FUNDAMENTALS

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Expressions versus Equations

A difference between expressions and equations is what each represents. An expression shows a math relationship. One key to an expression is that there is no solution. An expression does not have an answer. An expression, however, can be evaluated. To evaluate an expression, substitute values for the variables. The evaluation changes if you substitute different numbers in for the variables. In this way, expressions can be simplified. This is how we get numbers from expressions. The expression 5x + 6 can be evaluated in many ways. For instance: If x = 5, the value of the expression is 31. This is because 5 (5) + 6 = 25 + 6 = 31. If x = 12, the value of the expression is 66. This is because 5 (12) + 6 = 60 + 6 = 66. If x = -3, the value of the expression is 9. This is because 5 (-3) + 6 = -15 + 6 = -9. An equation equates two expressions. Equations, unlike expressions, can be solved. For linear examples, there will be a single solution to an equation. As the math abilities of the students progress, they will encounter equations that have more than one solution. For example: The equation 4y + 6 = 18 has one solution. Process to solve involves isolating the variable. 4y + 6 = 18 4y = 12 4 y = 4 3 -6 -6

This means that only one value, 3, allows the two expressions have the same value.

Simplifying Expressions
Example 1: Simplify 4y + 15 - 2y + 5y2 + 12 - 6 . 1. 2. 3. 5y2 + 4y - 2y + 15 + 12 - 6 (note that this expression and the original expression both contain 6 terms) 5y2 + (4 - 2)y + (15 + 12 - 6) 5y2 + 2y + 21

Example 2: Simplify 11wz + 6w2 -10wz + wz - 6 - 2w + 3w2 . 1. 2. 3. 6w2 +3w2 + 11wz - 10wz + wz - 2w - 6 (note that this expression and the original expression both contain 7 terms) (6 + 3)w2 + (11 - 10 + 1)wz - 2w - 6 9w2 + 2wz - 2w - 6

Example 3: Simplify -12w2 +6w - 7w3 +4w2 +8w2 - 2w + 5 + 9w . 1. 2. 3. -7w3 -12w2 +4w2 +8w2 + 6w - 2w + 9w + 5 (8 terms) -7w3 + (- 12 + 4 + 8)w2 + (6 - 2 + 9)w + 5 -7w3 +0w2 +13w + 5 = - 7w3 + 13w + 5

Problems
Problem : How many terms do the following expressions have? a) 17x2 + 4xy + 2y b) 2y + 4 - 6y + x2 c) 8y6 d) 3xyz + 4yz + 2xz + z2 - xz Solutions; a) 3 b) 4 c) 1 d) 5 Problem : In the expression 5x + 3x2 - xy - 5z + z3 , what is the coefficient of... a) x ? b) z ? c) z3 ? d) x2 ? e) xy ? f) z2 ? a) 5 b) -5 c) 1 d) 3 e) -1 f) 0 Problem : What is the constant in the expression 4x2 + 5 + x ?

Problem : Simplify 5x2 + x3 -4x2 + x + 6 - 4 + x2 - 3x by combining like terms.

Problem : Simplify 7y + 14xy - 3y - 4y - 6x2 - 2xy by combining like terms.

Problem : Simplify 14 +

x + 8x2 -6 - x + 5x2 by combining like terms.

Solving Equations
Example 1: Find the solution set of 15 - x = 5 + x from the replacement set { -5, 2, 5} . 1.

2.

15 - (- 5) = 5 + (- 5) ? 15 + 5 = 5 - 5 ? 20 = 0 ? No. Not a solution.

3.

15 - 2 = 5 + 2 ? 13 = 7 ? No. Not a solution.

15 - 5 = 5 + 5 ? 10 = 10 ? Yes. Solution

Reversing Multiple Operations

When more than one operation acts on a variable in an algebraic equation, apply the reverse of the order of operations to reverse the operations. Here is the order in which you should reverse operations: 1. 2. 3. Reverse addition and subtraction (by subtracting and adding) outside parentheses. Reverse multiplication and division (by dividing and multiplying) outside parentheses. Remove (outermost) parentheses, and reverse the operations in order according to these three steps.

Be sure to check your answer! The value of the variable, when plugged in for the variable, should make the equation true. Example 1: Solve for x : 5x + 9 = 44 1. Reverse addition: 5x + 9 - 9 = 44 - 9 5x = 35 Reverse multiplication: x=7 No parentheses. =

2. 3.

Check: 5(7) + 9 = 44 Thus, x = 7 . Example 2: Solve for y : 3( 1. 2. 3. - 1) = 15

No addition or subtraction outside the parentheses Reverse multiplication: 3( ( - 1) = 5 Within parentheses: 1. Reverse subtraction: =6 2. 3. Reverse division: y = 24 No parentheses. 4 = 64 -1+1=5+1 -1)3 = 153

Check: 3( - 1) = 15 Thus, y = 24 . Example 3: Solve for z : 4(3(z - 11) + 6) = 48 1. 2. 3. No addition or subtraction. Reverse multiplication: (3(z - 11) + 6) = 12 Within parentheses: 1. =

Reverse addition: 3(z - 11) + 6 - 6 = 12 - 6 3(z - 11) = 6 Reverse multiplication: (z - 11) = 2 Within parentheses 1. 2. 3. =

2. 3.

Reverse subtraction: z - 11 + 11 = 2 + 11 z = 13 No multiplication or division. No parentheses. Check: 4(3(13 - 11) + 6) = 48 Thus, z = 13 .

Problems
Problem : Solve for x : +4=7

Problem : Solve for y : 4(y - 3) - 30 = 2

Problem : Solve for z : 8 =

Problem : Solve for p : 5 - 2p = 1

Problem : Solve for x : 11 -

x=5

Problem : Solver for x if y = 2 : 3x - 2y = 17

Properties of Operations and Identities Properties of Equality

Properties of Equality

Properties of Operations and Identities