Algebraic expressions
Yohanna, Wilkin, and Pamela share a music plan on their phones that costs $x$ pesos a month. Each of them pays $\dfrac{x}{3}$. You don't know how much the plan costs, but you already know the calculation to do. That is algebra.
Algebraic language
Translating phrases and expressions
Each key word becomes an operation. When the phrase has several steps, translate from the inside out, like following a recipe.
| Everyday language | Algebraic language |
|---|---|
| Twice a number plus 5 | $2x + 5$ |
| Twice (a number plus 5) | $2(x + 5)$ |
| Half a number minus 3 | $\dfrac{x}{2} - 3$ |
| A 50-peso coupon off a price $x$ | $x - 50$ |
You can also apply a percentage to a sum. An increase of $p\,\%$ is the same as multiplying by $1 + \dfrac{p}{100}$. So the 18% ITBIS (sales tax) is applied by multiplying by $1.18$. If an exercise uses a different percentage, the method is the same.
From algebraic language to everyday language
You can also go the other way: read an expression and describe it in words. Look at the last operation performed; that gives the "title" of the phrase.
Another quick example: $\dfrac{x + y}{2}$ is "half the sum of $x$ and $y$" (the average of what two products cost), and $x + \dfrac{y}{2}$ is "one juice plus half a loaf of bread." The parentheses and the fraction bar show what is done first.
In an online video game store, the price of a monthly subscription is $x$ pesos. Translate the following situations into algebraic expressions: a) The cost of three…
In an online video game store, the price of a monthly subscription is $x$ pesos. Translate the following situations into algebraic expressions:
- a) The cost of three monthly subscriptions.
- b) The price of a subscription after applying a discount coupon of $300$ pesos.
- c) What a group of friends pays for a monthly subscription plus a game costing $1\,500$ pesos.
- d) Double the price of a subscription increased by $600$ pesos.
We are designing a new tablet whose screen is rectangular. The base measures $x$ centimeters and the height is $5$ centimeters less than the base. Write an algebraic…
We are designing a new tablet whose screen is rectangular. The base measures $x$ centimeters and the height is $5$ centimeters less than the base. Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of the screen and simplify it.
A municipal sports center has a rectangular basketball court. If the length of the court is $y$ meters and its width is half the length, write the polynomial that…
A municipal sports center has a rectangular basketball court. If the length of the court is $y$ meters and its width is half the length, write the polynomial that represents the area of the court in terms of $y$.
In a comic book store, the price of a monthly subscription is $x$ pesos. For each additional comic book you buy, you are charged $y$ pesos, but if you buy more than…
In a comic book store, the price of a monthly subscription is $x$ pesos. For each additional comic book you buy, you are charged $y$ pesos, but if you buy more than five, a discount of $180$ pesos is applied to the total. Write the algebraic expression that represents the monthly expenditure of a customer who has bought $7$ additional comic books.
An electric scooter rental company charges a base fee of $B$ pesos for unlocking and $9$ pesos per minute of use ($m$). In addition, if the user travels more than $5$…
An electric scooter rental company charges a base fee of $B$ pesos for unlocking and $9$ pesos per minute of use ($m$). In addition, if the user travels more than $5$ kilometers, a safety surcharge of $S$ pesos is applied. A tax of $21\%$ must be applied to the sum of these items.
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Write the algebraic expression for the total cost $C$ of a trip if the user exceeds a distance of $5$ km.
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Simplify the previous expression by performing any possible operations.
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If the base fee is $60$ pesos and the safety surcharge is $120$ pesos, how much will a person pay who uses the scooter for $20$ minutes and travels $6$ km?
The numerical value
A root of a polynomial is a value of $x$ for which the polynomial equals $0$. If you are told that $x = 2$ is a root of $x^3 + kx - 6$, you substitute $x = 2$, set it equal to $0$, and solve for $k$: $8 + 2k - 6 = 0$, so $2k = -2$ and $k = -1$.
Calculate the numerical value of the following algebraic expressions for the given values: a) $5x - 3$ for $x = 4$ b) $x^{2} + 2x + 1$ for $x = -2$ c) $2(a + b)$ for…
Calculate the numerical value of the following algebraic expressions for the given values:
- a) $5x - 3$ for $x = 4$
- b) $x^{2} + 2x + 1$ for $x = -2$
- c) $2(a + b)$ for $a = 3$ and $b = 5$
- d) $\frac{10 - x}{2}$ for $x = 6$
Find the numerical value of the polynomial $P(x, y) = 3x^2y - 5xy + 2$ for the given values of the variables: a) $x = 2, y = -1$ b) $x = 0, y = 10$ c) $x = -2, y = -2$
Find the numerical value of the polynomial $P(x, y) = 3x^2y - 5xy + 2$ for the given values of the variables:
- a) $x = 2, y = -1$
- b) $x = 0, y = 10$
- c) $x = -2, y = -2$
Consider the polynomial $P(x) = 2x^3 - kx^2 + 4x - 12$. 1. Determine the value of the coefficient $k$ knowing that the numerical value of the polynomial for $x = 2$ is…
Consider the polynomial $P(x) = 2x^3 - kx^2 + 4x - 12$.
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Determine the value of the coefficient $k$ knowing that the numerical value of the polynomial for $x = 2$ is equal to zero ($x = 2$ is a root of the polynomial).
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Once $k$ has been found, calculate the numerical value of $P(x)$ for $x = -1$.
Patterns: the general term
When a figure or a list of numbers always grows by the same rule, you can describe any position $n$ with an expression: the general term $a_n$.
With $n = 1$ there are $2$ dots; with $n = 2$, $4$; with $n = 3$, $6$. Each position adds $2$ and nothing is left over at the start: $a_n = 2n$.
If the differences between terms are not constant, the pattern usually involves $n^2$. Compare it with the squares $1, 4, 9, 16, \ldots$ and see what is left over or missing.
Sometimes, after comparing with $n^2$, what is left over is not constant but grows with $n$. Then the pattern has the form $a_n = n^2 + bn + c$.
Observe the following sequence of patterns made with dots and determine the algebraic expression for the general term $a_{n}$ (where $n$ is the position of the pattern).…
Observe the following sequence of patterns made with dots and determine the algebraic expression for the general term $a_{n}$ (where $n$ is the position of the pattern). How many dots will the pattern in position $n=50$ have?
A digital artist is creating a pixel mosaic that grows following a certain pattern. In stage $n=1$ they use 3 pixels, in stage $n=2$ they use 8 pixels, in stage $n=3$…
A digital artist is creating a pixel mosaic that grows following a certain pattern. In stage $n=1$ they use 3 pixels, in stage $n=2$ they use 8 pixels, in stage $n=3$ they use 15 pixels, and so on.
Look at the visual pattern and complete the following tasks:
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Find the algebraic expression (nth term) that determines the number of pixels required for any stage $n$.
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If the digital canvas has a limit of $1000$ pixels, could the artist complete stage $n=30$? Justify your answer by calculating the numerical value.
Classifying expressions by their terms
An expression with a single term is a monomial. It is made up of a coefficient (the number), a variable part (the letters with their exponents), and it has a degree, which is the sum of the exponents of the letters. For example, $-5ab^3$ has coefficient $-5$, variable part $ab^3$, and degree $1 + 3 = 4$.
When several monomials are added, you form a polynomial, which is named according to the number of terms:
Identify the parts of the following monomials by completing the information for each: a) $7x^{2}$ b) $-5ab^{3}$ c) $x^{4}y$ d) $\frac{3}{4}z^{2}$ For each one, state the…
Identify the parts of the following monomials by completing the information for each:
- a) $7x^{2}$
- b) $-5ab^{3}$
- c) $x^{4}y$
- d) $\frac{3}{4}z^{2}$
For each one, state the Coefficient, Literal part and Degree.
Classify the following algebraic expressions, indicating whether they are monomials, binomials or trinomials. In the case of polynomials (binomials and trinomials), also…
Classify the following algebraic expressions, indicating whether they are monomials, binomials or trinomials. In the case of polynomials (binomials and trinomials), also state their degree.
- a) $4x^{3} - 5x + 2$
- b) $-7ab^{2}$
- c) $x^{2} + 10$
- d) $3y^{4} - 2y^{2}$
Combining like terms and operating with monomials
Like terms have the same variable part (identical letters and exponents). You add or subtract their coefficients and the variable part does not change: $3x + 5x - 2x = 6x$.
To multiply monomials, you multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of the same letter: $3x \cdot 2x^2 = 6x^3$. To divide, you divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents: $\dfrac{12x^4}{3x} = 4x^3$.
When a monomial multiplies a set of parentheses, it is distributed to each term (the distributive property): $-4x^2(x - 5) = -4x^3 + 20x^2$. Be careful with the minus sign in front: it changes the sign of every term inside the parentheses.
Simplify the following algebraic expressions by adding or subtracting like terms: a) $3x + 5x - 2x$ b) $7a^{2} - 3a + 2a^{2} + 5a$ c) $4xy + 2x - xy + 3x$ d)…
Simplify the following algebraic expressions by adding or subtracting like terms:
- a) $3x + 5x - 2x$
- b) $7a^{2} - 3a + 2a^{2} + 5a$
- c) $4xy + 2x - xy + 3x$
- d) $10n - 5 - 3n + 8$
Simplify the following algebraic expression as far as possible by operating with monomials and removing the brackets:…
Simplify the following algebraic expression as far as possible by operating with monomials and removing the brackets:
$3x \times (2x^2) - 4x^2 \times (x - 5) + \frac{12x^4}{3x}$
Operating with polynomials
To add polynomials, combine like terms. To subtract, change the sign of every term of the polynomial being subtracted and then add. Write the result from highest to lowest degree.
To multiply polynomials, each term of the first multiplies each term of the second, and then you simplify. It is the same idea as the area of a rectangle whose sides are sums.
Given the polynomials $A(x) = 4x^3 - 6x^2 + 5x$ and $B(x) = -2x^3 + 8x^2 - 7$, perform the following operations and write the resulting polynomial in descending order of…
Given the polynomials $A(x) = 4x^3 - 6x^2 + 5x$ and $B(x) = -2x^3 + 8x^2 - 7$, perform the following operations and write the resulting polynomial in descending order of degree:
- a) $A(x) + B(x)$
- b) $A(x) - B(x)$
- c) $2 \times A(x) + 3 \times B(x)$
A surveillance drone flies over a rectangular plot whose dimensions are given by the polynomials $L(x) = x^2 - 3x + 5$ for the length and $A(x) = 2x + 1$ for the width.…
A surveillance drone flies over a rectangular plot whose dimensions are given by the polynomials $L(x) = x^2 - 3x + 5$ for the length and $A(x) = 2x + 1$ for the width. Obtain the polynomial that represents the total area of the plot.
The new model of a smartphone has a rectangular glass screen with dimensions of $x$ in width and $x+4$ in length. Around the screen there is a protective frame or bezel…
The new model of a smartphone has a rectangular glass screen with dimensions of $x$ in width and $x+4$ in length. Around the screen there is a protective frame or bezel with a uniform thickness of $2$ cm on all sides.
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Find the simplified polynomial that expresses the total area of the front of the phone (screen plus bezel).
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Find the simplified polynomial that expresses only the area of the bezel (the gray area).
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If the width of the screen $x$ is $6$ cm, what is the area of the bezel?
Special products
Some products come up so often that it is worth knowing their result directly.
This lets you prove things with algebra. For example, $(n + 1)^2 - n^2 = n^2 + 2n + 1 - n^2 = 2n + 1$, which is exactly $n + (n + 1)$, the sum of the two consecutive numbers.
Use algebraic identities to expand the following expressions without multiplying step by step: a) $(3x + 5)^2$ b) $(2a - 4b)^2$ c) $(x^2 + 3) \times (x^2 - 3)$
Use algebraic identities to expand the following expressions without multiplying step by step:
- a) $(3x + 5)^2$
- b) $(2a - 4b)^2$
- c) $(x^2 + 3) \times (x^2 - 3)$
Expand and simplify the following algebraic expression as far as possible using algebraic identities to collect like terms: $$(3x - 5)^2 - (3x + 5)(3x - 5) - 10(3 -…
Expand and simplify the following algebraic expression as far as possible using algebraic identities to collect like terms:
$$(3x - 5)^2 - (3x + 5)(3x - 5) - 10(3 - 3x)$$Show the process step by step, indicating which algebraic identity you have used in each case.
Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of two consecutive integers is always equal to the sum of those numbers. Instructions:* 1. Call the first…
Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of two consecutive integers is always equal to the sum of those numbers.
Instructions:
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Call the first number $n$ and the next number $n+1$.
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Write the expression for the difference of their squares: $(n+1)^2 - n^2$.
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Expand and simplify the expression.
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Check the result with the numbers $12$ and $13$.
Common factor and algebraic fractions
Factoring out a common factor is the opposite of distributing: you look for what repeats in all the terms and take it outside the parentheses.
Special products in reverse are useful for factoring: $x^2 - 9 = (x + 3)(x - 3)$ and $x^2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)^2$. This lets you simplify algebraic fractions, just like $\dfrac{6}{9} = \dfrac{2}{3}$.
A geometric case: a circle of radius $R$ has area $\pi R^2$ and a square with side $R$ has area $R^2$. The area of the circle without the square is $\pi R^2 - R^2 = R^2(\pi - 1)$, with $R^2$ as the common factor.
Factorise the following algebraic expressions as far as possible by taking out the highest common factor: a) $15x^4 - 10x^3 + 5x^2$ b) $6a^2b - 9ab^2 + 3ab$ c)…
Factorise the following algebraic expressions as far as possible by taking out the highest common factor:
- a) $15x^4 - 10x^3 + 5x^2$
- b) $6a^2b - 9ab^2 + 3ab$
- c) $12x^2y^3 - 18x^3y^2$
A play area in a park is to be designed, consisting of a large circle with radius $R$. Inside this circle, a square sandbox will be installed whose side length is…
A play area in a park is to be designed, consisting of a large circle with radius $R$. Inside this circle, a square sandbox will be installed whose side length is exactly the radius $R$ of the circle. The rest of the circle will be covered with artificial grass.
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Write the simplified algebraic expression for the area of the artificial grass zone in terms of $R$. Use $\pi$ as a symbol.
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Factorize the resulting expression by taking out the common factor.
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If the radius $R$ is $10$ meters, calculate the grass area (use $\pi \approx 3.14$).
Simplify the following algebraic fraction by first taking out common factors and using algebraic identities in the numerator and the denominator: $$\frac{2x^3 - 8x}{x^2…
Simplify the following algebraic fraction by first taking out common factors and using algebraic identities in the numerator and the denominator:
$$\frac{2x^3 - 8x}{x^2 + 4x + 4}$$For what value of $x$ would this expression be undefined? (Hint: the denominator cannot be zero).
Back to the beginning: if the music plan costs $x = 600$ pesos a month, each of the three pays $\dfrac{600}{3} = 200$ pesos. The calculation $\dfrac{x}{3}$ works for any price.