Module 2 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

A symbol or combination of symbols representing a number may be called an expression. If the only operations involved
in the expression are those of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to powers and extraction of roots,
the expression is an algebraic expression.
When an expression is composed of parts connected by plus or minus signs, each part taken with the sign
immediately preceding it ( + being understood if no written sign precedes it) is called a term.
When an expression is composed of parts multiplied together, any one of these parts, or the product of any of them, is called a factor of
the expression.
Any factor of a term is called the coefficient the remaining factor. The coefficient of the literal part of part of a term is the
numerical coefficient of the term Note: The sign is included in the coefficient [Rees and Rees, 1985] ..

DEFINITIONS (Lopez and De Mesa, 2009)

Algebraic Expression – refers to any combination of symbols and numbers related by the fundamental operations of algebra.
Algebraic Sum – refers to any algebraic expression consisting of distinct parts connected by plus or minus sign
Term – refers to each distinct part, together with its sign, of the algebraic expression.
Variable – is a symbol that stands for, or that may be replaced by a number from specified set of numbers.
Constant – is a symbol whose value is definite.
Coefficient (or coefficient of the product of the other factors) – refers to any one of the factors or the product of any set of the factors of a
term.
Example: 5x3yz - term
5 is the coefficient of x3yz y is the coefficient of 5x3z x3z is the coefficient of 5y 5 is the numerical coefficient x3yz is the literal
coefficient
Monomial – expression consists of just one term.
Binomial – algebraic sum or difference of two terms.
Trinomial – algebraic sum or difference of three terms.
Polynomial – an algebraic expression consisting of a sum of any number of terms of terms

Lesson 1 ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

Two terms are similar if they differ only in their numerical coefficients. To add or subtract similar terms, add or subtract their
numerical coefficients.
The removal of parentheses ( or any symbol of grouping) preceded by a minus sign requires changing the sign of each term within the
parentheses, but parentheses preceded by a plus sign maybe removed without changing the expression in the parentheses.
When polynomial expressions are added or subtracted, only like terms can be combined. Similar or like terms are terms whose
literal coefficients are the same. Terms whose literal coefficient are not the same are called unlike or dissimilar terms. For example,
2x and 3x are like terms,
2x2 and – 4x2 are like terms,

2x2 and – 4x are unlike terms, and

3xy and 4yz are unlike terms.

Horizontal Format
Example 1: 3x + 6x = (3 + 6) x = 9x

Example 2: Add 3x2 + 2x – 8 ; –2x2 + 5x + 4 ; x2 – 3x – 1

Vertical Format
Example 3: Add 2x – 4y ; –3x + 6y ; 2x – y

Example 4: Add 3x2 + 2x – 8 ; –2x2 + 5x + 4 ; x2 – 3x – 1

To subtract one polynomial from another, the sign of each term in the subtrahend is changed and the resulting polynomial is then
added.
Example 5: Subtract x3 – 5x2 + 3x – 2 from 3x3 – 7x2 + 3x + 5

Vertical Format
Example 5: Subtract x3 – 5x2 + 3x – 2 from 3x3 – 7x2 + 3x + 5

EVAL.UATION
Perform the indicated operations below. Show your solution and write your final answer on the lines provided.
1. 3𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 85 + 15𝑥2 _______________________
2. 5𝑎 − [(2𝑎 + 5) − 6𝑎 + 2] ______________________
3. 5mn + 85mn + 20ad – 35ad ______________________
4) 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 − (3𝑥2 + 7𝑥 + 2) ______________________

5) 50rs – 25st + 15rs + 6st + 2 ______________________

6) 150𝑥3 + 2𝑥2 + 5 − [(3𝑥 + 7) − (8𝑥2 + 25) ______________________

7) 15𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 − 5𝑎2 + [2 − (45𝑎2 − 5𝑎𝑏 + 70)] ______________________

8) 12xy + 2xy – 39xy + 74xy ______________________

9) 81a + [6a + 2(a - 6)] ______________________

10) 6x – [2(3x + 10) + (3x + 4)] ______________________

Lesson 2 EXPONENTS

The expression a3 means a.a.a. That is, it indicates the third power of a. The number 3 is called the exponent of the power. The letter a
may be called the base.
Exponents provide a shorthand device for representing repeated multiplication of a real number. If a is a real number and n is a
positive integer, then the symbol an represents the product of n factors of a. That is, an = a ∙ a ∙ a ∙ a ∙ ... ∙ a
 n factors of a where it is understood that a 1 = a. In the expression an, a is called the base and n is called the exponent, or power. It is
read as “a raised to the exponent n”, or as “a to the nth power.”
Example: a) 32 = 3 ∙ 3 = 9 c) – 32 = – (3) ∙ (3) = – 9 b) (– 3)2 = (– 3) ∙ (– 3) = 9

RULES OF EXPONENTS
1. Product Rule
If m and n are positive integers and a is a real number, then am ∙ an = am+n

Examples:

a) 22 . 24 = 2 2+4 = 26
b) y4 . y-2 = y 4+(-2) = y2
c) 2x5 . 3x8 = (2.3) x5+8 = 6x13

2. Power Rule
If m and n are positive integers and a is a real number, then
(am )n = am•n Examples:

a) (32)3
b) (y-2)-5 = y (-2).(-5) = y10
c) (x-3)4 = x -3.4 = x-12
3. Powers of Products
If m is positive integers and a and b are real numbers, then
(ab)m = am • bm

Examples:

4. Quotient Rule
For any nonzero number a and any positive integers m and n,
Examples:

5. Powers of Quotients
If n is positive integers and a and c are real numbers, then

Examples:
6. Negative Power
If n is a positive integer and if a is a nonzero real number, then Thus, whenever a negative exponent is encountered, think of “reciprocal.”
Examples:

7. Zero Power
If a is a non zero real number, then Examples:

EVALUATION
Perform the indicated operation and simplify. Show your solution citing the rule/s on exponent used. Write your final answer on
the space provided.

Lesson 3 MULTIPLICATION OF POLYNOMIALS AND SPECIAL PRODUCTS

Distributive laws can be used to write the product of a monomial and a polynomial. It can also be applied to obtain the product
of two or more polynomials.
To multiply one polynomial by another, arrange the terms descending powers of one of the letters involved. Multiply the first
polynomial by the successive terms of the second, arranging like terms and add.
Horizontal Format
Example 1: 2x3 (3x2 + 5x) = (2x3)(3x2) + (2x3)(5x)
= 6x3+2 + 10x3+1
= 6x5 + 10x4
 Example 2:
(2x + 1)(3x – 4) = (2x)(3x) + (2x)(–4) + (1)(3x) + (1)(–4)
= 6x2 – 8x + 3x – 4
= 6x2 – 5x – 4
Multiplication of Polynomials
Vertical Format
Example 3: Multiply: (2x + 1)(3x – 4)

Multiplication of Polynomials
Vertical Format Example 4:
Multiply: 3y3 + y – y2 – 1 by 3 – 2y + y2

Special Products
FORMULA A. Product of Two Binomials
(ax + b )(cx + d) = acx² + (ad + bc)x + bd Examples:

1. (x + 3)(x + 5) = 1.1x² + (1.5 + 3.1)x + 3.5 =x² + (5 + 3)x + 15 = x² + 8x + 15

2. (2x + 3)(x − 5) =2.1x² + (2.-5 + 3.1)x + 3.-5 =2x² + (-10 + 3)x - 15 = 2x² -7x - 15
3. (3w − 5v)(2w + 3v)= 3.2w² + (3.3 - 5.2)vw - 5.3v2 =6w² + (9 -10)vw – 15v2 =6w² -vw – 15w2

Formula B. Square of a Binomial

(A ± B) ² = A² ± 2AB + B² Examples:

1. (3x + 5y) ² = (3x)2 + 2(3x.5y) + (5y)2 = 9x2 + 30xy + 25y2

2. (2x – 3y) ² = (2x)2 – 2 (2x)(-3y) + (-3y)2 = 4x2 + 12xy + 9y2
3. (a³w² - bu³) ² = (a³w²)2 – 2(a³w²)(-bu3) + (-bu3)2 = a6w4 +2 a3bu3w2 + bu6

Formula C. Product of Sum and Difference

( A + B ) ( A – B) = A² - B²
Examples:
1. (3x + 5) (3x - 5) = (3x)2 - (5)2 = 9x2 - 25
2. (2x – 3y²) (2x – 3y²) = (2x)2 - (3y2)2 = 4x2 - 9y4
3. [(x + y) + 4] [(x + y) - 4] = (x + y)2 – (4)2 = (x + y)2 – 16

Formula D. Cube of a Binomial

( A ± B )³ = A³ ± 3A²B + 3AB² ± B ³ Examples:

1. ( x + y² ) ³ = ( x)3 + 3(x)2(y²) + 3(x)(y2)2 + (y2)3 = x3 + 3x2y² + 3xy4 + y6

2. ( 2x – 3y)³ =( 2x)3 + 3(2x)2(-3y) + 3(2x)(-3y)2 + (-3y)3 = 8x3 -18x2y + 54xy2 -27y3
3. (3x + 2)3 = ( 3x)3 + 3(3x)2(2) + 3(2x)(2)2 + (2)3 = 27x3 + 54x2 + 48x + 8

Formula E. Product of a Binomial and Trinomial

( A ± B ) ( A² AB + B² ) = A³ ± B³ Examples:

1. (x + 2) (x2 – 2x + 4) = (x)3 + (2)3 = x3 + 8

2. ( x + y² ) ( x² - xy² + y4 ) = (x)3 + (y2)3 = x3 + y6
3. ( 2x – 3y) ( 4x² + 6xy + 9y²) = (2x)3 - (3y)3 = 8x3 - 27y3
 Formula F.
Square of a Trinomial
( A + B + C )² = A ² + B ² + C ² + 2AB + 2AC + 2BC

Examples:
1. ( x + y ² + w)² = (x)2+(y2)2+(w)2+2(x)(y2)+2(x)(w)+2(y2)(w)
=x2 +y4+w2 +2xy2+2xw+ 2y2w
2. ( 2x – 3y + z) ² = (2x)2+(-3y)2+(z)2+2(2x)(-3y)+2(2x)(z)+2(2x)(z)
=4x2 +9y2+z2 -12xy2+4xz+ 4xz
3. (3x2 +2x + 5) = (3x2)2+(2x)2+(5)2+2(3x2)(2x)+2(3x2)(5)+2(2x)(5)
=9x4 +4x2+25 +12x3+30x2+ 20x
= 9x4 +12x3+34x2+ 20x + 25

EVALUATION
B. Use the vertical or horizontal format in finding the product of the following:
1. (x + 2) (𝑥2 + 3𝑥 + 5) ______________________
2. (𝑥5 + 3𝑥4 + 5) (𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 3) ______________________

3. ______________________
4. 10𝑎2 + 2) (5𝑎 − 6) ______________________
5. (𝑎2 + 𝑎 + 2) (𝑎2 − 5𝑎 + 5) ______________________
6. (8a+2) (5a-6) (3a +7) ______________________
7. (8𝑎 + 1) (82𝑎 ) ______________________
8. (2𝑟2 𝑡 + 2𝑟) (5𝑟𝑡 − 𝑟) ______________________
9. (3𝑎−2 + 3𝑎) (5𝑎−3 + 5𝑎−2 ) ______________________
10. (9ab+2a+5b) (3ab+3a-2b) ______________________

C. Use the special product formulas for the following, then check the answer by long multiplication (horizontal or vertical format)

1. (2x - 1) (𝑥 + 3) ______________________
2. (2x − 1)2 ______________________
3. (7x − 2)3 ______________________
4. [𝑥2 + (2𝑥 − 3)] [𝑥2 − (2𝑥 − 3)] ______________________
5. (𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧)2 ______________________
6. (3a +7)3 ______________________
7. (5𝑥 + 3) (25𝑥2 − 15x + 9) ______________________
8. (x + y + 4)2 ______________________
9. (6m + 4)2 ______________________
10. (9a -5b) (81a2+45ab+25b2) ______________________

Lesson 4 DIVISION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS AND SYNTHETIC DIVISION

1) Division Between Two Monomials. Find the quotient of their numerical coefficients and multiply this result by the quotient of their
literal factors.

Example: 6x8y6z3 ÷3x

= 2 x8-4 y6-3 z3-2
= 2x4y3z
2) Polynomial by a Monomial : Divide each term of the polynomial by the monomial and indicate the algebraic sum of the quotients.

Example
 3) Between Two Polynomials
a) Arrange the terms in the dividend and divisor in the order of descending powers of a letter that appears in each.
b) Divide the first in the divisor to get the first term in the quotient
c) Multiply the divisor by the first term in the quotient and subtract the product from the dividend. 0
d) Treat the remainder obtained in Step 3 as a new dividend, and repeat steps 2 and 3 Example 1: Find (6x2 + 5x – 1) ÷ (2x – 1).

Solution: Follow the long division process above. Step 1 is already complied since terms are already arranged in descending order of
powers. So, proceed to Step 2.

Example 2: Divide (6x4 - 6x2 – 3 + 5x – x3) by (-2 + 2x2 + x).

Solution: Follow the long division process. First, arrange the terms of the dividend and divisor in descending order of powers.

SYNTHETIC DIVISION
Synthetic division is a shorter and simpler method of procedure available for use in division provided the divisor has the special form x –
r. To divide a polynomial by x – r synthetically:
1. Arrange the coefficient of the polynomial in order of descending powers of the same letter. Placing 0 for missing power.
2. Replace the divisor x - r by + r
3. Bring down the coefficient of the largest power and multiply it by r, place the product beneath the coefficient of the 2nd largest power and
add the product to that coefficient.
Multiply this sum by r and place it beneath the coefficient of the next largest power.
Continue this until there is a product added to the constant term.
4. The last number in third row is the remainder and reading from left to right, are the coefficient of the quotient which is a degree less than
the polynomial.
Example 1: Divide 2x4 + x3 – 16x2 + 18 by x+ 2 synthetically.
Solution: Follow the steps in synthetic division. Write the terms of the dividend in descending order of powers supplying 0 as the
coefficient of the missing term x. Then, take note that x - r = x +2 which means that r = -2 . Writing the numerical coefficients of the
dividend and r, we have:
2 + 1 - 16 + 0 + 18 |_-2__
- 4 + 6 + 20 - 40
------------------------------
2 - 3 - 10 + 20 - 22
Hence, the quotient is 2x3 - 3x2 - 10x + 20 and the remainder R = - 22
Example 2: Find the quotient if (x3 - 1) is divided by x -1.
 Solution: Follow the steps in synthetic division. Write the terms of the dividend in descending order of powers supplying 0 as the
coefficient of the missing terms x2 and x. Take note that that r = + 1 . Writing the numerical coefficients of the dividend and r, we have:
1 + 0 + 0 -1 |_+1__
+ 1 + 1 +1
------------------------------
1 + 1 + 1+0
Hence, the quotient is x2 + x + 1 and the remainder R = 0

Example 3: Use synthetic division to show that x-3 is a factor of x3 – 2x2 –x - 6 .

Solution: Using synthetic division gives
1 - 2 - 1 - 6 |_+3__
+ 3 + 3 +6
------------------------------
1+ 1 + 4 + 0
So R = 0. Which means that the other factor is x2 + x + 4 . Hence,
x3 – 2x2 –x - 6 = (x2 + x + 4) (x – 3)

EVALUATION
1.Use long division for the following:

A. _____________________

B. _____________________

C. _____________________

D. _____________________

E. _____________________

F. _____________________

G. _____________________

H. _____________________

I. _____________________

J. _____________________
2. Divide the following synthetically and write your final answer on the lines provided. Show your solution.
𝐴) (𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 8) ÷ (𝑥 + 2) _____________________
𝐵) (𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 5) ÷ (𝑥 − 1) _____________________

𝐶) (𝑥4 − 16) ÷ (𝑥 − 2) _____________________

𝐷) (𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 20) ÷ (𝑥 + 10) _____________________

𝐸) (𝑥2 − 15𝑥) ÷ (𝑥 + 5) _____________________

𝐹) (3𝑥5 + 2𝑥4 − 3𝑥2 + 9) ÷ (𝑥 − 3) _____________________

𝐺) (𝑥3 + 64) ÷ (𝑥 + 4) _____________________

𝐻) (5𝑥2 − 6𝑥 + 14) ÷ (𝑥 + 1) _____________________

𝐼) (𝑥3 + 7𝑥 − 3) ÷ (𝑥 + 7) _____________________