CHAPTER 4

4.1 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION I, II, III

Unknown
Important Concept
An unknown is a quantity whose value has not been determined
4.1.1
Example Exercise
1. Azmi bought some durians 1. There were a lot of people in the fun fair.
Solution:
Solution:

The unknown is the number of 2. Mr.Tan lost a large amount of money

durian. when he dropped his wallet
Solution:

3. A number of students are studying in the

library.
Solution:

4. My father bought a few kilograms of

rambutans yesterday.
Solution:

5. Ketty gained a few kilograms of weight

during the holidays
Solution:

Algebraic term
identifying algebraic terms with one unknown.

Important concept:
An algebraic term with one unknown is the product of a number and an unknown
4.1.2
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
6 x is the multiplication of the number 6 with Determine the algebraic term
the unknown x with one unknown for each
of the following.
1. 3e
Solution:

2. -5t
Solution:

Algebraic Expressions 1
 EXERCISE EXERCISE
3. 0.8t 4. 80w
Solution: Solution

Identify Coefficients in given algebraic term

Important concept:
the number is known as the coefficient of the unknown

4.1.3

EXAMPLE EXERCISE
1. 6 x : 6 is the coefficient of x 1. 8k
Solution:
3a : -3 is the coefficient of a
2. 0.65q
r 1 Solution:
2. 8
: is the coefficient of r
8
r
because 3. 13t
8
Solution:
p : 1 is the coefficient of p
3. 5
4. p
8
Solution:

j
5. Solution:

Identify Like Algebraic Term and Unlike algebraic Term.

Important concept:
Like term : are term have that same unknowns
Unlike term : are term that have different unknowns
Algebraic Expressions 2
4.1.4
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
Like Term: Determine the term in each of the
following pairs of term given below like
9 p and p same terms or unlike terms.
1
0.8 x and x unknowns 1. 4.56k ,20kmn
4
y Solution:
9 y and
6
j
2. 100 j ,
10
Solution:

4 z ,9 z 3
3.
Solution:

Unlike Term : 11q,5q

4.
Solution:
9 p and 9q different
1
0.8 x and y unknowns 7t ,0.8t
2 5.
70 w and 17w 2 Solution:

Algebraic Expressions
Important concept:
group all the like terms together
add/subtract the coefficient of the terms
leave the terms as your answer
4.1.5
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
1. 6m 2n m Simplify the following algebraic
6 m m 2 n expressions.
7 m 2 n 1. 9 y 12 y
Solution :

10k 3k u 9k
2. 10k 3k 9k u 11n 8n 10n
2. Solution :
22k u

u 7v 4u
u 4u 7v
3. 4w 8x x
5u 7v 3. Solution :
11q 5b 3b 17 q
11q 17 q 5b 3b
4. 6q 2b

12 4k 9
Solution :
4.
Algebraic Expressions 3
 EXERCISE EXERCISE
5. 21v 11v 7 d 8d 6. 5u 6 9 5 y
Solution : Solution :

An algebraic term in two or more unknowns is a product of two or more

unknowns and a number.
4.1.6
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
Write the unknowns in the
1. 5 xy following algebraic terms.
1. 2ab
= 5 xy The coefficient of xy is 5 Solution:
= 5 x y The coefficient of y is 5 x
= 5 y x The coefficient of x is 5 y
2. p2q
Solution :

7 xyz
3. Solution:

5t
4. Solution:

Finding the product of two algebraic terms.

4.1.7
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
1. 8 p 5qr 1. ab 2 abc 2
8 p 5 q r Solution:
8 5 q p r
40 pqr

1
2. rs (8s )
2
Solution:
2.

Algebraic Expressions 4
 n 2 p 2 np 3
nn p p

n p p p 3r 3 s rs
3. Solution:
n

p

6a 4 b 3 2a 3 b
4. Solution:

3(5 p 2 p )
3. 5. Solution:

4( 2 x 1)
4 2 x 4 ( 1)
8 x ( 4)
8x 4 8( 2m 5n)
6. Solution:
4.
( 4 x 8) 2
4x 8

2
4x 8

2 2
2x 4
EXERCISE EXERCISE
7. 5(6m 4) 8. (20 pq 24 p ) 4
2 Solution:
Solution:

( 4ab 9ab 2 6a ) 6 30 s 2 t 2 18st

9. 10.
Solution: 3
Solution:

Algebraic Expressions 5
 Expanding single brackets and two brackets.
4.1.8
EXAMPLE EXERCISE
Expanding single brackets 1. 10( x 2)
a ( x y ) ax ay Solution :

1. 5( x y )
5 x 5 y
5x 5 y 3( y 8)
Solution :
2.
3b( 2m 2n)
2. 3b 2m 3b 2n
6bm 6bn
7 p ( 2a 5b )
5 p ( 4 p 3q ) Solution :
5 p 4 p ( 5 p ) 3q
20 p 2 15 pq
3. 3.

a ( a 2b 6)
a a a 2b a 6 11m( 4 9n)
Solution :
a 2 2ab 6a

4.

4.

EXERCISE EXERCISE
5. 3 x( 2 xy 4 y ) 6 5ab(7 a 2b 1)
Solution : Solution :

Algebraic Expressions 6
7. 22c(5cd 2c d ) 8. 6 s (7 s 3t )
Solution : Solution :

EXAMPLE EXERCISE
Expanding two brackets; 9. ( x a )( y 2b)
Solution :
(a b)( x y )
ax ay bx by
(3 p q )(5r 7t )
( 2a 5)(4b 3) Solution :
1. 2a ( 4b 3) 5( 4b 3) 10.
2a 4b 2a 3 5 4b 5 3
8ab 6a 20b 15
( 2c d )(e 12)
Solution
( m 2 p )(n q )
m( n q ) 2 p ( n q ) 11.
2. mn mq 2np 2 pq
(6 x 11)( 2 y 3)
Solution

12.

EXERCISE EXERCISE
13. ( a 2)( a 9) 14. (3 x 5)(4 x 3)
Solution : Solution :

( 4m 5n)(7 3m)
( p 3q )(5 p 10) 16.
Solution :
15.
Solution :

Algebraic Expressions 7
 EXAMPLE EXERCISE
17. ( 2a 5b) 2
3. ( x 2) 2 Solution :
x 2( x )( 2) 2
2 2

x 2 4x 4

(3m 5n) 2
4.
(3m) 2 2(3m)(5n) (5n) 2 ( 7 m 2) 2
18.
9m 2 30mn 25n 2 Solution :

(6 p q ) 2
19. Solution :

(8 3r ) 2
20.
Solution :

Algebraic Expressions 8
 Factorising Algebraic Expressions.
4.1.9
EXAMPLE EXERCISE

1. ab ac a (b c) 1. 8m 40
4a 6 Solution :
2 2a 2 3
2(2a 3)

9 x 2 3x 4ax 6bx
Solution :
3x 3x 3x 1 2.
2. 3 x(3 x 1)

30mn 2 18m 2 n
50r 2 s 35rs 2 15rs
6 mn 5n 6mn 3m
Solution :
3. 6 mn(5n 3m)
3.
2 p 3 6 p 2 12 p
m 2 36
2 p p2 2 p 3p 2 p 6 Solution :
2 p ( p 2 3 p 6)
4.
16a 2 25 4. 49 x 2 4 y 2
( 4a ) (5)
2 2
Solution :
( 4a 5)(4a 5)

144 x 2 81y 2 225a 2 9b 2

5.
(12 x ) 2 (9 y ) 2 Solution :
5.
(12 x 9 y )(12 x 9 y )

6.
6.

Algebraic Expressions 9
 EXAMPLE EXERCISE
7. 4m 12mn 9n
2 2
7. 9m 2 6mn n 2
(2m) 2 2(2m)(3n) (3n) 2 Solution :
(2m 3n) 2

8q 4 p 6 pq 3 p 2
13m 2 5mn 6m 10n
Solution :
(3m 2 5mn) (6m 10n)
8. 8.
m(3m 5n) 2(3m 5n)
(m 2)(3m 5n)

9 x 32 y 12 xy 24
Solution :

9.

Questions based on examination format

Algebraic Expressions 10
Algebraic Expressions 11
1.( n 8)( n 7) 5. 6 y 5( y 2)
A..n n 1
2 A. 11 y 2
B.n 2 56n 56 B. y 10
C. 11 y 2
C.n 2 15n 56
D. 11 y 10
D.n 2 15n 65

1
2.( 4m 3)(3m 6) 6.4 p 3q r
2
A.12m 2 15m 18 A.12 pq
B.12m 15m 18
2
B.12 qr
C.12 m 15m 18
2
C.6 pqr
D.12m 2 15m 18 D.12 pqr

3.36 12m m 2 7. 6k 5( k 2)
A. k 2
A.( m 6) 2
B. k 10
B.( m 6)( m 6)
C. k 2
C.( m 13)(m 2)
D. k 10
D.( m 6) 2

8. 3(2 a ) 5a 1
4. Factorize 9 y 2 25 A.2a 7
A.(3 y 5)(3 y 5) B.4a 5
B.(3 y 5) 2 C .6 a 5
C.(3 y 5) 2 D.8a 7
D.(5 y 3 y )(3 y 5)
9.8a 3(2 a )
A.5a 6
B.7 a 5
C .7 a 6
D.11a 6

Algebraic Expressions 12
10. 2(kx x 2 ) (kx x 2 ) A.7 h 1
A.3kx 2 x 2 B.10h 1
C.12h 2
B. 3kx 2 x 2
D.14h 2
C. 3kx 3 x 2
D. 3kx 3 x 2 16.If x 3 and r 1 , find the value
x2
(6 x).
6 px(10 x ) r
11 .
12 p A. 81
of
A.5 px B. 27
B. 5 px 2 C.18
C. 5 p 2 x 2 D.54
D.(5 px) 2
17.Find the value of ( px x 2 ) when
p 2 and x 3
14t 56m
12.
7 A.4
A.t 4m
B.0
B.2t m
C . 12
C. 2(t 4m) D. 15
D.2(t 4m)
18.Tickets to a circus for child is RM p and
13. 3a (2b a ) for an adult is RM q . The total price of
A. 5ab 3a tickets for 10 children and 2 adults, in RM,
B. 5ab 3a is
A.10q 2 p
C. 6ab 3a
B.2q 10 p
D. 6ab 3a 2 C.12( p q )
D. p q
1
14. (6 x 45 y )
9
2
A. x 5 y
3
2
B. x 5 y
3 19.The value of 2e 2 3ef when e 4
2 1
C. x 5 y and f is
3 2

A.22
B.26
2
D. x 5y C .38
3 D.70

15. The length of a football field (4h-3) m

and its width is (3h +2) m. The perimeter of
the field, in m, is

Algebraic Expressions 13
 1 m3
20
4m 8m 2
A.m(m 3
m3
B.
8m 2
C.4m(m 3)
m3
D.
8m 2
PAST YEAR SPM QUESTIONS.

November 2003
1. (3 p m)( p 2m)
A. 3 p 2 5 pm 2m 2 C. 3 p 2 7 pm 2m 2
B. 3 p 2 5 pm 2m 2 D. 3 p 2 7 pm 2m 2

November 2004
2. 3 x( x 2 y ) (3 x y ) 2
A. 6 xy y 2 C. 6 x 2 6 xy y 2
B. 6 x 2 y 2 D. 3 x 2 9 xy y 2

November 2005

3. (3h 4)(2h 5)
A. 6h 2 7h 20 C. 6h 2 23h 20
B. 6h 2 7 h 20 D. 6h 2 23h 20

Jun 2006

4. (y + x)(2y - x) =
A. 2y2 - xy + x2 C. 2y2 + xy - x2
B. 2y2 - xy - x2 D. 2y2 + xy - x2

November 2006
5. 3x2 - x(1 - x) =
A. 2x2 - 1 C. 4x2 - 1
B. 2x2 - x D. 4x2 - x

Jun 2007

6. (x y) (5x + 3y) x(x y) =

A. 4x2 xy -3y2 C. 4x2 xy + 3y2
B. 4x2 -3xy 3y2 D. 4x2 -3xy + 3y2

November 2007

7. (2x y)2 x ( x y) =

Algebraic Expressions 14
 A.3x2 - 3xy + y2 C. 3x2 + xy y2
B. 3x2 - 5xy + y2 D. 3x2 - 5xy y2

November 2008

8. 5pq 2( 1 pq) =
A. 3pq - 2 C. 6pq - 2
B. 4pq - 2 D. 7pq - 2

ANSWERS

Chapter 4 Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic Expressions 15
4.1.1
1. a lot of people
2. a large amount of money
3. a number of students
4. a few kilograms of rambutans
5. a few kilograms
4.1.2
1.e
2.t
3.t
4.w

4.1.3
1. 8
2. 0.65
3.-13
5
4.
8
5. -1

4.1.4
1.unlike terms
2.like terms
3.unlike terms
4.like terms
5. like terms

4.1.5
1.-3y
2. -7n
3. -4w-9x
4. -4k-3
5. 10v-d
6. -3u-15

4.1.6
1.a and b
2. p and q
3. x, y and z
4. t
4.1.7
1. a 2 b 3 c 2
2. 4rs 2
3. 3r 2
4. 3ab 2
5. 15 p 2 3 p
6. 16m 40n
7. 15m 10
8. 5 pq 6 p

Algebraic Expressions 16
 2 3
9. ab ab 2 a
3 2
10. 10 s 2 t 2 6 st

4.1.8
1.10 x 1
2.24 y
3.14ap 35bp
4. 44m 99mn
5.42s 2 18st
6.6 x 2 y 12 xy
7. 35a 2b 10ab 2 5ab
8.110 c 2 d 44c 2 22cd
9.xy 2bx ay 2ab
10.15 pr 21 pt 5qr 7 pt
11 .2ce 24c de 12d
12.12 xy 18 x 22 y 33
13.a 2 7 a 18
14.12 x 2 11 x 15
15 5 p 2 10 p 15 pq 30q
16.28m 12 m 2 35n 15mn
17.4a 2 20ab 25b 2
18.49m 2 28m 4
19.36 p 2 12 pq q 2
20.9r 2 48r 64

4.19

Algebraic Expressions 17
 1.8( m 500
2.2 x(2a 3b)
3.5rs(10r 7 s 30
4.( m 6)( m 6)
5.(7 x 2 y )(7 x 2 y )
6.(15a 3b)(15a 3b)
7.(3m n) 2
8.(2q p)(4 3 p)
9.(3x 8)(4 y 3)

Examination Format Questions

1. C 11. C
2. B 12. C
3. D 13 D
4. A 14. B
5. D 15 D
6. C 16 A
7. D 17 D
8. A 18 B
9. A 19 C
10. C 20 B

SPM Past year questions.

1. A 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. D
6. A 7. A 8. D

Algebraic Expressions 18