Mathematics

Grade 10

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SESSION 1: ALGEGRAIC EXPRESSIONS

KEY CONCEPTS:
Manipulate algebraic expressions by:

o multiplying a binomial by a trinomial;

o factorising trinomials;

o factorising the difference and sums of two cubes;

o factorising by grouping in pairs; and

o simplifying, adding and subtracting algebraic fractions with

denominators of cubes.

TERMINOLOGY
Binomial an expression with two terms

Trinomial an expression with three terms

Factorising the opposite process of expanding the brackets

X-PLANATION
Products
When multiplying a binomial or trinomial by a single term we place the binomial or
trinomial in brackets. We use the Distributive Law of multiplication to expand term by
term. This means that we multiply each term inside a bracket by the term outside the
brackets
Simplify: 2a(a - 1) - 3(a2 - 1).
Solution:
2a(a - 1) - 3(a2 - 1) = 2a(a) + 2a(-1) + (-3)(a2) + (-3)(-1)
= 2a2 - 2a - 3a2 + 3
= -a2 - 2a + 3
When multiplying two binomials together we apply the same Distributive Law. We
multiple the two First term together, then the Outer terms(1st term of the first bracket
by the 2nd term of the second bracket) then the Inner terms (2nd term of the first
bracket by the 1st term of the second bracket) and then Last terms. Remember FOIL

Find the product: (3x - 2)(5x + 8)

Solution:
(3x - 2)(5x + 8) = (3x)(5x) + (3x)(8) + (-2)(5x) + (-2)(8)
= 15x2 + 24x - 10x - 16

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= 15x2 + 14x - 16

Multiplying a Binomial by Trinomial

Find the product: (x - 1)(x2 - 2x + 1)

Solution:

Step 1: Expand the bracket

(x - 1)(x2 - 2x + 1) = x(x2 - 2x + 1) - 1(x2 - 2x + 1)
= x3 - 2x2 + x - x2 + 2x - 1

Step 2: Simplify
= x3 - 3x2 + 3x - 1

Methods of Factorising
 taking out a common factor
 difference of two squares
 trinomials to binomials
 sum and difference of cubes
 grouping

Factorise: 5(a - 2) - b(2 - a)

Solution:
(a-2) and (2-a) are not common factors. The terms have different signs. If we take
out a factor of -1 from (2-a), we can change the signs
2 - a = - (a - 2)
Now we have a common factor in both terms. Be careful of the signs.
5(a - 2) - b(2 - a) = 5(a - 2) - [-b(a - 2)]
= 5(a - 2) + b(a - 2)
= (a - 2)(5 + b)

Factorising trinomials
Recognise the pattern. The process is the opposite of FOIL.
The factors of the first term of a trinomial become the first terms of each of the
binomials which we place in brackets.
The factors of the last term of a trinomial become the second term of each of the
binomials in the brackets.
We select the factors so that when we expand the multiplication of inner and outer
terms gives us the middle term of the trinomial.
Always check that you have the correct factors by expanding the factors using FOIL.

Difference and sum of two cubes:

You need to recognise the pattern. Notice that the product of a binomial and
trinomial gives us the sum of two cubes.

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(x + y)(x2 - xy + y2) = x(x2 - xy + y2) + y(x2 - xy + y2)

= [x(x2) + x(- xy) + x(y2)] + [y(x2) +
y( - xy) + y(y2)]
= x3 - x2y + xy2 + x2y - xy2 + y3
= x3 + y3

Also this product gives the difference of two cubes:

(x - y)(x2 + xy + y2) = x(x2 + xy + y2) - y(x2 + xy + y2)
= [x(x2) + x(xy) + x(y2)] - [y(x2) +
y(xy) + y(y2)]
= x3 + x2y + xy2 - x2y - xy2 - y3
= x3 - y3

So to factorise the sum of cubes, we use the pattern. The terms in the first bracket
are added together and the middle term in the second bracket is subtracted.
x3 + y3 = (x + y)(x2 - xy + y2)

For the difference of cubes, the terms in the first bracket are subtracted and the
middle term in the second bracket is added.
x3 - y3 = (x - y)(x2 + xy + y2)

Simplifying algebraic fractions

We working with algebraic fractions in the same way we work with fractions of
numbers.

Multiplication and division

Simplify:
x2 – x – 2 ÷ x2 + x (x ≠ 0; x≠ ±2)
x2 - 4 x2 + 2x

Solution:

Step 1: Factorise the numerator and denominator

(x+1)(x-2) ÷ x(x + 1)
(x+2)(x-2) x(x +2)

Step 2: Change the division sign and multiply by the reciprocal

(x+1)(x-2) X x(x + 2)
(x+2)(x-2) x(x +1)

Step 3: Write the final answer

=1

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Addition and subtraction

X-AMPLE QUESTIONS:

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Question 1:
Simplify the following:

a) (a - 2)2 - a(a + 4)
b) (5a - 4b)(25a2 + 20ab + 16b2)
c) (2m - 3)(4m2 + 9)(2m +3)
d) (a + 2b - c)(a + 2b + c)

Question 2
Factorise the following trinomials

a) x2 + 8x + 15
b) x2 - 4x - 12
c) x2 + 4x - 12
d) x2 - 6x + 9

Question 3
Factorise the following expressions fully:

a) (16 - x4)
b) (m2 - 1/9 )
c) 9b2 - 81
d) 16b2 + 56b + 49
e) 2a2 - 12ab + 18b2
f) y2 - 7y - 30
g) 3p3 – 1/9
h) (2 + p)3 - 8(p + 1)3

Question 4
Simplify the following fractions:

a.)

b.)

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c.)

d.)

Question 5
Show that (2x - 1)2 - (x - 3)2 can be simplified to (x + 2)(3x - 4)

Question 6
What must be added to x2 - x + 4 to make it equal to (x + 2)2?

Question 7

Evaluate

if x = 7,85 without using a calculator. Show your working.

Question 8
With what expression must (a - 2b) be multiplied to get a product of a3 - 8b3?

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Question 9
With what expression must 27x3 + 1 be divided to get a quotient of 3x + 1?

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