________ first

▪ If it is a ____________________, recognize the type (simple, complex, perfect

square)

When in doubt, check your answer by ______________________

MCR 3U – Unit 2 6
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.4 Simplifying Rational Expressions

Learning Goal:
I can define a rational function, simplify rational expressions, and define restrictions.

A rational function is any function whose output can be given by an expression that is
𝑅(𝑥)
the ratio of two polynomials. A rational expression can be expressed as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑆(𝑥) ,
where 𝑅 and 𝑆 are polynomials and 𝑆  0. Why can’t 𝑆  0?

𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3
An example of a rational function is: 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)

𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3
A rational expression is a quotient of polynomials, such as (𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)

For what values of x will the above function/expression not be defined? Why?

When we state values for the unknown variables that they cannot be, we call these
restrictions, they are set for any expression that is or was once in the denominator.
These are the values that cause the function to be undefined.

Example 1
For each rational expression, state restriction on variable(s).
25𝑚3 𝑛 𝑥
a) −5𝑚2𝑛 b) 2𝑥(𝑥−2)

Example 2
Simplify, and state restrictions on the variables.
(𝑚−1)(𝑚+2) 4𝑎2 𝑏+8𝑎𝑏
a) (𝑚+4)(𝑚−1) b) 6𝑎2 −6𝑎
MCR 3U – Unit 2 7
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
𝑦 2 −8𝑦+15 2𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑦−15𝑦 2
c) d)
𝑦 2 −25 𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑦−3𝑦 2

Strategies Used to Simplify Rational Expressions

1.

2.

3.

Example 3
1−4𝑦 2
Simplify 𝑓(𝑦) and state the domain, where 𝑓(𝑦) = 4𝑦 2+4𝑦+1

As a result of the above, for all rational functions, the domain is the set of all real
numbers except those numbers that make the denominator
______________________________.
MCR 3U – Unit 2 8
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.5 Exploring Graphs of Rational Functions

Learning Goal:
I can explore features of the graphs of rational functions.

The ______________________ values of rational functions correspond to two different

kinds of graphical features: holes and vertical asymptotes.

1
The graph of the rational function f(x) = is given.
x
a) What is its domain and range?

b) Are there any vertical asymptotes? Horizontal asymptotes?

1
Using desmos, graph 𝑔(𝑥) = . Sketch, and determine domain, range, and possible
𝑥−3
asymptotes.

1
Using desmos, graph𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥+2. Sketch, and determine domain, range, and possible
asymptotes.
MCR 3U – Unit 2 9
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
Example 2
Determine a rational function with a domain  x  R x  2. Sketch the function, stating
range and asymptotes.

Example 3
Determine the equation of a simplified rational function that has two vertical asymptotes:
𝑥 = −1 and 𝑥 = 2. Use desmos to sketch the function, state domain, range, and
asymptotes.

Example 4
1
The rational function ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 has a horizontal asymptote 𝑦 = 0. Apply a
transformation to ℎ(𝑥) that will result in a rational function that has the horizontal
asymptote 𝑦 = 2. Determine the equation of this function and sketch it.
MCR 3U – Unit 2 10
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.6 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

Learning Goal:
I can multiply and divide rational expressions and state restrictions on the domain.

How we multiply and divide rational numbers can be used to multiply and divide rational
expressions. That is, if A, B, C and D are polynomials, then:
𝐴 𝐶 𝐴𝐶 𝐴 𝐶 𝐴 𝐷 𝐴𝐷
×𝐷= , where 𝐵, 𝐷 ≠ 0 ÷𝐷 = × 𝐶 = 𝐵𝐶 , where 𝐵, 𝐷, 𝐶 ≠ 0
𝐵 𝐵𝐷 𝐵 𝐵

Recall: Cross reducing when multiplying fractions

3 16
×
8 27

To Multiply Rational Expressions:

1. _________________ the numerators and denominators, if possible

2. Set _____________________on variables in denominator
3. Cancel _____________________________________ to the numerator
and denominator
4. Express as a single rational expression

Example 1
Simplify and state restrictions.
4𝑥+12 5
a) × 𝑥 2 −9 Restrictions:
11

𝑥 2 +6𝑥+8 𝑥+1
b) × 𝑥 2 +5𝑥+6 Restrictions:
𝑥−3
MCR 3U – Unit 2 11
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
To Divide Rational Expressions:

1. _______________ the numerators and denominators, if possible

2. Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor
3. Set _______________________on variables that were in denominator at any
point in question
4. Cancel _____________________________________to the numerator and
denominator
5. Express as a single rational expression

Example 2
Simplify and state restrictions.

𝑥 2 −25 𝑥+5
a) ÷ 𝑥 2 −81 Initial Restrictions:
𝑥−9

Final Restrictions:

6𝑥+14 12𝑥+28
b) 5𝑥
÷ 𝑥2
Initial Restrictions:

Final Restrictions:
MCR 3U – Unit 2 12
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2.7 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Learning Goal:
I can add and subtract rational expressions by finding a common denominator, and state
restrictions.

To add or subtract rational functions, we use the same properties of adding and
subtracting rational numbers. When rational expressions are added or subtracted, they
must have a common denominator.
3 1
E.g. Evaluate: 8 + 6

To Add or Subtract Rational Expressions

1. _______________ expression wherever possible, especially the

denominator
2. Determine the lowest common denominator (LCD); it consists of the
product of any common factors and all unique factors
▪ LCD is not always the product of all the denominators
3. Rewrite the rational expressions with the LCD as the denominator for
each, and then add or subtract the ____________________
4. Set restrictions on all ___________________
_______________________________

Example 1
Simplify and state restrictions of the variables.
3𝑥+2 2𝑥−1 4 3 1
a) − b) 5𝑎 − 2𝑎2 + 𝑎3
4 6
MCR 3U – Unit 2 13
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions

2𝑥 3𝑥 3𝑦 𝑦−1
c) 𝑥−2 − 𝑥+2 d) 𝑦+4 − 𝑦 2+3𝑦−4

3𝑥+6 𝑥+1
e) 𝑥 2−5𝑥−14 − 𝑥 2 −49
MCR 3U – Unit 2 14
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions
MCR 3U – Unit 2 15
Equivalent Algebraic Expressions