Fundamentals of Mathematics

MAT 100 Introduction to Algebra

MAT100

WEEK TWO (7/2-7/8/07) CHAPTER 2

Objectives
After completing this lesson you should be able to:

MAT100

Evaluate algebraic expressions Write equivalent expressions Identify like terms and perimeter Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms Solve algebraic equations Add and subtract polynomials
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions

Variable
a letter that can stand for some number. For examples: a, b, x, y

Constant
A number or letter that can stand for just on one number For examples: 5, - 6, ( where 3.14 ), C

Algebraic Expression
Consists of variables, numerals, and operation signs a For examples: x + 86, 7 t, 19 y, and b

Methods of writing 5 times a

5xa 5a 5(a) 5a
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

Evaluating the Expressions
To evaluate the expression, we substitute a variable with a number and then calculate the value of the expression by performing required arithmetic operations. For example 1: Evaluate x + y for x = 37 and y = 29

First we substitute 37 for x and 29 for y. We have 37 + 29 = 66.

For example 2:

Evaluate 3y for y = 14

First we substitute 14 for y. We have 3 ( 14) = 42.

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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

Equivalent Expression
Two expressions that have the same value for all allowable replacement For example: evaluate x + x = 2x for x = 3 Left side: x + x = 3 + 3 = 6 Right side: 2x = 2 3 = 6 So we conclude that x + x and 2x are equivalent expressions.
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

The Commutative Law of Addition
For any number a and b, a + b = b + a Example 1: 3 + 4 = 4 + 3 7 = 7 Example 2: 6 + a = a + 6 Let a = 1; we have 6 + 1 = 1 + 6 7 = 7
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

The Commutative Law of Multiplication
For any number a and b, a b = b a Example 1: 3 4 = 4 3 12 = 12 Example 2: 6 a = a 6 Let a = 2; we have 6 2 = 2 6 12 = 12
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

The Associative Law of Addition
For any number a , b, and c, ( a + b ) + c = a + ( b + c )

Example 1: ( 2 + 3 ) + 4 = 2 + ( 3 + 4 ) 5+4=2+7 9 = 9 Example 2: ( 2 + 4 ) + a = 2 + ( 4 + a ) Let a = 1 ; we have ( 2 + 4 ) + 1 = 2 + ( 4 + 1 ) 6+1= 2+5 7 = 7

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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

The Associative Law of Multiplication
For any number a , b, and c = ( a b ) c = a ( b c ) Example 1: ( 2 3 ) 4 = 2 ( 3 4 ) 6 4 = 2 12 24 = 24 Example 2: ( 2 a ) 4 = 2 ( a 4 ) Let a = 3; we have ( 2 3 ) 4 = 2 (3 4 ) 6 4 = 2 12 24 = 24
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Introduction to Algebra and Expressions (continued)

The Distributive Law
For any number a, b, and c, a ( b + c ) = ab + ac
Example 1: 3 (4 + 2 ) Example 2: (m 4) 6 = 34+3 2 = 12 + 6 = 18 = m64 6 = 6m 24

Note: m 6 = 6 m = 6m
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Terms
Terms
A number A variable A product of numbers and/or variables A quotient of numbers and/or variables Examples:

5 xy ,3 x , and 8
2

5 xy 3 x 8
2
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Like Terms
Like Terms
Terms in which the variables factors are exactly the same Examples: 9x and 4x are like terms 3y2 and 7y2 are like terms 2x and 2y are not like terms 2y2 and 2y3 are not like terms

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Combining Like Terms

Numerical Coefficient
The numerical part of a term. For example: 2 is the numerical coefficient of 2a.

Combining Like Terms

Combine like terms to form an equivalent expression by adding or subtracting the numerical coefficients of like terms. The variable parts stay the same. Examples: 4x + 3x = ( 4 + 3 ) x = 7x

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Combining Like Terms

(continued)
Example
Combine like terms to form an equivalent expression 7y 2 3y + 5 = 7y + ( 2 ) + ( 3y ) + 5 Changing subtraction to addition = 7y + ( 3y) + ( 2 ) + 5 Using commutative law = 4y + 3 Combining like terms

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Combining Like Terms

(continued)
First we use the distributive law to apply multiplication over addition and then combine like terms. Simplify 5 ( x + 3 ) + 2 ( x 7 ) = 5 x + 5 3 + 2 x 2 7 Using distributive law = 5x + 15 + 2x 14 = 5x + 2x + 15 - 14 Using commutative law = 7x + 1 Combining like terms

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Perimeter
5m
9m
4m 5m

6m

We add the lengths of all sides. Since all the units are the same, we are effectively combining like terms. Perimeter = 6 m + 5 m + 4 m + 5 m + 9 m = (6 +5 + 4 + 5 + 9) m Using the distributive law = 29m Try to go directly to this step
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Solving Equations
The Addition Principle
For any number a, b, and c, a = b is equivalent to a + c = b + c

The Division Principle

For any number a, b, and c ( c 0), a = b is equivalent to a = b c c

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Solving Equations
(continued)
Use addition principle to solve x 7 = 2 x7+7=2+7 x+0=5 x=5 Alternative Method x7=2 x=2+7 x=5
MAT100

Move the -7 over to the opposite side of the equation and change its sign x is now alone
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Solving Equations
(continued)
Use division principle to solve 9x = 63

9x = 63 9 x 63 9 9 x =7

Divide each side by 9

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Solving Equations (continued)

Use both principles to solve 5x 8 = 27 5x 8 =27 5x 8 + 8 = 27 + 8 5x = 35 5x

We first isolate 5x using the addition principle. Then we use the Division Principle to eliminate the 5 from the x by dividing 5 on both sides of the equation.
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5 5 x=7

35

MAT100

Polynomials
A monomial is a term if there is no division by a variable expression. A polynomial is a monomial or a combination of sums and/or differences of monomials. Examples: Polynomial with one monomial:

x
2

37 p 4
3

Polynomial with two monomials: 5 y 3 Polynomial with three monomials:

MAT100 WEEK TWO (7/2-7/8/07) CHAPTER 2

a bc

1 7a a 2
3

3x 2 2 x 5
21

Addition of Polynomials
4 x 2 3 x) (2 x 3 5 x 2 x) (5 x
3

(5 x 3 2 x 3 ) (4 x 2 5 x 2 ) (3x x)

Combining like terms Adding or subtracting the coefficients of like terms to find result

7x 9x 2x
3 2

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Subtraction of Polynomials
(9 x 5 x 3 2 x 2 4) (2 x 5 x 4 4 x 3 3x 2 )
x 3 2 x 2 4) 2 x 5 x 4 4 x 3 3 x 2 (9 x
5

9 x x 2 x 4 2 x x 4 x 3x
5 3 2 5 4 3

7 x5 x 4 5x3 x 2 4

Final Result

Note: Each time you subtract one polynomial from another, change the subtract sign to an addition sign, then change the sign of each term within the parenthesis of the second polynomial. MAT100 WEEK TWO (7/2-7/8/07) CHAPTER 2

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Summary
Evaluate algebraic expressions Write equivalent expressions Identify like terms and perimeter Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms Solve algebraic equations Add and subtract polynomials

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