ALGEBRA

Algebraic expression – is an expression that contains a variable, a constant, or a combination of constants and variables. It may or may
not have operation symbol. Algebraic expressions are made up of one or more terms.
Ex. 3x+7y 1/3x2z abc+def-g
Variable – is a letter or symbol used to represent an unknown number/quantity.
Constant – is known and has a fixed value.
A Term – is a number, a variable or a product of numbers and variables.
The expression 2xy has 1 term only. 2 is called numerical coefficient and xy is called literal coefficient.
Polynomial – is an algebraic expression with one term, or the sum or difference of two or more terms. The type of polynomial depends on
the number of its term.
Monomial – a polynomial having one term only.
Binomial – Polynomial with two terms.
Trinomial – polynomial with three terms.
Multinomial – polynomials with more than three terms.
When is an algebraic expression considered a polynomial?
An algebraic expression is considered polynomial when each term has:
i. no variable in the denominator
ii. no fractional exponent on any of its variable
iii. no variable under the radical sign: and radical sign √
iv. no negative exponent on any of its variables.

POLYNOMIALS
Monomial Binomial Trinomial Multinomial
5m3n7 5m - 3 4x2 + 5x -8 2x3 + 4x2 - 7x + 5
m4 x-y a2 - 2a + 1 a3 _ a2 - 2a+1
2

Degree of polynomial – the degree of a polynomial with one variable is the highest exponent among the exponents of the variable.
Exponent- is a number or variable or expression in the upper right of a number, variable or an expression.

Polynomial Degree No. of Terms Name/Classification

8 0 1 Monomial
3m+9 1 2 Binomial
6x2+3x-9 2 3 Trinomial
9a2b 2+1=3 1 Monomial
m n +2mn3
3 2
3+3= 6 2 Binomial

COMPARE and CONTRAST

Greater than Six greater than 5 5+6
Is greater than Six is greater than 5 6>5
More than 5 more than a number x X+5
Is more than 5 is more than x 5>x
Subtracted by 10 subtracted by 6 10 - 6
Subtracted from 10 subtracted from 6 6-10
Less than 2 less than 5 5-2
Is less than 2 is less than 5 2<5
Consecutive integers, 1,2,3,…
consecutive even integers, 2,4,6,8,…
consecutive odd integers 1,3,5,7,9,…

TRANSLATION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

Examples
Word phrases Algebraic Expressions
1. 16 plus a number x 16 + x
2. 48 less a number k K – 48
3. 5 multiplied by a number a 5a, 5(a), 5∙a
4. the quotient of a number b and 3 b/3 or b ÷ 3
5. 12 more than the product of x and 5 12 + 5x or 5x + 5

EVALUATING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

When evaluating an algebraic expression, first look for the given value of the variable(s) and substitute it to the expression. Work on the
expression inside the parenthesis or bracket first, then simplify the whole algebraic expressions.
Ex. Evaluate the expression -2(6x + 10x – 2x) if x = 2

-2(6x + 10x – 2x) = -2 [6(2) + 10(2) – 2(2)] Substitute 2 to all x variables

= -2 (12 + 20 -4) Solve the expression inside the parenthesis
= -2(18)
= -36 Simplify
ORDER OF OPERATION
i. Perform any operations inside grouping symbols such as parenthesis and brackets. A fraction bar also acts as a grouping symbol.
ii. Simplify power of exponents.
iii. Multiply and Divide as the occur from left to right.
iv. Add and Subtract as they occur from left to right.

Ex. Evaluate a3+2a+6 if a= -3

= (-3)3+2(-3)+6 Substitute the value of a
= -27-6+6 Simplify
= - 27

Ex. Evaluate 6xy-6 if x=1, and y = -3

4

6(1)(-3)-6
═ Substitute 1 to x and -3 to y
4
-18-6
═ Simplify
4
-24
═ Divide
4
= -6

Operations on polynomials
Addition/subtraction of polynomials
You can only combine monomials if they are similar or like terms. Similar terms/monomial means that they have the same
variables with the same corresponding exponents.
Ex. a. 2x, 5x, 10x b. 3y2, y2, 7y2
Dissimilar terms on the other hand, are terms with different variables, or same variables with different corresponding exponents.
Ex. a. 3x2y and 4xy2 b. -3ab and 3mn

Note: A polynomial is in standard form if the degrees of its monomial terms decrease from left to right.

Addition
Ex. Find the sum
a. 3a + 5a = 8a
b. 10ab + 5ab – 4ab = 11ab
c. (2x + 6x2 – 7) and (-3x2- 8x + 14)
Arrange the polynomials in standard form
Standard Form x4 x3 x2 x1 constant
2 2
6x + 2x -7 0 0 6x 2x -7
-3x2 -8x + 14 0 0 -3x2 -8x 14
Solve each 0 0 3x2 -6x 7
Answer 3x2 – 6x + 7

d. (3x3 – 6 + 2x) + (4x2 + 6x) + (9x + 6x4 + 12)

Arrange the polynomials in standard form
Standard Form x4 x3 x2 x1 constant
3 3
3x + 2x – 6 0 3x 0 2x -6
4x2 + 6x 0 0 4x2 6x
4
6x + 9x + 12 6x4 0 0 9x 12
Solve each 6x4 3x3 4x2 17x 6
Answer

Apply the rules of integers on numerical coefficients and annex the common variables

Subtraction
Subtraction means adding the minuend and the opposite of the subtrahend. Just like in addition, we can only subtract
polynomials if they are similar.
Ex. a. (12m2 + 6m – 10) – (-8m + 11 + 3m2)

Arrange the polynomials in standard form

Standard Form x4 x3 x2 x1 constant
12m2 + 6m – 10 12m2 6m -10
2
(3m -8m + 11) Subtrahend 3m2 -8m 11
Change the sign -3m2 8m -11
Solve each 9m2 14m -21
2
Answer 9m + 14m - 21

Apply the rules of integers on numerical coefficients and annex the common variables