4/23/22, 3:14 PM Expansion

Factorisation and Algebraic Fractions

2.1  Expansion

 
  Definition  
     
Expansion of algebraic expression is the product of multiplication

   
of one or two expressions in brackets.
 
Expansion on Two Algebraic Expressions
  
When doing an expansion of algebraic expressions, every term within the bracket needs to be multiplied with the term outside the
  bracket.

  
  Example  
     

 
a(x + y) = (a × x) + (a × y)
  ​ ​
 
= ax + ay.
  
  Combined Operations including Expansion
  
Combine operations for algebraic terms must be solved by following the 'BODMAS' rule.
 

B = Brackets

O = Order

D = Division
 

M = Multiplication

A = Addition

S = Subtraction
  
  Examples
  
(i)  (m + n)(x + y)
 
= mx + my + nx + ny.
    
  (ii) y(x + z) = yx + yz
    
(iii)  (b + c)(d + e)
 
= bd + be + cd + ce.
    
(iv)  (d + e)2

= (d + e)(d + e)
 
= d2 + de + de + e2

= d2 + 2de + e2 .
    

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4/23/22, 3:14 PM Expansion
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(v)  (k − l)

= (k − l)(k − l)
 
= k 2 − kl − kl + l2

= k 2 − 2kl + l2 .
    
  (vi) (b + c)(b − c) = b2 − c2
    
(vii) (h − j)2 − 2h(3h − 3j)

= (h − j)(h − j) − 6h2 + 6hj

 
= h2 − 2hj + j 2 − 6h2 + 6hj

= −5h2 + j 2 + 4hj.
  

2.2  Factorisation

 
  Definition  
     
A process of determining the factors of an algebraic expression or algebraic terms and when multiplied together will form the original
  expressions.  
Also known as the reverse process of expansion.

 
Terms that related to the Product of Algebraic Expressions
   
(i) Factor

A number or quantity that when multiplied with another produces a given number or expression.

   
(ii) Common factor

The factor of an algebra term that divides two or more other terms exactly.

   
(iii) Highest Common Factor (HCF)

The largest of those common factors.

   
Factorisation of Algebraic Expressions
   
(i) Using HCF

  Example  
     
Factorise 7x + 35.

 7x = 7 × x

35 = 5 × 7
   
∴ HCF = 7.

The algebraic expressions, 7x + 35 can be written as a product of two factors, 7(x + 5).

    
The common factor, 7, has been taken out and placed in front of the bracket. 

The expression inside the bracket is obtained by dividing each term with 7.

   
(ii) Using difference of squares of two terms

This method can only be used if the two algebraic terms are perfect squares.

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4/23/22, 3:14 PM Expansion

   
(iii) Using Cross Multiplication
2
Algebraic expressions of ax  0 and a, b, c are integers that can be factorised.
+ bx + c, where by a =​

   
(iv) Using common factors involving 4 algebraic terms

  Example  
     
 jm − jn + ym − yn

= j(m − n) + y(m − n)
   

= (j + y)(m − n).

   

2.3   Algebraic Expressions and Basic Arithmetic Operations

   
Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions
   
Rules
Before adding or subtracting two algebraic fractions, check the denominators first.
If they are not the same, you need to express all fractions in terms of common denominators.

   
Examples
   
(i) 3y 3y 6y
+ =
5 5 5
​ ​ ​

   
(ii) 2 4s
−
3 9
​ ​

2 × 3 4s
= −
3×3 9
​ ​

6 − 4s
= .
9
​

   
(iii) 1 1
  −
2k
​ ​

kj

1×j 1×2
= −
2k × j kj × 2
​ ​

j−2
= .
2kj
​

   
Multiplication and Division
 
Factorise expressions before division or multiplication when it is necessary.

 
Example
 
m + n (m + n)2
  ÷ 2
x−y x − y2
​ ​

m+n (x + y)(x − y )
= ×
​ ​

x−y (m + n)(m + n)
​ ​

​ ​

x+y
= .
m+n
​

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