B1 Lesson 1

College of Engineering and Technology
2020
Engineering Algebra
Learning Plan
Let’s Hit These:

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
 Define the different terms used in Algebra
 Identify the different rules in Algebra
 Solve simple Algebraic equations
Let’s Get Started:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Algebra
ALGEBRA
- The part of mathematics in which letter and other general symbols are used to
represent numbers and quantities in formulae and equations.
- One of the broad parts of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and
analysis. In its most general form, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols
and the rules for manipulating these symbols; it is a unifying thread of almost all of
mathematics.
COMMON TERMS IN ALGEBRA
 CONSTANTS
A fixed quantity that does not change. For example: 3, -6, π, ½
 VARIABLES
A variable is a symbol that we assign to an unknown value. It is usually
represented by letters such as x, y, or t. For example, we might say that l stands for
the length and w stands for the width of a rectangle.
We use variables when we need to indicate how objects are related even though we
may not know the exact values of the objects. For example, if we want to say that
the length of a rectangle is 3 times the length of its width then we can write
l=3xw
 COEFFICIENTS
The coefficient of a variable is the number that is placed in front of a variable.
For example, 3 x w can be written as 3w and 3 is the coefficient.
 TERMS
[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 1 of 7

Engineering Algebra
A term can be any of the following:

- A constant: e.g. 3, 10, π, ½
- The product of a number (coefficient) and a variable: e.g. -3x, 11y
- The product of two or more variables: x2, xy, 2y2, 7xy
- Like terms are terms that differ only in their numerical coefficients.
Examples:
3a, -8a, 71a, ⅔a
 EXPRESSIONS
An expression is made up of one or more terms.
Examples: 3w + 4xy + 5
2x2-4x+3
 EQUATIONS
An equation consists of two expressions separated by an equal sign. The expression
on one side of the equal sign has the same value as the expression on the other side.
Examples: 4 + 6 = 5 x 2
l=3xw
3w + 4xy +5 = 2w + 3
3x2 + 4x – 9 = 0
 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
A quadratic equation is an equation of the form:
ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are numbers and a ≠ 0
Examples:
x2 + 2x + 3 = 0
2x2 + 5x -7 = 0
2x2 + 5x = 8 is a QE because it can be changed to 2x2 + 5x – 8 = 0
x2 + x = 0 is a QE with c = 0
2x2 – 7 = 0 is a QE with b = 0
2x + 3 = 0 is not a QE because a cannot be 0
 ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS
An algebraic fraction is a fraction that contains an algebraic expression in its
numerator and/or denominator.
Examples:
4 3 x −5
2 x−3 , x+3

Engineering Algebra
BASIC LAW OF NATURAL NUMBERS

Let a, b, and c be any number.
1. Law of closure for addition:
a+b
2. Commutative law for addition:
a+b=b+a
3. Associative law for addition:
a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c
4. Law of closure for multiplication
axb
5. Commutative law for multiplication
axb=bxa
6. Associative law for multiplication
a(bc) = (ab)c
7. Distributive Law
a(b + c) = ab + ac
OTHER IMPORTANT PROPERTIES IN ALGEBRA

1. If a x 0 = 0
2. If a x b = 0, then either a or b = 0 or both a and b are zero.
3. 0/a = 0 if a ≠ 0
4. a/0 = undefined
5. a/ꝏ = 0
COMBINING LIKE TERMS

 Like Terms - are terms whose variables (and their exponents such 2 in x2) are the
same. In other words, terms that are “like” each other.
Note: the coefficients (the number you multiply by, such as 3 in 3x) can be
different.
Examples:
 7x, x, -2x --------- All are like terms because the variables are all x.
 ⅔xy2, -2xy2, 6xy2, xy2/2 ---------- All are like terms because the variables
are all xy2
 Unlike Terms – If they are not like terms then they are called “unlike terms”.
Examples:
 -3xy, -3y, 12y2 -------------------- All are unlike terms (xy, y and y 2 are all
different)
Engineering Algebra
 2x, 2x2, 2y, 2xy ------------------- All are unlike terms because the variables
and/or their exponents are different.
 Combining Like Terms
You can add or subtract like terms together to make one term:
Examples:
No. 1: 7x + x = ___ (They are both like terms, so you can just add
them.)
= 7x + x (Note: Use x instead of 1x.)
= 8x
No. 2: 4x3 + 3x2 -7 -x2 + 2 = _____ (Combine 3x2 and x2 since they are like
terms, same also with 7 and 2)
= (4x3) + (3x2 - x2) + (2 - 7) (Then add/subtract like terms)
= 4x3 + 2x2 – 5
No. 3: (3x3 - 2x + 5) - (2x2 - 4x + 3) =______ (Change the sign of the second

expression since the operation is subtraction. In other words, positive will be
negative and negative will be positive.)
= 3x3 -2x + 5 – 2x2 + 4x -3 (Combine like terms.)

= 3x3 -2x2 + 2x + 2 (Arrange your answers according to the
highest exponents.)
Suggested Video/s:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWpkv6ccpA

Engineering Algebra
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUnYb0iBEKQ
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSCSNAF_aQg

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College of Engineering and Technology

Let’s Hit These:

Let’s Get Started:

COMMON TERMS IN ALGEBRA

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 1 of 7

A term can be any of the following:

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 2 of 7

BASIC LAW OF NATURAL NUMBERS

OTHER IMPORTANT PROPERTIES IN ALGEBRA

COMBINING LIKE TERMS

No. 3: (3x3 - 2x + 5) - (2x2 - 4x + 3) =______ (Change the sign of the second

= 3x3 -2x + 5 – 2x2 + 4x -3 (Combine like terms.)

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 4 of 7

[Course Code]: [Course Title] Page 5 of 7

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