Monomials
Ximena publishes a game in an app store, and the profit for each download is expressed by the monomial $7x^2y$. Before doing any calculations with it, you need to know how to read it: which part is the number and which part is the letters? Then you will learn to add it, multiply it, and use it to measure figures.
What a monomial is
In an app store, the profit per game download is expressed by the monomial $7x^2y$. Identify the following elements of this expression: Coefficient: Literal part: Degree…
In an app store, the profit per game download is expressed by the monomial $7x^2y$. Identify the following elements of this expression:
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Coefficient:
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Literal part:
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Degree of the monomial:
In a math app, a bot has incorrectly classified some monomials. Your task is to correct the following table by identifying the coefficient, the literal part, and the…
In a math app, a bot has incorrectly classified some monomials. Your task is to correct the following table by identifying the coefficient, the literal part, and the degree of each one. If you find any error in the bot's classification, write it correctly:
| Monomial | Coefficient | Literal part | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| $-5x^2y$ | $5$ | $x^2y$ | $2$ |
| $\frac{3}{4}ab^3c$ | $3$ | $ab^3c$ | $4$ |
| $-x^4$ | $-1$ | $x$ | $4$ |
| $7$ | $7$ | None | $1$ |
Like monomials
$5x^2$ and $-2x^2$ are like monomials. $5x^2$ and $5x$ are not, even though they look similar: the exponents don't match.
We are organising an inventory of robotics parts. Group the following monomials into pairs of like terms: $5x^2$, $-3ab$, $x$, $\frac{1}{2}ab$, $-2x^2$, $8x$
We are organising an inventory of robotics parts. Group the following monomials into pairs of like terms:
$5x^2$, $-3ab$, $x$, $\frac{1}{2}ab$, $-2x^2$, $8x$
Numerical value
To calculate the numerical value of a monomial, substitute each letter with its value (in parentheses if it is negative) and operate following the order of operations: first powers, then multiplications.
This also works in reverse: if you are given the numerical value, you can find an unknown exponent. For example, if $3 \cdot 2^a = 24$, then $2^a = 8$ and $a = 3$.
Calculate the numerical value of the monomial $M(x) = -5x^2$ for the indicated values of the variable: a) $x = 2$ b) $x = -1$ c) $x = 0$
Calculate the numerical value of the monomial $M(x) = -5x^2$ for the indicated values of the variable:
- a) $x = 2$
- b) $x = -1$
- c) $x = 0$
Work out the numerical value of the following monomials for the values of the variables given in each case: a) $P(x, y) = -3x^2y$ for $x = -2$, $y = 5$ b)…
Work out the numerical value of the following monomials for the values of the variables given in each case:
- a) $P(x, y) = -3x^2y$ for $x = -2$, $y = 5$
- b) $Q(a, b) = \frac{2}{3}a^3b^2$ for $a = 3$, $b = -1$
It is known that the numerical value of the monomial $M(x, y) = -5x^a y^b$ is $-320$ when $x=2$ and $y=2$. Furthermore, it is known that the relative degree with respect…
It is known that the numerical value of the monomial $M(x, y) = -5x^a y^b$ is $-320$ when $x=2$ and $y=2$. Furthermore, it is known that the relative degree with respect to the variable $x$ is twice the relative degree with respect to $y$.
Find the exponents $a$ and $b$, justifying the steps followed.
Adding and subtracting monomials
$$4x + 2x - x = (4 + 2 - 1)x = 5x$$Simplify the following algebraic expressions by adding and subtracting like monomials: a) $4x + 2x - x$ b) $5a^2 - 3a^2 + 7a^2$ c) $3ab + ab - 2ab$
Simplify the following algebraic expressions by adding and subtracting like monomials:
- a) $4x + 2x - x$
- b) $5a^2 - 3a^2 + 7a^2$
- c) $3ab + ab - 2ab$
A content creator is analysing the growth of their social media. The number of "Likes" on their photos is given by the monomial $8x^2y$, and the number of "Shares" by…
A content creator is analysing the growth of their social media. The number of "Likes" on their photos is given by the monomial $8x^2y$, and the number of "Shares" by $3x^2y$. During the last month, they received an extra number of views equivalent to $\frac{1}{2}x^2y$.
Calculate the simplified algebraic expression representing the total interaction by adding the three items.
Multiplying monomials
$$(-2x^2)(4x) = (-2 \cdot 4)\, x^{2+1} = -8x^3$$Here different letters are multiplied without mixing them: $(3a)(2b) = 6ab$.
Perform the following monomial multiplications and simplify the result: a) $3 \times (5x^4)$ b) $(-2x^2) \times (4x)$ c) $(3a) \times (2b)$
Perform the following monomial multiplications and simplify the result:
- a) $3 \times (5x^4)$
- b) $(-2x^2) \times (4x)$
- c) $(3a) \times (2b)$
Fill in the gaps with the required monomial to make the equalities correct: a) $7x^3y + \dots \dots = 10x^3y$ b) $(-2ab^2) \times (\dots \dots) = 12a^3b^2$ c)…
Fill in the gaps with the required monomial to make the equalities correct:
- a) $7x^3y + \dots \dots = 10x^3y$
- b) $(-2ab^2) \times (\dots \dots) = 12a^3b^2$
- c) $\frac{15x^4y^2}{\dots \dots} = 3x^2y$
Dividing and raising to a power
To divide monomials, divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents of each letter. To raise a monomial to a power, raise the coefficient to that power and multiply each exponent by the power.
A product pyramid, where each brick is the product of the two below it, is solved with these same rules. If a bottom brick is missing, divide the brick above by the one you know.
In a strategy video game, your base's energy increases according to the following monomial operation. Simplify the expression to a single monomial: $$(12x^5 \times 3x^2)…
In a strategy video game, your base's energy increases according to the following monomial operation. Simplify the expression to a single monomial:
$$(12x^5 \times 3x^2) : (9x^4)$$What is the degree of the resulting monomial?
Simplify the following expression combining powers and divisions of monomials: $$\frac{(-2a^3b)^2 \times 5ab^4}{10a^4b^3}$$
Simplify the following expression combining powers and divisions of monomials:
$$\frac{(-2a^3b)^2 \times 5ab^4}{10a^4b^3}$$Simplify the following expression involving monomials as far as possible, applying the laws of indices and the order of operations: $$\frac{(-3x^2y^3)^2 \times…
Simplify the following expression involving monomials as far as possible, applying the laws of indices and the order of operations:
$$\frac{(-3x^2y^3)^2 \times (2x^4y)^3}{(-6x^3y^2)^2}$$Express the result as a single monomial.
In the following "product pyramid", each brick is the result of multiplying the two monomials directly below it. Complete the missing spaces by finding the monomials…
In the following "product pyramid", each brick is the result of multiplying the two monomials directly below it. Complete the missing spaces by finding the monomials $A$, $B$ and $C$.
Find the degree of this "chained" monomial and simplify it to its simplest form: $$P(x) = x \times (2x^2)^3 : \left( \frac{1}{4}x^4 \right) + (-5x^3) \times (-2x^0)$$…
Find the degree of this "chained" monomial and simplify it to its simplest form:
$$P(x) = x \times (2x^2)^3 : \left( \frac{1}{4}x^4 \right) + (-5x^3) \times (-2x^0)$$Are the terms resulting from the sum like terms? Justify your answer.
Areas, perimeters, and word phrases
The dimensions of a figure can be monomials. The area of a rectangle with base $5x$ and height $3x$ is $5x \times 3x = 15x^2$. The perimeter is found by adding the sides, and if they are like terms they are combined.
When the figure is composite, calculate the area of each part and add or subtract. A square with side $3x$ from which you remove a square with side $y$ has area $9x^2 - y^2$. Those two terms are not like terms, so the expression stays as a polynomial.
Patterns and costs
If a sequence always grows by the same amount, its expression is a monomial in $n$ plus a constant term. The coefficient of $n$ is how much it grows at each step.
Costs work the same way. A bicycle shop charges $80t + 20m$ pesos for $t$ hours and $m$ spare parts. Split among four friends, each one pays $\dfrac{80t + 20m}{4} = 20t + 5m$: divide each term by 4.
Look at the following regular hexagon whose side measures $x$ meters. Write the monomial representing its perimeter and calculate its value if each side were $4.5$ cm.
Look at the following regular hexagon whose side measures $x$ meters. Write the monomial representing its perimeter and calculate its value if each side were $4.5$ cm.
Find the monomial expressing the area of the following rectangle intended for a gaming area in a shopping center:
Find the monomial expressing the area of the following rectangle intended for a gaming area in a shopping center:
Translate the following phrases into algebraic language using a single monomial: a) Double the cube of a number $x$. b) Half the product of two numbers $a$ and $b$. c)…
Translate the following phrases into algebraic language using a single monomial:
- a) Double the cube of a number $x$.
- b) Half the product of two numbers $a$ and $b$.
- c) Three times the square of the distance $d$.
Find the monomial representing the area of the following shaded region, which is part of the design of a new skatepark. Express the result in its simplest form.
Find the monomial representing the area of the following shaded region, which is part of the design of a new skatepark. Express the result in its simplest form.
Calculate the monomial that represents the perimeter and the polynomial that represents the shaded area of the following composite figure (a large square with side…
Calculate the monomial that represents the perimeter and the polynomial that represents the shaded area of the following composite figure (a large square with side length $3x$ from which four identical small squares with side length $y$ have been cut out at its corners):
Simplify the expressions as much as possible.
Observe the following sequence of patterns made of small squares. The first term ($n=1$) has 4 squares, the second ($n=2$) has 7, and the third ($n=3$) has 10. a)…
Observe the following sequence of patterns made of small squares. The first term ($n=1$) has 4 squares, the second ($n=2$) has 7, and the third ($n=3$) has 10.
- a) Determine the expression that represents the number of squares in terms of position $n$, knowing that the relationship is linear (a monomial in $n$ plus a constant term).
- b) How many squares will the pattern in position $n=150$ have?
- c) If a pattern has 91 squares, what position $n$ does it occupy in the sequence?
Three friends rent a padel court. The total cost is given by the algebraic expression $C(t, l) = 120t + 40l$, where $t$ is the time in hours and $l$ is the number of…
Three friends rent a padel court. The total cost is given by the algebraic expression $C(t, l) = 120t + 40l$, where $t$ is the time in hours and $l$ is the number of rented rackets.
- a) If they decide to split the cost equally, write the algebraic expression representing what each person has to pay.
- b) If a fourth friend joins the group, the total cost of the rackets increases (there are now $l+1$) and the expense is divided by four. Write the new expression for the individual payment.
- c) If the playing time is $1.5$ hours and each person rents their own racket, how many pesos does each of the three original friends save when the fourth player joins?
Common factor of monomials
Factoring out the common factor means writing a sum as a product, using the distributive property in reverse. The common factor is the largest monomial that divides all the terms:
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coefficient: the GCF of the coefficients;
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letters: the ones that appear in all the terms, with their smallest exponent.
With fractional coefficients, the GCF of the fractions is the GCF of the numerators over the LCM of the denominators. For example, in $\frac{1}{2}x^3 + \frac{3}{4}x^2$ the common factor is $\frac{1}{4}x^2$ and it becomes $\frac{1}{4}x^2(2x + 3)$.
Look at the following figure formed by two adjacent rectangles. a) Write the monomial that represents the area of each rectangle separately. b) Write the polynomial that…
Look at the following figure formed by two adjacent rectangles.
- a) Write the monomial that represents the area of each rectangle separately.
- b) Write the polynomial that represents the total area.
- c) Factor out the common factor in the expression for the total area.
Factorise the following algebraic expression by taking out the highest common factor of the terms. Take special care with fractional coefficients: $$\frac{4}{9}a^5b^2 -…
Factorise the following algebraic expression by taking out the highest common factor of the terms. Take special care with fractional coefficients:
$$\frac{4}{9}a^5b^2 - \frac{8}{27}a^3b^4 + \frac{2}{3}a^3b^2$$Back to the beginning: in $7x^2y$ the coefficient is $7$, the literal part is $x^2y$, and the degree is $2 + 1 = 3$.