Content Enrichment Algebra

Department of Science and Technology– Science Education Institute
Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (Project STAR)

Central Luzon State University
Content Enrichment in Mathematics
REVISITING ALGEBRA:
CONCEPTS & MISCONCEPTIONS
JOREM JORDAN M. CAWAGAS
Math Faculty, Department of Mathematics and Physics
WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY
ALGEBRA?
v Exercises the mind
v Develops the ability to approach and

solve problems in a rational manner

1 Algebraic Expressions
2 Rational Expressions
CONTENTS 3 Exponents and Radicals

Algebraic
Expressions
1.1 Basic Definitions
1.2 Writing Algebraic Expressions
1.3 Order of Operations
1.4 Operations on Algebraic
Expressions

Variable
A symbol, such as 𝑥 and 𝑦, that assumes any value
Constant
A symbol that represents a definite mathematical quantity
Term
A variable, a constant or a product of variables and constants.
Literal Coefficients
The variables of a term
Numerical Coefficients
Any number with which we multiply a variable in a term


Algebraic Expression
A mathematical expression that involves constants, variables, and the basic
operations of algebra
Monomial
An algebraic expression with only one
term.
Multinomial
An algebraic expression with more
than one term.
Binomial
An algebraic expression of two terms
Trinomial
An algebraic expression of three terms

Polynomial
A polynomial (in one variable) is an algebraic expression that consist of
terms in the form 𝒂𝒙𝒏 where 𝑛 is a non-negative (i.e. positive or zero)
integer and 𝑎 is a real number and is called the coefficient of the term.
𝒂𝟎 + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + … + 𝒂𝒏%𝟏 𝒙𝒏%𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏
The degree of a polynomial in one variable is the largest exponent in the

polynomial.
6𝑥 && + 4𝑥 ' − 2𝑥 ( + 19𝑥 + 1 Degree: 11

1 ) 2 *
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 2&+ Degree: 3
200 𝜋
47𝑥 ), Degree: 24
7𝑥 − 5 Degree: 1
−9 Degree: 0

Not Polynomials!
6𝑥 # + 13𝑥 $% − 1 Variable has a negative exponent
𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 𝑥" Exponent is not a non-negative integer
4
+ 𝑥& − 5 Variable has a negative exponent
𝑥
Is this a polynomial?
! !
5 " 2 ""
7𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 13 456
12 6

Polynomial (in two variables)

A polynomial in two variables is an algebraic expression that consist of
terms in the form 𝒂𝒙𝒏 𝒚𝒎 where 𝑛 and 𝑚 are non-negative (i.e. positive or
zero) integers and 𝑎 is a real number and is called the coefficient of the
term.
The degree of each term of a polynomial in two variable is the sum of the
exponents in each term.
𝑥𝑦 ) + 7𝑥 ) 𝑦 . − 2𝑥 − 10𝑦 ( + 1 Degree: 11
1 ,
𝑥 + 3𝑥 * 𝑦 − 2𝑦 , Degree: 4
2
17𝑥 &) − 15𝑦 , + 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 Degree: 12

1.2 Writing Algebraic Expressions
The following are commonly used “key words” that imply certain operations
Out of
Percent/ Per
5 less a number 5−𝑥

5 less than a number 𝑥−5
5 is less than a number 5<𝑥

GROUPS
01 Perform operations inside
POWERS grouping symbols.
Evaluate all powers.
02
MULTIPLICATION/ DIVISION
03 Multiply and/or divide from left
ADDITION/ SUBTRACTION to right.
Add and/or subtract from

left to right. 04
Simplify the following expression.

12 + 3& − 4(10 ÷ 2)
= 12 + 3& − 4(10 ÷ 2) Simplify the terms inside the grouping symbols
= 12 + 3& − 4(5) Simplify the term with a power

= 12 + 9 − 4(5) Multiply the numbers
= 12 + 9 − 20 Add 12+9
= 21 − 20 Subtract
=𝟏

1.4 Operations on Algebraic Expressions
Distributive Law
Let 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ, then 𝑎 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐 or 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏𝑐
Example. Perform the indicated operation for each of the following.
(a) Add 7𝑥 # − 10𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 20 to 14𝑥 " − 11𝑥 + 13
(b) Simplify 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 3 − 7𝑥 + 2

(a) Add 7𝑥 # − 10𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 20 to 14𝑥 " − 11𝑥 + 13
Solution:
= (7𝑥 # − 10𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 20) + (14𝑥 " − 11𝑥 + 13)
= 7𝑥 # + −10 + 14 𝑥 " + (1−11) x + ( − 20 + 13)
= 7𝑥 # + 4 𝑥 " + −10 𝑥 + −7
= 7𝑥 # + 4𝑥 " − 10𝑥 − 7

(b) Simplify 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 3 − 7𝑥 + 2
Solution:
= 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 3 − 7𝑥 + 2
= 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 3 − 7𝑥 + 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 ≠ −2𝑥 − 3
= 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 + 2𝑥 − 3 + 7𝑥 + 2
= 3 + 2 + 7 𝑥 − 5𝑦 + (−3 + 2)
= 12𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 1

Laws of Exponents
Product of Powers 𝑎' ⋅ 𝑎( = 𝑎')(
Power of a Product 𝑎⋅𝑏 ' = 𝑎' ⋅ 𝑎(

𝑎 ' 𝑎'
Power of a Quotient = '
𝑏 𝑏
Power of a Power 𝑎' ( = 𝑎'(
𝑎789 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 > 𝑛
Quotient of Powers
6! 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 = 𝑛 , 𝑎( ≠ 0
=
6" :
6"#! 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 < 𝑛

Illustrations. Simplify each of the following expressions.
(a) 3𝑥𝑦 & "
Solution 1: Solution 2:
= (3𝑥𝑦 &)(3𝑥𝑦 &)(3𝑥𝑦 &) = 3"𝑥 "𝑦 &(") 𝑦& " ≠ 𝑦 &)" ≠ 𝑦 #
=3⋅3⋅3⋅𝑥⋅𝑥⋅𝑥 ⋅ 𝑦& ⋅ 𝑦& ⋅ 𝑦& = 27𝑥 "𝑦 +
= 3*)*)* ⋅ 𝑥 *)*)* ⋅ 𝑦 &)&)&
= 3" ⋅ 𝑥 " ⋅ 𝑦 +
= 27𝑥 "𝑦 +


;
;$ < %
(b)
=& > $
Solution 1: Solution 2:
" ! &
2"𝑥 ! 2"𝑥 ! 2 𝑥
= & " =
3 𝑦 3&𝑦 " 3&𝑦 "
2"2"𝑥 !𝑥 ! 2"(&) 𝑥 !(&)

= & & " " = &(&) "(&)
3 3 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑦
2+𝑥 . 64𝑥 . 2+𝑥 . 64𝑥 .
= ! + = = ! + =
3 𝑦 81𝑦 + 3 𝑦 81𝑦 +

(c) 4 𝑥 + 2 &
Solution:
=4 𝑥+2 &
= 4(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) 4 𝑥+2 & ≠ 4𝑥 + 8 &
= 4(𝑥 & + 4𝑥 + 4)
= 4𝑥 & + 4(4𝑥) + 4(4)
= 4𝑥 & + 16𝑥 + 16

(d) 5𝑥 − 4𝑦 &
Solution:
= 5𝑥 − 4𝑦 &
= 5𝑥 & − 2 5𝑥 4𝑦 + 4𝑦 & 5𝑥 − 4𝑦 & ≠ 5𝑥 & − 4𝑦 &
= 25𝑥 & − 40𝑥𝑦 + 16𝑦 &

Rational
Expressions
§ Basic Definitions
§ Simplification of Rational Expressions
§ Multiplication and Division of Rational
Expressions
§ Addition and Subtraction of Rational
Expressions
Rational Expression
A rational expression is the ratio of two polynomials 𝑁 and 𝐷 where 𝐷 ≠ 0,
/
expressed as
0
7 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥−2
𝑥−1 𝑥& − 1 𝑥& − 4
𝑥 " + 4𝑥 & − 3𝑥 𝑥 & + 7𝑥 − 6

2𝑥 ! + 5𝑥 " − 5𝑥 − 2 1
Remark: A rational expression is in simplest form if the numerator and

denominator have no common factors.

Rational Expression
A rational expression is the ratio of two polynomials 𝑁 and 𝐷 where 𝐷 ≠ 0,
/
expressed as
0
7 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥−2
𝑥−1 𝑥& − 1 𝑥& − 4
𝑥 " + 4𝑥 & − 3𝑥 𝑥 & + 7𝑥 − 6

2𝑥 ! + 5𝑥 " − 5𝑥 − 2 1
Remark: A rational expression is in simplest form if the numerator and

denominator have no common factors.

2.2 Simplification of Rational Expressions
Principle of Multiplicative Cancellation

!" !
For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑐 ≠ 0, =
#" #
Illustrations:
:B D :B D(;) D
:C
can be simplified as since
E :C
= E(;) = E
CH; C
≠ since you cannot cancel 2 because 2 is not a factor (but a term!)
E⋅; E
Remark: Only common factors (NOT TERMS!) are to be cancelled.

Steps in Simplifying Rational Expressions

1) Factor both the numerator and denominator, if possible.
2) Apply multiplicative cancellation.
Example. Simplify the following rational expressions.
$%&'% %&( &(%&') %&$ %&'

(a) (c) (e)
$% %&( %&'
$%⋅'% % ! ,- ! %,(-&% ! ,$- !

(b) (d) (f)
$% % ! ,%- % ! ,$- !

$%&'% $%⋅'%
(a) (b)
$% $%
Solution: Solution:
4𝑥 + 3𝑥 4𝑥 ⋅ 3𝑥
= =
4𝑥 4𝑥
7𝑥 12𝑥 &
= =
4𝑥 4𝑥
7 = 3𝑥
=
4

%&( &(%&') % ! ,- !
(c) (d)
%&( % ! ,%-
Solution: Solution:
𝑥 + 2 + (𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 + 𝑦)
= =
(𝑥 + 2) 𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑦)
𝑥+𝑥+2+3 𝑥+𝑦
= =
𝑥+2 𝑥
2𝑥 + 5
=
𝑥+2

%&$ %&' %,(-&% ! ,$- !

(e) (f)
%&' % ! ,$- !
Solution: Solution:
(𝑥 + 4)𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + (𝑥 & − 4𝑦 &)
= =
𝑥+3 (𝑥 & − 4𝑦 &)
𝑥 & + 4𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + (𝑥 − 2𝑦)(𝑥 + 2𝑦)
= =
𝑥+3 (𝑥 − 2𝑦)(𝑥 + 2𝑦)
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)
= 𝑥 − 2𝑦 (1 + (𝑥 + 2𝑦))
𝑥+3 =
(𝑥 − 2𝑦)(𝑥 + 2𝑦)
=𝑥+1
1 + 𝑥 + 2𝑦
=
𝑥 + 2𝑦
2.3 Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions
Product of Quotients
! " !"
For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑑 ≠ 0, ⋅ =
# . #.
Quotient of Quotients
! " ! . !.
For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ≠ 0, ÷ = ⋅ =
# . # " #"
Special Cases of Division
𝑎 𝑎𝑏 𝑎
𝑏
≠ 𝑏 ≠ 𝑎𝑐
𝑐
𝑐 𝑐 𝑏

Product of Quotients
! " !"
For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑑 ≠ 0, ⋅ =
# . #.
Quotient of Quotients
! " ! . !.
For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ≠ 0, ÷ = ⋅ =
# . # " #"
Special Cases of Division
𝑎 𝑎
𝑎 1 𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐 𝑏 =𝑎⋅1= 𝑎
= = ⋅ =
𝑏 𝑏 1 𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑏 𝑐 𝑏𝑐
𝑐 𝑐

%,- % ! ,$- ! % ! ,/ ',%

(a) ⋅ (b) ÷
%&(- % ! ,- ! % ! &0%&1 %&(
Solution: Solution:
𝑥 − 𝑦 ⋅ (𝑥 + 2𝑦)(𝑥 − 2𝑦) 𝑥& − 9 𝑥+2
= = & ⋅
𝑥 + 2𝑦 ⋅ (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦) 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 6 3 − 𝑥
𝑥 − 2𝑦 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3) 𝑥 + 2
= = ⋅
𝑥+𝑦 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 2) 3 − 𝑥
𝑥−3
=
3−𝑥
𝑥−3 𝑥−3
= = = −1
−𝑥 + 3 −1(𝑥 − 3)
2.4 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions
Sum of Rational Expressions

For any 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ, with 𝑏, 𝑐 ≠ 0,
6 86 6 6 J 6HJ
(1) − = = 8J (2) + =
J J K K K
Least Common Multiple (LCM)

The Least Common Multiple (LCM) of a series of terms
is the smallest positive number that is exactly divisible by each
of the terms.

Steps in Finding the least Common Denominator
(1) Factor all the denominators.
(2) Write down each factor that appears at least once in any of the
denominators.
(3) For each factor written down in the previous step write down the largest
power that occurs in all the denominators containing that factor.
(4) The product of all the factors from step 3 is the least common
denominator.

Illustrations. Find the least common multiple of the following terms.
(a) Find LCM (3𝑥, 27𝑥 &, 4𝑥 ")

Solution: 3𝑥 = 3 ⋅ 𝑥
27𝑥 & = 3" ⋅ 𝑥 &
4𝑥 " = 2& ⋅ 𝑥 "
LCM 3𝑥, 27𝑥 &, 4𝑥 " = 3" ⋅ 2& ⋅ 𝑥 "
(b) Find LCM (𝑥 & − 4, 2𝑥 & − 7𝑥 + 6)

Solution: 𝑥 & − 4 = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
2𝑥 & − 7𝑥 + 6 = (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
LCM(𝑥 & − 4, 2𝑥 & − 7𝑥 + 6) = (𝑥 + 2)(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)

% ' (
Simplify the following − +
% ! ,(%&2 %,2 %&(
Solution:
𝑥 3 2
= &−𝑥−1+𝑥+2
𝑥−1
𝑥(𝑥 + 2) 3(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) 2 𝑥−1 &
= & − & +
𝑥 − 1 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 1 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥(𝑥 + 2) 3(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) 2 𝑥−1 &

= & − & +
𝑥 − 1 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 1 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 𝑥+2 −3 𝑥−1 𝑥+2 +2 𝑥−1 &
=
𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
% ' (
Simplify the following − +
% ! ,(%&2 %,2 %&(
Solution:
𝑥 𝑥+2 −3 𝑥−1 𝑥+2 +2 𝑥−1 &
=
𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 & + 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 & + 𝑥 − 2 + 2(𝑥 & − 2𝑥 + 1)
=
𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 & + 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 & − 3𝑥 + 6 + 2𝑥 & − 4𝑥 + 2
=
𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
−5𝑥 + 8
=
𝑥 − 1 &(𝑥 + 2)
Exponents &
Radicals
§ Zero and Negative Integer
Exponents
§ Rational Exponents and Radicals
§ Simplification of Radicals
§ Operations on Radicals
3.1 Zero and Negative Exponents
Let’s have some brain exercise!
(a) 3& (b) 3$& (c) −3& (d) −3$&
(f) (−4)$" (g) −41 (h) (−4)1 (i) 01

Let’s have some brain exercise!
(a) 3& (b) 3$& (c) −3& (d) −3$&

1 1
9 −9 −
9 9
(f) (−4)$" (g) −41 (h) (−4)1 (i) 01
1 −1 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
− 1
64

Other laws of Exponents

.
𝑎 %/ 𝑏 / 𝑎 %. 𝑏 𝑏.
= = = .
𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑎
%/
1 %&+
1 1
𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏 = =
𝑎𝑏 / 𝑎𝑏 &+ 𝑎&+ 𝑏&+
1 1
%/ = 𝑎/ %* = 𝑎*
𝑎 𝑎
𝑎%/ 𝑏 0 𝑎%, 𝑏 (
%0 = / =
𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 %( 𝑎,
𝑎0 𝑏/ 1 = 𝑎01 𝑏 /1 𝑎) 𝑏* , = 𝑎)(,) 𝑏 *(,) = 𝑎4 𝑏&)
1 )
𝑎0 𝑎01 𝑎* 𝑎*()) 𝑎5
= = (()) = &+
𝑏/ 𝑏 /1 𝑏( 𝑏 𝑏
Illustrations. Simplify the following.
C6 $ J #'
(a) Simplify
;6 #% J (
Solution:
C6 $ 6 % T6 ) 𝑎, moves to numerator as 𝑎,
= = 𝑏 %5 moves to denominator as 𝑏 5
;J ( J ' J)
$"
2!
(b) Simplify
"3#
Solution:
= $ Invert the fraction and change the
=> ( =$ > ( ;U> *(
= = = sign of the exponent
<$ <$ $ <+
Illustrations. Simplify the following.
;#& H=#& 2%) + 3%) 2* + 3*

(c) Simplify ≠ )
;#$ 8=#$ %*
2 −3 %* 2 − 3)
Solution:
" "
&
!! #!
= " "
,
!# ##
" "
& ⋅(# '# 0$&($ 34
!! #!
= " " = =
, ⋅(# '# (3,4 2/
!# ##

3.2 Rational Exponents and Radicals
If 𝑘 ∈ ℤ), the 𝑛45 root of a number 𝑎 is the number

𝑏 if and only if 𝑏 ( = 𝑎. In symbols,
"
𝑎 =
$
$
𝑎 = 𝑏 provided that 𝑏 ( = 𝑎
§ The symbol $
𝑎 is called the radical of order 𝑛 (principal 𝑛45 root of 𝑎)
§ The symbol is called the radical sign
§ 𝑛 is called the index
§ 𝑎 is called the radicand

Here are some illustrations!

"
(a) 25 = 25 = 5 because 5& = 25
% 5 is the principal square root of 25
"
(b) −(25) = − 25 = −5 because (−5)&= 25
% −5 is the neg. sq. root of 25
"
!
(c) 64 =
! 64 = 4 because 4" = 64 4 is the principal and the only
real root
"
# #
(d) −243 # = −243 = −3 because −3 = 243 −3 is the principal and only 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 root

Some Generalizations about 𝑛45 Root of a Real Number 𝑎
§ 𝑛 is an even positive integer

(a) All positive real numbers have exactly two real 𝑛45 roots, one
positive and one negative
(b) Negative real numbers do not have real 𝑛45 roots.
§ 𝑛 is an odd positive integer greater than 1
(a) Positive real numbers have exactly one real 𝑛45 root, and it is
positive
(b) Negative real numbers have exactly one real 𝑛45 root, and it is
negative
$
§ 𝑛 is even or odd, 0=0

Whenever the power of 𝑎 is defined, we define

( " '
$ '
𝑎 = 𝑎
$ $ = 𝑎' = $
𝑎
! ! "
(a) 4 =
% 4" = 64 = 8 or 4 = % 4 = 2 " =8
& +
# +
(b) (−25) =
# −32 = −2 = 64
! ! "
.* $' +&# ' ' +&# # " *&#
(c) = = = =
+&# .* .* " &%

3.3 Simplification of Radicals
Laws of Radicals
If 𝑚 and 𝑛 are positive integers and 𝑎 and 𝑏
are positive integers whenever 𝑚 or 𝑛 is even,
then /
!
& & /
𝑎/ = !
𝑎 / =𝑎 /
𝑎 / = 𝑎/ = 𝑎/ =𝑎
! ! ! & & &

𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎⋅ 𝑏 𝑎𝑏 / = 𝑎/ ⋅ 𝑏/
! & &
! 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 / 𝑎/
= ! =
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 &
𝑏/
&
! ! "! & 0 &
𝑎= 𝑎 𝑎/ = 𝑎0/

Radicals in Simplest Forms

A radical is in simplest form if each of the
following conditions are satisfied.
(a) The radicand does not contain a factor that is a perfect 𝑛45 power, where
the index is 𝑛.
(b) The radicand does not contain fractions; or the denominator does not
contain a radical
(c) The radical is expressed in the smallest possible index.
(d) All exponents in the radicand must be less than the index.

Here are some illustrations.

!
(a) Simplify 24𝑥 #𝑦 %
Solution:
!
= 24𝑥 #𝑦 %
=
!
(8𝑥 "𝑦 +)(3𝑥 &𝑦) group all perfect cubes
! !
= (8𝑥 "𝑦 +) ⋅ (3𝑥 &𝑦)
! remove all perfect cubes from
= 2𝑥𝑦 & (3𝑥 &𝑦) the radical

# %
(b) Simplify
.>! ?)
Solution:
( U
=
C6 $ J )
( U ;& 6 & J $ Make the denominator a perfect 545
= ;$ 6 $ J )
⋅ ;& 6 & J $
power
( U⋅;& ⋅6 & ⋅J $
=
;( 6 ( J *,
(
;C6 & J $
=
;6J &


"#
(c) Simplify 32𝑥 *1𝑦 &1
Solution:
"#
= 2#𝑥 *1𝑦 &1
! # $ $ ($
= 2#𝑥 *1𝑦 &1 Apply 𝑎= 𝑎
!
= 2𝑥 &𝑦 !
!
= 𝑦 2𝑥 &𝑦

3.4 Operations on Radicals
Similar Radicals
Two or more radicals are said to be similar
if they have the same indices and radicands.
(a) Find the sum of 4 48 + 3 75 − 5 8 + 2 32
Solution:
= 4 16 ⋅ 3 + 3 25 ⋅ 3 − 5 4 ⋅ 2 + 2 16 ⋅ 2
= 4(4) 3 + 3(5) 3 − 5(2) 2 + 2(4) 2
= 16 3 + 15 3 − 10 2 + 8 2
= 16 + 15 3 + −10 + 8 2 = 31 3 − 2 2

3.4 Operations on Radicals
' ' ' '

(b) Find the sum of 𝑎#𝑏𝑐 % + 16𝑎𝑏 #𝑐 " + 3𝑎"𝑏 &𝑐 . + 48𝑎%𝑏 +
Solution:
' ' ' '
= (𝑎!𝑐 !)𝑎𝑏𝑐 " + (2!𝑏 !)𝑎𝑏𝑐 " + (𝑐 .)3𝑎"𝑏 & + (2!𝑎!𝑏 !)3𝑎"𝑏 &
' ' ' '
= ac 𝑎𝑏𝑐 " + 2𝑏 𝑎𝑏𝑐 " + 𝑐 & 3𝑎"𝑏 & + 2𝑎𝑏 3𝑎"𝑏 &
' '
= (ac + 2b) 𝑎𝑏𝑐 " + (𝑐 & + 2𝑎𝑏) 3𝑎"𝑏 &

References
Dawkins, P. (2007). College Algebra.
Green PPT: Vector Designed By Windy from <a

href='https://pptdaily.com/'>Powerpoint from
PPTdaily</a>

THANK YOU
MABUHAY ANG MGA GURO!

Content Enrichment Algebra

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Department of Science and Technology– Science Education Institute

Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (Project STAR)

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

v Develops the ability to approach and

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

CONTENTS 3 Exponents and Radicals

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

The degree of a polynomial in one variable is the largest exponent in the

6𝑥 && + 4𝑥 ' − 2𝑥 ( + 19𝑥 + 1 Degree: 11

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 𝑥" Exponent is not a non-negative integer

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Polynomial (in two variables)

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

5 less a number 5−𝑥

5 is less than a number 5<𝑥

Add and/or subtract from

Simplify the following expression.

= 12 + 3& − 4(5) Simplify the term with a power

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Example. Perform the indicated operation for each of the following.

(a) Add 7𝑥 # − 10𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 20 to 14𝑥 " − 11𝑥 + 13

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

(a) Add 7𝑥 # − 10𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 20 to 14𝑥 " − 11𝑥 + 13

= 7𝑥 # + −10 + 14 𝑥 " + (1−11) x + ( − 20 + 13)

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Power of a Product 𝑎⋅𝑏 ' = 𝑎' ⋅ 𝑎(

Power of a Power 𝑎' ( = 𝑎'(

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Illustrations. Simplify each of the following expressions.

(a) 3𝑥𝑦 & "

=3⋅3⋅3⋅𝑥⋅𝑥⋅𝑥 ⋅ 𝑦& ⋅ 𝑦& ⋅ 𝑦& = 27𝑥 "𝑦 +

= 3*)*)* ⋅ 𝑥 *)*)* ⋅ 𝑦 &)&)&

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Illustrations. Simplify each of the following expressions.

2"2"𝑥 !𝑥 ! 2"(&) 𝑥 !(&)

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Illustrations. Simplify each of the following expressions.

= 4(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) 4 𝑥+2 & ≠ 4𝑥 + 8 &

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Illustrations. Simplify each of the following expressions.

= 5𝑥 & − 2 5𝑥 4𝑦 + 4𝑦 & 5𝑥 − 4𝑦 & ≠ 5𝑥 & − 4𝑦 &

= 25𝑥 & − 40𝑥𝑦 + 16𝑦 &

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

𝑥 " + 4𝑥 & − 3𝑥 𝑥 & + 7𝑥 − 6

Remark: A rational expression is in simplest form if the numerator and

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

𝑥 " + 4𝑥 & − 3𝑥 𝑥 & + 7𝑥 − 6

Remark: A rational expression is in simplest form if the numerator and

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Principle of Multiplicative Cancellation

Remark: Only common factors (NOT TERMS!) are to be cancelled.

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

Steps in Simplifying Rational Expressions

Example. Simplify the following rational expressions.

$%&'% %&( &(%&') %&$ %&'

$%⋅'% % ! ,- ! %,(-&% ! ,$- !

Content Enrichment in Mathematics

= 3))* ⋅ 𝑥 ))* ⋅ 𝑦 &)&)&