AN INTRODUCTION TO

Algebra
The greatest mathematical
tool of all!!

This is a course in basic introductory

algebra.
Essential Prerequisites:
Ability to work with directed numbers (positives
and negatives)
An understanding of order of operations

Introduction
Stephen is 5 years older than Nancy.
Their ages add to 80.
How old are they?
Without algebra, students would probably guess different
pairs of values (with each pair differing by 5) and hope to
somehow find a pair that add to 80. Eventually, we might
work out that Stephen is 42 and Nancy is 37 .
The problem, however, is that there can be too
much guesswork. Algebra takes away the
guesswork.
SEE THE SOLUTION!

Contents
1. Substituting numerals and
pronumerals

GO!!

2. Like and unlike terms adding

and subtracting

GO!!

3. Multiplying

GO!!

4. Dividing

GO!!

5. Mixed operations and order of

operations

GO!!

Section 1
Substituting numerals and pronumerals

When working with algebra, you will meet TWO different

kinds of terms..
NUMERALS
These are all the ordinary numbers youve
been working with all your life. Numerals
include 2, 5, 7, 235, 15, 9, 2.757, 3.07,
9, 7.6 , 0, and so on.
PRONUMERALS
These are symbols like , , , and letters
(either single letters or combinations) like x,
y, a, b, ab, xyz, x2 , y3 etcPronumerals often
take the place of numerals.

EXAMPLE 1
If a = 5
b=2
c=3
find the value of
(1) a + b

(2) c a b

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

a+b
=5+2

cab

= 7 (ans)

=4

=352
(ans)

NOTE
WHEN WORKING WITH PRONUMERALS YOURE
ALLOWED TO LEAVE OUT MULTIPLICATION SIGNS.
PRONUMERALS ARE USUALLY WRITTEN
ALPHABETICALLY (ab rather than ba)

3 x a = 3a
2 x p = 2p
5 x a x b = 5ab
a x b = ab
c x a x b = abc
THIS DOESNT APPLY WHEN WORKING ONLY
WITH NUMBERS

3 x 4 cant be written
as 34!

If a = 5
b=2
c=3
find the value of
(3)

ab + c

(4)

4bc 2a + ab

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

ab + c
=52+3

4bc 2a + ab
=42325+52

= 13 (ans)

= 24 10 + 10

= 24

(ans)

Remember to
do
multiplication
first!!

If a = 5
b=2
c=3
find the value of
(5)

a(b + c)

(6)

4b(7c 4a)

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

a (b + c)
= a (b + c)

4b(7c 4a)
= 4 b (7 c 4 a)

= 5 (2 + 3)
=55

= 4 2 (7 3 4 5)

= 25 (ans)

= 8 (21 20)
=8 1

= 8

(ans)

REMEMBER
ORDER OF
OPERATIONS

EXAMPLE 2
If a = 3
b = 10
c=4
find the value of
(1) 3a + b

(2) c (4a b)

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

= 3a + b
=3a+b
= 3 3 + 10

c (4a b)
= c (4 a b)
= 4 (4 3 10)

= 9 + 10

= 4 ( 12 10)
= 4 ( 22)
= 4 + 22

= 1 (ans)

= 18

(ans)

Note a ( b) is
same as a + b !!

If a = 3
b = 10
c=4
evaluate

MULTIPLY
BEFORE
YOU ADD!!
(4)

(3) a2 + b2

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

= a2 + b2
=aa+bb
= 3 3 + 10 10
= 9 + 100

= 109 (ans)

= 2.4

(ans)

Section 2
Like and Unlike terms
Adding and Subtracting

Work out the value of 5 7 + 3 7.

5 7 + 3 7 = 35 + 21
= 56
Now work out the value of 8 7.
8 7 = 56
So here we have two different questions that give the
same answer, 56. So we can make this conclusion:

57 + 37 = 87

5 7 + 3 7 = 8 7
Or, in words,

5 lots of 7 + 3 lots of 7 = 8 lots of 7

Can you predict the value of 9 5 2 5?
If you said 7 5 then you would be correct!
Check that both sums equal 35!

Try these! Make sure you write the SHORT SUM first,
then the answer!
Long sum Short sum
2x8+5x8
7x8
6x9+2x9
8x9
4x7+1x7
5x7
8x93x9
5x9
7x63x6
4x6
5x2+2
6x2
Rewrite as
5x2+1x2

Answer
56
72
35
45
24
12

THE GENERAL PATTERN

So by now you are hopefully beginning
to see the general pattern. For example
using the fact 3 + 4 = 7 we can write.

31 +41
32 +42
38 +48
3 9 + 4 9

=71
=72
=78
= 7 9

In fact, the pattern holds for all numbers (not just 1, 2,

8 and 9) and can be written more generally as

3a +4a
3x +4x

=7a
=7x

or
or

any pronumeral (letter) of your choice!

Now try these:

7 b + 8 b = 15 b
2 y + 9 y = 11 y
4p2p= 2 p
6q1q= 5 q
8x+1x= 9 x
5 x
4x+ x=
8a2a = 6a

Remember x
really means 1x

What would be a single statement that

would cover all possibilities in this pattern?
8 7 + 5 7 = 13 7
8 2 + 5 2 = 13 2
8 12 + 5 12 = 13 12

And this pattern?

Ans:
8 a + 5 a = 13 a

Of course we could have

used any pronumeral here
it does not have to be a or w.

59 29=39
52 22=32
5 79 2 79 = 3 79

Ans: 5 w 2 w = 3 w

And now for some good news

When youre writing algebra sums, youre
allowed to LEAVE OUT
MULTIPLICATION SIGNS!
So,

BUT

3 c can be written as 3c
7 a b can be written as 7ab
x y can be written as xy
3 4 CANT be written as 34!!

Now try these:

4a + 7a = 11a
5y + 8y = 13y
2p 6p = 4p
q + 7q = 8q
x + x = 2x
10x + x = 11x
a 7a = 6a
7z + 5z = 2z

Remember x really
means 1x

When terms are multiplied, the

order is not important.
6 5 is the same as 5 6 (both = 30)
a b is the same as b a. i.e. ab = ba. We
usually use alphabetical order though, so ab rather
than ba.
abc =bac
Again, we prefer
alphabetical order
=acb
so abc is best.
= c a b etc .
6 a is the same as a 6 i.e. 6a = a6
But the number is usually written first!
Although its still correct, we dont write a6.
Always write 6a. So. PUT THE NUMBERS
BEFORE PRONUMERALS

More about like terms

We know that ab and ba are the same thing,
so we can do sums like
4ab + 5ba = 9ab
7xy + 9yx = 16xy
3abc 2bca + 8cab = 9abc
mnp 2mpn 7pmn = 8mnp
Note that in each case,
the number goes first
alphabetical order is used for the answer
(though it is still correct to write 9ba, 16yx etc)

Like and Unlike Terms

Key
Question:

We know we can write

7 5 + 4 5 as a short sum 11 5,
but is there a similar way of writing

63+57?
If we calculate this sum, it is equal to 18 + 35 = 53
But there are no factors of 53 (other than 1 and 53)
so there is NO SHORT SUM for 6 3 + 5 7 !!
Because of this, we can conclude that there is no
easy way of writing 6a + 7b, other than 6a + 7b!
In summary, we can simplify 6a + 7a to get 13a.
But cannot simplify 6a + 7b.

Like and Unlike Terms

6a + 7a is an example of LIKE TERMS.
Like terms can be added or subtracted to
get a simpler answer (13a in this case)

6a + 7b is an example of UNLIKE TERMS.

Like terms cannot be added or subtracted.

Like and Unlike Terms

You will encounter terms with powers such as x2 ,
3a2 , 5p3, 3a2 b etc. These are treated the same way
as terms with single pronumerals. x2 and x are
UNLIKE, just as x and y are.
2a and 3a2 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted
3b and 3b4 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted
2ab and 4ab2 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted
2a2 and 3a2 are LIKE and can be added to get 5a2. Subtracted to get 1a2 or a2
9a6 and 4a6 are LIKE and can be added to get 13a6. Subtracted to get 5a6
2a2band 4ba2 are LIKE and can be added to get 6a2b. Subtracted to get 2a2b
2a2band 4ab2 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted. Theyre unlike
because the powers are on different pronumerals
ab and ac are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted
3a and 5 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted
3a and 3 are UNLIKE and cant be added or subtracted

In the table below, match each term from Column 1 with

its like term from Column 2
4a

11pk2

6w

2kp2

7a

ab

9bca

3y

7pk2

2c2

7d

12c

5c

7d

3h

5w

3p2k

5ba

3c2

4abc

Answers next slide

In the table below, match each term from Column 1 with

its like term from Column 2
4a

11k2p

6w

2kp2

7a

ab

9bca

3y

7pk2

2c2

7d

12c

5c

7d

3h

5w

3p2k

5ba

3c2

4abc

Like terms very important in addition

and subtraction algebra sums !
3a + 2a = 5a
6ab 2ab = 4ab
7a2 3a2 = 4a2
2ac 7ca = 5ac
8xy2 3xy2 = 5xy2
x 7x + 2x = 4x
8x2 3x2 = 5x2
8x 3y = 8x 3y
5x2 3x = 5x2 3x
2ab 3ac = 2ab 3ac

These questions have

algebra parts that are
like (the same). When
that happens, you can
simplify them!
These questions have
algebra parts that are
different. When that
happens, you cant
simplify them!

A mixed bag. Which have like terms? Simplify those that do.
5a 3a
2x + 7x
3x + 8y
4a 2b
5a + 4
2x + 7x2
3xy + 8yx
4ab 2b
5a + 4a2
3x 9x
xy + 7yx
4ab 7ba

2a
9x

11xy

6x
6xy
3ab

5a + 6
x + 6x
8x + 8y
a 7a
5abc + 4cba
2x3 + 2x2
xy + yx
ab ba
5 + 4a2
x 9x
4x3 + 5x3
7ac ca

7x
6a
9abc
2xy
0
8x
9x3
6ac

MORE ADVANCED EXAMPLES

Simplifying expressions with more than two terms
3x + 5x + y + 8y
= 8x + 9y (ans)

The like terms are added

together

2a 3a + 5b 6b
= a b (ans)

The like terms are simplified

5a2 + 3a + 2a2 + a
= 7a2 + 4a (ans)

The like terms are simplified

Remember that terms with a
and a2 are unlike and cant be
added

REARRANGING TERMS
Simplify 5 7 + 6 2
Working left to right

using cut n paste

57+62
=2+62
=42

=2
But we can also rearrange the terms in the
original question using cut n paste
First, draw lines to separate the
terms, placing lines in front of
each + or sign

Now, cut any term between the

lines (with its sign) and move it to a
new position. Well move the +6
next to the 5, swapping it with the
7

7 +6

Now the original question appears as

5+672
Which can now easily be simplified to the
correct answer, 2.
Note that we did not HAVE to cut and paste the
+6 and the 7 . We are allowed to cut and
paste ANY TERMS we like.

We will now apply this to help us simplify ALGEBRAIC

EXPRESSIONS, and aim to cut and paste so like terms
are together.

Example 1: Simplify 3a + 2b + 5a 9b
Here well use cut n paste
to bring the as together
and the bs together by
swapping the +2b and +5a

3a

+2b +5a

3a

9b

9b

The question now becomes

3a + 5a + 2b 9b

Simplifying like terms, we get

3a + 5a = 8a
2b 9b = 7b

= 8a 7b ans

Example 2: Simplify a 9b 2b + 8a
Again use cut n paste to
bring the as together and
the bs together by
swapping the 9b and +8a

9b 2b +8a

2b

The question now becomes

a + 8a 2b 9b

Simplifying like terms, we get

a + 8a = 9a
2b 9b = 11b

= 9a 11b ans

Example 3: Simplify 2x 5 + 4x + 8
Again use cut n paste to
bring the xs together and
the numbers together by
swapping the 5 and +4x

2x 5

+4x

2x

+8

+8

The question now becomes

2x + 4x 5 + 8

Simplifying like terms, we get

2x + 4x = 6x
5 + 8 = +3

= 6x + 3 ans

Example 4: Simplify 3y 2x 5x2 + 4y + x 2x2

Here there are 6 terms which
3y
can be grouped into 3 pairs of
like terms (2 terms contain an x,
2 terms contain an x2 and 2
terms contain y.
Swap +4y with 2x
This puts the ys together
Now swap +x with 5x2
This puts the xs together
and the x2 terms together

Simplifying like terms,

we get
3y + 4y = 7y
x 2x = x
5x2 2x2 = 7 x2

2x 5x2 +4y +x

= 3y

+4y 5x2 2x +x

= 3y

+4y

+x

2x2

2x2

2x 5x2 2x2

= 7y x 7x2 ans

Section 3
Multiplying and working with brackets

Remember the basic rules

Place numbers before letters

Keep letters in alphabetical order
Two negatives multiply to make a positive
A negative and a positive multiply to make a negative
If an even number of negatives is multiplied, the
answer is a positive (because they pair off)
If an odd number of negatives is multiplied, the
answer is a negative (one is left after they pair off)
You can rearrange terms that are all being multiplied
(3 x 4 x 5 = 5 x 3 x 4 = 4 x 5 x 3; ab = ba etc)

All algebraic terms can be multiplied

When doing multiplication, we do not have to bother
with like terms!

4 a = 4a
x 3y = 3xy
a 5 2 = 10a
5x 3y 6p = 90pxy
c a b = abc
w 3 k = 3kw
x a b w = abwx
a 3bc = 3abc
2a 3b c 5d
3b a = 3ab
= 30abcd
a 5c = 5ac
a 5b 6c = 15abc
2a b = 2ab
NOTE in this last question, its
easier to change the order and do
a x 6c x 5b

When you multiply two or more of the

same pronumeral..
aa
= aa

bbb
= bbb

a2 a
= aa a
= aaa

b2 b b3 ( x)4
= bbbbbb = ( x)(x)( x)(x)
= b6
= x4

= a2

= a3

= b3

xxx
= xxx

= x3

Working with brackets..

(3a)2

(7b)4

= 3a 3a

7b 7b 7b 7b

= 9a

= 2401b4

(5x)3

( ab)4

= 5x 5x 5x = ab ab ab ab

= 125x3

= +a4b4

NOTE: negatives raised to an even power give a POSITIVE

negatives raised to an odd power give a NEGATIVE

Mixed examples - multiplying

QUESTION
2a b =
5a 3b =
2a 3 =
aa=
2 a =
3a 2a =
4p 2p =
2a 4a 7a =
ab 3ab =
a 3ab 5b 2 =

ANSWER

2ab
15ab
6a
a2
2a
6a2
8p2
56a3
3a2b2
30a2b2
6a3b2
36a2b

QUESTION
2a 5a a =
a b ab 2ba =
4a 3a2 =
a2 a3 =
y y y =
2ab 3a2b3 =
cd 2cd =
2a 3a 5a =
2a + 3a + 5a =
(2ab)3 =

ab 2ab 3a =

(5abc)2 =

a 3 2a 6b

(2cdg)3 =

Note the blue one! Its an addition!!

ANSWER

10a3
2a3b3
12a3
a5
y3
6a3b4
2c2d2
30a3
11a
8a3b3
25a2b2c2
8c3d3g3

Section 4
Dividing

Basically, all expressions with a division sign can

be simplified, or at least rewritten in a more
concise form.
Consider the expression 24 18.
This can be written as a fraction 24
and simplified

18

further by dividing (cancelling) numerator and

denominator by 6.
4 24

318
3

The same process can be applied to algebraic

expressions.

Example 1 Simplify 12x 3

Solution
12x 3

12x
3

412x

4x

Writing as a fraction
Now think. What is the largest number that divides
into both numerator and denominator? (the HCF )

= 4x ans

Note when there is only a

1 left in the
denominator, ignore it!

Example 2 Simplify 8ab 2a

Solution
8ab 2a
8ab

2a

Writing as a fraction

8ab

1 2a

Dividing numerator and denominator by

HCF 2 and also by a.

= 4b ans

Example 3
Simplify 28abc 18acd

Solution
28abc 18acd
28abc

18acd

14 28abc
9 18acd

14b

9d

Writing as a fraction
Dividing numerator and denominator by
HCF (2) and by a and by c.

Note in this question (and

many others) your answer will
be a fraction!

Example 4
Simplify 20a3b2c 8ab2c4

Solution
20a3b2c 8ab2c4
20aaabbc

8abbcccc
5 20aaabbc

2 8abbcccc

5aa

2ccc
2
5a
3
2c

Writing as a fraction and in expanded

format to make dividing easier
Dividing numerator and denominator by
HCF (4) and cancelling matching pairs of
pronumerals (a with a, b with b etc)

Example 5
Simplify 5xy2z 15x2y3z5

Solution
5xy2z 15x2y3z5

5 xyyz
Writing as a fraction and in expanded
15 xxyyyzzzzz format to make dividing easier

Dividing numerator and denominator by

5 xyyz

HCF (5) and cancelling matching pairs of

3 15 xxyyyzzzzz
pronumerals (x with x, y with y etc)
1

3 xyzzzz
1

3 xyz4

IMPORTANT NOTES
(1) When a negative sign remains in top or
bottom, place it in front of the whole fraction
(2) When only a 1 remains in the top, you
must keep it. (Remember when a 1 remains
in the bottom, you can ignore it)

Section 5
Mixed Operations

When doing more complicated sums with a

mixtured of the four operations (and brackets)
you must observe the ORDER OF
OPERATIONS RULES.

B
DM
AS

Before anything, simplify all BRACKETS

Then..
Working from left to right, do all
DIVISON and MULTIPLICATION
operations
Then..
Working from left to right, do
all ADDITION and
SUBTRACTION operations

Example 1

Simplify 20 2 9

Solution
No brackets.
Do the multiplication first
Now do the subtraction

20 2 9
= 20 18
= 2 (ans)

NOTE good setting out has all the = signs

directly under one another, and never more
than one = sign on the same line.

Example 2

Simplify 13 (6 + 5) 4

Solution
Do brackets first.
Now do the multiplication
Now do the subtraction

13 (6 + 5) 4
= 13

11 4

= 13

44

= 31 (ans)

Example 3

Simplify 2x 3 + 4 5x

Solution
No brackets.
Do the two multiplications
working left to right

Now do the addition

Remembering
that you can
only add LIKE
TERMS

2x 3 + 4 5x
2x 3 + 4 5x
= 6x

+ 20x

= 26x (ans)

Example 4

Simplify 2x 6xy 4y 3x2

Solution
No brackets.
Do the two multiplications
working left to right

Now do the subtraction

2x 6xy 4y 3x2
2x 6xy 4y 3x2
= 12x2y
= 0 (ans)

12x2y

Example 5

Simplify 12ab (2b + 3b) 4a

Solution

12ab (2b + 3b) 4a

Do brackets first.

= 12ab 5b 4a

Now do the multiplication

= 12ab

Now do the subtraction

= 8ab (ans)

20ab

Example 6
Simplify 8a 12ab (4b + 2b) + 3a a 5a2

Solution

8a 12ab (4b + 2b) + 3a a 5a2

Brackets first.

= 8a 12ab

Division &
multiplication

= 8a

2a

Now subtract like terms

= 6a 2a2
(ans)

6b +
+

3a a 5a2
3a2 5a2

Example 7
Simplify (3ab2)2 (ab + ab) 4ab3 + 2a3b ab

Solution

Note (3ab2)2 = 3ab2 x 3ab2 = 9a2b4

(3ab2)2 (ab + ab) 4ab3 + 2a3b5 ab

Brackets
first
Multiplication
& Division

= 9a2b4

2ab

= 9a2b4
Note 2ab x 4ab3 = 8a2b4

Subtract as
these are all
like terms

= a2b4

4ab3 + 2a3b5 ab
8a2b4

2a2b4

Note 2a3b5 ab = 2a2b4

The solution to our introductory problem on

Slide #3

Let Nancys age = x

So Stephens age = x + 5
These add to 80, so

x + 5 + x = 80
2x + 5 = 80
2x = 75
x = 75 2
x = 37

So Nancys age is 37 and

Stephen (who is 5 years older)
must be 42
NO GUESSWORK!!!
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