MATHEMATICS

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION AND EQUATIONS

ALGEBRA – is the branch of mathematics that uses letters and other symbols to represent
specific sets of numbers to describe relations.

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION – if formed with a combination of numbers, letters, and operational

symbols.

Examples of algebraic expressions:

5x 5r – 2s 5(x + y)
4 b−7
3a – 4 4x2 - 3
6

The letters such as x, a, r, s, or b are called VARIABLES.

The numbers 5, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 6 are called CONSTANTS.

VARIABLES – are used to represent quantities which are unknown, or which do not have fixed
values.

CONSTANTS – have fixed values.

TERM – each part of an algebraic expression.

In an algebraic expression, terms are separated by + or – signs.
Parts of an Algebraic Equation:

EQUATION – when you compare an algebraic expression to a number or another algebraic

expression using the equal (=) sign.

Examples of an equation:
5x = 10 3a – 4 = 14 5r – 2s = 3r + 8
1
4y – 2z = 11 d – 8 = -5 3a – 8 = 15
3

REMEMBER!
An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase. It contains letters (variables) and numbers
(constants) joined by any of the fundamental operational symbols.
An equation is a mathematical sentence. It shows two equal algebraic expressions.

NOT SO FUN FACT:

The use of algebraic notations and expressions can be traced back to the ancient times.
Accounts show that the ancient Egyptians worked with algebra. However, the notation used
today resembles that of the one used by René Descartes in 1637.
Math Skills Milestones (page 199 – 200)
A. Answer the following

Given Algebraic Expression Algebraic Equation

1. 3x – 2y + 4 
2. a+b–c=3 
3. 2a – 4b = 9 
4. g + 2h 
n(n−6) 
5. =4
3
5 1 6 
6.
2 3
x y= 7
7. 5x(x – 2) 
8. w(w – 2)(w – 3)(w + 1) 
9. (j + 1) (j – 2) 
1 
10. a3b2cd4
6

Determine the variables and constants in the following algebraic expressions or

equations.

Given Variables Constants

11. 5x – 3 = 17 x 5, 3, 17
12. 4x + 2y – 3 x, y 4, 2, 3
13. 2a – 2b + 3c a, b, c 2, 3
14. w – 2z = 3 w, z 2, 3
5 g, h 5
15. g – 4h = 4,
6 6
16. 5s + 2r – 9 s, r 5, 2, 9
17. 2 = 3b + c b, c 2, 3
18. 8d + 1 d 8, 1
19. 11f – 12g – h = 13 f, g, h 11, 12, 13
1 3 7 10 a, b, c 1 3 7 10
20. a - b + c = , , ,
4 4 4 9 4 4 4 9
 TRANSLATING MATHEMATICAL PHRASES AND STATEMENTS INTO ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS

Mathematical phrases are translated into algebraic expressions and vice versa.
Example:
3 (x – 1)

Can be translated to a mathematical phrase:

Three times the difference of a number and one

Mathematical statements are translated into equations and vice versa.

Example:
n–3=5

Can be translated to a mathematical statement:

The difference of a number and 3 is 5

To give an illustration:

The following table contains words associated with the four basic operations:
ADDITION SUBTRACTION MULTIPLICATION DIVISION
 added to  subtracted  multiplied by  divided by
 increased by from  product of  quotient of
 total of  decreased by  twice  half of
 sum of  diminished by  thrice
 more than  difference of  times
 plus  less than
 minus

The words is, yields, and gives usually suggest equation and they translate to the equal sign.
Remember!

 Mathematical phrases can be translated into algebraic expressions and vice versa, while

mathematical statements can be translated into equations and vice versa.

 When translating mathematical phrases or statements into algebraic expressions or

equations, it is essential to take note of certain words associated with each fundamental

operation.

Did you know?

The Ars Magna (or The Great Art) is a book written by Italian polymath Girolamo Cardano and is

now considered a very important book in algebra.

MATH SKILLS MILESTONES (page 204-205)

A. Do what is asked.

Translate the following mathematical phrases and statements into algebraic

expressions and equations. Use x as a variable.
1. Thrice a number
3x

2. The sum of a number and 5

x+5

3. The product of a number and 6 is 12.

x × 6 = 12

4. A number diminished by 11
x – 11

5. The difference of twice a number and 3 is 7.

2x – 3 = 7

6. 15 less than thrice a number

15 – 3x

7. The quotient of a number and 5 is 9.

x÷5=9

8. Two more than a number

2+x

9. The ratio of 12 and a number is 2.

12:x = 2

10. Half of a number decreased by 4 is 7.

x
–4=7
2
Translate the following algebraic expression and equations into mathematical phrases and
statements.
11. 5x
5 times a number

12. 3x – 2
The difference of thrice a number and 2

13. 7x + 3
The sum of 7 times a number and 3

14. 9 – x = 1
The difference of 9 and a number is 1

3
15.
x
3 divided by a number

16. 14x + 1 = 12
The sum of 14 times a number and 1 is 12

17. 5x – 12
The difference of 5 times a number and 12

1
18. x+8
3
1
The sum of of a number and 8
3

x
19. –2=3
5
The difference of a number divided by 5 and 2 is 3

20. 6xyz + 15
6 times a number and another number and another number added to 15
B. Answer the following

1. Determine which of the following mathematical phrases translate to 3(x + y) or

3x + y

a. Thrice the sum of x and y  this translates to 3(x + y)

b. The sum of thrice x and y  this translates to 3x + y

c. Thrice x plus y  this translates to 3x + y

2. Translate each of the following mathematical phrases into an algebraic

expression. Use x and y as variables.

a. The quotient of four times a number and the difference of that number

and 2

4x ÷ (x – 2)

b. The product of 3 and the sum of a number and 8

3 × (x + 8)

c. The sum of the square of a number and the cube of another number

x2 + y3
 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS IN REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS

Many formulas in mathematics are used to solve relevant problems in real life.
For example:

The formula A = lw is needed to calculate the total area of a rectangular lot that is for sale.

The formula P = 4s is used to estimate the amount of materials needed to fence a square
garden.

The amount of interest that can be earned in an investment can be solved using the formula
I = PRT.

The formula d = st can be used to compute how fast you need to walk or bike to reach your
destination on time.

All these formulas illustrate algebraic equations

SKILL BUILDER (page 208)

Do what is asked.
1. Let x be the height of Henry. If Angelo is 4 cm taller than Henry, find an algebraic
expression for Angelo’s height.
Angelo’s height is x + 4 cm

2. Let p be the tax deducted from Kyle’s income. If Jude’s tax deduction is twice as much,
determine an algebraic expression for Jude’s tax.
Jude’s tax is 2p

3. Cite other examples of real-life situations that make use of algebraic expressions and
equations.
Oliver’s car traveled p kilometers. The car of Janice traveled 1,000 km less than
Oliver’s car. Find an algebraic expression for the kilometers traveled by the car of
Janice.
Tweety traveled v – 1,000 km

Algebraic expressions and equations are used to represent relationships of variables that exist
in various real-life situations.
The formula E = mc2 is an example of an equation. It was formulated by Albert Einstein to
calculate the amount of energy (E) in relation to mass (m) and speed of light (c).

Math Skills Milestones (page 208-209)

A. Do what is asked.

1. Let w be the mass of Albert. If Jesse’s mass is 20 lb less than Albert’s, find an algebraic
expression for Jesse’s mass.
Jesse’s mass is w – 20 lb

2. Let j be the amount of money that Chelsea has. If she intends to spend P150 on food,
give an algebraic expression for the amount of money that will be left.
The amount of money Chelsea will have left is j - 150

3. Let x be the monthly income of Angela and y be her bill for electricity. Write an algebraic
expression for the amount of money that will be left after Angela pays her electric bill.
The amount of money that will be left after Angela pays her electric bill is x - y

4. Let h be the total number of books in a library. If 100 books were borrowed, write an
algebraic expression for the number of books left in the library.
The number of books left in the library is n - 100

5. Mia’s store had b number of customers in March. In February, there were 120 more
customers than in March. Write an algebraic expression for the number of customers in
February.
The number of customers in February is b + 120

6. Joshua had P1 000. He watched 2 movies. If each movie ticket costs x pesos, find an
algebraic expression for the amount of money left.
Joshua had 1000 – 2x left

7. Geraldine collected x PET bottles last week. This week, she collected 100 PET bottles
more than last week. Write an algebraic expression for the number of PET bottles
Geraldine collected this week.
Geraldine collected x + 100 PET bottles this week
 8. Michael played 100 songs in his playlist this week. Last week, he played x number of
songs. Determine the algebraic expression that represents the total number of songs
Michael played in 2 weeks.
Michael played x + 100 songs in 2 weeks

9. Lance takes 5 hours to finish reading a book. Venn takes n hours less than Lance to finish
reading the same book. Write an expression for the number of hours it takes Venn to
finish reading the book.
It takes 5 – n hours for Venn to finish reading the book

10. Each side of a square of length x is increased by 1 cm. Write an expression for the
perimeter of the new square.
The perimeter of the new square is 4(x + 1) cm.
NOTE: formula for perimeter is P = 4s  4 times the length of the side

B. Do what is asked.

1. In an investment, let r be the rate of investment. Find an algebraic expression for the
interest earned after 2 years if the initial amount invested is P10 000. Then, compute
the amount of interest if the rate of investment is 5%.
The interest earned is 10,000r
If r = 5%, then 10,000 x .05 = 500

2. A triangle with unknown length of the base (b) has a height of 15 dm. Determine an
algebraic expression for the area of the triangle. Then, find the area of the triangle if the
base is 10 dm.
15 b
The area of the triangle is
2

15 x 10
If b = 10dm, then = 75 dm2
2

base x height
NOTE: the formula for area of the triangle is
2
 SOLVING ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

CONDITIONAL EQUATION - an equation that is true only for some values of the variable and
false for other values.

 To solve an equation, simply find a number that will make the equation true. One way to
do this is through the use of the guess-and-check strategy.

GUESS-AND-CHECK STRATEGY - is a procedure in which the value of the unknown variable is

initially guessed, then substituted into the equation, and checked if it satisfies the equation.

 If the equation is not satisfied, other values are tried until the correct solution is arrived
at. Sometimes, this method is also called the TRIAL-AND-ERROR METHOD.

Example:
Find the value of the variable in x + 4 = 9.

Solution:
x+4=9 Given
?+4=9 Think of a number that satisfies the value of the variable given the operation.
Therefore, x = 5. By checking, you will see that 5 + 4 is indeed equal to 9.

Example:
Find the value of the variable in x − 2 = 4 + 1.

Solution:
x − 2 = 4 + 1 Given
x−2=5 Add 4 + 1.
?−2=5 Think of a number that satisfies the value of the variable given the operation.
Therefore, x = 7. By checking, you will see that 7 − 2 = 4 + 1.
Aside from the guess-and-check strategy, you can also use a BALANCING SCALE WITH BLOCKS
AND BALLS (or models) to solve equations. In this method, the blocks represent variables and
balls represent constants.

Example:
4x + 5 is represented by:

This method is very helpful when the given equation is complicated, like 4x + 5 = 2x + 9.
With this, you can maintain the equality by removing the same number of blocks and balls on
both sides of the equation. Let us solve example 4 using this method.

If 2 blocks and 5 balls are removed from both expressions, the equation is still true.

If 2 blocks balance 4 balls, then 1 block balances 2 balls. Thus, x = 2.

SNAPSHOT

DIOPHANTUS OF ALEXANDRIA, a Greek mathematician, worked with equations as written in

his published work Arithmetica. His supporters sometimes call him the father of algebra.

However, there are also many accounts saying that Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Musa al-

Khwarizmi, a Persian, is the father of algebra because his work is much closer to the algebra

that we use today.

NUMLOCK

 Solving an equation means finding a number that makes the equation true.

 An equation can be solved using the guess-and-check strategy and balancing a scale

using blocks and balls

SKILL BUILDER (page 214)
1. Using the guess-and-check strategy, what is the value of the variable in the equation
5x − 2 = 3?

If x = 1:
5x – 2 = 3
5(1) – 2 = 3
5–2=3
3=3
x=1

2. Representing the equation 3x + 4 = 2x + 7 using blocks and balls, what is the value of the
variable?

Remove 2 blocks and 4 balls from both expressions:

This gives us:

x=3
Math Skills Milestone (page 215)
A. Do what is asked.
____F____ 1. 5x + 4 = 1 x=1
If x = 1
5(1) + 4 = 1
5+4=1
9=1
x is not equal to 1

____T____ 2. 3a – 2 = 4 a=2
If a = 2
3(2) – 2 = 4
6–2=4
4=4
a is equal to 2

____F____ 3. r – 7 = 1 r=6
If r = 6
6–7=1
-1 = 1
r is not equal to 6

____T____ 4. 4s + 1 = 13 s=3
If s = 3
4(3) + 1 = 13
12 + 1 = 13
13 = 13
s is equal to 3

7
____T____ 5. 2x – 2 = 5 x=
2
7
If x =
2
7
2( ) – 2 = 5
2
14
–2=5
2
7–2=5
5=5
7
x is equal to
2