Basic of Algebra

Algebra is the field of mathematics which deals with representation of a

situation using mathematical symbols, variables and arithmetic operations
like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division leading to the formation
of relevant mathematical expressions. In this lesson we will go through all
the rules of algebra, operations and formulas.

Algebra Basics

We need to know the basic terminology which relates to algebra in order to

understand its basics. An expression consisting of 4 main parts, variables,
operators, exponents, coefficients and constants along with an equal
to symbol is known as an algebraic equation. Let us take an equation, ax 2 +
bx + c = d. In algebra, the term with highest exponent is written in the
starting and further the terms are written with reducing powers.

In the above image ax2 + bx + c = d, there are 4 terms. An algebraic

equation may have different terms which are like or unlike. Like terms in an
equation are the ones which constitute same variables and exponents. On
the other hand, unlike terms in an equation constitute different variables and
exponents.

Algebra Rules

There are five basic rules of algebra. They are:

 Commutative Rule of Addition

  Commutative Rule of Multiplication

 Associative Rule of Addition

 Associative Rule of Multiplication

 Distributive Rule of Multiplication

Commutative Rule of Addition

In algebra, the commutative rule of addition states that when two terms are
added, the order of addition does not matter. The equation for the same is
written as, (a + b) = (b + a). For example, (x 3 + 2x) = (2x + x3)

Commutative Rule of Multiplication

The commutative rule of multiplication states that when two terms are
multiplied, the order of multiplication does not matter. The equation for the
same is written as, (a × b) = (b × a). For example, (x4 - 2x) × 3x = 3x × (x4 -
2x).
LHS = (x4 - 2x) × 3x = (3x5 - 6x2)
RHS = 3x × (x4 - 2x) = (3x5 - 6x2)
Here, LHS = RHS, this proves that their values are equal.

Associative Rule of Addition

In algebra, the associative rule of addition states that when three or

more terms are added, the order of addition does not matter. The equation
for the same is written as, a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c. For example, x5 +
(3x2 + 2) = (x5 + 3x2) + 2

Associative Rule of Multiplication

Similarly, the associative rule of multiplication states that when three or

more terms are multiplied, the order of multiplication does not matter. The
equation for the same is written as, a × (b × c) = (a × b) × c. For example,
x3 × (2x4 × x) = (x3 × 2x4) × x.

Distributive Rule of Multiplication

The distributive rule of multiplication states that when we multiply a number

to addition of two numbers, it results in the output which is same as the sum
of their products with the number individually. This is distribution of
multiplication over addition. The equation for the same is written as, a × (b
+ c) = (a × b) + (a × c). For example, x2 × (2x + 1) = (x2 × 2x) + (x2× 1).

Algebraic Operations
The four basic algebraic operations are:

 Addition

 Subtraction

 Multiplication

 Division

In each of the algebraic operations performed, we always categorize the

terms in our algebraic equations as like and unlike terms.

Addition

When two or more terms in an algebraic equation are separated by a plus

sign "+", the algebraic operation is addition. We always add the like terms
and unlike terms separately as they are treated as two different quantities.
Mathematically two different quantities cannot be added together.

 Example of like terms addition: 5b + 3b = 8b

 Example of unlike terms addition: 25x + 35y

As we can see in the examples, the like terms when added give the same
term while the unlike terms cannot be added any further.

Subtraction

When two or more terms in any algebraic equation are separated by a minus
sign "-", the algebraic operation is subtraction. Just as in case of addition, the
terms are differentiated as like or unlike terms and then subtracted further.

 Example of like terms subtraction: 3x2 - x2 = 2x2

 Example of unlike terms subtraction: 6bc - 9ab

Multiplication

When two or more terms in an algebraic equation are separated by a

multiplication sign "×", the algebraic operation performed is multiplication.
While multiplying the like terms or unlike terms we use Laws of Exponents.

 Example of like terms multiplication: 16f × 4f = 64f2

 Example of unlike terms multiplication: x × y3 = xy3

Division
When two or more terms in any algebraic equation are separated by a
division sign "/", the algebraic operation performed is division. While dividing
the like terms, the similar terms can be simplified while for the case of unlike
terms, the terms cannot be simplified any further easily.

 Example of like terms division: 8b/2b = 4

 Examples of unlike terms division: x2/2y2

Algebraic Formulas

The algebraic formulas that are used more often and must be kept in
knowledge are:
Variables, Constants and Expressions

In any particular mathematical problem or situation, we can talk about the

following two types of entities:

(a) Variables: a variable is an entity whose value is not fixed; it can vary.
Variables are generally denoted by the letters x, y, z etc.

(b) Constants: a constant is an entity whose value is fixed for the given
situation. The value of the constant might be unknown, but we know that it
is fixed. Constants are generally denoted by the letters a, b, c, p, q etc if
their values are not known or not provided, and by specific numerical values
(like 3, ππ etc) if their values are known.

An expression is a composite entity formed by combining variables and

constants using various mathematical operations. Let’s see some examples
of expressions, and list the variables and constants occurring in them:

Varia Constan
Expression
bles ts

22 None 22

3xx+7 xx 3,7

ax2+bx+cax2+b a,b,c,2a,b
xx
x+c ,c,2

√x+2y+cxx+2y+
x,yx,y 2,c2,c
cx

1√x+2+ay+πz1x x,y,zx, 1,2,a,π1,2

+2+ay+πz y,z ,a,π
Algebra Formulas

Algebra Formulas form the foundation of numerous topics of mathematics.

Topics like equations, quadratic equations, polynomials, coordinate
geometry, calculus, trigonometry, and probability, extensively depend on
algebra formulas for understanding and for solving complex problems. The
algebra formulas are helpful to perform complex calculations in the least
time and with fewer steps. The algebraic expression formulas are used to
simplify the algebraic expressions.

Based on the complexity of the math topics, the algebraic formulas have also
been transformed. Topics like logarithms, indices, exponents, progressions,
permutations, and combinations have their own set of algebraic formulas.
Here, we shall look into the list of all algebraic formulas used across the
different math topics.

Algebra Formulas - Identities

In algebra formulas, an identity is an equation that is always true

regardless of the values assigned to the variables. Algebraic Identity means
that the left-hand side of the equation is identical to the right-hand side of
the equation, and for all values of the variables. Algebraic identities find
applications in solving the values of unknown variables. Here are some most
commonly used algebraic identities:

Algebraic Identities Formula

 (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

 (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2

 (a + b)(a - b) = a2 - b2

 (x + a)(x + b) = x2 + x(a + b) + ab

Let us look at the algebraic identity: (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2, and try to
understand this identity in algebra and also in geometry. As proof of this
formula, let us try to multiply algebraically the expression and try to find the
formula. (a + b)2 = (a + b) × (a + b) = a(a + b) + b(a + b) = a 2 + ab + ab +
b2. This expression can be geometrically understood as the area of the four
sub-figures of the below-given square diagram. Further, we can consolidate
the proof of the identity (a + b)2= a2 + 2ab + b2.

In the same way, by using squares and rectangles, we can prove the other
algebraic identities as well.

What are Algebra Formulas?

An algebraic formula is an equation or a rule written using mathematical

and algebraic symbols and terms. It is an equation that involves algebraic
expressions on both sides. The algebraic formula is a short quick formula to
solve complex algebraic calculations. These algebraic formulas can be
derived for each maths topic, usually having an unknown variable x, and
some of the common algebraic formulas can be applied to each of the maths
topics.

Example: (a+b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 is an algebraic formula and here,

 (a+b)2 is an algebraic expression

 a2 + 2ab + b2 is a simplified form of an algebraic expression

Here are the algebraic formulas arranged class-wise.

 Algebraic Formulas for Class 8

 Algebraic Formulas for Class 9

 Algebraic Formulas for Class 10

 Algebraic Formulas for Class 11

 Algebraic Formulas for Class 12

Let us look at the detailed list of these formulas in the upcoming sections.

Algebra Formulas for Class 8

The algebra formulas for three variables a, b, and c and for a maximum
degree of 3 can be easily derived by multiplying the expression by itself,
based on the exponent value of the algebraic expression. The below formulas
are for class 8.

 (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

 (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2

 (a + b)(a - b) = a2 - b2

 (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3

 (a - b)3 = a3 - 3a2b + 3ab2 - b3

 a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)

 a3 - b3 = (a - b)(a2 + ab + b2)

 (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca

Some of the common laws of exponents with the same bases having
different powers, and different bases having the same power, are useful to
solve complex exponential terms. The higher exponential values can be
easily solved without any expansion of the exponential terms. These
exponential laws are further useful to derive some of the logarithmic laws.

 am. an = am + n

 am/an = am - n

 (am)n = amn

 (ab)m = am. bm

 a0 = 1

 a-m = 1/am

Each of these laws has a specific name. Take a look at the figure below:
Algebra Formulas for Class 9

Logarithms are useful for the computation of highly

complex multiplication and division calculations. The normal exponential
form of 25 = 32 can be transformed to a logarithmic form as log 2 32 = 5.
Further, the multiplication and division between two mathematic expressions
can be easily transformed into addition and subtraction, after converting
them to logarithmic form. The below properties of logarithms formulas are
applicable in logarithmic calculations.
The important log algebraic formulas that we use most commonly are:

 loga (xy) = loga x + loga y

 loga (x/y) = loga x - loga y

 loga xm = m loga x

 loga a = 1

 loga 1 = 0

Algebra Formulas for Class 10

An important algebra formula introduced in class 10 is the “quadratic

formula”. The general form of the quadratic equation is ax 2 + bx + c = 0,
and there are two methods of solving this quadratic equation. The first
method is to solve the quadratic equation by the algebraic method, and the
second method is to solve it through the use of the quadratic formula. The
below formula is helpful to quickly find the values of the variable x with the
least number of steps.

In the above expression, the value b2 - 4ac is called the discriminant and is
useful to find the nature of the roots of the given equation. Based on the
value of the determinant, the three types of roots are given below.

 If b2 - 4ac > 0, then the quadratic equation has two distinct real roots.

 If b2 - 4ac = 0, then the quadratic equation has two equal real roots.

 If b2 - 4ac < 0, then the quadratic equation has two imaginary roots.

Apart from this, we have a few other formulas related to progressions.

Progressions include some of the basic sequences such as arithmetic
sequence and geometric sequence. The arithmetic sequence is obtained by
adding a constant value to the successive terms of the series. The terms of
the arithmetic sequence is a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, a + 4d, .... a + (n - 1)d.
The geometric sequence is obtained by multiplying a constant value to the
successive terms of the series. The terms of the geometric sequence are a,
ar, ar2, ar3, ar4, .....arn-1. The below formulas are helpful to find the nth term
and the sum of the terms of the arithmetic, and geometric sequence.

Arithmetic Sequence Formulas:

For any arithmetic sequence a, a + d, a + 2d, ...

 nth term, an = a + (n - 1) d

 Sum of the first n terms, Sn = n/2 [2a + (n - 1) d]

Geometric Sequence Formulas:

For any geometric sequence a, ar, ar2, ...

 nth term, an = a rn - 1

 Sum of the first n terms, Sn = a (1 - rn) / (1 - r)

 Sum of infinite terms, S = a / (1 - r)

Algebra Formulas for Class 11

The important topics of Class 11 which have extensive use of algebraic

formulas are permutations and combinations. Permutations help in finding
the different arrangements of r things from the n available things,
and combinations help in finding the different groups of r things from the
available n things. The following formulas help in finding the permutations
and combination values.
  Permutation Formulas:
Factorial formula: n! = n × (n - 1) × (n - 2) × ... × 3 × 2 × 1 and
nPr Formula: n P r (or) n P r = n! / (n - r)!

 Combination Formula (or) nCr Formula: n

C r (or) n C r = n!/[r!(n−r)!]

Apart from the permutations and combinations, there is another important

topic of “Binomial Theorem” as well which is used to evaluate the large
exponents of algebraic expressions with two terms. Here the coefficients of
the binomial terms are calculated from the formula of combinations. The
below expression provides the complete formula for binomial expansion, and
it can be termed the algebraic expression of the binomial theorem.

Using this binomial expansion formula, we can simplify complex expansions

like (x + 2y)7, (3x - y)11, etc.
Algebra Formulas for Class 12

The vector algebra formulas that are involved in class 12 are as follows.

For any three vectors, a, b and c:

 The magnitude of a = x i+y j+z k is, |a| =√(x2+y2+z2).

 The unit vector along a is a/|a|.

 The dot product is defined as: a ⋅ b = |a| |b| cos θ, where θ is the angle
between the vectors a and b.

 The cross product is defined as: a × b = |a| |b| sin θ^nn^, where θ is
the angle between the vectors a and b.

The scalar triple product of three vectors is given by [a b c ] = a ⋅

(b × c) = (a × b) ⋅ c.


Algebra Formulas of Functions

An algebraic function is of the form y=f(x). Here, x is the input and y is the
output of this function. Here, each input corresponds to exactly one output.
But multiple inputs may correspond to a single output. For example: f(x) =
x2 is an algebraic function. Here, when x = 2, f(2) = 2 2 =4. Here, x = 2 is the
input, and f(2) = 4 is the output of the function.
The set of all inputs of a function is known as domain and the set of all the
outputs is known as the range. To know more about domain and range,
click here.

Algebra Formulas of Fractions

The fractions in algebra are known as rational expressions. We can perform

numerous arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and the dividing of fractions in algebra just the same way we do with
fractions involving numbers. Further, it only has the unknown variables and
involved the same rules of working across fractions. The below four
expressions are useful for working with algebraic fractions.

 Adding Fractions: x/y + z/w = (x.w + y.z)/(y.w)

 Subtracting Fractions: x/y - z/w = (x.w - y.z)/(y.w)

 Multiplying Fractions: x/y × z/w = xz/yw

  Dividing Fractions: x/y ÷ z/w = x/y × w/z = xw/yz

Challenging Questions on Algebra Formulas:

Now having understood the concepts of algebraic expression, check out the
below three questions to better practice the learned concept.

 Find the roots of the quadratic equation: x2+7x+12=0

 Simplify the expression: (x-9y3)/(x-7y8) so that the answer has

no negative exponents.

 Expand the logarithm: log x2y3 z.

Exponents

The exponent of a number shows how many times a number is multiplied

by itself. For example, 34 means 3 is multiplied four times by itself, that is, 3
× 3 × 3 × 3 = 34, and here 4 is the exponent of 3. Exponent is also known as
the power of a number and in this case, it is read as 3 to the power of 4.
Exponents can be whole numbers, fractions, negative numbers, or decimals.
Let us learn more about the meaning of exponents along with exponents
examples in this article.

What are Exponents?

The exponent of a number shows how many times the number is multiplied
by itself. For example, 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 can be written as 2 4, as 2 is multiplied
by itself 4 times. Here, 2 is called the 'base' and 4 is called the 'exponent' or
'power'.

Meaning of Exponents

Exponent is the way in which large numbers are expressed in terms of

powers. For example, 4 multiplied 3 times by itself can be expressed as 4 ×
4 × 4 = 43, where 3 is the exponent of 4. Observe the following figure to see
how we express the exponent of a number. It shows that x n means that x is
multiplied by itself 'n' times.

Here, in the term xn,

 x is called the 'base'

  n is called the 'exponent'

 xn is read as 'x to the power of n' (or) 'x raised to n'.

Some examples of exponents are as follows:

 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 35

 -2 × -2 × -2 = (-2)3

 a × a × a × a × a × a = a6

Exponents are important because when a number is multiplied by itself many

times, it is easy to express it in the form of exponents. For example, it is
easier to write 57 rather than writing it as 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5.

Properties of Exponents
The properties of exponents that are also known as the laws of exponents
are used to solve problems involving exponents. These properties are also
considered as major exponents rules. The basic properties of exponents are
given below.

 Law of Product: am × an = am+n

 Law of Quotient: am/an = am-n

 Law of Zero Exponent: a0 = 1

 Law of Negative Exponent: a-m = 1/am

 Law of Power of a Power: (am)n = amn

 Law of Power of a Product: (ab)m = ambm

 Law of Power of a Quotient: (a/b)m = am/bm

Negative Exponents

A negative exponent tells us how many times we have need to multiply the
reciprocal of the base. For example, if it is given that a -n, it can be expanded
as 1/an. It means we have to multiply the reciprocal of a, i.e., 1/a 'n' times.
Negative exponents are used while writing fractions with exponents. Some
examples of negative exponents are 2 × 3-9, 7-3, 67-5, etc. We can convert
these into positive exponents as follows:

 2 × 3-9 = 2 × (1/39) = 2 / 39

 7-3 = 1/73

 67-5 = 1/675

Exponents with Fractions

If the exponent of a number is a fraction, it is known as a fractional

exponent. Square roots, cube roots, nth root are parts of fractional exponents.
A number with power 1/2 is termed as the square root of the base. Similarly,
a number with a power of 1/3 is called the cube root of the base. Some
examples of exponents with fractions are 52/3, -81/3, 105/6, etc. We can write
these as follows:

 52/3 = (52)1/3 = 251/3 = ∛25

 -81/3 = ((-2)3)1/3 = -2

 105/6 = (105)6 = 6√105 = 6√100000

Decimal Exponents

If the exponent of a number is given in the decimal form, it is known as a

decimal exponent. It is slightly difficult to evaluate the correct answer of any
decimal exponent so we find the approximate answer for such cases.
Decimal exponents can be solved by first converting the decimal into fraction
form. For example, 41.5 can be written as 43/2 which can be simplified further
to get the final answer 8, i.e., 43/2 = (22)3/2 = 23 = 8.

Scientific Notation with Exponents

Scientific notation is the standard form of writing very large numbers or very
small numbers. In this, numbers are written with the help of decimals and
powers of 10. A number is said to be written in scientific notation when a
number between 0 to 10 is multiplied by a power of 10. In the case of a
number greater than 1, the power of 10 will be a positive exponent, while
in the case of numbers less than 1, the power of 10 will be negative. Let us
understand the steps for writing numbers in scientific notation with
exponents:

 Step 1: Put a decimal point after the first digit of the number from the
left. If there is only one digit in a number excluding zeros, then we do
not need to put decimal.

 Step 2: Multiply that number with a power of 10 such that the power
will be equal to the number of times we shift the decimal point.

By following these two simple steps we can write any number in the standard
form with exponents, for example, 560000 = 5.6 × 10 5, 0.00736567 =
7.36567 × 10-3.

To learn more about the use of exponents in writing scientific notation of

numbers, visit the following articles:

 How Do You Write 2.5 million in Scientific Notation?

 How do you write 12 million in scientific notation?

 How do you write 0.0001 in scientific notation?

 What is the scientific notation for 8 million?

 How do you write 13 million in scientific notation?

 Which of the following expressions is written in scientific notation

Tips and Tricks:

 If a fraction has a negative exponent, then we take the reciprocal of
the fraction to make the exponent positive, i.e., (a/b) -m = (b/a)m.

 Decimal exponents can be solved by first converting the decimal into

fraction form, i.e., 20.5 can be written as 21/2