Algebraic Expressions

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
What is the difference between a numeric expression and an

algebraic or variable expression?
Numeric Expression Algebraic Expression

-3 + 2 + 4 – 5 -3x + 2y – 4z - 5
An algebraic or variable expression consists
of three parts
• Variable
• Coefficient
• Constant
Variables: In algebra, we are usually dealing with combinations of real numbers (such as 3, 6/7
and -) and letters (such as x, a, and m). Unless otherwise specified, the letters are symbols used to
represent real numbers and are sometimes called variables.
Algebraic Expression: An expression obtained by performing additions, subtractions,
multiplications, divisions, or extractions of roots with one or more real numbers or variables.
•
• Examples of algebraic expressions include:
• 3x - 2y, and – 3, etc.
•
A term can be a number, a variable, a product of two or more variables, or a product of a number
and a variable. An algebraic expression is formed by a single term or by a group of terms. For
example, in the expression 4x + y, the two terms are 4x and y.
A Coefficient is an integer that is written along with a variable or it is multiplied by the variable.
In other words, a coefficient is the numerical factor of a term containing constants and variables.
For example, in the term , 2 is the coefficient.
The variable is a symbol or letter that represents a
number.
What are the variables in the expression below?
- 4x + 3y - 8z + 9
The coefficient is the number that multiplies the variable.
More plainly, it is the number in front of a variable.
What are the coefficients in the expression below?
- 4x + 3y - 8z + 9
The constant is any term that does not have a
variable.
What is the constant in the expression below?
- 8 + 5y + 3x
POLYNOMIAL
 The sum of a finite number of terms with non-negative integer powers on

the variables is called a polynomial. If a polynomial contains only one
variable x, then it is called a polynomial in x.
 The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in a
polynomial expression.
•For example, x3 +2x2-3x+5 is a polynomial with degree 3.
•Note: If two or more variables are in a term, the degree of the term is the
sum of the exponents of the variables. The degree of a nonzero constant term
is zero. Thus, the degree of 4x2y is 2+1=3.
GENERAL FORM OF POLYNOMIAL
 The general form of a polynomial in x is
where each coefficient ai is a real number for , the degree of the polynomial is n, and
an is called the leading coefficient. The term a0 is called the constant term.
An algebraic expression may be classified as a
monomial. A monomial only has one term. It
is an expression consisting of a number and a
variable or the product of numbers and variables
that have whole number exponents. A
monomial cannot have a variable in the
denominator.
Comprehension Check
Identify the expressions that are not

monomials. Justify your answer.
An algebraic expression can also be classified as a
polynomial which is an expression that consists of more than
one term. Two types of polynomials are binomials and
trinomials.
A binomial has two terms. Ex: 3x + 4
A trinomial has three terms. Ex: 4a2 + 3a + 7

EVALUATING
ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
Evaluating an algebraic/variable expression involves solving it when the variable/s in that
expression are given a numeric value.
To evaluate a variable expression, you first replace each variable with the numbers to which they
are equal. Then you use the order of operations to simplify.
Remember! Please Excuse My Dear

Aunt Sally
Parentheses Exponents
(Multiplication and Division are done in the order in which they appear. Which ever
operation appears first, is done first. The same applies for addition and subtraction when
both operations are found within a problem.)
EVALUATING EXPRESSIONS EXAMPLES
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
LET’S PRACTICE!
EXPANDING ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
Using the Distributive Property
Distributive Property
Expanding an algebraic expression involves using the distributive property. When the
distributive property is used, you multiply the quantity in front(or sometimes in the back)
of the parentheses by each term in the parentheses. Remember to use integer rules for
multiplication (if multiplying same signs – answer is positive, if multiplying different
signs – answer is negative).
Examples
LET’S PRACTICE! EXPAND EACH EXPRESSION
SIMPLIFYING
ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS
Distributive Property & Combining Like Terms
Simplifying expressions involves combining like terms.
Like Terms are monomials that have variables raised to the
same powers.
What terms are like terms with ?
-
When combining like terms, you group like terms together. Then you use addition
rules to combine the coefficients. Keep the variables.
Simplify each polynomial
Ex 1: - 6x + 5y – 3x + y – 8 Ex 2: -2x – 8y + 5x – 4y
= -6x – 3x + 5y + y – 8 = - 2x + 5x -
8y – 4y
= - 9x + 6y – 8 = 3x
- 12y
EX 3: 5a – 2b + c – 5b + 4b Ex 4: 4x2 - 6x + 3x – 4x2 + 7x2 + 1 -

5
= 5a – 2b + 4b + c =
4x2 – 4x2 +
7x2 – 6x + 3x + 1 – 5
LET’S PRACTICE!
SIMPLIFY EACH EXPRESSION
•-

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ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

What is the difference between a numeric expression and an

Numeric Expression Algebraic Expression

What are the variables in the expression below?

What are the coefficients in the expression below?

What is the constant in the expression below?

 The sum of a finite number of terms with non-negative integer powers on

Identify the expressions that are not

A binomial has two terms. Ex: 3x + 4

A trinomial has three terms. Ex: 4a2 + 3a + 7

Remember! Please Excuse My Dear

What terms are like terms with ?

Simplify each polynomial

EX 3: 5a – 2b + c – 5b + 4b Ex 4: 4x2 - 6x + 3x – 4x2 + 7x2 + 1 -

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