Student

Learning Introduction to
Centre Algebra
What is algebra?

Algebra (n): 1. (Math.) That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations and properties of quantity by means
of letters and other symbols. It is applicable to those relations that are true of every kind of magnitude. (Websters
Dictionary)

Why do we use algebra?

Consider rectangles of different sizes we need to work out a general rule or formula. We can use the formula to
plug in numbers to get an answer rather than doing something the long way. The symbols we use are called
variables because they represent a quantity that can change or vary.

Variables

Variables are just shorthand ways of describing things we understand which can have changing values. For
example:

area = length x width or A = L x W

force = mass x acceleration or f =m
quantity = 3 x price + 5 or q = 3p + 5
area of a circle = pi * r2 or A = r2
equation of a line = y = 4x + 7

Like terms

In algebra it is common to be able to manipulate like terms. Like terms are those where both the variable and the
power on the variable are identical.

Examples: These are like terms: 2 and 3 2

These are not like terms 2 and 2 3 or 2 and 2

Addition and Subtraction with Algebra and collecting like terms

Examples:
Simplify + + Simplify 2b + 2b 3b

2 + 2 3
+ +
= 4 3 (remember, work left to right)
= (collecting like terms)
= (by convention, we would write the answer as just b and not 1b)

Simplify 3 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 10 Simplify 3 + 4 + 7 + 32 + 9 + 22

3 + 4 + 7 + 32 + 9 + 22
3a + 4a + 2b + 3b + 10a = 10 + 13 + 52 (like term is where the symbol is the same AND the power is the same)
= 17a + 5b = + + (by convention, we often write the symbols in descending order of
power, and the like symbols collected together)

Simplify 23 + 42 + 4 + 2 + 6 + 62 + 123 + 34 + 3

23 + 42 + 4 + 2 + 6 + 62 + 123 + 34 + 3
= 143 + 102 + 7 + 8 + 34
= 4 + + + +
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 Student
Learning
Centre
Multiplication and Division with Algebra
Firstly, when using multiply (e.g. ,, ) and divide (e.g. , /) with symbols and exponents, the following rules apply:
Rule Example

Simplify: x3 * x4
ax * ay = ax+y = x3+4
= x7 (adding the exponents)
Simplify: x2 x
ax ay = axy = x2-1 (subtracting the exponents)
=x
Further, we must multiply and divide coefficients (i.e. number in front) and symbols. Here are two examples:

Simplify: Simplify:

3 4 + 5 6 + 2 13 + 3 52 4 (3) + 32/ 73/(()) + 4/ 10() 5(2)

= 122 + 30 + 26 + 152 = 7 + 3 7 + 4 10 7

= 272 + 30 + 26 (adding like terms) = 7 7 + 3 7 + 4 10 (combining the 7 terms together)

= 3 7 + 4 10 (working left to right)

= 4 + 4 10
= 10

Practice Questions
Simplify the following equations-: Calculate the numerical value of in the following equations-:

Q1: 3 9 2 + 9 Q5: 13 = 39

Q2: 7 + 4 + 3 2 + 3 + 3 = 0 Q6: 10 + 42 = 2

Q3: 3( + ) + 4 2 = 0 Q7: 12 3 + 4 = 0

y = 4.5x 9.
Q4: 2(3 4) 2 + 3 + 5 = 0

Rewrite the following equations, to make the subject of the equation-: y = (7 3x) / 2 8.
x = 1 7.
(i.e. make = ??)

Q8: 3 + 2 = 7 x = 5.25 6.
Q9: 0 = 10 + 4( 7) x = 3 5.
3a + 8ab 2b + 5 = 0 4.
a + 7b = 0 3.
8a + 7b + 3ab = 0 2.
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Intro to Algebra 5/2013 @ SLC 2 of 2