1.

4: Algebraic Expressions and Formulas

Learning Objectives
Identify the parts of an algebraic expression.
Apply the distributive property.
Evaluate algebraic expressions.
Use formulas that model common applications.

Algebraic Expressions and the Distributive Property

In algebra, letters called variables are used to represent numbers. Combinations of variables and numbers along
with 87
mathematical operations form algebraic expressions , or just expressions. The following are some examples of
expressions x
with one variable, :
Table −
1.4.1 x+23 x+x √
2 1 x
x +
2x + 3 x − 9

88 89
Terms in an algebraic expression are separated by addition operators and factors are separated by multiplication
operators. 90 x +6xy −3
2 2
y
The numerical factor of a term is called the coefficient . For example, the algebraic expression can be 2y2 x2y2 1x =
1⋅x⋅x⋅y⋅y
2 2
y
x +6xy +(−3)
thought of as and has three terms. The first term, , represents the quantity 1
where is the coefficient and x and y are the variables. All of the variable factors with their exponents form the
variable part 91 92
of a term . If a term is written without a variable factor, then it is called a constant term . Consider the components
of 2y2
x +6xy −3 , Table 1.4.2
Terms Coefficient Variable Part
2 2 2 2
x y 1x y
6xy 6 xy
−3 −3

−3
The third term in this expression, , is called a constant term because it is written without a variable factor. While a
variable represents an unknown quantity and may change, the constant term does not change.

Example 1.4.1:
10a2 −5ab −b2
List all coefficients and variable parts of each term: .
Solution
−b2 −1b2
We want to think of the third term in this example as .
Table 1.4.3
Terms Coefficient Variable Part

10a2 10 a2
 −5ab −5 ab
−b2 −1 b2

2
b2
{−5, −1, 10} {a , ab, }
Answer: Coefficients: ; Variable parts:

In our study of algebra, we will encounter a wide variety of algebraic expressions. Typically, expressions use the two
most x y
common variables, and . However, expressions may use any letter (or symbol) for a variable, even Greek letters, such as

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.1

α β π ≈ 3.14159 e ≈ 2.71828
alpha ( ) and beta ( ). Some letters and symbols are reserved for constants, such as and . Since x 1, x2, x3, x4,…,
there is only a limited number of letters, you will also use subscripts, to indicate different variables.
The properties of real numbers are important in our study of algebra because a variable is simply a letter that
93
represents a real a, b c
number. In particular, the distributive property states that if given any real numbers and ,
then, a (b +c) = a b +a c
This property is one that we apply often when simplifying algebraic expressions. To demonstrate how it will be used,
we 2(5 −3)
simplify in two ways, and observe the same correct result.
Table 1.4.4
Working parenthesis first. Using the distributive property.

2(5 − 3 )= 2(2) = 4 =4
2(5 − 3) = 2⋅5 − 2 ⋅3 = 10 − 6

Certainly, if the contents of the parentheses can be simplified we should do that first. On the other hand, when the
contents of parentheses cannot be simplified any further, we multiply every term within it by the factor outside of it
using the distributive property. Applying the distributive property allows us to multiply and remove the parentheses.

Example 1.4.2:
5(−2a+5b)−2c
Simplify: .
Solution
Multiply only the terms grouped within the parentheses for which we are applying the distributive property.

Figure 1.4.1

Answer: = −10a+25b −2c

= 5⋅(−2a)+5 ⋅5b −2c
−10a+25b −2c

Recall that multiplication is commutative and therefore we can write the distributive property in the following manner,
(b +c)a = ba+ca .
 Example 1.4.3:
(3x −4y +1)⋅ 3
Simplify: .
Solution
3
Multiply all terms within the parenthesis by .
(3x −4y +1)⋅ 3 = 3x⋅3 −4y⋅3+1⋅3
= 9x −12y +3
Answer: 94 95
9x −12y +3
Terms whose variable parts have the same variables with the same exponents are called like terms , or similar
terms . Furthermore, constant terms are considered to be like terms. If an algebraic expression contains like terms,
apply the distributive property as follows:
5x+7x= (5 +7)x = 12x

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.2

4x2+5x2−7x2= (4 +5 −7)x2 = 2x2

In other words, if the variable parts of terms are exactly the same, then we can add or subtract the coefficients to
obtain the 96
coefficient of a single term with the same variable part. This process is called combining like terms . For
example, 2y3 x2y3 x2y3
12x +3 = 15
Notice that the variable factors and their exponents do not change. Combining like terms in this manner, so that the
expression 97
contains no other similar terms, is called simplifying the expression . Use this idea to simplify algebraic
expressions with multiple like terms.

Example 1.4.4:
Simplify:
2 2
x
x −10x +8 +5 −6x −1 .
Solution
Identify the like terms and add the corresponding coefficients.
1x 2 – –– – +8+–– 2
– – – – –5x

Answer: 2 –– – −1––
6x −16x +7 – – – –Combine like terms. 2
–––– −10x = 6x −16x +7
––––−6x

Example 1.4.5:
2 2
b a2b2
a −ab −2 (2 −5ab +1)
Simplify: .
Solution
−2
Distribute and then combine like terms.
 2 2
b a2b2 = a −ab −4 +10ab −2
a −ab −2 (2 −5ab +1) 2 2
b
2 2 2 22 2
b ab b
= −3a +9ab −2
Answer: −3a +9ab −2

Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

An algebraic expression can be thought of as a generalization of particular arithmetic operations. Performing these
operations 98
after substituting given values for variables is called evaluating . In algebra, a variable represents an unknown
value. However, if the problem specifically assigns a value to a variable, then you can replace that letter with the
given number and evaluate using the order of operations.

Example 1.4.6:
Evaluate:
5x −2 x =23
a. where
2
y = −4
y −y −6
b. where
Solution
To avoid common errors, it is a best practice to first replace all variables with parentheses, and then replace, or
99
substitute , the appropriate given value.
a.

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.3

5x −2 = 5( )−2
2
= 5 ( ) −2
3
10 2 3
=−⋅
3 1 3

=10 −6
3
4
= 3
b.
2 2
)
y −y −6 = ( −( )−6
2
)−6
= (−4) −(−4
= 16 +4 −6
= 14
Answer:
a. b. 3

4
14
 Often algebraic expressions will involve more than one variable.

Example 1.4.7:
3
b3 a = −1 b =12
a −8
Evaluate where and .
Solution
After substituting in the appropriate values, we must take care to simplify using the correct order of
operations. 3 b3 )3 )3
a −8 = ( −8( Replace variables with parentheses.
31 3

Answer: = −1 −8 ( )Simplify. = −1 −1
2) Substitute in the appropriate values. = −2

8
−2
1 = (−1 ) −8(

Example 1.4.8:
2
y2
x−
2
y2 =
x− 2x−1
= −32y = −3
2x−1 x 3
Evaluate where and . 2 2
)
( ) −(
Solution 2( )−1 2)2

=(− ) −(−3
2

3
2(− )−1
2

=−9
4
−3−1

At this point we have a complex fraction. Simplify the numerator and then multiply by the reciprocal of the
denominator.

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.4

9 9 4

=− ⋅
4 = 1
1 −27
−4 4
4 −4
1
−27
 = (− )

Answer: 27
11
4
=1
4
27
= 16
27
16
The answer to the previous example can be written as a mixed number, . Unless the original problem has mixed
16 16
numbers in it, or it is an answer to a realworld application, solutions will be expressed as reduced improper fractions.

Example 1.4.9:
−−−−−
−−2 √ a = −1, b = −7 c = 14
b −4ac
Evaluate where , and .
Solution
Substitute in the appropriate values and then simplify.
−−−−−−− √
( ) −4( ) ( )
2
b −4ac = −−−−−−−−−
−−−2 √

Aligned: −−−−−
−−−−−−−−−−−−− √
√ = 49 +1
1 −−
2 4
= 50 √
= (−7) −4(−1)( )
−−−−
−−−−−−−− √
1 = 25 ⋅ 2
= 49 +4( ) 4 –
√ =52 √
–
52 √

Exercise 1.4.1
√3πVh
πh V = 25π h = 3
Evaluate where and .

Answer
5
www.youtube.com/v/Y4RCMceThu4

Using Formulas
100
The main difference between algebra and arithmetic is the organized use of variables. This idea leads to reusable
formulas , which are mathematical models using algebraic expressions to describe common applications. For
example, the volume of a r h
 right circular cone depends on its radius and height and is modeled by the formula:
1
2
3r
V=πh

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.5

Figure 1.4.1
In this equation, variables and constants are used to describe the relationship between volume and the length of the
base and 3 5
height. If the radius of the base measures meters and the height measures meters, then the volume can be
calculated using the formula as follows:
1
2
3r
V=πh
1
2
3)
= π(3m (5m)
1 3
m3
= π⋅ ⋅5

39
= 15πm3
π ≈ 3.14 V ≈ 15(3.14) = 47.1
Using , we can approximate the volume: cubic meters.
A list of formulas that describe the area and perimeter of common plane figures follows. The letter P represents
perimeter and is measured in linear units. The letter A represents area and is measured in square units.

Figure 1.4.2
 2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229
1.4.6

Figure 1.4.3
A list of formulas that describe the surface area and volume of common figures follows. Here SA represents surface
area and is measured in square units. The letter V represents volume and is measured in cubic units.

Figure 1.4.4
 2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229
1.4.7

1.4.5 10
Figure
Example 1.4.10:

The diameter of a spherical balloon is inches. Determine the volume rounded off to the nearest
hundredth. Solution
The formula for the volume of a sphere is
4
3
3r
V=π
r2
This formula gives the volume in terms of the radius, . Therefore, divide the diameter by and then substitute into
the 10
r==5
formula. Here, inches and we have
2
4
3
3r
V=π
4
3
3)
= π(5in
4
3
3in
= π ⋅ 125
500π
3 3
3in in
= ≈ 523.60

523.60
Answer: The volume of the balloon is approximately cubic inches.
 101
D = rt
Formulas can be found in a multitude of subjects. For example, uniform motion is modeled by the formula , which
D r t D = rt
expresses distance , in terms of the average rate, or speed, and the time traveled at that rate, . This formula, , is
used often and is read, “distance equals rate times time.”

Example 1.4.11:
21266
Jim’s road trip took hours at an average speed of miles per hour. How far did he travel?
Solution
Substitute the appropriate values into the formula and then simplify.

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.8

D = r ⋅t
mi 1
= (66 )⋅(2 hr)
66 hr 5 2
= ⋅ mi
1 2
= 33 ⋅ 5mi
= 165mi
165
Answer: Jim traveled miles.

102
I I = prt p
Simple interest is given by the formula , where represents the principal amount invested at an annual interest r t
rate for years.

Example 1.4.12:
2 $1, 250 334
Calculate the simple interest earned on a -year investment of at an annual interest rate of .
Solution
334
Convert to a decimal number before using it in the formula.
3
r = 3 % = 3.75% = 0.0375
4
p = $1, 250 t = 2
Use this and the fact that and years to calculate the simple interest.
I = prt
= (1, 250)(0.0375)(2)
= 93.75
$93.75
Answer: The simple interest earned is .

Key Takeaways
Think of algebraic expressions as generalizations of common arithmetic operations that are formed by combining
numbers, variables, and mathematical operations.
 a(b +c) = ab +ac
The distributive property , is used when multiplying grouped algebraic expressions. Applying the distributive
property allows us to remove parentheses.
Combine like terms, or terms whose variable parts have the same variables with the same exponents, by adding
or subtracting the coefficients to obtain the coefficient of a single term with the same variable part. Remember
that the variable factors and their exponents do not change.
To avoid common errors when evaluating, it is a best practice to replace all variables with parentheses and then
substitute the appropriate values.
The use of algebraic expressions allows us to create useful and reusable formulas that model common applications.

Exercise 1.4.2
List all of the coefficients and variable parts of each term.
2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 2 2
b
−5x +x −1 a +2ab −4
2 2 2
y
y −9y +3
x y +x −3xy +9 4 x3 x2
5x2 −3xy +y2
x − + −x +2

Answer
2
{−5, 1, −1} {x , x}
1. Coefficients: ; variable parts: 2 y2
{5, −3, 1} {x , xy, }
3. Coefficients: ; variable parts:

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.9

2 2
y
{1, −3, 9} {x y, x , xy}
5. Coefficients: ; variable parts:

Exercise 1.4.3
Multiply.
1. 2. 3. 4. 2

5(3x −5) −2(2x −5x +1) 2

3(4x −1) −5(6x −3x −1) 3y2
5. (9 +12y −3) 3 4y
2
2
6. −9( − a+1) 2 b2
7. 9(a −2 )
2 2
8. y
9. −5(3x − )
2 2
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. b
− (8 +20y +4) 3a2 56712 (5a −3ab + )⋅ 6 2b2
1 (a −9ab −3)⋅ 7 2 y2
12( − a+ ) 9a2 53 −(5x −xy + ) 2y2
1
−(x −6xy −1)

Answer
1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 2
4a −10a+7
15x −25
2
2 b2
−4x +10x −2 2 9a −18
6y +8y −2 2
b2
11. 13. 30a −18ab +6 −5x2 +xy −y2

Exercise 1.4.4
Combine like
terms.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 2x −3x +2 +5 −6x +1 2 x2
18x −5x +3x 9x +7x −5 −10 −8x +6 3
30x −50x +10x 21 1 24
5a 2 3a 5
3y −4 +2y −12 −++
12y +7 −15y −6 22 4 21
6a 3 3a 9
2 2
x
8. 1 +−−
9. 2 2
b ab 2 2
1
+ y −3 + + y − 2y2 2335y2 1373 6 x2 1812 x2 3445 a +5ab −2 +7 −6ab +12 2 b2 a2 b2
10.
5
a −12ab +4 −6 +10ab −5 2 y2 x2 y2
+ x −1 − + x − 3x y +12xy −5x +5xy −8 y +2x 2 y2 x2 y2
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 10x y +2xy −4x +2 y −8xy +5x 7m2n−9mn+mn2 −6m2n+mn−2mn2

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.10

16. 17. 18. x −3 +5 +2 −4 −3

2n n 2n n
m2n−5mn+5mn2 −3m2n+5mn+2mn2 2n xn x2n xn y y y
5y −3 +1 −3 −2 −1

Answer
1. 3. 5. 2

16x
23
7x −9x +3 15a 10
5y −16

7. 14 11 +

9. +y −
2 16
10y 3 2 2
b
11. 13. 15. 17. 2 2
y
8a −ab +10 −5x y +17xy −3x m2n−8mn−mn2 2n xn
3x −7 +2

Exercise
1.4.5
Simplify.
1. 5 −2(4x +8)
2. 8 −6(2x −1)
2
3.
2(x −7x +1)+3x −7
4. 2 2
x
5.
−5(x +4x −1)+8 −5 5ab −4(ab +5)
6.
5(7 −ab)+2ab
7. 2 2
a
8.
2 −a +3( +4)
9. 2
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 7 −3y +2(y −3y −2)
2 2
x a −3ab −2( −ab +1) 2 y2
8x −3x −5( +4x −1) 2 10y +6 −(3 +2y +4) 2 m2 n2
2 −5y −6(y −y +2) 4m −3mn−( −3mn+ ) 2n xn x2n xn
2 2 2 2
b ab x −3 +5( − +1) 2n yn y2n
a −5 +3( −3ab +2) 2 a2 −3(y −2 +1)+4 −5

Answer
1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 2
2a +14
−8x −11
2
2
2x −11x −5 ab −20 3x −23x +5 2b2

11. 13. 15. 7y −2y +2 2n xn

4a −9ab +1 2 6x −8 +5

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.11

Exercise 1.4.6
Evaluate.
−2x +3 x = −2
1. where
8x −5 x = −1
2. where
2
x = −5
x −x +5
3. where
2
x=3
2x −8x +1
4. where
2
x −x+2
2x−1 x = −12
5. where
2
9x +x−2
3x−4 x = −23
6. where
(3y −2)(y +5) y =23
7. where
(3x +2)(5x +1) x = −15
8. where
(3x −1)(x −8) x = −1
9. where
(7y +5)(y +1) y = −2
10. where
6 3
y y = −1
y − +2
11. where
5 3
y y = −2
y + −3
12. where
2 2
b a = −2 b = −1
a −5
13. where and
3 3
b a = −3 b = 2
a −2
14. where and
 (x −2y)(x +2y) x = 2 y = −5
15. where and
(4x −3y)(x −y) x = −4 y = −3
16. where and
a2 −ab +b2 a = −1 b = −2
17. where and
2 2
y x = −3 y = −2
x −xy +2
18. where and
a4 −b4 a = −2 b = −3
19. where and
a6 −2a3b3 −b6 a = 2 b = −1
20. where and

Answer
1. 3. 11. 13. 15. 17. 19.
5. 7. 9. 4
7 −1
35 −96 3
−118 0 −65
36

Exercise 1.4.7
−−−−−
−−2 √
b −4ac
Evaluate given the following values. a = 6, b
= 1 c = −1
1. and
a = 15, b = 4 c = −4
2. and
3
a = , b = −2
4c = −4
3. and
1
a = , b = −2
2c = −30
4. and
a = 1, b = 2 c = −1
5. and
a = 1, b = −4 c = −50
6. and
a = 1, b = −1 c = −116
7. and
a = −2, b = −13c = 1
8. and

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.12

Answer
1. 3. 5. 4
–
7. 22 √
5 √5
2
Exercise 1.4.8 5
C = (F −32)
Convert the following temperatures to degrees Celsius given , where F represents degrees Fahrenheit. 9
95°
1. F
86°
2. F
32°
3. F
−40°
4. F

Answer
35°
1. C
0°
3. C

Exercise 1.4.9
12 5
1. Calculate the perimeter and area of a rectangle with dimensions feet by feet.
51
2. Calculate the perimeter and area of a rectangle with dimensions meters by meter.
6
3. Calculate the surface area and volume of a sphere with radius centimeters.
4 10
4. The radius of the base of a right circular cylinder measures inches and the height measures inches.
Calculate the surface area and volume.
18
5. Calculate the volume of a sphere with a diameter of centimeters.
6 112
6. The diameter of the base of a right circular cone measures inches. If the height is feet, then calculate its
volume. 7. Given that the height of a right circular cylinder is equal to the radius of the base, derive a formula
for the surface area in terms of the radius of the base.
25π 1
8. Given that the area of the base of a right circular cylinder is square inches, find the volume if the height is
foot. 2 58
9. Jose was able to drive from Tucson to Phoenix in hours at an average speed of mph. How far is Phoenix
from Tucson?
15234
10. If a bullet train can average mph, then how far can it travel in of an hour?
68
134 11254
11. Margaret traveled for hour at an average speed of miles per hour. How far did she travel? 12. The trip from
Flagstaff, AZ to the Grand Canyon national park took hours at an average speed of mph. How far is the Grand
Canyon national park from Flagstaff?
3 $2, 500 514
13. Calculate the simple interest earned on a -year investment of at an annual interest rate of %. 1
$5, 750 258
14. Calculate the simple interest earned on a -year investment of at an annual interest rate of %. 5
$20, 000 6
15. What is the simple interest earned on a -year investment of at an annual interest rate of %? 1
$50, 000 4.5
16. What is the simple interest earned on a -year investment of at an annual interest rate of %? t t
=√s4
17. The time in seconds an object is in free fall is given by the formula , where s represents the distance in feet
32
the object has fallen. How long does it take an object to fall feet? (Give the exact answer and the approximate
answer to the nearest hundredth.)
−−
√P
I I =PR
18. The current measured in amperes, is given by the formula , where is the power usage measured in watts, R
60 240
and is the resistance measured in ohms. If a light bulb uses watts of power and has ohms of resistance, then
how many amperes of current are required?

Answer

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.13

P = 34 A = 60
1. feet; square feet
SA = 144π V = 288π
3. square centimeters; cubic centimeters
972π
5. cubic centimeters
7. SA = 4πr2 116
9. miles
119
11. miles
13. 15. $6, 000
–
$393.75 √
2 ≈ 1.41
17. seconds

Exercise 1.4.10
1. Find and post a useful mathematical model. Demonstrate its use with some values.
2. Research and discuss the history of the variable. What can we use if we run out of letters?
3. Find and post a link to a useful resource describing the Greek alphabet.
5 −3(9x −1) 5 3
4. Given the algebraic expression , explain why we do not subtract and first.
a(b +c +d) = ab +ac +ad
5. Do we need a separate distributive property for more than two terms? For example, . Explain.
6. How can we check to see if we have simplified an expression correctly?

Answer
1. Answer may vary
3. Answer may vary
5. Answer may vary

Footnotes
87
Combinations of variables and numbers along with mathematical operations used to generalize specific arithmetic
operations.
88
Components of an algebraic expression separated by addition operators.
89
Components of a term separated by multiplication operators.
90
The numerical factor of a term.
91
 All the variable factors with their exponents.
92
A term written without a variable factor.
93
a, b, c, a(b +c) = ab +ac (b +c)a = ba+ca
Given any real numbers and or .
94
Constant terms or terms whose variable parts have the same variables with the same
exponents. 95
Used when referring to like terms.
96
Adding or subtracting like terms within an algebraic expression to obtain a single term with the same
variable part. 97
The process of combining like terms until the expression contains no more similar terms.
98
The process of performing the operations of an algebraic expression for given values of the
variables. 99
The act of replacing a variable with an equivalent quantity.
100
A reusable mathematical model using algebraic expressions to describe a common application.
101
D r t D = rtThe distance after traveling at an average rate for some time can be calculated using the
formula .

2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229

1.4.14

102
I = prt p r t
Modeled by the formula , where represents the principal amount invested at an annual interest rate for years.
2/4/2021 CC-BY-NC-SA https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/6229
1.4.15