Chapter 2

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
Every day, we encounter situations or phenomena that we need to study and analyze.
Expressing this mathematically will simplify the whole process of analysis. The mathematical
expressions used to model situations may involve quantities of known values or quantities whose
values are changing.
This chapter introduces the concept of algebraic expressions. It also includes a discussion
of the terminologies and principles, as well as the operations, which apply to algebraic
expressions.
2.1 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
Mathematical statements use two types of quantities: constant and variables. A variable
is a quantity whose value changes while a constant is a quantity whose value does not change. It
is common to represent each of these quantities by a symbol and since the value of a constant
does not change, it is normal to use in place of the symbol the value itself. The following are
examples of constants:

a) 2

b)

1
2

c)

d)

e) - 3.1375

f) e

On the other hand, since a variable takes on different values, it is customary to represent
it by a symbol. The values that the variables can be substituted with can be any real number and
as such the properties of the real numbers apply for variables and constants. By convention, any
letter of the English or Greek alphabet is used as a variable name. The following are examples of
variables:
a) t

b) s

c)u

d)

e)

f)

When constants and variables are associated by any of the fundamental operations, we
have an algebraic expression. By definition,

An algebraic expression is the result of associating constants and

variables by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, including roots and
powers.

The following are examples of algebraic expressions:

y
a) 2 x
c)
e) x 2y 2 , 3x 2 y - 2xy 2 3y 3
2
2 x
3
b) x y
d)
f ) xy
4y

g) 3x

In the expression 2 x y, each of the factors 2 , y and x can be considered as a coefficient

of the other, where 2 is called the numerical coefficient of x y and xy is the literal coefficient of
2. The expression consisting of a product of constants and variables including the (+) or () sign
preceding it is called an algebraic term or simply a term. Thus in the expression:

a) 2 x

there is one term

b) 5(x+y)

there is one term

c) 2 x 2 4 y(xy 1)

there are 2 terms, namely: 2 x2 ,4 y( xy 1)

d) 3x2 y - 2xy 2 3y3

there are 3 terms, namely: 3x2 y, - 2xy 2 ,3y3

In expressions such as y3 and - xy , it is implied that the numerical coefficients are 1 and
-1, respectively. When two or more terms have the same literal coefficients, they are called
similar or like terms.
An algebraic expression may involve a power given by the form a n , where a is called
the base and n , the exponent. The power expression a n is a product of n-factors of a.

2.2 TYPES OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

An algebraic expression may be classified as a polynomial, a rational expression or an
irrational expression.
A polynomial is an algebraic expression consisting of one or more terms in
which the exponent of the variable or of the variables is a non-negative integer. A
polynomial may involve one or more variables.

The following are examples of polynomials.

a) 2 x6 6 x5 x4 3x3 5x2 7 x 4
b) x8 6 x4 9

c) x6 6 x5 y 15 x4 y 2 20 x3 y3 15 x2 y 4 6xy5 y6
d ) x10 1

Polynomials may be classified according to degree, according to the number of terms

present, or according to the nature of the numerical coefficient.

22

The degree of a term is the sum of the integral exponents of the variables in the term.
Thus, the degree of each of the following terms is as indicated.

a) 8
b) 7w

zero degree
1st degree

c) - 2x6

6th degree

d ) 7 x2 y 2

4th degree

e) x7 yz 3

11th degree

The degree of a polynomial in one variable is the highest degree of the variable in the
polynomial. If the polynomial is in two or more variables, then the degree of the polynomial is
the highest degree among the terms of the polynomials. Polynomials are classified according to
degree as:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

zero degree
1st degree or linear
2nd degree or quadratic
3rd degree or cubic
4th degree or quartic
nth degree , for any n a positive integer

The following polynomials are classified according to its degree.

a) 2x 6 6x5 x 4 3x3 5x 2
b) - x11 x5 3x14 4

6th degree

c) 3x5 y 2 xy3 x4 y

6th degree

d ) - 27x 4 6w 2x 2 - w4
e) 2x 1

4th degree
1st degree or linear

14th degree

When polynomials are classified according to the number of terms it has, the polynomial
may be described as:
a)
b)
c)
d)

monomial a polynomial of one term

binomial - a polynomial of two terms
trinomial a polynomial of three terms
multinomial or simply polynomial polynomial of four or more terms

Thus;

a) 2 x 6
b) 7x 4

monomial
binomial

c) x5 3x3 2

trinomial

d ) 3x3 5x2 7 x 4

multinomial or polynomial

23

Polynomials can also be classified according to the nature of its numerical coefficient as
being integral, rational or irrational. A polynomial that is integral has integers as numerical
coefficients of all of the terms. When some of the numerical coefficients are expressed as a ratio
of two integers or as a fraction or as decimal numbers, the polynomial is said to be rational. At
times, some of the coefficients of the terms are irrational numbers. In cases like these, the
polynomial is said to be a real polynomial. Thus an integral or a rational polynomial is also a real
polynomial. The following illustrates this concept.

a) 2 x6 6 x5 x4 3x3 5x2 7 x 4

integral, real

b) x8 4 x3 2x

integral, real

c) 2 y3 y5 1
d ) x 1
1 2 3
e)
x x4
2
4

real
real
rational, real

A rational expression is an algebraic expression involving a ratio of two polynomials.

Examples are the following:

a)

3
x2

b)

x-y
x2

c)

x3 1
x4 2x 4

An irrational expression is an algebraic expression that involves variables raised to

fractional exponents, such as the following:

a)
d)

2xy 1
1
x2

1
y2

b)

xyz - 2x - y 3z

c)

w 5
e)

vu

Exercises:
I. Classify each of the following as to the nature of the algebraic expression.
1.
2.

3.

4.

5.

7x 4 2x 4x 2 3
2
5x x x 4 1 6x 2
3
2
2
2yx xy 3x 3 5y 3 1
1
x 2x 23x 3 5
2
x
2
2x 7y 2 2y
y
x

24

x - y3

II. Complete the table below by classifying each of the given polynomials according
to the stated parameters.

Classification according to:

Number of Degree
terms

Polynomial

1. 8 2x
2. x 6 3x 2 2x 3
1
2
3. (y 3) (y 3) 7 1
3
5
2
4. 2x x ex 3 5

6. ab2c 3 2a3bc2 4a3b2c a2b2c 2

7. 5 2mn4 3m2n 3 m3n 2 3m4 n 2m5 n 5

Nature of Numerical
Coefficient

5. x 2 y 3xy 2 3x 3 4y 4 1

EVALUATION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

The value of an algebraic expression can be evaluated at particular values of the variables
by substituting the given values in the expressions and evaluating the expression subject to the
rules of signed numbers. The value of each of the following expressions is as follows:
a) 2 x2 y 6 x xy 2 3 when evaluated at x = 2 and y = 3 is

2(2)2 (3) 6(2) (2)(3)2 3 = 27

b)

x3 1
x4 2x 4

when evaluated at x = -1 is

(-1)3 1
=
(-1) 4 2(1) 4

-1 1
2
2
=
=
5
1 2 4
5

c) x 1 when evaluated at x = 5 is

(5) 1

= 5 1

25

Exercises: Evaluate each of the following algebraic expressions at the indicated values of
the variables.
1. (m n)(m3 n3 ) where m = 2 and n = -1
( x y )(2 x y )
2. 2
where x = 3 and y = 1
3x 2 xy y 2
2
3. 3( x 4 y) y 2 where x = 2 and y = 4
x
4. r 4 2r 2 s 2 s 4
where r = 4 and s = 2
c
a 2b2 b2 x 2 a 2 y 2 where a =4, b = 9, c = 1, x=2, and y = 1
5.
ab
6. (x 2)2 y 3(x 2)y 2 3(x 2)3 4y 4 1
where x = 1 and y = -2
x
7. 3 2x 2 y
where x = 2 and y = 1
xy 4
y2

2.3 INTEGER EXPONENTS

If a is any real number and n is a positive integer then the exponential notation a n , read
as the nth power of a, is the product of n-factors of a. That is,

a n a a a a a
n factors

In this notation, a is called the base and n is the exponent. The nth power of some numbers are
given below.

a) 35 3(3)(3)(3)(3) 243
4

1 1 1 1 1 1
b)
2 2 2 2 2 16
3

c)

8
2 2 2 2

125
5 5 5 5

There will be instances where we encounter an exponential notation of the form a n

where n is a negative integer or zero. Provided a 0 and n is a positive integer, then

a0 1

1
a n n
a

and

26

Examples:
0

a) 3 1
3

d) 2

1
c) 1
2

b) (2) 1

3
2

e)

1

2

1
5

1

2

To get our way around algebraic expressions involving exponential notations, we should
be familiar with the rules that govern them.

Laws of Exponents
For any a and b , real numbers not equal to zero and for any n and m ,
positive integers
1. Product of two powers of the same base

a m a n a m n
2. Quotient of two powers of the same base
a m n
if m n

if m n
am 1

an
if n m
1
anm

3. Power of a Power

m n

a mn

4. Power of a Product

abm a mbm

5. Power of a Quotient
m

am
a

b
bm

27

Example: Simplify each of the following in a form free of zero or negative exponents.

a) y3 2 y 2 2 y32 2 y 5
0

2x
b) 1
5
2

x2 y3
2
2
c) 1 0 x 21 y 3 x3 y 3 x6 y 6
x y
m2
d) 4 2
r s

r 3 m2 r 3 1
1
3 2 4 2 3 2 2 2
r m
m s r s m s rm
2

Exercises: Simplify the following expressions. Assume no denominator is equal to zero.

Express the results with positive exponents.

r 5s4
1.
r 6s
2.

6.

3 3
2 x3

3x2

8m 2 n 2
3. 3 3
4m n

7.

8.

(b x3 ) 2
4.
(b x2 ) 2
31 x 2 y 3
5. 1 4
6 xy

9.

a6
3a b c 4 3
9b c
1
27ab3c 7 9a3b3c 6 2

2
d
d
64 x 2 y 6 z 6 216x 3y 3z 6 3 2x 5 y 3z 6
3 2 2

v w v w vw
21 x 2 y 3 z 2 16xyz 3 0 2x 0 y 3 z 4 2

2 5 3 2
2
vw
v w v w

5 2 4

2.4 OPERATIONS WITH ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

The four fundamental operations ,as well as determining powers and roots, can be carried
out with algebraic expressions.

Addition/Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions:

When two or more algebraic expressions are added, the sum is obtained by adding similar
terms together. The sum of similar terms is the sum of the numerical coefficients multiplied by
the common literal coefficients. To simplify the procedure, the terms may be arranged in
columns so that similar terms lie in one column.

28

Likewise, when the difference between any two algebraic expressions is required, the
difference is obtained by subtracting similar terms. The difference of similar terms is the
difference of the numerical coefficients multiplied by the common literal coefficients. Again,
similar terms may be arranged in one column for easy manipulation. One may look at subtraction
in terms of addition as equal to the sum of the minuend and the negative of the subtrahend. That
is, A B = A + (-B).
Examples: Find the indicated sum or difference:
1. Find the sum of the following expressions:
a. 3xy 4 y 8x 9 , 4x 3xy 7 y 3 , 11 6 y 5x 9xy
Solution:
3xy 4y 8x + 9
3xy - 7y + 4x 3
-9xy + 6y 5x +11
-3xy - 5y 9x + 17
b. 8 xy 2 12 x 2 y 4 xy 9 x 4 y 6 , x 3x 2 y 7 xy 2 3 y , 7y 6 xy 2 8 x 3x 2 y
Solution:

8xy 2 12x 2 y 4xy 9x 4y 6

- 7xy 2 3x 2 y

x 3y

6xy2 3x 2 y

8x 7y

7xy2 12x 2 y 4xy 18x 6

the sum of 3xy 2 xy3 3x4 y 5 y 26 and

2. From

4 y 2 xy 3 x 4 y 1 , subtract

xy 3
2 x 4 y 4 xy 5 y 7 .

Solution: Add the first two expressions

3xy 2 xy 3 3x 4 y 5 y 26
2 xy 3 x 4 y 4y 1

3xy

4 x4 y 9y 25

( This is the minuend for subtraction)

4 xy xy3 2 x 4 y

5y

xy - xy 3 6 x 4 y 14 y 32

29

( Subtrahend)

Exercises:

I. Find the sum of the given expressions.

a.

2x 3y 6z, 5y 4z 3x,

z 3x 5y

b. 3mn2 pq 5nm4 pq 7qp3 mn

- nm 4 pq 2mn2 pq qp3mn

3mn 2 pq 7nm4 pq qp3 nm

c.

3rs 4rs2 3r 2s 12r 2s2

5rs 3rs2 r2s 8r2s2
rs rs2 2r2s r2s2

d.

m3n 3 2m2n 4 4mn5 6n 6

5m2n 4 8n 6 4m3n 3 5mn5
3m2n4 2m3n 3 3n 6 mn5

II. Subtract from the sum of the first two expressions the third expression.

a. xyz 4 x 2 yz 3xy 2 z 4 xyz 2

6xyz 2 5xyz 5xy 2 z 8x 2 yz
2xy 2 z 3xyz 2 2xyz 10x 2 yz

b. 2abc2ad 4bc ac

bc 2ac 5ab
3ab 5ac 5bc abc

III. What must be added to a5b 3ab2 a3 3b4 a 5 to give

27 3a5b 5ab2 4a 3a3 2b4 ?

IV. From what polynomial

should alm3 5a2lm2 4al3m 2a 6l 4m be subtracted

from to give 3m l 3a 2alm3 5a2lm2 2al3m ?

V. What must be subtracted

from the sum of m3in 3mi2n 2 4m 6i 3n 2i and

6m 3m3in 2i mi2n 2 6i 3n to give 5i 9m 4m3in 6i 3n 9mi2n 2 ?

30

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions by Removal of Symbols of Groupings

There will be occasions where complicated forms of algebraic expressions need to be
simplified. Forms of algebraic expressions become complicated when different groupings of
terms are given, some of which maybe embedded within groups. To simplify expressions of this
nature, we perform the indicated operations starting with the innermost group moving out.
Similar terms within groups need to be added together before another grouping symbol is
removed.
Examples: Simplify the given expression by removing symbols of grouping:

3x 2 3xy 2y 2 27y 2 x 2 xy

a.

= x 2 9xy 6y 2 14 y 2 2x 2 2xy
= x 2 7xy 20y 2

b. 2x 9 43x 26 x 5x 2
= 2x 18 43x 12 2x 5x 2

= 2x 18 44 x 10
= 2x 18 16x 40

= 14x 58

c. 3x 2x 3x 1 2x 43x 22 x

= 3x 2x 3x 3 2x 43x 4 2x
=
=
=
=

3x 22x 3 4x 4
3x 4 x 6 4 x 16
3x 22

3x 66

Exercises: Simplify the given expressions by removing symbols of grouping:

1. 2x 5y 7y 7x
2. 3ab 3cd 42ba 5cd 3ab 7cd
3. 32w 3s w s w s

4. 2x 21 3x 2x 2 32 x 4x 1

6. 3 2x 4 3x 2x 3 43 x

5. ab c 2ab 3c d ab 3z4 c c 3 2a
7. 2x y 23x 4x 5y 4 3y 5x 3 7y x 82x y 2

8. a 4b 6c 23 5c 3a 7b c 23b c 4b c 6c a

31

Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions

The product of algebraic expressions is the result of applying the distributive property
and the laws of exponents, where each and every term of the first factor is multiplied with all
the terms of the second factor. The result is simplified by adding similar terms together.
Examples:
1. Multiply (2 xy 5 x 3x 2 y 2 4) ( x 3y - 5)
Solution:
(2 xy 5 x 3x 2 y 2 4) ( x 3y - 5)

= (2 xy 5 x 3x 2 y 2 4) x + (2 xy 5 x 3x2 y 2 4) 3y + (2 xy 5 x 3x 2 y 2 4) ( - 5)
= (2 x 2 y 5 x2 3x3 y 2 4x) + (6 xy 2 15 xy 9 x 2 y3 12 y ) + (10 xy 25 x 15 x 2 y 2 20)
= 2 x2 y 5 x2 3x3 y 2 21x 6 xy 2 5 xy 9 x2 y3 12 y 15 x2 y 2 20
2. Multiply (3x5 x 4 y 3x3 y 2 x 2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5 ) ( x y)
Solution:
(3x5 x 4 y 3x3 y 2 x 2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5 ) ( x y)

= (3x5 x 4 y 3x3 y 2 x 2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5 ) ( x) + (3x5 x 4 y 3x3 y 2 x 2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5 ) (y)

= (3x6 x5 y 3x 4 y 2 x3 y3 4 x 2 y 4 6 xy 5 ) + (3x5 y x 4 y 2 3x3 y3 x 2 y 4 4 xy 5 6 y 6 )
= 3x6 2 x5 y 2 x 4 y 2 4 x3 y3 5 x 2 y 4 2 xy 5 6 y 6
Or
(3x5 x 4 y 3x3 y 2 x 2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5 ) ( x y)

3x5 x4 y 3x3 y 2 x2 y3 4 xy 4 6 y5
x y
3x6 x5 y 3x 4 y 2 x3 y3 4 x 2 y 4 6 xy 5
3x5 y x 4 y 2 3x3 y3 x 2 y 4 4 xy5 6 y 6
3x6 2 x5 y 2 x 4 y 2 4 x3 y3 5 x 2 y 4 2 xy 5 6 y 6

32

( product of the first factor with x)

( product of the first factor with y)
( product of the two factors)

The product of a polynomial with another polynomial in the same variable can be
simplified if done in tabular form as follows:
1. Arrange both polynomials in descending order of a chosen variable, inserting missing
terms with zero coefficient.
2. Use the coefficients of the terms of the first polynomial , written from left to right, as
column headings of the table and the coefficients of the terms of the second polynomial ,
written from top to bottom starting with the second row on the right end of the table, as
row headings.
3. A particular entry of the table is obtained multiplying its column and row headings. This
is done for all entries of the table.
4. These entries are added diagonally starting from the upper right entry to the lower left
entry. The diagonal sums are the coefficients of the terms of the product whose degree is
the sum of the degrees of the two polynomials multiplied.
Example: Find the product as specified.
1. Product of 2x 5 3x 4 5x 3 x 2 7x 5 and x 3 4x 2 5x 3
Solution:

2
2
8
-10
6
5

-17

-3
-3
-12
15
-9
42

5
5
20
-25
15
-37

1
1
4
-5
3
-13

-7
5
-7
5
-28
20
35
-25
-21
15
58
-46
15

1
4
-5
3

The product is 2x 8 5x 7 17x 6 42x 5 37x 4 13x 3 58x 2 46x 15

2. (3x 5 x 4 y 3x 3 y 2 x 2 y 3 4xy 4 6y 5 ) ( 3x 2y)

Solution:
3
-1
3
1
9
-3
9
3
6
-2
6
2
9
3
7
9
14
-10

4
12
8
-12

-6
-18
-12

The product is 9x 6 3x 5 y 7x 4 y 2 9x 3 y 3 14x 2 y 4 10xy 5 12y 6

Exercises:

I. Multiply the given expressions:

1. 12xy 2z 2 5x 3 yz 24xy 2z , 3xy 3z4
2. ab2c abc 2bc2 , 2a 5c

33

3
2

x3 y3 ,
xy
m5 n 5 , m n
a2 ab b2
, ab
4
3
2 2
x + 4x y +6x y + 4xy 3 + y 4 , x +2y
5x 4 y - x3 y2 - 2x 2 y3 + 4xy 4 - 5y 5 , 2x - 5y
7
5
4
2
5
3
2
8. 3m 12m 6m 5m + 3m - 7 , 2m 2m 3m m 1
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

II. Multiply
3x 2y 3z with the sum of xy 2 5yz 3 x 2 yz and 9xy 2 yz 3 5x 2 yz .
III.
Find the product of x 2 y 2 and x 2 y 2 .

IV. Find the required quantity:

a. area of a right triangle

whose legs are (2x-1)
and (x+4).
b. Perimeter of a rectangle with sides (y-z+2) and (3+4z-y).
c.
Volume of a rectangular prism with sides (m-n+3), (3n+2-7m) and
( 5m-5n+7).
Division of Algebraic Expressions
The quotient of dividing an algebraic expression by another is based on the division
algorithm. That is,

N ( x ) Q( x ) D( x ) R ( x )

N ( x)
R( x)
Q( x )
.
D( x )
D( x )

The quotient of an algebraic expression with a monomial divisor is the sum of the
quotients obtained from dividing each of the terms of the dividend by the monomial divisor.
That is,

A B A B
.
C
C C

However, when the divisor is not a monomial, the quotient is obtained by a process of
long division as follows:
1. Arrange the terms of the dividend and the divisor in the descending order of the power
of the variable, including terms with zero coefficient. In case the dividend and divisor are
polynomials in two or more variables, the terms should be arranged in the descending order of
the power of a chosen variable.
2. Divide the first term of the dividend by the first term of the divisor to get the first term
of the quotient.
3. Multiply this term of the quotient with each of the terms of the divisor and subtract the
product from the dividend.

34

4. Using the difference obtained in step 3 as new dividend, repeat steps 2 and 3 until such
time that the difference obtained from this step is of degree less than the divisor. This expression
is the remainder.
Examples:

1. Divide 6 x 2 y3 12 x5 y 2 36 x3 y 4 by 3x 2 y 2 .
Solution:

6 x2 y3 12 x5 y 2 36 x3 y 4
3x 2 y 2

6 x2 y3 12 x5 y 2 36 x3 y 4
2 2 2 2 2 y 4 x312 xy 2
2 2
3x y
3x y
3x y

2. Divide 6 x3 5 x 2 4 x 4 by 2 x 3 .
Solution:

2x 3

3x 2 2 x 1
6 x3 5 x 2 4 x 4
6x 3 9 x 2
________________
- 4 x2 4 x
- 4 x2 6 x
__________
2x4
2x 3
________
1

The
2

quotient

can
3

be

checked

(3x 2 x 1)(2 x 3) 1 6 x 5 x 4 x 4 ?

35

by

verifying

whether

2. Divide 2 x 4 7 x3 2 x 1 by x 2 3x 1 .
Solution:

x2 3x 1

2 x2 x 1
2 x 4 7 x3 0 x 2 2 x 1
2x 4 6x 3 2 x 2
_____________________
x3 2 x 2 2 x
x3 3x 2 x
______________
- x2 3 x 1
- x2 - 3x 1
___________
6x - 2

Exercises: Perform the indicated operations:

1. 35y8z 3 5y 2z2
2. (24a5b3c2 + 36a8b5c8 - 60a 7b4c 5) 12a4b2c2
3. m 2 n 2 m - n

4. 12a2 26a 16 2a 1
5. 9x 2 24 x 16 3x 4y
5. p3 q3 (p q)
6. r8 t 8 (r t)
7. 3x 7 x 6 2x 5 x 4 3x 3 x 2 3x 5 (x 3)
8. 3a6 5a4b2 8a3b3 5a2b4 b6 (a b)
9. 12m 5 15m 4 n 18m 3n 2 22m 2n 3 6mn 4 10n 5 (2m 3n)
10. 2a6 5a5b 8a4b2 5a3b3 6a2b4 4ab5 8b6 (2a2 5ab b2 )

36

Synthetic Division
The process of long division of a polynomial P(x) in one variable divided by a binomial
of the form ( x r ) can be simplified using synthetic division doing the following steps.
1.Arrange the terms of the polynomial in the descending order of the power of the
variable, from the leading term to the constant term supplying missing terms with coefficient
zero whenever necessary
2. Take note of the numerical coefficients of these terms and arrange them in a row.
3. Bring down the first number in the sequence in a new row and multiply this by r.
4. Add the product to the next number in the previous row and placed the sum in the new
row. Multiply this new number with r.
5. Repeat step 4 until the product is added to the last number of the previous row.
6. The first to the second to the last numbers in the new row are the coefficients of the
terms of the quotient, a polynomial of degree one less than the degree of the dividend, arrange in
the descending order of the power of the variable. The last number is the remainder.
Examples:
1. Divide 2 x7 3x6 x5 2 x 4 x3 6 x2 36 x 3 by x 2 .
Solution: The coefficients of the terms arranged in the descending order of the power of x are 2,
-3, 1, -2, -1, 6, 4, 3 and r = 2.
By synthetic division:

4
-3
1

2
2

2
1
3

6
-2
4

8
-1
7

14
6
20

40
-36
4

8
-3
5

Thus, the quotient of dividing 2x 7 3x 6 x 5 2x 4 x 3 6x 2 36x 3

6

by

x 2 is

2 x x 3x 4 x 7 x 20 x 4 remainder 5.
52 x4 25 x3 16 x 2 64 by x 3 .
2. Divide x8 2 x6

Solution: The coefficients of the terms arranged in the descending order of the power of
x, including missing terms, are 1, 0, -2, 0, 2, -1, 6, 0, 4 and r = -3.
By synthetic division:

1
1

-3
0
-3

9
-2
7

-21
0
-21

37

63
-52
11

-33
25
-8

24
-16
8

-24
0
-24

72
-64
8

-3

Thus, x8 2x 6 52x 4 25x 3 16x 2 64 divided by x 3

is x7 3x6 7 x5 21x 4 11x3 8 x2 8x 24 remainder 8.

3. Divide 2 x5 52 x 4 120 x3 188 by 2 x 4 .

Solution I: Since the divisor is not of the form (x-r), the dividend and the divisor have to
be transformed by dividing both the dividend and the divisor by 2 to get
x 5 26x 4 60x 3 94 divided by x 2 .
It is to the expression x 5 26x 4 60x 3 94 divided by x 2 that we apply synthetic
division.

2
-26
-24

1
1

-48
60
12

24
0
24

48
0
48

96
-94
2

The terms of the quotient obtained by dividing 2x 5 52x 4 120x 3 188 by 2x 4

are with coefficients given by the numbers in the new row, except for the last number
which will give the remainder after multiplying it by 2 (the factor used to divide the
dividend and divisor). Thus, 2x 5 52x 4 120x 3 188 divided by 2x 4 is

x 4 24 x3 12 x2 24 x 48 remainder 4.

Or:

Solution II: Transform the expression by dividing the divisor by the coefficient of its
leading
term,
2.
Then
proceed
with
synthetic
division,
dividing
2 x5 52 x 4 120 x3 188 by x 2 as follows:

2
2

4
-52
-48

-96
120
24

48
0
48

96
0
96

192
-188 _ 2
4

The terms of the quotient obtained dividing 2x 5 52x 4 120x 3 188 by 2x 4 are
with coefficients equal to the numbers of the new row divided by two, except the last number
which is the remainder. Thus,
2x 5 52x 4 120x 3 188 divided by 2x 4 is

x 4 24 x3 12 x2 24 x 48 with remainder
4.
The process of synthetic division
can be extended to divide a polynomial by another

polynomial provided the dividend and the divisor are in terms of the same variable. The general
procedure is described as follows.

38

Steps for Extended Synthetic Division:

1. Arrange the terms of the dividend and the divisor in the descending order of the
power of the variable, inserting missing terms with zero-coefficient.
Let the degree of the dividend be m and of the divisor be n.
2. Form (n+2) number of rows.
3. Arrange the coefficients of the terms of the dividend from step 1 in the first row.
There will be (m+1) number of columns.
4. If the coefficient of the leading term of the divisor is 1, change the signs of the terms
of the divisor. Then, starting with the coefficient of the second term, write the
coefficients of this expression downward ( forming a column) at the right end of each
rows starting with the second row. Let this be the (m+2)-th column.
5. Bring down the first number of the first row as first number of the (n+2)th row.
Multiply this number with the first number of the (m+2)-th column and write the
product in the same row under column 2. Add the numbers of the second column and
write this as entry of the last row.
6. Using the numbers of the last row ( moving from right to left) and the numbers of the
(m+2)-th column ( moving downward) , multiply numbers in corresponding
positions. Write the products under the next column in the same row as the used
numbers of the (m+2)-th column. Starting with the second column upto the nth
column, a new column will have one term more than the previous term.
7. Repeat #6 procedure until the (n-1) column from the right is obtained. The (n-1)
column entry of the last row is the coefficient of the first term of the remainder.
8. Starting with the (n-2)th column from the right, the entries in a new column would
decrease by one term (starting from the top) until the (m+1)th column.
9. The entries of the last row from the first to the nth column from the right are the
coefficients of the terms of the quotient , a polynomial with degree (m-n). The entries
of the last row from the (n-1)-th column from the right are the coefficients of the
terms of the remainder, a polynomial of degree ( n-1).
10. If the coefficient of the leading term of the divisor is not 1, then in doing steps 5 and
6, the entries of the last row should be divided first by the coefficient of the leading
term of the divisor before the products are obtained. This is done for all entries except
for those entries representing the coefficients of the terms of the remainder.
Examples: Use extended synthetic division to obtain the required quotient.
1. Divide x 6 - 3x5 +2x4 +x3 +3x2 - 2x +5 by x2 - 2x +3
Solution:

-3
2
-1

2
-2
-3
-3

1
-6
3
-2

-13
-4
9
-8

-2
-16
6
-12

The quotient is x4 - x3 - 3x2 - 2x - 8 remainder -12x +29

39

5
24
29

2
-3

2. Divide 6x 8 5x 7 3x 6 +24x 5 -11x 4 +22x 3 - 2x2 - 4x +4 by 2x3 +3x2 - x +2

Solution:

5
-9

6
3

3
6
3

-4
-2

24
-18
-2
-6
-2
-1

12
6

-11
3
6
4
2
2

22
-3
-1
-12
6
3

-2
-9
1
2
-8

-4
3
-2
-3

-6
-2

The quotient is 3x 5 - 2x 4 + 6x 3 - x 2 + x + 3 remainder - 8x 2 - 3x - 2 .

Exercises: Divide the first polynomial by the second using synthetic division.
7

1. 4x 3x 2x x 5x 3x 7x 2
2. 4m4 15m3 11m2 10m 12 , m 3
3. x 8 4x 5 2x 4 , x 4
2
3
4
x5
4. 40 28x 14x 3x x
,
3
2
5. 10a 6a 13a 2 , 5a 7
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

, x-3

a8 8a7 28a6 56a5 70a4 56a3 28a2 8a 1

7c 2 2c 5
,
21c4 c2 c3 9c 10
25y 9 15y 6 20y 10
, y 3 2y 2 3y 1
m 9 1 , m2 +m +1
b9 7b8 2b6 5b3 2b 6 , 2b3 2b 1

40

, a 1

-3/2

-1

2.5 SPECIAL PR0DUCTS

Certain types of products occur so frequently that they deserve our particular attention.
Such products are called special products and they should be learned and memorized in order to
save time in multiplication.
Product of Two Binomials
The product of two binomials equals the product of the first terms plus the product of the
outer terms, the product of the inner terms, and the product of the last terms.
(ax + by)(cx + dy) = acx2 + adxy +bcxy + bdy2

Combining similar terms, we have

(ax + by)(cx+dy) = acx2 + (ad + bc)xy + bdy2
Example: Find the indicated product.
1)

(3x 5y)(4x + 7y) = 12x2 + xy 35y2

The following diagram may be helpful but all multiplications and additions should be
done mentally.
First :
(3x)(4x) _______________ 12x2
Outer + Inner : (3x)(7y) + (-5y)(4x) _____ 21xy + (- 20 xy) = xy
Last:
(-5y)(7y)______________ -35y2
2. (9x 7)(2x 3) = 18x2 41x + 21
F:
(9x)(2x) _________________ 18x2
O + I : (9x)(-3) + (-7)(2x) _________ -27x - 14x = - 41x
L:
(-7)(-3) __________________ 21
3. (2ab2 + 3c)(5ab2 6c) = 10a2b4 + 3ab2c 18c2
Square of a Binomial
The square of the sum ( or difference) of two binomials equals the square of the first
term plus ( or minus) twice the product of the two terms plus the square of the second term.
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a b)2 = a2 2ab + b2

41

Examples : Perform the indicated operation:

1. (2x 7) 2 (2x) 2 2(2x)(7) (7) 2
= 4 x 2 28 x 49
2. (3z 2 4t 3 )2 (3z 2 )2 2(3z 2 )(4t 3 ) (4t 3 )2
= 9 z 4 24 z 2t 3 16t 6
3.

4 ( x 2 y)2 (4) 2 (2)(4)( x 2 y) ( x 2 y) 2

= 16 8x 16 y x 2 4xy 4 y 2

Product of the Sum and Difference of Two Terms

The product of the sum and difference of two binomials equals the square of the first
term minus the square of the second term.
(a + b)(a b) = a2 b2
Examples: Find the product of each of the following:
1. (7 x 2 y)(7 x 2 y) (7 x) 2 (2 y) 2
= 49 x 2 4 y 2
2

3a 4b 3a 4b 3a 4b
2.
3 4
3 4 3
4
9a 2 16b 2
=

16
9
2
2
2
3. y 5 y 6 y 5 y 6 = y (5 y 6) y 2 (5 y 6)
= ( y 2 ) 2 (5 y 6) 2
= y 4 25 y 2 60 y 36
= y 4 25 y 2 60 y 36

4. a 2 m b n d 3 p a 2 m b n d 3 p a 2 m b n d 3 p
= a 4m b 2n d 6 p

Cube of a Binomial
The cube of a binomial equals the cube of the first term plus (or minus) thrice the product
of the first term squared and the second term plus thrice the product of the first term and the
square of the second term plus (or minus) the cube of the second term.

42

(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3

(a b)3 = a3 3a2b + 3ab2 b3
Examples: Find the product of each of the following:
1. 3x 4 y (3x)3 3(3x)2 (4 y) 3(3x)(4 y)2 (4 y)3
= 27 x 3 108 x 2 y 144 xy 2 64 y 3
3

2.

5m

3.

2a

7n3 (5m2 )3 3(5m2 )2 (7n3 ) 3(5m2 )(7n3 )2 (7n3 )3

= 125m6 525m4 n3 735m2 n6 343n9

by

2a
3

x 3

= 8a 3 x

3 2a x b y 3 2a x b y
12a 2 x b y 6a x b 2 y b 3 y

y 3

Square of a Trinomial
The square of a trinomial equals the sum of the squares of the three terms plus twice the
product of each term and each term that follows it.
(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 +c2 + 2ab + 2ac + 2bc
Examples: Find the required product.
1. 2a 4b 3c 2a 4b 3c 22a 4b 22a 3c 24b 3c
= 4a 2 16b 2 9c 2 16ab 12ac 24bc
2

2. x 4 y 2 z w = x 2 16 y 2 4z 2 w2 2( x)(4 y) 2( x)(2z) 2( x)(w)

2(4 y)(2 z ) 2(4 y)( w) 2(2 z )( w)
2

= x 2 16 y 2 4z 2 w2 8xy 4xz 2xw 16 yz 8 yw 4zw

Alternate Solutions:
1. 2a 4b 3c 2a 4b 3c
2

= 2a 4b 22a 4b(3c) 3c
= 4a 2 16ab 16b 2 12ac 24bc 9c 2
2
2
2. x 4 y 2 z w = x 4 y 2 z w
2

= x 4 y 2x 4 y 2 z w 2 z w
2

= x 2 8xy 16 y 2 4xz 2xw 16 yz 8wy 4z 2 4wz w2

43

Exercises: Find the indicated product.

5. (3t 2 4z 3 ) 2

8.
2

2
1

6. 7ab 2c 3

2
2
7. 2a 3b 2a 2 3b 2

3a

4. 3x 2 5 y

2. (4x 2 y 9z)(5xy 2 2z)

3. x 2 (2x 3) x 2 (2x 3)

1. (2 x 3)(3x 4)

2 3

9. x 2 y 2 3z 3

10. 4(3x 2 y) 53(3x 2 y) 2

PASCALS TRIANGLE
One technique of finding the nth power of a binomial is by means of Pascals Triangle
which is shown below. The numbers in each row are the numerical coefficients of the terms of
the expansion of (x + y)n for n = 0,1,2,3,n.

n=0
n=1

n=2

n=3

n=4

n=5

n=6
n=7

(x + y)0

1
1

5
6

21

10

(x + y)3

1
4

(x + y)4

10
20

35

( x + y)2

15

(x + y)1

5
15

(x + y)5

1
6

35

21

(x + y)6

1
7

(x + y)7

Notes: 1. The terms should be arranged in descending powers of one variable.

2. For (x y)n , the signs are alternate plus and minus.
Example. Expand (3x y)5.

3x y 5 (3x)5 5(3x)4 y 10(3x)3 y 2 10(3x)2 y3 5(3x) y 4 y5

= 243x 5 405 x 4 y 270 x 3 y 2 90 x 2 y 3 15xy 4 y 5

44

Exercises: Expand each of the following by using Pascals triangle.

1. x 2

2. 2a 3b

3. 3c 4d

2.6 FACTORING
Factoring is the process of finding two or more expressions whose product is the original
expression. The quantities that are multiplied are called factors. When the factors of a number (or
expression) are one and itself, then the number is called a prime number (or prime polynomial). A
number, greater than 1, that is not prime is called a composite number.
To factor a polynomial completely is to express it as a product of two or more prime
polynomials. Thus,
F(x) = F1(x) F2(x) F3(x) Fn(x)
where F1(x), F2(x), F3(x), , Fn(x) are prime polynomials.
FACTORIZATION PATTERNS

Common Factors
If each term of a polynomial has the same number (or expression) as a factor, then this
number (or expression) is called a common factor. The distributive law in reverse is then applied.

ab ac ac
ab ac ad a
a
a
a
ab ac ad a(b c d )
Examples: Factor the following:
1. 8a 3 4a 2 2a 2a(4a 2 2a 1)
2. 3x 4 y 2 z 3 15x 3 y 4 z 2 27 xy 5 z 4 3xy 2 z 2 ( x 3 z 5x 2 y 2 9 y 3 z 2 )

3. 12(m n) p 2 18(m n) 4 p 3 42(m n) p 5 = 6 p 2 (m n) 2 3(m n) 3 p 7 p 3

Exercises: Factor the following:
1. 2 x 2 6 x 8
2. 3x 4 6 x 3 12 x 2

45

3.
4.
5.
6.

42ab2 c 54 x 2by 2 36a 2 yx 2

12 p 2t 4 60 p 3t 48 pt
24(a 2b)3 120(a 2b)2 144(a 2b)
3x m 2 21x m 1 48 x m

FACTORS OF BINOMIALS
The special products taken up earlier can be of great help when factoring certain binomials
or even polynomials.
Difference of Two Squares:
The difference of the squares of two numbers is equal to the product of the sum and the
difference of the square roots of the two numbers.
a2 b2 = ( a + b)(a - b)
Examples: Factor the following algebraic expressions.
1. 4x 2 9 y 2 (2x) 2 (3 y) 2
= (2 x 3 y )(2 x 3 y ) .
2. 9 25( x y) 2 3 5( x y)3 5( x y)
= ( 3 5 x 5 y )(3 5 x 5 y )
3. 256 y 4 1 (16 y 2 1)(16 y 2 1)
= (4 y 1)(4 y 1)(16 y 2 1)
Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
Let a and b be real numbers, variables or algebraic expressions. Then,
a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 ab + b2)
a3 b3 = (a b)(a2 + ab + b2)
Examples: Find the factors of the following:
1. 8m3 27n3 (2m) 3 (3n) 3
= (2m 3n) (2m) 2 (2m)(3n) (3n) 2
= (2m 3n)(4m2 6mn 9n 2 )

46

2. 27a 3 64b 6 (3a) 3 (4b 2 ) 3

= (3a 4b2 ) (3a)2 (3a)(4b2 ) (4b2 )2
= (3a 4b2 )(9a2 12ab2 16b4 )

3. x12 125 y 6 ( x 4 ) 3 (5 y 2 ) 3
= ( x 4 5 y 2 ) ( x 4 ) 2 ( x 4 )(5 y 2 ) (5 y 2 ) 2
= ( x 4 5 y 2 )( x8 5x 4 y 2 25 y 4 )

4. (2 x y)3 8 (2 x y)3 (2)3

(2x y) 2 (2x y)2 2(2x y) 4

5. x6 y6 ( x2 )3 ( y 2 )3
= ( x2 y 2 )( x4 x2 y 2 y 4 )
= ( x y)( x y)( x4 x2 y 2 y 4 )

Note: x4 x2 y 2 y 4 can be factored by adding and subtracting x 2 y 2 . This will

be discussed later.
Alternate Solution: x6 y6 ( x3 )2 ( y3 )2
= ( x3 y3 )( x3 y3 )
= ( x y)( x2 xy y 2 )( x y)( x2 xy y 2 )
= ( x y)( x y)( x2 xy y 2 )( x2 xy y 2 )
Sum and Difference of Two Odd Powers
If a and b are real numbers or expressions, then

a n b n (a b)(a n1 a n2b a n3b 2 a n4b3 b n1 )

a n b n (a b)(a n1 a n2b a n3b 2 a n4b3 b n1 )
Note: For an + bn , the terms of the second factor have alternate plus and minus signs and for
an - bn , the signs of the terms of the second factor are all positive.
Examples:
1. Factor 128x7 + y7.

128 x 7 y 7 (2x) 7 y 7
= (2x y) (2x) 6 (2x) 5 y (2x) 4 y 2 (2x) 3 y 3 (2x) 2 y 4 (2x) y 5 y 6

47

= (2x y)(64 x 6 32 x 5 y 16 x 4 y 2 8x 3 y 3 4x 2 y 4 2xy 5 y 6 )

2. Factor v 9 w 9 .

v 9 w9 (v w)(v8 v 7 w v 6 w2 v 5 w3 v 4 w4 v 3 w5 v 2 w6 vw7 w8 )
Alternate Solution:

v9 w9 (v3 )3 (w3 )3 (v3 w3 )(v6 v3w3 w6 )

= (v w)(v2 vw w2 )(v6 v3w3 w6 )
Exercises: Factor each of the following completely.
1. 16 x 4 81y 4
2. 9t 7 121t 3u 6
3. m 2 p n 8 q

6. 27 a 9 b 3 8c 6
7. 1024 a 5 32b 5
8. ( x y) 5 243 z 5

4. 125 x 6 z 3

9. 16 p 4 q8

5. 49a 6 n 64b 6 n

10. 64(u w)3 1

FACTORING TRINOMIALS
Certain trinomials can easily be factored by recalling some special products.
Perfect Square Trinomial
Let a and b be real numbers, variables or algebraic expressions. The perfect square
trinomials can then be factored as shown below. Note that the first and last terms are perfect
squares.
a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2
a2 - 2ab + b2 = (a - b)2
Examples: Factor the following perfect square trinomials.
1. 4x 2 12 xy 9 y 2 (2x 3 y) 2
2. 36a 3 60a 2 25a a(36a 2 60a 25)
= a(6a 5) 2

3. (2x 3 y) 2 8(2x 3 y) 16 = (2 x 3 y) 4
= (2x 3 y 4) 2

48

Quadratic Trinomial
Factoring a quadratic trinomial ax2 + bx + c is usually done by trial and error. Factors mx +
r and nx + s must be found such that mn = a and rs = c.
ax2 + bx +c = (mx + r)(nx +s)
Note that mn = a
rs = c
ms + nr = b
If a = 1, then ax2 + bx + c may be factored as shown below.
x2 + bx + c = (x + r)(x + s)
where
rs = c
r + s = b.
Note: If a, b, c are integers, then ax2 + bx + c is factorable with integer coefficients if b2 4ac
is a non-negative perfect square.
Examples: Factor each of the following:
1. x 2 2x 8 ( x 4)( x 2)
2. 8 x 2 10 x 3 = (4x + 3)(2x + 1)
3. 9a 2 b 2 36abc 45c 2 = 9(a 2b 2 4abc 5c 2 )
= 9(ab + c)(ab 5c)

4. ( z 2 1) 2 7( z 2 1) 10 = ( z 2 1) 2 ( z 2 1) 5
= ( z 2 1)( z 2 4)
= (z 1)(z + 1)(z 2)(z + 2)
Exercises: Factor the following trinomials completely.

1. 4 y 2 28 y 49
2. 25 x7 70 x6 49 x5
3. 16 x 4 8 x 2 1
9 p 2 48 p
4.

64
t
t2
5. 15 y 2 11y 12
6. 30 x 4 7 x 2 y 49 y 2
7. 12 y 6 17 y 3 z 2 6z 4
8. (2x y) 4 18(2x y) 2 32
9. 2 p6 3 p3 5

49

10. 8(3a 7)2 2(3a 7) 45

FACTORING BY GROUPING
The terms of a polynomial can be grouped in such a way that each group has a common
factor. To factor this type of polynomial, we begin by grouping those terms that have common
factors and then we use the distributive law to complete the factoring.
Sometimes the terms of the polynomial can be grouped to form a factorable binomial or
trinomial. In this case, we apply the rules for factoring binomials or trinomials after the terms have
been grouped.
Examples: Factor the following completely.
1. ab a b 1= (ab a) (b 1)
= a(b 1) (b 1)
= (b 1)( a 1)
2
2. a ab ac a b c = (a2 ab ac) (a b c)
= a ( a b c) ( a b c)
= (a b c)(a 1)
3. x 2 2xy y 2 xz yz = ( x 2 2xy y 2 ) z( x y)

4. 25a b 4bd 4d
2

=
=
=
=
=
=
=

x y 2 z( x y)
( x y)( x y) z
( x y )( x y z )

25a 2 (b 2 4bd 4d 2 )
25a 2 (b 2d ) 2
5a (b 2d )5a (b 2d )
(5a b 2d )(5a b 2d )

OTHER TYPES OF FACTORING:

If a perfect square monomial is added to and subtracted from a trinomial that is not a
perfect square, then the resulting expression can be factored as a difference of two squares.
Examples:
1. Factor 16 x 4 7 x 2 y 2 y 4 .
Solution: Add and subtract x 2 y 2 .
16 x 2 7 x 2 y 2 y 4 (16 x 2 8x 2 y 2 y 4 ) x 2 y 2

50

= (4 x 2 y 2 ) 2 x 2 y 2
= (4x 2 y 2 ) xy (4x 2 y 2 ) xy
= 4x 2 y 2 xy 4x 2 y 2 xy

2. Factor x 4 22 x 2 9 .
Solution: Add and subtract 16x2.
x 4 22 x 2 9 = x 4 6x 2 9 16 x 2
= ( x 2 3) 2 16 x 2
= ( x 2 3) 4x ( x 2 3) 4x
= ( x 2 4x 3)( x 2 4x 3)

3. Factor 4a4 8a2b4 9b8 .

Solution: Add and subtract 4a2b4
4a4 8a2b4 9b8 (4a4 12a2b4 9b8 ) 4a2b4
= (2a2 3b4 )2 (2ab2 )2
= ( (2a2 3b4 2ab2 )(2a2 3b4 2ab2 )
The factor theorem may be used to find the factors of a polynomial. The factor
theorem states that x-c is a factor of a polynomial f(x) if and only if f(c) = 0. In this case,
synthetic division may be used to determine if the trial divisor is a factor or not.
Examples: Factor the following polynomials by synthetic division.
1. 2 x 3 3x 2 6 x 1
2

3
2

-6
5

1
-1

-1

hence, ( x 1) is a factor of 2 x 3 3x 2 6 x 1 and the other factor is (2 x2 5x 1)

Thus,

2 x 3 3x 2 6 x 1 = ( x 1)(2x 2 5x 1)

2. x 3 6 x 2 3x 10
1
1

-6
2
-4
5

3
-8
-5
5

10
-10
0

51

2
5

1
1

1
-1
0

0
-1

Thus, x 3 6 x 2 3x 10 = ( x 2)( x 5)( x 1)

Exercises: Factor the following:
1. 6uv 12ux 5vw 10wx
2. 15h 2 9hk 35hj 21kj
3. 9x 2 4 y 2 12 yz 9z 2
4. 25a 4 11a 2 b 2 4b 4
5. 4 z 4 16 z 2 25
6. 5 x 4 8 x 3 x 2 2 x 4
7. 2a 2 12ab 18b2 8d 2
8. x4 5x2 4
9. x3 2x2 5x 6
10. x3 7 x 6

52

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.1

Classification of Algebraic Expressions
I. Classify each of the algebraic expressions as to whether a polynomial, rational or irrational.
1. 1 xy 2

2. 2 x3 3 yx y5

3.

7 2x 4 y
3

4. 1 2 x 7 y xy

5.

x 2 xy 5 y 2
x y

II. Classify each of the following expression according to the number of terms present.
1. 2 xy

2.

1
2x 5 y2
x y

3. 2 x 2 y 2

53

4. 5 x5 4 x3 3x 1

5.

1
2x 3z

III. Classify each of the polynomials according to the nature of the numerical coefficients of the
terms.
1. 2 zx 4 yz 5 x 2 y 1

2.

3x 2 2 y 3

3.

1
1
x 0.75 z y
2
4

4.

x 3z
2

5. 1 2 x 7 y xy

54

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No.2.2
Evaluation of Algebraic Expressions
Evaluate each of the following expressions at the given values of the variables.
1.

2.

1
BH
2

x2 y 2

where B = 30 and H = 5

where x = 3 and y = 4

3.

1
s( s a)( s b)( s c)
2

4.

1
1

R1 R2

where s

abc
and a=5, b=8 and c= 7
2

where R1 2 and

R2 5

55

5.

b 2
a x2
a

where x = 4, a = 12, and b = 3

6. 2 xy x 2 y 2

where x = -1 and y = 3

7. (5x+4)(3x+2)

where x = -2

8.

9.

1 4x
x 6y

x3 1
( x 3)( x2 4)

where x = -3 and y = 5

where x

1
2

10. a 4 4a3b 6a 2b2 4ab3 b4

where a = 4 and b = 3

56

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.3

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions by Removal of Symbols of Groupings
Simplify each of the following expressions by removing symbols of groupings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

23x 4 y 34 y x
x a 4b 3x5a 2b
m a 2b 2n2a b bm n 2a3m n
3x 5x 2x 3 y 5x
5x 2 y 3z 3x 4 y x y 2 z z

6. 3 2m 2n 4m 3m3 2n 3n 4

7. c 6m 2t 2 m c 2m t c 4c

57

8. 1 3x y 4 y 3x 4 3x 6

9. 3s r 2 r s 4s 2r 3

10. m5 m3 m2 m 3m 1 2m

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.4

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions by Removal of Symbols of Groupings
1. 2x y 4x y 4 x 3 y 2 y x

58

2. x 2 4x 2 33 x 1 2

3. 3rt 2r t 3 t 3r 2 3r 2t

59

4. 4mn 33m n 3n m 4m2 n 4m9n 18

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.5

Integer Exponents
Simplify each of the following expressions to a form free of negative or zero exponents.

1. 3x2 y 2 xy3

2. y 4 y5 2y 6

60

3. x 4

4. 20 x 2 y3

a3b2

5.
2c3d 4

a3c

8d 4

6. b3a 2a3b3

a 2b3c 2
7. 5 2 0
a b c

61

 x 2 y3 z 4

8.
x 6 z 3 y 0

9. a 2b3 z8 3ab3 z 2

10.

x2a 1 y3a 2 z3a

x2a y3a z a 1

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.6

Operations with Algebraic Expressions
Perform the indicated operations then simplify the results.
I.

For each of the following sets of expressions:

a. 3x 4 y 3z , x 2 y 5 z , 5 x 2 y 6 z
b. 3m2n 5mn2 2mn , mn 2mn2 6m2n , 8mn 2 6mn 2m2n
c. 3x4 2 x3 x 2 5 x 1 , x 4 6 x3 8 x 2 3x 4 , 2 x 4 3x3 x 5

find:
1. the sum of the three expressions

62

2. the difference between the sum of the first two expressions diminished by the third expression.

11.
The difference between the first expression diminished by the sum of the last two
expressions.

63

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.7
Operations with Algebraic Expressions
Perform the indicated product.
1. 5x 3 y 2 x 5 y

2. x 2 y 3z x 2 y 4 z

64

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

3. 2 3m 2n3 3m 2n

4. 3zx y 4 z 5z2 x 3 y z

5. x 2 y 3z 2m3x y 4 z 3m

65

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.8
Operations with Algebraic Expressions
1. (3x4 2 x3 x2 5 x 1 ) ( x4 6 x3 8 x2 3x 4 )

2. ( 3x 4 y 2 x3y2 x 2 y3 5xy 4 ) ( - 3xy 4 5 x3 y 2 2 x 2 y3 5x 4 y)

66

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

II.
Use method of long division to find the quotient, dividing the first expression by the
second expression.
1. 3a 2b 21ab3 36ab ,

3ab

2. 5 x 2 y 6 15 x3 y3 20 x 4 y 2 , - 5x 2 y3

3. 2 3x 2 y 3 x 4 y 6 4x6 y 9 4x8 y12 , 1 2x 2 y 3

4. 3 y8 5 y 7 2 y 6 - y5 - 5y 4 7y3 - y2 3y - 8 , y 2 3 y 4

III.

Use synthetic division to find the quotient dividing the first expression by the second:
y 8 7 by y- 2

67

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.9
Special Products
Find the indicated product.
1. 3 y 5 y 7

2. 5a 3 6b 2a b 2

3. 2m2 n3 9 p 2 q mn 3 pq

4. 5 x 2 y

5. 4a 2 9b 2

6. ( x y) z

7. 3x 2 5 3x 2 5

5a 2b 5a 2b
8.
4b 3a 4b 3a

9. x 2 3x 4 x 2 3x 4
10. 4 z 3v

68

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

m n
11.
3 2

12. x 2 y 2 z w

13.

u u3 u u 2 u u3 u

14. 2x y 33x y 2

15. 3 p 2q 4

16.

1 1

1 1

17. 1 b 1 b
2

18. c
c

69

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.10
Special Products
Find the indicated product.
1.

2x 33x 4

2.

4xy

3.

3z

4t 3

9 z 5x 2 y 2 z

2
1

4. 7ab 2 2c 3

5.

2a

6.

3b 2 2a 2 3b 2

2x 3 x 2 2x 3

70

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

7.

3x

8.

3m

9.

x 2 y

5y2

3z 3

. 4(3x 2 y) 53(3x 2 y) 2

71

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.11
Special Products
Find the indicated product.
1. (5 p 3r )3

2. (b4m 3c3n )2

3. r 2 5 p3
3

4. ( x y )( x y )

72

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

5. 5(2 x y) 15(2 x y) 1

m2 n2 5m2 n2
6.


4
8
3
6

7. ( x y z 1)( x y z 1)

8. (p2 + q2 r2)(p2 q2 + r2)

73

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.12
Factoring
A. Factor the following by taking out the common factors.
1. 42m 6 n 5 7m 4 n 7

2. 76 y10 32 y 9 48 y 8

3. 5 5 p 2

4. 64a 7 b 6 c 2 128a 5 b 8 c 3 32a 4 b 9 c 4

5. 2x( x 2 y 2 ) 2 5( x 2 y 2 ) 4 x 2 y 2

6. x 4 ( x 1) 2 2 x( x 1)

1
2

7. x 2 y 3 4xy 3

8. 4 x n1 4 x n1

74

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

B. Factor the following binomials completely.

1. 121 p 2 400

2. 36v 6 z 4 49u 2

3. 225 a 2 81b 2

4. y 4n 81

5. x 8 y 8

6. y 3 27

7. 8 x 6 64

75

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.13
Factoring
Factor the following binomials completely.
1. 2 z 3 16

2. 8t 3 125r 3

3. m12 n12

76

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

4. 1000 (q r ) 3

5. 243a 5 b10 c15

6. q 7 128

7. (m3 n3 ) (m n) 3

77

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.14
Factoring

Express the following trinomials in factored form.

1. 2 z 4 13 z 2 7

2. 18a 4 b 4 18a 2 b 2 c 2 8c 4

3. 4m 5 24m 4 n 20m 3 n 2

4. c 2 12c 45

78

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

5. 180 h 2 9h 56

6. 4a 2 28a 49

7. 9k 4 30k 2 25

8.

16 2 36
81
y
y
25
25
100

79

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________
Activity No. 2.15
Factoring
Factor the following expressions completely.
1. ( x 2 y) 2 18( x 2 y) 81

2. m2n 4mn p q 4 p 2q

3. x2 y 2 xy 20

4. q2a qa 56

5. 49m2 70m 25

80

DATE:_____________
SECTION:_________

6. 4t 2 t

1
16

7. 36 z 2 60 z 25

8. 6u 2 17uv 7v2

9. 15a4b4 + 7a2b2c2 2c4

10. 14x6y2 + 41x3yz + 15z2

81

NAME:___________________________________
INSTRUCTOR:____________________________

DATE:___________
SECTION:_________

Activity No. 2.16

Factoring
Factor the following by grouping, by adding or subtracting a monomial term or by synthetic
division.
1. r 2 6rs 9s 2 4t 2

2. 9x 2 4 y 2 12 yz 9z 2

3. 6bc 9c 2 12cd 8be 12ce 16de

4. a 2 2ab b 2 a 3 b 3

5. 16c 4 7c 2 d 2 d 4

82

6. 4 x 4 16 x 2 25

7. 18 x 2 9 x 20

8. 2 x 3 x 2 2 x 1

9. 6 y4 5 y3 38 y2 5 y 6

10. x 4 (3x 2) 2
A. Factor the following by taking out the common factors.
1. 42m 6 n 5 7m 4 n 7
2. 76 y10 32 y 9 48 y 8
B. Factor the following binomials completely.

83

1. 121 p 2 400
2. 36v 6 z 4 49u 2
Factor the following binomials completely.
1. 2 z 3 16
2. 8t 3 125r 3

Express the following trinomials in factored form.

1. 2 z 4 13 z 2 7
2. 18a 4 b 4 18a 2 b 2 c 2 8c 4
Factor the following expressions completely.
1. ( x 2 y) 2 18( x 2 y) 81
2. m2n 4mn p q 4 p 2q
Factor the following by grouping, by adding or subtracting a monomial term or by synthetic
division.
1. r 2 6rs 9s 2 4t 2
2. 9x 2 4 y 2 12 yz 9z 2

3. 6bc 9c 2 12cd 8be 12ce 16de

84

4. a 2 2ab b 2 a 3 b 3

5. 16c 4 7c 2 d 2 d 4

6. 4 x 4 16 x 2 25

7. 18 x 2 9 x 20

8. 2 x 3 x 2 2 x 1

9. 6 y4 5 y3 38 y2 5 y 6

85

10. x 4 (3x 2) 2

86