College Algebra

Module 2: Algebraic Expressions

Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify the axiom/law/property of addition and multiplication shown in a
mathematical statement
2. Define and classify polynomials
3. Perform addition and subtraction of polynomials
4. Multiply and divide polynomials

I. Fundamental Operations
The fundamental algebraic operations in mathematics are any of the common
operations of arithmetic. These operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, involution or raising to powers, and evolution or extraction of roots for real
numbers.
In algebra, the symbols + and – may be used either as signs of operation or as
signs of quality. We can say that the symbol is used as signs of operation if it is
used to tell whether numbers are to be added or subtracted while the signs of
quality are used to tell whether a number is positive or negative. Thus, in the
expression (+6) + (-3) – (+4), the signs outside the parenthesis are signs of
operation, while those within the parenthesis are signs of quality.
In multiplication, the symbols are represented with a cross or a dot between them.
Parenthesis may also be used between numbers or when a factor has an attached
sign. Thus, a factor maybe expressed in different forms. For example, six times
three maybe written as 6 x 3, 6(3), (6)(3), or 6 ∙ 3. In cases where one of the
numbers or both numbers to be multiplied are represented by letters, the product
is indicated by simply writing the factors side by side, with no symbol between
them. Hence, the product of 5 and y is 5y, the same with x and y as xy.
In division, the quotient of two numbers x and y may be written as x ÷ y or x / y.
The fractional form x / y is more frequently used in algebra.
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II. Axioms of Equality

An axiom is a mathematical statement that is assumed to be true. There are five
basic axioms of algebra. The axioms are the reflexive axiom, symmetric axiom,
transitive axiom, additive axiom and multiplicative axiom.

Reflexive Axiom: A number is equal to itself. (e.g a = a). This is the first axiom of
equality. It follows Euclid's Common Notion One: "Things equal to the same thing
are equal to each other."

Symmetric Axiom: Numbers are symmetric around the equal’s sign. If a = b then
b = a. This is the second axiom of equality. It follows Euclid's Common Notion One:
"Things equal to the same thing are equal to each other."

Transitive Axiom: If a = b and b = c then a = c. This is the third axiom of equality.

It follows Euclid's Common Notion One: "Things equal to the same thing are equal
to each other."

Additive Axiom: If a = b and c = d then a + c = b + d. If two quantities are equal

and an equal amount is added to each, they are still equal.

Multiplicative Axiom: If a=b and c = d then ac = bd. Since multiplication is just

repeated addition, the multiplicative axiom follows from the additive axiom.

Other Fundamental Laws applied in Algebra

1. Substitution law: if x = y, then x can be substituted in for y in any equation, and y

can be substituted for x in any equation.
2. Cancellation law for addition: for any numbers a, b, and c, if a + c = b + c, then a
= b.
3. Cancellation law for multiplication: if a ∙ b = b ∙ c and c ≠ 0, then a = b.
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Axioms for Addition and Multiplication

1. Closure – The sum or product of two real numbers is a real number.

Example:

x+yЄR
x∙yЄR

2. Commutative – the sum or product remains unchanged by the order in which the
numbers are before performing addition or multiplication.

Example:

x+y=y+x
x∙y=y∙x

3. Associative – the sum or product remains unchanged by the order in which the
numbers are group ed before performing addition or multiplication.

Example:

(x + y) + z = x + (b + c)
(x ∙ y) ∙ z = x ∙ (y ∙ z)
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4. Identity – There exists a unique number zero (0) such that x + 0 = x. The number
0 is called identity element for addition. There exist a unique number one (1) such
that x ∙ 1 = x. The number 1 is the identity element for multiplication.

5. Inverse - Every real number has a unique additive inverse. A real number x, there
exist another real number –x such that if we add x to –x the result is 0 or x + (-x) =
0. The number –x is called the additive inverse or opposite of x.

Every real number has a unique multiplicative inverse. A real number x, except 0,
there exist another real number 1/x (the inverse of x) such that x ∙ 1/x = 1. The
number 1/x is called the multiplicative inverse of x.

6. Distributive (Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition)

x (y + z) = xy + xz and (y + z) x = yx + zx

These equations are true for all numbers x, y and z.

III. The Number Zero

Consider a, b and c as integers or real numbers or variables of an algebraic

expression.

1. a + 0 = a and a – 0 = a
2. a(0) = 0 ; that is any number multiplied by zero is equal to zero.
3. 0 ÷ a = 0, with a ≠ 0 ; that is zero is divided by any number (given that the number
is not equal to zero) is zero.
4. a ÷ 0 is undefined; that is any number that is divided by zero is undefined.
5. If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0. This is known as Zero-Factor property.
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For further explanation of the topics, you may watch video this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4-sAcCbMdU – AXIOMS (PROPERTIES OF

EQUALITY) (16:24 minutes)

Worksheet 4: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

IV. Signed Numbers

Signed numbers are numbers that are preceded by a plus or minus sign and are often
called as positive and negative numbers. If there is no sign written before a number,
it is understood to be positive.
Signed numbers are also called directed numbers when it is indicating directions. On
a number line (see figure 1.2), the numbers to the right of (0) zero are positive
numbers while numbers to the left of 0 (zero) are negative numbers.
The absolute value of a signed numbers are its values regardless of its sign, for
example, the absolute value of +5 and -5 is 5. The symbol for absolute value is ││.

V. Laws of Sign
There are certain rules that are being followed when performing operation on
signed numbers. The four fundamental operations in algebra have its laws when
performing these operations.

A. Addition of Signed Numbers

▪ To add two signed numbers with the same sign (either both positive and both
negative), add their absolute values and use the common sign to its sum.

Examples:
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(1) 6 + 9 = 15, add the absolute values (6+9) and use the sign (+)
(2) -5 + -11= -16, add the absolute values (5+11) and use the sign (-)

▪ To add two signed numbers having unlike signs (one positive and one
negative), subtract their absolute values and use the sign of the one with larger
absolute value.

Examples:

(1) 9 + (-3) = 6
(2) 5 + (-9) = -4

▪ To add two or more signed numbers, it is convenient to add all the positive
numbers, add all negative numbers and the find the sum of these two results.
For the sign conventions, follow the rules of adding two unlike sings.

Examples:
(1) Add: -8, 3, -12, -9, 1, 7
Solution:
-8 + (-12) + (-9) = -29 add all the negative numbers
3 + 1 + 7 = 11 add all the positive numbers
-29 + 11 = -18 find the sum of the results

(2) Add: 5, -6, 2, -4, 8

Solution:
5 + 2 + 8 = 15 add all the positive numbers
-6 + (-4) = -10 add all the negative numbers
15 + (-10) = 5 find the sum of the results

B. Subtraction of Signed Numbers

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▪ To subtract two signed numbers, change the sign of the subtrahend (from
positive to negative, positive to negative), then proceed as in algebraic
addition.

Examples:
(1) 12 – 18 = 12 + (-18) = -6
(2) 13 – (-10) = 13 + 10 = 23
(3) 45 – 67 = 45 + (-67) = -22

C. Multiplication of Signed Numbers

▪ To multiply two signed numbers with the same signs, the product is always
positive. Multiply their absolute values and prefix the product with positive sign.

Positive x positive = positive

Negative x negative = positive

▪ To multiply two signed numbers with unlike signs, the product is always
negative. Multiply their absolute values and prefix the product with negative
sign.

Positive x negative = negative

Negative x positive = negative

D. Division of Signed Numbers

▪ To divide two signed numbers with the same signs, the quotient is always
positive. Divide the absolute value of the dividend by the absolute value of the
divisor and prefix the quotient with positive sign.
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Positive ÷ positive = positive

Negative ÷ negative = positive

▪ Divide To divide two signed numbers with unlike signs, the quotient is always
negative the absolute value of the dividend by the absolute value of the divisor
and prefix the quotient with negative sign.

Positive ÷ negative = negative

Negative ÷ positive = negative

For further explanation of the topic, you may watch video this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuCxwTBUyAE - Understanding Laws of Sign
(15:40 minutes)

Worksheet 5: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

VI. Order of Operations

When evaluating expressions involving real numbers, it is important to follow the
correct order of operations. There are certain rules to be considered when performing
the operations to avoid having different results. These rules are as follows:

(1) Simply quantities inside grouping symbols.

(2) Raise to powers and extract roots.
(3) Perform multiplication and division, as they appear from left to right.
(4) Perform addition and subtraction, as they appear from left to right.

Examples:

Simplify the expressions.

(1) 9 + 52 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2√16 – (7-3)
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Solution:
- Simplify the quantities inside the grouping symbols
= 9 + 52 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2√16 – (7-3)
= 9 + 52 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2√16 – 4

- Raise to powers and extract roots

= 9 + 52 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2√16 – 4
= 9 + 25 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2(4) – 4

- Perform multiplication and division, as they appear from left to right

= 9 + 25 – 16 ÷ 4 + 2(4) – 4
= 9 + 25 – 4 + 8 – 4

- Perform addition and subtraction, as they appear from left to right

= 9 + 25 – 4 + 8 – 4
= 34 answer

(2) 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7
=3+6x9÷3–7
= 3 + 18 -7
= 14 answer

Worksheet 6: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

VII. Algebraic Expressions

In algebra, however, numbers are often represented by letters (such as x and y), which
are called variables. A constant is a fixed (known) number. A coefficient is the constant
that is multiplied by a variable. Quantities within the algebraic expression that are
separated by addition or subtraction are referred to as terms.
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Algebraic expression is a combination of variables and constant when the

fundamental operations are performed.

Algebraic Expression Variable Term Constant Term Coefficient

3x + 8 3x 8 3
5y + 15 5y 15 5

Numerical coefficient is a constant multiplicative factor written before the variables in

an expression. It usually called as coefficient. In the expression 5x + 3y + 2, 5 is the
coefficient of x, 3 is the coefficient of y, but 2 is not a coefficient, as it is not being
multiplied by a variable. It is a constant term. When there is no numerical coefficient
written in a term, the coefficient is understood to be 1. Hence, xyz is the same as 1xyz.
Terms that differ only in their numerical coefficient are called similar or like terms. For
example, 4xy2, -2xy2, -20xy2 are similar terms while 7xy2, -2x2y, 2xy are dissimilar
terms.
Monomials, binomials, and trinomials refer to specific types of polynomials that consist
of a certain number of terms (expressions separated by addition and subtraction
signs). A monomial is an algebraic expression with only one term (e.g.3x, -xy, 1/3x2y).
A binomial is an algebraic expression with two terms (e.g. x+y, 2x2+3, 3x4+yz7) while
a trinomial is an algebraic expression with three terms (e.g. x+y+z, 2x + 3yz2+ 5x9yz3).
In general, a multinomial is an algebraic expression of two or more terms.

When a term is a product of real numbers and nonnegative integral power of variables,
the term is called an integral rational term. For instance, 2x2yz4 is an integral rational
term in x, y, and z, but 3xy5/2 is not an integral rational term in y because the power of
y is not a non-negative integer.
If each term in any monomial or multinomial is integral rational, then the expression is
a polynomial. The word polynomial is derived from the Greek word ‘poly’ means ‘many’
and ‘nominal’ means ‘terms’, so altogether it said “many terms”. A polynomial can
have any number of terms but not infinite. Examples of polynomials are 3x – 2y, -2x +
y – 3, 3xy – ½ x2.
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The degree of a polynomial is defined as the highest degree of a monomial within a

polynomial. Thus, a polynomial equation having one variable which has the largest
exponent is called a degree of the polynomial.

Polynomial Degree Example

Constant or Zero Polynomial 0 8

Linear Polynomial 1 4x+2

Quadratic Polynomial 2 2x2+x+1

Cubic Polynomial 3 8x3+2x2+x+1

Quartic Polynomial 4 6x4+4x3+x2+2x+2

For further explanation of the topic, you may watch video this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffLLmV4mZwU - Algebra Basics: What Are
Polynomials? - Math Antics (11:08 minutes)

Worksheet 7: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

VIII. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials

▪ To combine similar terms, find the sum of their numerical coefficients and
multiply it by its common variables.

Example:
3xy + 4xy – 8xy = (3 + 4 – 8) xy = -xy
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▪ In adding polynomials, arrange the polynomials so that similar terms is

written in the same column. Find the sum of the terms in each column using
the rule in adding similar terms.

Examples:
(1) Find the sum of (2x2 + x – 8), (x2 – 2x + 1), and (-2x2 + 3x – 2)

Solution:

2x2 + x – 8
x2 – 2x + 1
+ -2x2 + 3x – 2
x2 + 2x – 9 answer

(2) Find the sum of (3a – 2b + 8), (a + 3b – c + 2), (-4a + c – 2) and (b + 3c ).

Solution:

3a – 2b +8
a + 3b – c + 2
-4a + + c -2
+ b + 3c___
b + 3c + 8 answer

▪ To subtract one polynomial from another, change the sign of each term of
the subtrahend, then apply the rules in addition.

Examples:
(1) Subtract 2x2 – 6x – 2 from 3x2 + 4x + 1
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Solution:

3x2 + 4x + 1
+ (-) 2x2 – (+) 6x – (+)2 change the sign of each term of the subtrahend,
add
x2 + 10x + 3 answer

(2) Subtract 3x2 – 4 from 6x2 + 2x + 3

Solution:

6x2 + 2x + 3
+ (-)3x2 - (+)4 change the sign of each term of the subtrahend, add
3x2 + 2x + 7 answer

For further explanation of the topic, you may watch video this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YDka54slgQ - Addition and Subtraction of
Polynomials | Tagalog | (12:40 minutes)

Worksheet 8: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

IX. Expressions with Grouping Symbols

In an algebraic expression there is a group of terms that is to be treated as a single
number. For instance, when we multiply two polynomials each one of them is
enclosed by a grouping symbol in order to separate the terms of each expression.
The main symbols of grouping (also called symbols of inclusion and symbols of
aggregation) that are being used when performing these operations are
parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], braces { }, and the vinculum ¯¯ .
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Rules for Removing Grouping Symbols

▪ When the parentheses or other grouping to be removed or inserted are

preceded by a plus sign, the sign of each term within the parentheses or
grouping symbols remains unchanged; but when preceded by a minus sign,
the sigh of each term within the parentheses or grouping symbols must be
changed from positive to negative or from negative to positive.

Examples:
Simplify the following expressions.

1. (x − 2) + (y − 8)
(x – 2) + (y – 8) = x – 2 + y – 8
= x + y – 10 answer

2. 5x + (-3x + y – 2)
5x + (-3x + y – 2) = 5x – 3x + y -2
= 2x + y – 2 answer

3. Rewrite the expression m2 – 12m + 4n – n2 with the last 3 terms in

parentheses preceded by (a) plus sign; (b) minus sign.

Solution:
a. m2 + (-12m + 4n – n2)
b. m2 – (5m – 4n + n2)

Note that multiplication should be performed before addition or subtraction. Thus,

6 – 3(y – 2) is not equal to 2(y - 2), or 2y – 4; its is equal to 6 – 3y + 6 or 12 – 3y.
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▪ In case two or more grouping symbols are used, one within the other, remove
first the innermost grouping symbol and then work toward the outermost
grouping symbol until all grouping symbols have been removed.

Examples:

1. Simplify 6x – 2[5 + 2(x – 7)]

Solution:

6x – 2[5 + 2(x – 7)] = 6x - 2[5 + 2x - 14]

= 6x – 10 -4x + 28
= 2x + 18 answer

2. Remove the grouping symbols of the expression

3a − {a + b − [a + b + c − (a + b + c + d)]}

Solution:
5a − {a + b − [a + b + c − (a + b + c + d)]}
= 5a − {a + b − [a + b + c − a − b − c − d]}
= 5a − {a + b − [−d]}
= 5a − {a + b + d}
= 5a − a − b – d
= 4a − b – d answer

Worksheet 9: Refer to classwork in google classroom.

Prepared by:
Engr. John Paul Villanueva
Faculty, Engineering Department