Algebraic expression

In mathematics, an algebraic expression is an expression built up from integer

constants, variables, and the algebraic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division and exponentiation by an exponent that is a rational number).[1] For example, is
an algebraic expression.
What are the four operations of arithmetic, and

what are their operation signs?

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Do the problem yourself first!
1) Addition: a + b. The operation sign is + , and is called the plus sign. Read a +
b as "a plus b."
1)

For example, if a represents 3, and b represents 4, then a + b represents 7.

2) Subtraction: a b. The operation sign is , and is called the minus sign.

Read a b as "a minus b."
1)

If a represents 8, for example, and b represents 2, then a b represents 6.

3) Multiplication: a b. Read a b as "a times b."

The multiplication sign in algebra is a centered dot. We do not use the multiplication
cross , because we do not want to confuse it with the letter x.
And so if a represents 2, and b represents 5, then
a b = 2 5 = 10.
"2 times 5 equals 10."
Do not confuse the centered dot -- 25, which in the United States means multiplication -- with
the decimal point: 2.5.
However, we often omit the multiplication dot and simply write ab. Read "a, b." In
other words, when there is no operation sign between two letters, or between a letter
and a number, it always means multiplication. 2x means 2 times x.

4)

Division:

a
b

. Read

a
b

as "a divided by b."

In algebra, we use the horizontal division bar. If a represents 10, for example
and b represents 2, then
a
b

10
2

= 5.

"10 divided by 2 is 5."

Note: In algebra we call a + b a "sum" even though we do not name an answer. As the student
will see, we name something in algebra simply by how it looks. In fact, you will see that you do
algebra with your eyes, and then what you write on the paper, follows.
Similarly, we call a b a difference, ab
a
b

a product, and

a quotient.

This sign = of course is the equal sign, and we read this -a=b
-- as "a equals (or is equal to) b."
That means that the number on the left that a represents, is equal to the number on the right that
b represents. If we write
a + b = c,
and if a represents 5, and b represents 6, then c must represent 11.
Question 2. What is the function of parentheses () in algebra?
3 + (4 + 5)

3(4 + 5)

Parentheses signify that we should treat what they enclose

as one number.
3 + (4 + 5) = 3 + 9 = 12.

3(4 + 5) = 3 9 = 27.

Note: When there is no operation sign between 3 and (4 + 5), it means multiplication.
Problem 1. In algebra, how do we write
a) 5 times 6? 5 6
b) x times y? xy

c) x divided by y?

x
y

d) x plus 5 plus x minus 2?

(x + 5) + (x 2)
e) x plus 5 times x minus 2?
(x + 5)(x 2)
Problem 2. Distinguish the following:
a) 8 (3 + 2)

b) 8 3 + 2

a) 8 (3 + 2) = 8 5 = 3.
b) 8 3 + 2 = 5 + 2 = 7.
In a), we treat 3 + 2 as one number. In b), we do not. We are to first subtract 3 and then add 2.
(But see the order of operations below.)
There is a common misconception that parentheses always signify multiplication. In Lesson 3, in
fact, we will see that we use parentheses to separate the operation sign from the algebraic sign. 8
+ (2).
Question 3. Terms versus factors.
When numbers are added or subtracted, they are called terms.
When numbers are multiplied, they are called factors.
Here is a sum of four terms: a b + c d.

In algebra we speak of a "sum" of terms, even though there are subtractions. In other words,
anything that looks like what you see above, we call a sum.
Here is a product of four factors: abcd.
The word factor always signifies multiplication.
And again, we speak of the "product" abcd, even though we do not name an answer.
Problem 3. In the following expression, how many terms are there? And each term has how
many factors?
2a + 4ab + 5a(b + c)
There are three terms. 2a is the first term. It has two factors:
2 and a.
4ab is the second term. It has three factors: 4, a, and b.
And 5a(b + c) is all one term. It also has three factors: 5, a, and
(b + c). The parentheses mean that we should treat whatever is enclosed as one number.
Powers and exponents
When all the factors are equal -- 2 2 2 2 -- we call the product a power of that factor. Thus,
a a is called the second power of a, or "a squared." a a a is the third power of a, or "a
cubed." aaaa is a to the fourth power, and so on. We say that a itself is the first power of a.
Now, rather than write aaaa, we write a just once and place a small 4:
a4 ("a to the 4th")
That small 4 is called an exponent. It indicates the number of times to repeat a as a factor.
83 ("8 to the third power" or simply "8 to the third") means 8 8 8.
Problem 4. Name the first five powers of 2. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.
Problem 5. Read, then calculate each of the following.
a) 52 "5 to the second power" or "5 squared" = 25.
b) 23 "2 to the third power" or "2 cubed" = 8.

c) 104 "10 to the fourth" = 10,000.

d) 121 "12 to the first" = 12.
However, it is the style in algebra not to write the exponent 1.
a = a1 =1a.
The student must take care not to confuse 3a, which means 3 times a, with a3, which means a
times a times a.

SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

By simplifying an algebraic expression, we mean writing it in the most compact or
efficient manner, without changing the value of the expression. This mainly involves
collecting like terms, which means that we add together anything that can be added together.
The rule here is that only like terms can be added together.
Like (or similar) terms

Like terms are those terms which contain the same powers of same variables. They can have
different coefficients, but that is the only difference.
Examples:
3x, x, and 2x are like terms.
2x2, 5x2, and

are like terms.

xy2, 3y2 x, and 3xy2 are like terms.

xy2 and x2 y are NOT like terms, because the same variable is not raised to the same
power.
Combining Like terms

Combining like terms is permitted because of the distributive law. For example,
3x2 + 5x2 = (3 + 5)x2 = 8x2
What happened here is that the distributive law was used in reversewe undistributed a
common factor of x2 from each term. The way to think about this operation is that if you
have three x-squareds, and then you get five more x-squareds, you will then have eight x-

squareds.
Example: x2 + 2x + 3x2 + 2 + 4x + 7
Starting with the highest power of x, we see that there are four x-squareds in all
(1x2 + 3x2). Then we collect the first powers of x, and see that there are six of them
(2x + 4x). The only thing left is the constants 2 + 7 = 9. Putting this all together we
get
x2 + 2x + 3x2 + 2 + 4x + 7
= 4x2 + 6x + 9
Parentheses

Parentheses must be multiplied out before collecting like terms

You cannot combine things in parentheses (or other grouping symbols) with
things outside the parentheses. Think of parentheses as opaquethe stuff
inside the parentheses cant see the stuff outside the parentheses. If there is
some factor multiplying the parentheses, then the only way to get rid of the
parentheses is to multiply using the distributive law.

Example: 3x + 2(x 4)
= 3x + 2x 8
= 5x 8
Minus Signs: Subtraction and Negatives

Subtraction can be replaced by adding the opposite

3x 2 = 3x + (2)
Negative signs in front of parentheses

A special case is when a minus sign appears in front of parentheses. At first glance, it looks
as though there is no factor multiplying the parentheses, and you may be tempted to just
remove the parentheses. What you need to remember is that the minus sign indicating
subtraction should always be thought of as adding the opposite. This means that you want to
add the opposite of the entire thing inside the parentheses, and so you have to change the
sign of each term in the parentheses. Another way of looking at it is to imagine an implied
factor of one in front of the parentheses. Then the minus sign makes that factor into a

negative one, which can be multiplied by the distributive law:

3x (2 x)
= 3x + (1)[2 + (x)]
= 3x + (1)(2) + (1)(x)
= 3x 2 + x
= 4x 2
However, if there is only a plus sign in front of the parentheses, then you can simply erase
the parentheses:
3x + (2 x)
= 3x + 2 x

BASIC MATHEMATICS

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

MARVIN MOLDEZ
STUDENT