a.

𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐
ME 1 – Enhancement Mathematics for Engineering b. 𝑎+𝑏 =𝑏+𝑎
Module 1 – Algebraic Expressions c. 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) = (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐
d. 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐

3. Solve 𝑥 − 2 + (8𝑥 + 3)
LEARNING a. 7𝑥 + 1
b. −7𝑥 + 1
OBJECTIVES c. 9𝑥 + 1
d. −7𝑥 − 5
After studying this module, you are expected to: 4. Simplify 8𝑎 − (−4 − 2𝑎)
a. 6𝑎 − 4
1. Comprehend the fundamentals of algebraic
b. 6𝑎 + 4
expressions;
c. 10𝑎 + 4
2. Solve problems involving polynomials and
d. 10𝑎 − 4
rational expressions; and
5. Two years ago, John is thrice as old as his sister
3. Perform factoring of polynomials through
Jane. Now, he is twice as old as his sister. How old
various methods.
is Annie now?
a. 2
TOPIC b. 4
OUTLINE c. 6
d. 8
Lesson 1: Polynomials
1. Adding and subtracting polynomials POLYNOMIALS
2. Multiplying algebraic expressions
3. Special product formulas
Lesson 2: Factoring
1. Common factors A variable is a letter used to represent any number
2. Factoring by grouping terms from a set of numbers. The most commonly used
3. Special factoring formulas variables are x, y, and z. If we combine these
Lesson 3: Rational Expressions
variables with real numbers and mathematical
operations, such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division, we obtain a so called
OVERVIEW algebraic expression.

An algebraic expression which contains one term that

Module 1 serves as a review on college algebra. It
prepares you to become ready for the succeeding
lessons throughout the course. It also gives
overview on the basics of algebra. This module is
good for a 3-hour lecture.
ACTIVATING
includes numbers and/or variables that are multiplied
together is called a monomial. The following are
examples of a monomial: 2, 2x, 2xy, 2xyz.
A binomial is a sum of two monomials, and a
trinomial is a sum of three monomials. Hence, a
polynomial is a sum of monomials.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE Given the polynomial in the variable x: 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 +

𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎, the degree of this polynomial is in the third
1. _______ is the letter used in a given equation to
represent any number? degree since the highest exponent of the variable x
a. Symbol is 3. It is composed of 4 terms since it has 4
b. Terms monomials.
c. Variable
d. None of the above Let’s look at some examples and try to complete the
table below.
2. Which of the following is a case of distributive
property?

Module 1 – Algebraic Expressions | Page 1 of 3

 Polynomial Terms Degree 2. 8𝑥 4 − 10𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 13 = (8 −
5)𝑥 4 − (10 + 7)𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 13 = 𝟑𝒙𝟒 −
𝑥−2 2 1 𝟏𝟕𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟑 (answer)

𝑥 10 − 2𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 3 10
MULTIPLYING ALGEBRAIC
5𝑦 3 − 12
EXPRESSIONS
8𝑧 1
In multiplying algebraic expressions, we are going to
29 use the FOIL method, which, I think, you are very
familiar with. So, FOIL method stands for First Outer
𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 3 + 𝑎𝑏𝑐 4 − 𝑎𝑐 5 + 𝑏 6 − 𝑐 Inner Last, which is actually a Distributive Property.
Then, don’t forget to use the Law of Exponents for
4 7 similar terms.
(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑑) = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING

POLYNOMIALS
After multiplying, we just need to add like terms and
We can add and subtract polynomials by using the simplify the equation. So, let’s solve some exercises
properties of real numbers and by combining like to apply the lesson.
terms (terms that have the same variable and
degree). Let’s look at the following examples: Sample Problems
1. (𝑥 2 + 4)(3𝑥 2 − 6)
1. Find the sum of 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙𝟑 and 𝟖𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙𝟐 . 2. (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4)
Solutions:
In this example, we have two like terms which are, 1. Using FOIL method, we get:
3𝑥 2 and −𝑥 2 and −6𝑥 3 and 8𝑥 3 . We simply use 3𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 2 − 24
Distributive Property, that is 𝒂(𝒃 + 𝒄) = 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒂𝒄. Then we add like terms to get the final
Therefore, answer: 𝟑𝒙𝟒 + 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟒 (answer)
3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 = (3 − 1)𝑥 2 + (−6 + 8)𝑥 3 2. In this case, we use Distributive Property to
And the answer is 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 . multiply each term. We get:
𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 8
 Now, in polynomial subtraction be very careful Add like terms to get, 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟖𝒙 − 𝟖 (answer).
when dealing with signs. If a minus sign precedes
a parenthesis, every sign within the parenthesis Special Product Formulas
changes when the parenthesis is removed. These are some of the most used products in
−(𝒂 + 𝒃 − 𝒄) = −𝒂 − 𝒃 + 𝒄 algebra. I suggest that you become familiarized with
Let’s solve some exercises to better understand the them so that you might not have a hard time in
lesson and to practice what we’ve learned so far. complex problems in the future.
Consider A and B are real numbers or algebraic
Sample Problems expressions, then:
1. Solve (6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 4 ) + (8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 4 + 10) 1. (𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐴 − Sum and difference of
2. Find the difference (8𝑥 4 − 10𝑥 3 ) − (5𝑥 4 + 𝐵) = 𝐴2 − 𝐵2 same terms
7𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 13) 2. (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = Square of a sum
Solutions: 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2
1. 6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 4 + 8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 4 + 10 = 6𝑥 3 + 3. (𝐴 − 𝐵)2 = Square of a difference
(−5 + 8)𝑥 2 + (1 − 2)𝑥 4 + 10 = 𝟔𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝐴2 − 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2
𝒙𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎 (answer) 4. (𝐴 + 𝐵)3 = Cube of a sum
You can also rearrange the equation in a 𝐴3 + 3𝐴2 𝐵 +
descending order according to degree. 3𝐴𝐵2 + 𝐵3

Module 1 – Algebraic Expressions | Page 2 of 3

 5. (𝐴 − 𝐵)3 = Cube of a difference 4. 𝐴3 − 𝐵3 = (𝐴 − Difference of cubes
𝐴3 − 3𝐴2 𝐵 + 𝐵)(𝐴2 + 𝐴𝐵 +
3𝐴𝐵2 − 𝐵3 𝐵2 )
5. 𝐴3 + 𝐵3 = (𝐴 − Sum of cubes
𝐵)(𝐴2 − 𝐴𝐵 +
FACTORING 𝐵2 )

In the previous lesson, we use Distributive Property

to expand a given algebraic expression. Now, in this
lesson, we are going to use the opposite. We are SUMMARY
going to simplify or factor out a given expanded
algebraic expression into a product of simpler terms. Let us see if you can remember the main points
For example, given the algebraic expression: raised in this lesson. Below is a summary of these
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1) = (𝑥 − 1)2 points:

Common Factors  Polynomial is a sum of monomials.

Common factor is one way of factoring algebraic  In adding and subtracting polynomials, use
expressions. We simply determine the greatest Distributive Property.
common factor of the terms and factor it out of the
 In multiplying algebraic expressions, use
equation.
Consider the following expressions: FOIL method then add like terms.
1. 9𝑥 2 − 18𝑥  Factoring algebraic expressions uses
2. 18𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 3 − 12𝑥𝑦 4 common factors to simplify the equation.
Solutions:
1. We can see that the greatest common factor
is 9x. So we just factor it out to have:
𝟗𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟐) (answer)
2. The greatest common factor of this REFERENCES
expression is 6𝑥𝑦 2 . Therefore:
𝟔𝒙𝒚𝟐 (𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚 − 𝟐𝒚𝟐 ) (answer) Aufmann, R.N., Barker, V.C., and Nation, R.D.
(2011). College Algebra and Trigonometry,
Factoring by Grouping Terms Seventh Edition
When you encounter a problem with at least 4 terms,
you can group terms and factor them out. Stewart, J., Redlin, L., and Watson, S. (2012).
Consider the following expressions: Algebra and Trigonometry, Third Edition
1. 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 2
2. 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 6 Love, C.E. and Rainville,E.D. (1955). Analytic
Solutions: Geometry, Fifth Edition
1. (𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 ) + (2𝑥 + 2) = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 1) + 2(𝑥 + 1)
Factoring (𝑥 + 1) as its greatest common Kern, W.F. and Bland, J.F. (1967). Solid
factor, we get: (𝒙 + 𝟏)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐) (answer) Mensuration with Proofs, Second Edition
2. (2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 ) + (3𝑥 − 6) = 2𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 2) + 3(𝑥 −
2) = (𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑)(𝒙 − 𝟐) (answer)
Prepared by:
Special Factoring Formulas
SAMUEL N. ARZADON, M.E.
These are factoring formulas that may prove helpful
Faculty, College of Engineering and Architecture
in future problems. The first three formulas are
Special Product Formulas.
Formula Name
1. 𝐴2 − 𝐵2 = (𝐴 + Difference of squares
𝐵)(𝐴 − 𝐵)
2. 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 + Perfect square
𝐵2 = (𝐴 + 𝐵)2
3. 𝐴2 − 2𝐴𝐵 + Perfect square
𝐵2 = (𝐴 − 𝐵)2

Module 1 – Algebraic Expressions | Page 3 of 3