Math Algebra Study Guide

Variable- a letter or symbol that represents an unknown amount that can vary or
change; for example: n, a, t, x, etc.
Algebraic expression- a mathematical phrase involving variables, numbers and
operations
six less than a number times 5: 5n-6.
Twice the number of people: 2p
Eight more candies than Jackie has: J + 8
Six divided by a number: 6/n
Three times a number, plus 10: 3n + 10

Evaluating Equations: n+ 7 when n=5: 5+7= 12.

3p = 12; therefore, 3 multiplied by a certain number = 12. 3 x 4 = 12, or 12 divided by
3 = 4. n = 4
12 n = 4:
12 subtract a certain number is 4. You can say 12 subtract 4 = 8, therefore, n = 8.

Distributive Property- multiplying a sum (or difference) by a number is the same as

multiplying each number in the sum (or difference) by that number and adding (or
subtracting) the products.
12*307
12*(300+7)
(12*300)+(12*7)
3,600+84=
3,684

Order Of Operations: (PEMDAS)

This formula states that students need to workout P, which means all numbers in
parentheses, then E, all exponents, then MD, which means to multiply and divide in
order from left to right, then AS, which means to add and subtract in order from left to
right.

(5+8)+16/(9-5)-4=
Step 1: Rewrite: 13+16/4-4=
Step 2: Rewrite: 13+4-4=
Step 3: Rewrite: 17 4 = 13

Solving Order of Operations with parentheses, brackets

and braces
Follow the same rules to solve
expressions with braces { }.
Perform the operation in the innermost
set of grouping
symbols first. Then evaluate the
expression from inside out.
Evaluate the expression 2 x {5 + [(10 -
2)] + (4 - 1)]}
Step 1 Do operations in parentheses ( )
first.
subtract and rewrite
2 x {5 + [8 + 3]}
Step 2 Next do operations in brackets [ ]
add and rewrite
2 x {5 + 11}
Step 3 Then solve operations in braces
{ } add and rewrite
2 x 16
Step 4 Multiply 2 x 16 = 32
So, 2 x {5 + [(10 - 2)] + (4 - 1)]} = 32
Solving Algebraic Multiplication/Division problems:
14d=56: You can multiply when a variable follows a number. Therefore 14d means 14
multiplied by d. To find the answer, use the inverse of multiplication, which is division.
Therefore, 56/14= 4, d=4
c/8=64: To find c, use the inverse operation. Therefore, multiply 64 by 8. c=512
8/c=2: Divide 8 by 2. Therefore, c=4
*When trying to find the missing numerator, and you are given the denominator and the
total, you have to multiply to find the answer. When given the numerator and the total,
and you have to find the missing denominator, multiply to find the missing
denominator.*
Equation-a number sentence that uses an equal sign to show that two expressions
have the same value: x + 69 = 83, therefore 14 + 69 = 83

Addition Property of Equality- you can add the same number to both sides of an
equation and the sides remain equal. For example: 9 4 = 5: 94+2=5+2

Subtraction Property of Equality- you can subtract the same number from both
sides of an equation and the sides remain equal. For example: 8 + 6 = 14 8+63=
14 3

Multiplication Property of Equality- you can multiply both sides of an equation by

the same non zero number and the sides remain equal: 14/2 = 7 14 x 2 = 7
x2

Division property of Equality- you can divide both sides of an equation by the same
non zero number and the sides remain equal: 6 x 5 = 30 6 x 5 /5 = 30/5

Inverse Operation- operations that undo each other. Addition and subtraction have an
inverse relationship. Multiplication and division have an inverse relationship.

Patterns, Rules and Equations

x y
25, 17
32, 24
46, 38
59, 51
This input/output table has a rule of subtract 8, and the equation for the rule is y=x-8.
Graph the ordered pairs on a coordinate grid.

x y
2, 6
4, 12
8, 24
11, 33
The rule is multiply 3, and the equation is y=3x. Graph the ordered pairs on a
coordinate grid.

coordinate plane- the plane containing an x and y axis

grid- has two perpendicular lines called axes. The horizontal axis is called the x axis
and the vertical axis is called the y axis.
x-coordinate- the horizontal value in a pair of coordinates
y-coordinate- the vertical value in a pair of coordinates
origin- the starting point on a coordinate plane. It is 0
linear equation- an equation whose graph is a straight line
Mathematical brackets are symbols, such as parentheses, that are most often used to create
groups or clarify the order that operations are to be done in an algebraic expression. Brackets
are symbols used in pairs to group things together

Parentheses or "round brackets" are the familiar ( ) symbols used in pairs to

group things together.

Braces: The symbols { and } which are used to indicate sets and bring things together.