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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

LEARNING MODULE

FOR

MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

WEEK 2

MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

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 September 15, 2020

WEEK 2

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

DEFINITION AND TERMINOLOGIES

A. VARIABLE

A symbol (usually a letter from the English alphabet) used to stand for a real
number. A variable may be replaced with any real number, the choice of replacement
being dependent upon the situation.

B. Arbitrary constant

Example : in the expression 4xy - 2b, the variable are xy and b, although last one
is called an arbitrary constant. When x=1 and y=2 and b=3, then the value of the
expression when substituted for the value is:

4xy - 2b = 4 (1) (2) - 2 (3) = 2

If we change the values to : x= 2 , y = 3 and b=1, the value of the expression is :

4xy - 2b = 4 (2) (3) - 2 (1) = 22

Note: the value of the expression changes when the values of the variables are
correspondingly changed.

C. Constant

A symbol used to stand for a single and unique real number. The symbol 2 is
always 2 regardless of the situation in the set of real numbers.

D. Algebraic expression

A combination of symbols ( variable ) and constants ( numbers) related by the

fundamental operations of algebra.

Example : 3xy + 5ab - 6mn

a+b+c

MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

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 Structure of Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic Type of Expressions Terms

Expression

4xy Monomial One term

4ab - 3zxc Binomial Two term

5f- 7y + 2x Trinomial Three term

X+ y - z -d Polynomial / multinomial Four or many more terms

E. Terms, Numerical Coefficients, Literal Coefficients

Each distinct part together with a sign is called a term. A term is usually
composed of a numerical coefficient and literal coefficient. A numerical coefficient is a
number before a literal coefficient. A literal coefficient is letter after an explicit number. An
explicit number has no literal coefficient.

Example : 4xy - 7ab - 3

a) . 4xy - 7ab - 3 is an algebraic expression

b) The terms are 4xy, -7 ab and -3 are the terms of the algebraic
expressions

c) In the term 4xy, 4 is he numerical coefficient and xy are the literal

coefficients

F. Similar, Unlike Terms

Like or similar terms are those which differ only in numerical coefficients, but have
similar literal coefficients. Unlike terms have different literal coefficients and are also
called dissimilar terms.

Example : Similar or like terms

a. 4xy – 3xy – 6 xy

MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

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 b. 3ab – 6ab + 5ab – 8ab

Example: Dissimilar or Unlike terms

a. a. 3x – 4y +2s-3f b. 3xc- 6 yr- 7trs+ 9asd

G. Absolute value

The absolute value of a number is the value of the number regardless of the sign.

Example :
A. The absolute value of 2 is 2 or |2| = 2
B. The absolute value of -2 is 2 or |-2| =2

ACTIVITY #2

(To be submitted on TUESDAY, September 22, 2020)

Direction: Read and understand this module. Provide what is being asked. Write your answer
in a long bond paper (Hand written) and attach it to the last page of this module.

A. Complete the table

Algebraic expressions Type of Expression Term

3x

5x+y

7y+2y+6y+12y-10

|-9|

8mn-5rt-7hx

6x(m+n)

4(x-y)

3ab – 6ab + 5ab – 8ab

4xy - 7ab

End of first week

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MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

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MATH 101 : COLLEGE AND ADVANCED ALGEBRA

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