Lesson 3

MATH 20305 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

ALGEBRA and TRIGONOMETRY

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

College of Science OUTLINE

1. Integer Exponent

2. Polynomial Expression

3. Factoring Polynomial

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Lesson 3: Algebraic Expression Lesson 3.1 Integer Exponents

Learning Outcomes: Exponent

At the end of this chapter, the student is expected to
1. define terms involving algebraic expressions If a 2 R and n 2 N, then
2. apply the four fundamental operations on algebraic expressions an = a| · a ·{z· · · · a}
n times
3. demonstrate simple operations of algebraic expressions
is the nth power of a. The number a is called the base and n is called the
4. di↵erentiate the special products and factoring exponent. if n = 0, we define an to be equal to 1.
5. evaluate special products and factoring

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Lesson 3.1 Integer Exponents Lesson 3.1 Integer Exponents

Laws of Exponents Example.Simplify the following.
Let a 2 R and n, m 2 N.The following hold: 1. 42 · 43 = 42+3 = 45 = 1024
2. (23 )4 = 23·4 = 212 = 4096
1. an · am = an+m 5. If b is a real number not
3. ( 2 · 3)2 = ( 2)2 · (3)2 = 4 · 9 = 36
2. (an )m = anm equal to zero, then
x 10
3. (ab)n = an b n ⇣ a ⌘n 4. 6 = x 10 6 = x 4
4. If a 6= 0, then an x
=
b bn y2 1
8 n m 5. 7 = y 2 7 = y 5 = 5
y y
>
> a if n > m
an < 1110
= 1 6. = 1110 10 = 110 = 1
am > > am n if n < m 1110
: ✓ 2 ◆2
1 if n = m 2m 22 (m2 )2 4m4
7. = 2 3 2 =
3n3 3 (n ) 9n6
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Lesson 3.1 Integer Exponents Lesson 3.1 Integer Exponents
Definition

If a is a nonzero real number and n 2 N, we define

24 x 9 y 7
n 1 2.
a = 27 x 2 y 6
an
24 x 9 y 7
1 1
Example. Simplify the ↵. = · x 9+2 · 7 6
27 x 2 y 6 27 4 y
20x 8 y 2 z 5
1. x 11
5x 2 y 7 z 5 = 3
2y
20x 8 y 2 z 5 20 x 8 y 2 z 5
= · · · = 4 · x8 2
· y2 7
· z5 5
5x 2 y 7 z 5 5 x2 y7 z5
6
4x
= 4 · x6 · y 5
· z0 =
y5
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Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression

Algebraic Expression
Remark. If an algebraic expression has a variable in the denominator, exponent or
An algebraic expression is any combination of variables and constant involving inside a radical then it is not a polynomial.
a finite number of basic operations. Example. Special names for polynomials with one, two or three terms.

Polynomial Polynomial Number of Terms Name

12x 5 1 monomial
A polynomial is an algebraic expression involving nonnegative integers as powers
3x 4 + 5x 3 2 binomial
of one or more variables.
12x 3 3x 2 + 1 3 trinomial
6x 5 3x 3 + 9x 2 + 50 4 multinomial
Term

A term is a constant or a constant multiplied by a variable or variables.

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Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression

Definition Degree of Polynomial

If two terms have the same variables with the same exponents , we say that they The degree of polynomial is the highest of the degrees of all its terms.
are like terms. The sum of the exponents of the variables in a term is called
its degree. Example: Special Names for Polynomials with low degrees.

Example: Polynomial Degree Name

5 0 Zero Degree
Term Degree 2x 5 1 Linear
3x 3 3 3 + 6x 2 2x 2 Quadratic
9xyz 5 7 4x 3 5y 2 3 Cubic
15x 5 y 7 z 3 15 2x 3 y 2 6x 4 + 12y 5 Quintic

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Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression
Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Multiplication of Polynomials
To add or subtract polynomials, we simply remove the grouping symbols by
applying the distributive property and combining like terms. To multiply two polynomials, we apply the distributive property by multiplying
each term in the first factor to each of the terms in the second factor. We then
Example: Perform the ↵. operations. combine like terms in the resulting products of terms.
1. (4x 3 7x 2 + 2x 4) + (8x 2 + 3x 7)
Example:
3 2 2
(4x 7x + 2x 4) + (8x + 3x 7) = 4x 3 + ( 7x 2 + 8x 2 ) + (2x + 3x) Multiply (6x 2 4x + 1) · (4 5x 3x 2 )
+ (( 4) + ( 7))
= 6x 2 (4 5x 3x 2 ) + ( 4x)(4 5x 3x 2 ) + 1(4 5x 3x 2 )
= 4x 3 + x 2 + 5x 11 2 3 4 2 3
= 24x 30x 18x + ( 16x) + 20x + 12x + 4 5x 3x 2
2. 8y 3y [4 2(y 1)] = 18x 4
18x + 41x3 2
21x + 4
8y 3y [4 2(y 1)] = 8y 12y + 6y 2 6y = 6y 2 10y
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Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression

Special Products
Example:
1. Di↵erence of two square: (x + y )(x y ) = x 2 y 2
1. (8x 2 + y )(8x 2 y ) = 64x 4 y 2
2. Square of a binomial: (x ± y )2 = x 2 ± 2xy + y 2
2. (2x 2 1)2 = 4x 4 4x 2 + 1
3. Product of Two Binomials Having a Common Term:
3. (a + 5b)2 = a2 + 10ab + 25b 2
(x + a)(x + b) = x 2 + (a + b)x + ab 4. (x + 3)(x + 8) = x 2 + 11x + 24
5. (2x 3y )(x + 5y ) = 2x 2 + 7xy 15y @
4. Product of Two Binomials Having No Common Term:
6. (x 2)3 = x 3 6x 2 + 12x 8
(ax + b)(cx + d) = acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd 7. (4x + 7)3 = 64x 3 + 336x 2 + 588x + 343
8. (3x y + 2z)2 = 9x 2 + y 2 + 4z 2 3xy + 6xz 2yz
5. Cube of s Binomial: (x ± y )3 = x 3 ± 3x 2 y + 3xy 2 ± y 3
9. (x + 2y )(x 2 2xy + 4y 2 ) = x 3 + 8y 3
6. Square of Trinomial: (x + y + z)2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 + 2xy + 2xz + 2yz
10. (a 3b)(a2 = 3ab + 9b 2 ) = a3 27b 3
7. Sum or Di↵erence of two cubes: (x ± y )(x 2 ⌥ xy + y 2 ) = x 3 ± y 3
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Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression Lesson 3.2 Polynomial Expression

Division of Polynomials Steps for Long Division
To divide two polynomials, we first identify the divisor. If the divisor is a mono- 1. Arrange both the dividend and divisors in descending powers of the variable x.
mial , we distribute it over the dividend and use the laws of exponents to find For missing powers of x, the coefficient is taken to be 0.
the quotient. However, if the divisor has two or more terms, we have to use the 2. The first term of the quotient is obtained by dividing the first term of the
long division method in finding the quotient. dividend by the first term of the divisor.
3. Multiply the first term of the quotient by the divisor and subtract this product
Example. Perform the divisions: (6x 3 y 2 + 12x 2 y 3 9xy 2 ) ÷ (3x 2 y 2 ) from the dividend.
6x 3 y 2 + 12x 2 y 3 9xy 2 6x 3 y 2 12x 2 y 3 9xy 2 4. If the di↵erence(or remainder) obtained from the third step has degree greater
= + than or equal to the divisor, then this becomes the new dividend and repeat the
3x 2 y 2 3x 2 y 2 3x 2 y 2 3x 2 y 2
3 process to get the next term in the quotient. The division process is stopped
= 2x + 4y when the di↵erence in step 3 has degree less than that of the divisor.
x

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Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials

Definition
Techniques in Factoring Polynomials
A polynomial with integer coefficients is said to be 1. Common Monomial Factor (Greatest Common Factor (GCF))
1. prime if it has no polynomial factors with integer coefficients other than 1
and itself (or -1 and its negative) ax ± ay = a(x ± y )
2. factored completely (or in completely factored form) if it is expressed as
Example:
the product of prime polynomials.
1. 6x 5 y 4 14x 9 y 2 = 2 · 3 · x 5 · y 2 ·2 2 · 7 · x 5 · x 4 · y 2 = 2x 5 y 2 (3y 2 7x 4 )
2. 4x 4 y 5 6x 7 y 2 = 2 · 2 · x 4 · y 2 · y 3 2 · 3 · x 4 · x 3 · y 2 = 2x 4 y 2 (2y 3 3x 3 )
Example:
3. x(x + 1)2 (x + 1)(3x + 4) = x(x + 1)2 (x + 1)(3x + 4) =
1. x 2 + 2xy + y 2 = (x + y )(x + y ) (x + 1)[x(x + 1) (3x + 4)] = (x + 1)(x 2 2x 4)
2. 4x 2 y 2 = (2x + y )(2x y )

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Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials

Techniques in Factoring Polynomials

Techniques in Factoring Polynomials 3. Perfect Square Trinomial
2. Di↵erence of Two Squares
x 2 ± 2xy + y 2 = (x ± y )2
x2 y 2 = (x + y )(x y) Example:
Example: 1. 121m4 44m2 n4 + 4n8 = (11m2 )2 2 · 11m2 · 2n4 + (2n4 )2 = (11m2 2n4 )2
2. 64a2 + 64ab + 16b 2 = 16(4a2 + 4ab + b 2 ) = 16((2a)2 + 2(2a)(b) + (b)2 ) =
1. 4a2 b2
= (2a)2 (b)2
= (2a + b)(2a b)
16(2a + b)2
2. 16m4 n12 = (4m2 + n6 )(4m2 n6 ) = (4m2 + n6 )(2m + n3 )(2m n3 )
3. 9x 6 8 3
64y = (3x ) 2 (8y 4 )2 = (3x 3 8y 4 )(3x 3 + 8y 4 ) or
64a2 + 64ab + 16b 2 = (8a)2 + 2(8a)(4b) + (4b)2 = (8a + 4b)2 =
(4(2a + b))2 = 16(2a + b)2

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Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials

Techniques in Factoring Polynomials Techniques in Factoring Polynomials

4. Sum and Di↵erence of Two Cubes 5. Quadratic Trinomials
Case 1
x 3 ± y 3 = (x ± y )(x 2 ⌥ xy + y 2 ) x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)
Example: Example:
1. x 3 + 125 = (x)3 + (5)3 = (x + 5)(x 2 5x + 25) 1. x 2 + 5x + 6 = x 2 + (2 · 3)x + 2 · 3 = (x + 2)(x + 3)
2. 1 64m3 = (1)3 (4m)3 = (1 4m)(1 + 4m + 16m2 ) 2. x 2 11x + 28 = x 2 + [( 7) + ( 4)]x + ( 7)( 4) = (x 7)(x 4)

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Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials
Techniques in Factoring Polynomials
6. Factoring by Grouping The key lies in grouping the terms in such a way that
Techniques in Factoring Polynomials the groups have a common factor. This may entail several trials before the
5. Quadratic Trinomials desired grouping is arrived at. Group terms with a common factor; or terms
Case 2 which form a factorable bi- or trinomial.
acx 2 + (ad + bc)x + bd = (ax + b)(cx + d) Example:
1. ax + bx ay by = x(a + b) y (a + b) = (a + b)(x y)
Example:
2. x 2 2x + 2xy 2y + y 2
1. 3x 2 + 8x + 4 = (3)(1)x 2 + [(3)(2) + (2)(1)]x + (2)(2) = (3x + 2)(x + 2)
2. 2x 2 7x + 3 = (2)(1)x 2 + [(2)( 3) + (1)( 1)]x + ( 1)( 3) = (2x 1)(x 3) x2 2x + 2xy 2y + y 2 = (x 2 + 2xy + y 2 ) + ( 2x 2y )
= (x + y )2 2(x + y )
= (x + y )(x + y 2)

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Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials Lesson 3.3 Factoring Polynomials

Techniques in Factoring Polynomials Example:
Techniques in Factoring Polynomials 1. x 4 + 4y 4
7. Completing the Square x 4 + 4y 4 = x 4 + 4y 4 + 4x y 2 4x 2 y 2
This technique is applicable to polynomials which may be converted to a perfect 4 2 2 4
”square trinomial” upon the addition (and then subtraction) of a perfect square = x + 4x y + 4y 4x 2 y 2
2 2 2 2 2
term. What to watch out for in a candidate for this technique: = (x + 2y ) 4x y
1. Are there two terms in the polynomial which, upon the addition of a perfect = (x 2 + 2y 2 + 2xy )(x 2 + 2y 2 2xy )
square term, form a perfect square trinomial?
2. Upon subtraction of the same term which was added, is the remaining 2. a8 + 5a4 b 2 + 9b 4
expression a perfect square? If these two conditions are satisfied, a di↵erence of a8 + 5a4 b 2 + 9b 4 = a8 + 5a4 b 2 + 9b 4 + a4 b 2 a4 b 2
two squares will emerge, making the polynomial factorable. 8 4 2 4 4 2
= (a + 6a b + 9b ) a b
Remark: This technique is applicable only if the term needed to create a perfect
square trinomial is a perfect square. = (a4 + 3b 2 ) (a2 b)2
= (a4 + 3b 2 + a2 b)(a4 + 3b 2 a2 b)
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References

1. Math 17 Module, Institute of Mathematics ,University of the Philippines

2. College Algebra and Trigonometry; Leithold, LouisAddison and Wesley
Publishing Co., Inc., 1999
The End
3. Trigonometry; Reyes, Fe N., et. al, Second Edition Thanks for your attention! =)
4. Hagos, L.C., Ymas, S.E. & Yanson, E.A,Plane and Spherical Trigonometry,Sta.
Monica Printing Corporation 2002

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