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Basic Algebra

This document provides an overview of basic algebra concepts. It defines algebra as dealing with mathematical symbols, variables, and operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to form expressions. It then discusses the basics of algebraic equations, including their four main parts. The five basic rules of algebra are also outlined: commutative, associative, and distributive rules for both addition and multiplication. Finally, it covers the four basic algebraic operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - and provides examples of operating on like and unlike terms.

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358 views4 pages

Basic Algebra

This document provides an overview of basic algebra concepts. It defines algebra as dealing with mathematical symbols, variables, and operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to form expressions. It then discusses the basics of algebraic equations, including their four main parts. The five basic rules of algebra are also outlined: commutative, associative, and distributive rules for both addition and multiplication. Finally, it covers the four basic algebraic operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - and provides examples of operating on like and unlike terms.

Uploaded by

AERON-LAD TACATA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic 

of Algebra
Algebra is the field of mathematics which deals with representation of a
situation using mathematical symbols, variables and arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division leading to the formation of
relevant mathematical expressions. In this lesson we will go through all the
rules of algebra, operations and formulas.

Algebra Basics
We need to know the basic terminology which relates to algebra in order to
understand its basics. An expression consisting of 4 main parts, variables,
operators, exponents, coefficients and constants along with an equal
to symbol is known as an algebraic equation. Let us take an equation, ax2 + bx
+ c = d. In algebra, the term with highest exponent is written in the starting
and further the terms are written with reducing powers.

In the above image ax2 + bx + c = d, there are 4 terms. An algebraic equation


may have different terms which are like or unlike. Like terms in an equation
are the ones which constitute same variables and exponents. On the other
hand, unlike terms in an equation constitute different variables and exponents.

Algebra Rules
There are five basic rules of algebra. They are:

 Commutative Rule of Addition


 Commutative Rule of Multiplication
 Associative Rule of Addition 
 Associative Rule of Multiplication
 Distributive Rule of Multiplication

Commutative Rule of Addition


In algebra, the commutative rule of addition states that when two terms are
added, the order of addition does not matter. The equation for the same is
written as, (a + b) = (b + a). For example, (x3 + 2x) = (2x + x3)

Commutative Rule of Multiplication


The commutative rule of multiplication states that when two terms are
multiplied, the order of multiplication does not matter. The equation for the
same is written as, (a × b) = (b × a). For example, (x4 - 2x) × 3x = 3x × (x4 -
2x).
LHS = (x4 - 2x) × 3x = (3x5 - 6x2)
RHS = 3x × (x4 - 2x) = (3x5 - 6x2)
Here, LHS = RHS, this proves that their values are equal.

Associative Rule of Addition


In algebra, the associative rule of addition states that when three or
more terms are added, the order of addition does not matter. The equation for
the same is written as, a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c. For example, x5 + (3x2 + 2) =
(x5 + 3x2) + 2

Associative Rule of Multiplication


Similarly, the associative rule of multiplication states that when three or
more terms are multiplied, the order of multiplication does not matter. The
equation for the same is written as, a × (b × c) = (a × b) × c. For example, x3 ×
(2x4 × x) = (x3 × 2x4) × x.

Distributive Rule of Multiplication


The distributive rule of multiplication states that when we multiply a number to
addition of two numbers, it results in the output which is same as the sum of
their products with the number individually. This is distribution of multiplication
over addition. The equation for the same is written as, a × (b + c) = (a × b)
+ (a × c). For example, x2 × (2x + 1) = (x2 × 2x) + (x2× 1).

Algebraic Operations
The four basic algebraic operations are:

 Addition
 Subtraction
 Multiplication
 Division

In each of the algebraic operations performed, we always categorize the


terms in our algebraic equations as like and unlike terms. 

Addition
When two or more terms in an algebraic equation are separated by a plus
sign "+", the algebraic operation is addition. We always add the like terms and
unlike terms separately as they are treated as two different quantities.
Mathematically two different quantities cannot be added together.

 Example of like terms addition: 5b + 3b = 8b


 Example of unlike terms addition: 25x + 35y

As we can see in the examples, the like terms when added give the same
term while the unlike terms cannot be added any further.

Subtraction
When two or more terms in any algebraic equation are separated by a minus
sign "-", the algebraic operation is subtraction. Just as in case of addition, the
terms are differentiated as like or unlike terms and then subtracted further.

 Example of like terms subtraction: 3x2 - x2 = 2x2


 Example of unlike terms subtraction: 6bc - 9ab

Multiplication
When two or more terms in an algebraic equation are separated by a
multiplication sign "×", the algebraic operation performed is multiplication.
While multiplying the like terms or unlike terms we use Laws of Exponents.
 Example of like terms multiplication: 16f × 4f = 64f2
 Example of unlike terms multiplication: x × y3 = xy3

Division
When two or more terms in any algebraic equation are separated by a division
sign "/", the algebraic operation performed is division. While dividing the like
terms, the similar terms can be simplified while for the case of unlike terms,
the terms cannot be simplified any further easily.

 Example of like terms division: 8b/2b = 4


 Examples of unlike terms division: x2/2y2
Algebraic Formulas
The algebraic formulas that are used more often and must be kept in knowledge
are:

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