The University of New South Wales Note that there is no formula like this if n is even: for exam-

School of Mathematics and Statistics ple, x2 + y 2 cannot be factorised in any simple way.
• The Binomial Theorem to expand (x + y)n : this is dealt with
Student Support Scheme
in a separate sheet.
ALGEBRAIC IDENTITIES • Power laws and logarithm laws such as ax ay = ax+y : these
are dealt with in separate sheets.
There are a number of algebraic identities which you need to Comments.
know in order to help you solve equations and simplify expres- • You must be able to use these identities “in both directions”.
sions (by an identity we mean an equation involving one or more For example, if you see x2 − y 2 you should know that it can
variables, which is true for all values of those variables). be factorised, and if you see (x − y)(x + y) you should know
• Addition of fractions: that it can be expanded and simplified.
• You must be able to replace the variables in all these identities
w y wz + xy
+ = . by different variables, constants or expressions. From the
x z xz “difference of two squares” formula we can find, for example,
• Square of a sum:
m2 − n2 = (m − n)(m + n)
√
√

(x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y 2 . x2 − 5 = x − 5 x + 5
9a2 − 100b2 = (3a − 10b)(3a + 10b)
• The same for a sum of three terms:
x6 − y 6 = (x3 − y 3 )(x3 + y 3 ) .
(x + y + z)2 = x2 + y 2 + z 2 + 2xy + 2xz + 2yz .
• Sometimes we can use a number of these identities succes-
• Difference of two squares: sively in order to give a detailed factorisation of a certain
expression. For instance,
x2 − y 2 = (x − y)(x + y) .
x6 − y 6 = (x3 − y 3 )(x3 + y 3 ) (difference of two squares)
• Difference of two powers: = (x − y)(x2 + xy + y 2 )(x3 + y 3 )
xn − y n = (x − y)(xn−1 + xn−2 y + · · · + xy n−2 + y n−1 ) . (difference of 3rd powers)
= (x − y)(x2 + xy + y 2 )(x + y)(x2 − xy + y 2 )
• Sum of two powers: if n is odd then
(sum of 3rd powers).
x + y = (x + y)(x
n n n−1
−x n−2
y + · · · − xy n−2
+y n−1
).
EXERCISES. ANSWERS.
Please try to complete the following exercises. Remember that 1. (a) 16x2 − 25y 2 ;
you cannot expect to understand mathematics without doing lots
(b) s2 + 2st + t2 ;
of practice! Please do not look at the answers before trying the
questions yourself. If you get a question wrong you should go (c) x2 + 9y 2 + 25z 2 − 6xy + 10xz − 30yz;
through your working carefully, find the mistake and fix it. If (d) z 6 − 16;
there is a mistake which you cannot find, or a question which you
(e) a2 b2 − 4abcd + 4c2 d2 ;
cannot even start, please consult your tutor or the SSS.
(f) a2 + 2ab + b2 − c2 ;
1. Expand
(g) x5 + y 5 ;
(a) (4x + 5y)(4x − 5y); (b) (s + t)2 ;
(h) a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 + 2ab + 2ac + 2ad + 2bc + 2bd + 2cd;
2 3 3
(c) (x − 3y + 5z) ; (d) (z − 4)(z + 4);
(i) 4xy.
2
(e) (ab − 2cd) ; (f) ((a + b) − c)((a + b) + c);
2. (a) (x + 5y)2 ;
4 3 2 2 3 4
(g) (x + y)(x − x y + x y − xy + y );
(b) (x3 − y 2 )(x3 + y 2 );
2 2 2
(h) (a + b + c + d) (i) (x + y) − (x − y) .
(c) (x4 − y 4 )(x4 + y 4 ) for a start, but hopefully you can
2. Factorise continue and get (x − y)(x + y)(x2 + y 2 )(x4 + y 4 );
√ √
(a) x2 + 10xy + 25y 2 ; (b) x6 − y 4 ; (d) (2a − 5b)(2a + 5b);
(c) x8 − y 8 ; (d) 4a2 − 5b2 ; (e) (x3 − 1)2 ;
(e) x6 − 2x3 + 1; (f) z 7 − 128 (hint: 128 = 27 ). (f) (z − 2)(z 6 + 2z 5 + 4z 4 + 8z 3 + 16z 2 + 32z + 64).
√ √
3. (a) Factorise x4 − x2 + 1 by writing it as (x4 + 2x2 + 1) − 3x2 3. (a) (x2 − 3x + 1)(x2 + 3x + 1);
and using the above identities. 2
(b) (x − 1)(x
√ + x + 1)(x√+ 1)(x2 − x + 1)(x2 + 1)
12
(b) Hence factorise x − 1 into linear and quadratic factors. 2 2
(x − 3x + 1)(x + 3x + 1).
4. The sum and difference of fractions 4. The smallest common denominator is (x−1)(x+1)(x2 +x+1)
1 2 1 and the expression is
− 2 + 3
x−1 x −1 x −1
x3 + x
has a common denominator (x − 1)(x2 − 1)(x3 − 1), but this .
(x − 1)(x + 1)(x2 + x + 1)
is not the smallest common denominator. By factorising the
three denominators, find the smallest common denominator
and hence simplify the expression.