CHAPTER 15

ALGEBRA

Compendium

A. Introduction
B. Algebraic Expressions
C. How to form Algebraic Expressions
D. Algebraic Equation
E. Difference between Expression and Equation
F. Solving Algebraic Equations
G. Bird’s Eye View
H. Solved Examples
I. Practice yourself
J. Solutions

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A. Introduction

Algebra, the branch of mathematics, deals with symbols and rules

for manipulating those symbols. Algebra involves algebraic
expressions and equations. Studying algebra helps us think logically
and critically to solve real-life problems.
Variables: Variables are the quantities that may change within the
context of a mathematical problem. We use symbols, as well as
letters, to denote variables.
Constants: Constant are the quantities that do not change.

B. Algebraic Expression

An algebraic expression contains variables along with numbers and

operations.

Try and learn

● Suppose we are given an expression 3x + 4. In this expression,

○ x is the variable
○ 3, and 4 are constants
○ 3 is the coefficient of x
○ 4 is the constant term
● Suppose 7k - 2 is the algebraic expression that is given to us. In
this expression,
○ k is the variable
○ 7, and 2 are constants
○ 7 is the coefficient of k
○ 2 is the constant term

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Checkpoint 1

1. Find the coefficient of a in the expression 5a – 6

2. Find the coefficient of x in the expression 6x + 12
3. What is the coefficient of p in the expression 9p - 3?
4. What is the coefficient of y in expression 12y + 8?
5. What is the coefficient of z in the expression 7z - 5?

C. How To Form Algebraic Expressions

Before we start solving real-world problems with algebra, we need
to learn to translate simple problems into algebra. Generally, you'll
do this by replacing the words with operators that mean the same
thing.There are four mathematical operators addition (+),
subtraction (-), multiplication (x), division (÷, /).

Try and learn

● Give expressions for the following case 11 added to 2m.

11 added to 2m means we have to add 11 to 2m, so the expression
will be 2m + 11.
● Give expressions for the following case p divided by 7
p divided by 7 means we have to divide p by 7, so the expression
will be p/7
● Anshika has 10 storybooks more than Alice. Express the number
of storybooks Anshika has in terms of the number of storybooks
Alice has.

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Let the number of storybooks Alice has = y
Therefore, the number of storybooks Anshika has = y + 10
● Chocolates from a big box are equally distributed amongst 5
children. Find the number of chocolates that each child received.
Let c be the total number of chocolates.
Number of children = 5
Therefore, each child got c/5 chocolates

Checkpoint 2

1. Give expressions for the following case 7 added to p.

2. Give expressions for the following case q multiplied by – 5
3. Give expressions for the following case n multiplied by 2 and 1
subtracted from the product.
4. Give expressions for the following case y multiplied by 10, and
then 7 added to the product.
5. Give expressions for the following case z is multiplied by – 5, and
the result is added to 16.
6. There are 50 mangoes in a box; let us say we have many boxes.
How can we write the total number of mangoes in terms of the
number of boxes? (Use b as a variable for the number of boxes.)
7. The teacher distributes 5 notebooks per student. Can you tell how
many notebooks are needed, given the number of students? (Use
s for the number of students.)
8. A sparrow flies 2 kilometres in a minute. Find the distance covered
by the sparrow in terms of its flying time in minutes? (Use the
variable t for flying time in minutes.)

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9. Radha is drawing a dot Rangoli (a beautiful pattern of lines joining
dots) with chalk powder. She has 9 dots in a row. How many dots
will her Rangoli have for r rows?
10. Leela is Radha's younger sister. Leela is 4 years younger than
Radha. Can you write about Leela's age in terms of Radha's age?
Take Radha's age as r years.

D. Algebraic Equation
An equation establishes equality between two mathematical
expressions. In other words, if two mathematical expressions are
connected by an equal (=) sign, the obtained mathematical
statement is said to be an equation. There exist two sides, the one
before the equal sign is called Left Hand Side (LHS), and the other
side is called the Right-Hand Side (RHS).

Try and learn

● 5x + 2 = 12 is an equation, where 5x + 2 and 12 are equated by equal

sign. 5x + 2 is at the left-hand side of the equation, and 12 is the
right-hand side. In this equation
○ 5x, 2 and 12 are terms
○ x is the variable
○ 2 and 12 are the constants
○ ‘+’ is the operator
● 2k - 5 = 3 is an equation, where 2k - 5 and 3 are equated by the
equal sign. 2k - 5 is at the left-hand side of the equation, and 3 is
the right-hand side. In this equation
○ 2k, 5 and 3 are terms

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○ k is the variable
○ 5 and 3 are the constants
○ ‘-’ is the operator

E. Difference Between Algebraic Equation And

Equation
An expression is a combination of variables and constants
connected by basic mathematical operators.
An equation, on the other hand, tells us about the values of the
variables for which two expressions are equal to each other. These
numerical values are called solutions of the equation.

BASIS FOR EXPRESSION EQUATION

COMPARISON

Meaning Expression combines In an equation, two

numbers, variables expressions are set
and operators to show equal to each other.
the value of
something.

What is it? A sentence that stands A sentence that shows

for a single numerical equality between two
value. expressions.

Relation No Yes, equal sign (=)

symbol

Sides One-sided Two-sided, left and

right

Example 7x - 2(3x + 14) 7x - 5 = 19

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F. Solving Algebraic Equations

There are various methods to solve algebraic equations, but in this
chapter, we will learn how to solve algebraic equations using
substitution (trial and error) and transposition methods.
Substitution (Trial and Error) Method
In the substitution method, also known as the trial-and-error
method, we generally make a guess. We try several values of the
variable randomly and find LHS and RHS for each value of the
variable. The values of the variable for which LHS and RHS are equal
is called a solution of the equation.

Try and learn

● Find the solution of the equation 6q = 18 using the trial-and-error

method.
Solution: We will try different values of q, and for each value of q,
we find the LHS and RHS. We stop this process for the value for
which LHS = RHS.

q LHS RHS

1 6x1 6

2 6x2 12

3 6x3 18

So, q = 3 is the solution of the given algebraic equation.

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● Using trial-and-error method, find the solution of the equation
2m + 6 = 8 + m.
Solution:

m LHS RHS

1 2x1+6=8 8+1=9

2 2 x 2 + 6 = 10 8 + 2 = 10

So, m = 2 is the solution of the given algebraic equation.

Transposition Method
If a term gets transposed from one side of the equation to the other
side, then its sign will change. For example, if we take +2 from LHS
to RHS, it becomes -2.
Rules to Follow while solving an algebraic equation
1. We can add the same number on both sides of the equation.
2. We can subtract the same number from both sides of the
equation.
3. We can multiply a non-zero number on both sides of an equation.
4. We can divide by a non-zero number on both sides of an
equation.

Try and learn

● Find the value of r that satisfies the equation r + 4 = 12.

Solution: r + 4 = 12
Transposing +4 from LHS to RHS, r = 12 - 4 = 8
So, r = 8 will be the solution of the given equation.

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● Find the solution of the algebraic equation 2m = 9 − m.
Solution: On transposing −m from RHS to LHS, we get 2m + m = 9
3m = 9. On dividing both the sides of the equation by 3, we get 3m⁄3
= 9⁄3. So, m = 3 is the solution of the given equation.
● Find the value of k that satisfies the equation k⁄5 − 4 = 7.
Solution: On transposing -4 from LHS to RHS, we get k⁄5 = 7 + 4 =
11 Multiply both LHS and RHS by 5, we get k x 5⁄5 = 11 x 5
Hence, k = 55 is the solution of the given equation.
● Find the solution of the equation 3(z − 2) = 2(z + 1) − 3.
Solution: 3(z − 2) = 2(z + 1) − 3
3z − 6 = 2z + 2 − 3
3z = 2z + 2 − 3 + 6
3z = 2z + 5
3z - 2z = 5
So, z = 5 is the solution of the given equation.
● Solve the equation, k + 1 = 20.
Solution: On subtracting 1 from both sides of the equation (rule 2)
So, k + 1 − 1 = 20 − 1
k = 19 is the solution of the given equation.
● Solve the equation, z − 2 = 24.
Solution: Add 2 to both side of the equation (rule 1),
z − 2 + 2 = 24 + 2
z = 24 is the solution of the given equation.
● Solve the equation, 6 × b = 18.
Solution: Divide both the sides of the equation by 6 (rule 4),
6xb
⁄6 = 18⁄6
b = 3 is the solution of the given equation.

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● Solve the equation, m ÷ 4 = 5.
Solution: Multiply both the sides of the equation by 4 (rule 3)
m
⁄4 × 4 = 5 × 4
m = 20 is the solution of the given equation.

Checkpoint 3

1. y + 2 = 6
2. z + 6 = 2
3. a + 3 = 5
4. b + 4 = – 3
5. 3c + 2 = 8
6. k – 3 = 2
7. l – 2 = – 5
8. 3n – 5 = 7
9. x – 2.5 = – 4
10. m – 3 (1 / 2) = 6

G. Bird’s-eye view

● Variables are placeholders for quantities that change.

● Constants are quantities that remain fixed in value.
● Expressions are statements that combine variables and
constants using basic mathematical operators.
● Equations are statements that establish the equality between
two mathematical expressions.
● The solution of an algebraic equation is the number that satisfies
it.

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H. Solved examples

1. Solve for y, 3y = 12
Solution: 3y = 12
y = 12 / 3 = 4
Hence, y = 4 is the solution of the given equation.
2. Find the value of x in the equation 2x = 9
Solution: On dividing both the sides of the equation by 2, we get
x = 9 / 2 = 4.5
Hence, the value of x for 2x = 9 is 4.5
3. Solve for p, if 5p = 8.5.
Solution: On dividing both the sides of the equation by 5, we get
p = 8.5/5 = 1.7
Hence, the value of p for 5p = 8.5 is 1.7
4. Solve for n, if 2.5n = 7.5
Solution: On dividing both the sides of the equation by 2.5, we get
n = 7.5 / 2.5 = 3
Hence, n = 3 is the solution of the given equation.
5. Solve for z, if 3.2z = 16
Solution: On dividing both the sides of the equation by 3.2, we get
z = 16 / 3.2
z = (16 × 10) / 32 = 160 / 32 = 5
Hence, z = 5 is the solution of the given algebraic equation.
6. Solve for y, if y / 2 = 5
Solution: On multiplying both the sides of the equation by 2, we
get y = 5 × 2 = 10
Hence, y = 10 is the solution of the equation y / 2 = 5

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7. Solve for x, if x / 3 = – 2
Solution: On multiplying both the sides of the equation by 3, we
get x = – 2 × 3 = – 6
Hence, x = – 6 is the solution of the given equation.
8. Find the value of b in the equation b / 5 = – 15
Solution: On multiplying both the sides of the equation by 5, we
get b = – 15 × 5 = – 75
Hence, b = -75 is the solution of the given equation.
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9. Find the value of a in the equation a / 4 = 3
4

Solution: We can write the given equation as, a / 4 = 13 / 4.

On multiplying both the sides of the equation by 4, we get a = 13
/ 4 × 4 = 13
Hence, a = 13 is the solution of the given equation.
1
10. Solve for n, if n / 6 = 2
2

Solution: We can write the given equation as, n / 6 = 5 / 2

On multiplying both the sides of the equation by 6, we get n = 5 /
2 × 6 = 15.
Hence, n = 15 is the solution of the given equation.
11. A number increased by 17 becomes 54. Find the number.
Solution: Let us assume the number as y.
Hence, y + 17 = 54.
On subtracting 17 from both the sides of the equation, we get y =
54 – 17 = 37
Therefore, the number that becomes 54 on increasing by 17 is 37.
12. A number decreased by 8 equals 28. Find the number.
Solution: Let us assume the number is z.
Hence, z – 8 = 28

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On adding 8 to both the sides of the equation, we get z = 28 + 8 =
36.Therefore, the number that becomes 28 on decreasing by 8 is
36.
13. One-fourth of a number and two-seventh of the number added
together give 150; find the number.
Solution: Let us assume the number is n
Hence, (1 / 4) × n + (2 / 7) × n = 150
(n / 4) + (2n / 7) = 150
On taking L.C.M., we get, (7n + 8n) / 28 = 150
15n = 150 × 28
n = (150 × 28) / 15
We get, n = 10 × 28 = 280
Therefore, the required number is 280
14. Two-fifths of a number is subtracted from three-fourths of it, and
the resulting number is 56, find the number.
Solution: Let us assume the number is k.
Hence, (3 / 4) k – (2 / 5) k = 56
On taking L.C.M., we get, (15k – 8k) / 20 = 56
7k = 56 × 20
k = (56 × 20) / 7 = 8 × 20 = 160
Therefore, the required number is 160.
15. A number is increased by 12 and then the new number obtained
is multiplied by 5. If the resulting number is 105, find the original
number.
Solution: Let us assume the number is p
Hence, (p + 12) 5 = 105
5p + 60 = 105
5p = 105 – 60 = 45

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p = 45 / 5 = 9
Therefore, the original number is 9.

I. Practice yourself

1. –2y = 8
2. –4z = 1
3. –5x = 4
4. b + 3 = -5
5. a + 5 = 2
6. 2y + 5 = 17
7. 3z – 2 = 1
8. 5a + 4 = 29
9. 4p – 3 = – 27
10. 2y + 3 = – 19
11. z/3 – 5 = 2
12. x/2 – 3 = 8
1
13. p/7 + 1 = 2
2

14. b/2.4 – 5 = 2.4

15. a/1.6 + 3 = –2.5

1. – 8x – 2 = – 10
2. 4m + 2m = 3 + 5
3. 4y – y + 5 = 8

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4. 6z + 2 = 2z + 10
5. 18 – (2b – 12) = 8b
1
6. y+2 = 3
5
1 1
7. x-3 = 2
2 3
2 1
8. 5 -a = 2
3 2

9. 5z – 3.5 = 10
10. A number is increased by 8, and the new number obtained is
divided by 3. If the resulting number is 20, find the original
number.
11. The age of a boy is 27 years less than the age of his father. If the
sum of their ages is 47 years, find the age of the boy and his father.
12. When two consecutive numbers are added, the sum is 31; find the
numbers.
13. A number decreased by 7 is 12. Find the number.
14. When three consecutive numbers are added, the sum is 66. Find
the numbers.
15. One-sixth of a number added to one-fourth of itself is 15. Find the
number.

J. Solutions

Checkpoint 1
1. The coefficient of a is 5 2. The coefficient of x is 6
3. The coefficient of p is 9 4. Coefficient of y is 12
5. Coefficient of z is 7

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Checkpoint 2
1. p + 7 2. -5q 3. 2n - 1
4. 10y + 7 5. -5z + 16 or 16 - 5z 6. 50b mangoes
7. 5s notebooks 8. 2t kilometers 9. 9r dots
10. r - 4 years
Check point 3
1. y = 4 2. z = –4 3. a = 2
4. b = –7 5. c = 2 6. k = 5
7. l = – 3 8. n = 4 9. x = –1. 5
10. m = 15/2

Novice level

1. y = – 4 2. z = –0.25 3. x = – 4 / 5 = – 0.8
4.b = – 8 5. a = -3 6. y = 6
7. z = 1 8. a = 5 9. p = -6
10. y = – 11 11. z = 21 12. x = 22
13. p = 21 / 2 14. b = 17.76 15. a = – 8.8

Advance level

1. x = 1 2. m = 4 / 3 3. y = 1
4. z = 2 5. b = 3 6. y = 4 / 5
7. x = 35 / 6 8. a = 19 / 6 9. z = 2.7
10. Original number is 52
11. The age of boy is 10 years, and the age of his father is 37 years
12. The first number is 15 and the second number is 16
13. The required number is 19
14.The consecutive numbers are 21, 22, and 23
15.The required number is 36.

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