TOPIC 8

Day 1
Algebraic expressions
Page 74

Interpret and simplify algebraic expressions

In topic 6 you learnt some of the rules for working with algebraic expressions. In this
topic, we will revise the rules and practice simplifying algebraic expressions.
The letters that are used in the place of an unknown quantity are called variables.
The number in front of the letter(s) or variable(s) is called the coefficient and be
positive or negative.

-9𝑎2𝑏3𝐶 : -9 is the coefficient; a, b and c are the variables.

72𝑝𝑞 : 72 is the coefficient; 𝒑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒒 are the variables.

An expression with one term is called a monomial.

For example, -5𝑎2𝑏3𝑐

An expression with two terms is called a binomial.

For example, 40𝑥 + 20𝑦 or 2(𝑥 + 𝑦) - 5𝑎2𝑏 are binomials.

An expression with three terms is called a trinomial.

For example, 15𝑥𝑦 - 5𝑥𝑦𝑧 +7𝑥 is a trinomial.

Polynomial:
An expression made up of the sum or difference of terms.
(poly) means many and comes from the Greek polus, which means ‘much’

You can add or subtract like terms but you cannot add or subtract unlike terms.
Exercise 8.1 page 75

1|Page Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

Example of question 2.d, 2.c, 3.a, 4.f
2. Write down whether these polynomials are monomials, binomials or trinomials.
2.c) 2𝑎 + (3𝑎 – 4)𝑏2
Answer: Binomial. There are two terms in the expression.
2.d) 24mn – 6(mn)2 – 2
Answer: Trinomial. There are three terms in the expression.

3. Simplify if possible. Hint:

3.a) 26𝑎 + 4𝑎 - 8𝑎  Add the like terms together.

Answer: 22𝑎

4.Simplify if possible. Hint:

4.f) 7𝑐𝑑 + 4𝑑𝑓 + 3𝑐𝑑 – 4𝑑𝑓  Group all the like terms
= 7𝑐𝑑 + 3𝑐𝑑 + 4𝑑𝑓 – 4𝑑𝑓 together and then add or
= 10𝑐𝑑 + 0𝑑𝑓 subtract if possible.
= 10𝑐𝑑

Homework: Exercise 8.1 Page 75

Question 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Day 2
Algebraic expressions
Interpret and simplify
Page 76
Refer back to day to for the definitions if needed.
Example: Hint:
Given the expression 8𝑥4 + 4𝑥 – 3𝑥2 – 12 + 𝑥3  Arrange the expression
according to their exponent
a) Write the expression in descending powers of x. power.
Answer: 8𝑥4 + 𝑥3 – 3𝑥2 + 4𝑥 – 12
Hint:
b) How many terms does this expression have?  Terms are separated by addition
Answer: 5 terms or subtraction signs

c) What is the value of the constant term?

Answer: -12
Hint:
Constant term:
d) Write down the coefficient of 𝑥3 term.
 Terms that does not include a
(Coefficient: the number in front of the variable)
variable.
Answer: +1
 Remember the negative sign.
e) What is the exponent of the first term?
Answer: 4

Homework: Exercise 8.2 Page 76

Question 1, 2 and 3

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Day 3
Algebraic expressions
Adding and subtracting like terms
Page 77

When adding or subtracting like term, you can group the like terms of an expression
together and add them.

Writing expressions in descending powers of x:

The expression 3𝑥4 + 2𝑥3 + 4𝑥2 + 𝑥 – 2 consists of five terms written in descending
powers of x (from highest exponent to lowest).

Example:
Simplify the following expression by adding or subtracting like terms:
3𝑥4 + 2𝑥3 - 7𝑥 + 6 + 5𝑥 4 + 4𝑥2 + 𝑥 – 2 Hint:

 If there is no value in front of

Answer: the 𝑥, it means there’s a 1.
= 1𝑥
3𝑥4 + 5𝑥 4 + 2𝑥3 + 4𝑥2 -7x + 1x + 6 – 2  First, group all the like terms
together according to their
= 8𝑥4 + 2𝑥3 + 4𝑥2 - 6𝑥 + 4
variables and exponents.
 Add or subtract the like terms.

Homework: Exercise 8.3 Page 77

Question 1, 2 and 3

NB!

(+) + (+) = (+) The sum (adding) of two positive terms is positive

(-) + (-) = (-) The sum of two negative terms is negative.

(+) + (-) = + OR - When you add positive or negative terms, the sign of the answer
depends on the size of the coefficient of the terms.

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 Day 4
Algebraic expressions
Adding and subtracting like terms
Page 78

Example:

Subtract (3𝑥 + 8𝑦 - 10𝑧) from (7𝑥 -12𝑦 + 18𝑧).

The signs of the terms change
First write the expression that comes after the word “from”
when there is a minus sign in
Answer: front of the bracket.

(7𝑥 -12𝑦 + 18𝑧) - (3𝑥 + 8𝑦 - 10𝑧)

When you subtract expressions, change the signs of the second expression before simplifying.
= 7𝑥 - 12𝑦 + 18𝑧 -3𝑥 - 8𝑦 + 10𝑧
Group all the like terms
= 7𝑥 - 3𝑥 - 12𝑦 - 8𝑦 + 18𝑧 + 10𝑧 together and then simplify as
far as possible.
= 4𝑥 - 20𝑦 + 28𝑧

Homework: Exercise 8.4 Page 78

Question 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Day 5
Algebraic expressions
Multiply and divide in expressions
Page 79

 Any term multiplied or divided by 1 remains the same.

o -36𝑎 3𝑏 × 1 = - 36𝑎 3𝑏 and -36𝑎 3𝑏 ÷ 1 = 36𝑎 3𝑏
 Any term multiplied by 0 is zero.
o -36𝑎 3𝑏 × 0 = 0
 You cannot divide terms by zero because the answer is undefined.
o -36𝑎 3𝑏 ÷ 0 = undefined

Key word:
Expanded expression- Multiplying out the brackets from a factorized expression.

Example: Expand (multiplying out) the expression and simplify where possible.

4(2𝑏 – 3𝑐) + 2(𝑏 + 6𝑐)

Answer: First multiply out the brackets with the sign or number in front of it.
= 8𝑏 - 12𝑐 + 2𝑏 + 12𝑐

Now group like terms together and simplify

= 8𝑏 + 2𝑏 - 12𝑐 + 12𝑐
= 10𝑏 + 0𝑐
=10 𝑏
NB! Remember exponent laws when doing the exercise:

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Homework: Exercise 8.5 Page 80
Question 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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Day 6
Algebraic expressions
Revision Exercise
Page 81

Homework: Revision exercise Page 81

All of the questions

Memo of exercise 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and Revision Exercise

Memo for Exercise 8.1

1.a) -13𝑥2 𝑦 + 52 𝑦 a) 2𝑎 2 - 3𝑏2 + 16
= Binomial = Trinomial
1
c) 𝑦 + 𝑦2 + 12 d) - 𝑥𝑦𝑧3
2
= Trinomial
= Monomial

2.a) -𝑥𝑦𝑧 b) 17𝑎2𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑐𝑑 -112𝑎𝑐

= Monomial = Trinomial

b) 2𝑎 + (3𝑎 - 4)𝑏2 d)24𝑚𝑛 – 6(𝑚𝑛)2 – 2

= Binomial = Binomial

e) (3𝑎 -4𝑏 + 6𝑐) f) 41𝑏𝑐 + 42𝑏𝑑 - 43𝑎𝑐

= Monomial =Trinomial

NB! You can only add or subtract like

terms
3.b) 17𝑥 -12𝑥 +33𝑥
3.a) 26𝑎 + 4𝑎 - 8𝑎 = 38𝑥
= 22𝑎
3.d)15𝑎𝑏𝑐 - 22𝑏𝑐𝑎 + 13𝑎𝑐𝑏
3.c) 3𝑎 - 2𝑎2 𝑎𝑏𝑐 is the same as 𝑏𝑐𝑎
cannot simplify further. No like terms = 6𝑎𝑏𝑐
= 3𝑎 - 2𝑎2
3.f)10𝑚2𝑛 - 6𝑚2𝑛 + 4𝑚2𝑛
3.e) 𝑦 + 2𝑦 - 3𝑦 = 8𝑚2𝑛
In front of the first y is a 1
=0

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4.a) 2𝑎 -3𝑏 + 4𝑎 - 5𝑏 4.b) 6𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦 - 𝑥𝑦
group like terms together = 7𝑥𝑦
= 2𝑎 + 4𝑎 - 3𝑏 - 5𝑏
= 6a – 8b
4.d) 𝑛 + 𝑚 + 𝑛 + 𝑚
4.c) 𝑛 + 𝑛 + 𝑛 + 𝑛 =𝑛+𝑛+𝑚+𝑚
= 4𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 2𝑚

4.e) 9𝑠 − 𝑠 4.f) 7𝑐𝑑 + 4𝑑𝑓 + 3𝑐𝑑 − 4𝑑𝑓

= 8𝑠 = 7𝑐𝑑 + 3𝑐𝑑 + 4𝑑𝑓 − 4𝑑𝑓
= 10𝑐𝑑 + 0𝑑𝑓
= 10𝑐𝑑

Memo for Exercise 8.2 on Page 76

1.a) 5𝑥2 - 2𝑥3 + 3 - 6𝑥 1.b) 4𝑥3 + 13 – 𝑥3 + 4𝑥2

The sign in front of the constant is = +13
important
= +3

1.c) -2𝑥2 -2𝑥3 – 6 - 5𝑥3 1.d) -36 - 6𝑥 + 3𝑥3 - 12𝑥2

= -6
2.a) First simplify (group like terms
together).
7𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 3𝑥2 + 12 - 6𝑥 – 4 + 𝑥2
= 7𝑥2 - 3𝑥2 + 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 6𝑥 + 12 – 4
=5𝑥2 - 1𝑥 + 8
= -36
2.b) 3 terms in the simplified expression
2.c) The constant term is: +8
2.d) The coefficient of the 𝑥 term is: -1

Write in descending powers (exponents) 2.e) 5𝑥2 - 1𝑥 + 8

of 𝑥. Given 𝑥 = 1
= 5𝑥2 - 1𝑥 + 8
Answer:
5(1)2 - 1(1) + 8
= 5 -1 + 8
= 12

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 3.a) 3.b) Perimeter of a Rectangle:
Perimeter of a rectangle: = 2(𝑥 + 4) + 2(𝑥 − 1) (multiply in)
= 2(length) + 2(Width)

Given: Length = (𝑥 + 4)m = 2𝑥 + 8 + 2𝑥 − 2

The m is meter (𝑎𝑑𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)
Width = (𝑥 − 1)𝑚
= 4𝑥 + 6
3.c) Perimeter of rectangle: 4𝑥 + 6
Given: 𝑥 = 5𝑚

Answer: 4(5) + 6
= 20 + 6
= 26m

Memo for Exercise 8.3 on Page 77

1.a) - 𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥 – 6

b) Degree of a polynomial means the highest

exponent in the expression:
=3
2. If 𝑥 = 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = −2 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠:

2.a) 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 2.b) 𝑥𝑦2 - 2𝑥

= 4(3) − 3(−2) (- multiplied by – equals +) = (3)(-2)2 – 2(3)
= 12 + 6 = (3)(4) - 6
= 18 = 12 – 6
=6

2.c) 3𝑥2𝑦 + 2𝑦2 2.d) 4(2𝑦)2

= 3(3)2(−2) + 2(−2)2 { (3)2 = (3)×(3) } = 4(2(-2))2
= 3(9)(-2) + 2(4) = 4(-4)2
= 3(-18) + 8 = 4(16)
= -54 +8 = 64
= - 46
2.f) 𝑥3 – 𝑦3
2.e) (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = (3)3 – (-2)3
= (3 – (-2))2 = 27 – (-8)
= (3 + 2)2 = 27 + 8
= (5)2 = 35
= 25
3.a) 𝑥 + 4 3.b) 𝑥 + 𝑥
= 2𝑥
3.c) 𝑥 + 3𝑎

10 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

Memo for Exercise 8.4 on Page 78
1.a) (6𝑥 + 13𝑦 − 10𝑧) + (14𝑥 − 11𝑦 + 12𝑧)
= 6𝑥 + 13𝑦 − 10𝑧 + 14𝑥 − 11𝑦 + 12𝑧
Group like terms together
= 6𝑥 + 14𝑥 + 13𝑦 − 11𝑦 − 10𝑧 + 12𝑧
= 20𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 2𝑧

1.b) (𝑎 − 15𝑏 + 11𝑐) + (−8𝑎 + 17𝑏 − 11𝑐)

= 𝑎 − 15𝑏 + 11𝑐 − 8𝑎 + 17𝑏 − 11𝑐
Group like terms together
= 𝑎 − 8𝑎 − 15𝑏 + 17𝑏 + 11𝑐 − 11𝑐
= −7𝑎 + 2𝑏 + 0𝑐
= −7𝑎 + 2𝑏

1.c) (−4𝑚2 + 7𝑚 + 8) + (−3𝑚2 −8𝑚 − 9)

= −4𝑚2 + 7𝑚 + 8 − 3𝑚2 −8𝑚 − 9
Group like terms together.
= −4𝑚2 −3𝑚2 + 7𝑚 − 8𝑚 + 8 − 9
=−7𝑚2 − 1𝑚 − 1

1.d) (3𝑥2 – 4x – 6) + (-3𝑥2 +4𝑥 + 6)

= 3𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 – 6 -3𝑥2 +4𝑥 + 6
= 3𝑥 2 - 3𝑥2 – 4𝑥 + 4𝑥 – 6 + 6
=0

Important: When adding or subtracting two brackets, remember to multiply in the

sign in front of the brackets.

Subtract these polynomials.

 The negative sign in front of the
2.a) (15𝑎 + 24𝑏 + 13𝑐) − (12𝑎 + 18𝑏 + 11𝑐) bracket needs to be multiplied.
 The signs of the terms inside the
bracket will change.

= 15𝑎 + 24𝑏 + 13𝑐 − 12𝑎 − 18𝑏 − 11𝑐 (-) × (+) = (-) (+) × (+) =
Group all the like terms together (+)
= 15𝑎 − 12𝑎 + 24𝑏 − 18𝑏 + 13𝑐 − 11𝑐
(+) × (-) = (-)
= 3𝑎 + 6𝑏 + 2𝑐

2.b) (10𝑥 + 12𝑦 − 8𝑧) − (9𝑥 − 10𝑦 + 2𝑧)

= 10𝑥 + 12𝑦 − 8𝑧 − 9𝑥 + 10𝑦 − 2𝑧

= 10𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 12𝑦 + 10𝑦 − 8𝑧 − 2𝑧
= 1𝑥 + 22𝑦 − 10𝑧
2.c) (8𝑎 − 5𝑏 + 14𝑐) − (18𝑎 + 7𝑏 − 25𝑐)

11 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 = 8𝑎 − 5𝑏 + 14𝑐 − 18𝑎 − 7𝑏 + 25𝑐
= 8𝑎 − 18𝑎 − 5𝑏 − 7𝑏 + 14𝑐 + 25𝑐
= −10𝑎 − 12𝑏 + 29𝑐

2.d) (2𝑚2 – 6𝑚 + 9) − ( −2𝑚2 −12𝑚 − 9)

= 2𝑚2 – 6𝑚 + 9 + 2𝑚 2 + 12𝑚 + 9
= 2𝑚2 +2𝑚2 – 6𝑚 + 12𝑚 + 9 + 9
= +4𝑚2 – 18𝑚 + 18

3) (8𝑚 − 2𝑛 − 7𝑝) − (5𝑚 + 6𝑛 − 4𝑝)

= 8𝑚 − 2𝑛 − 7𝑝 − 5𝑚 − 6𝑛 + 4𝑝
= 8𝑚 − 5𝑚 − 2𝑛 − 6𝑛 − 7𝑝 + 4𝑝
=3𝑚 − 8𝑛 − 3𝑝

4) (𝑥2+ 7𝑥 − 9) − ( 2𝑥 2 – 3𝑥 + 4)
= 𝑥2 + 7𝑥 − 9 − 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 −4
= 𝑥2 −2𝑥2 + 7𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 9 – 4
=−1𝑥2 + 10𝑥 − 13

Memo for Exercise 8.5 on Page 80

Remember exponent laws
1.a) 12𝑚 × 30𝑚𝑛 1.b) 36𝑝2 ÷ 9𝑝
= 360𝑚 1+1 𝑛 36𝑝2
=
= 360𝑚2 𝑛 9𝑝
= 4p2-1
=4p1

1.c) 2𝑝 × 3𝑝2 × 4𝑝3 1.d) 144𝑥 2𝑦2 ÷ 12𝑥𝑦

= 24𝑝1+2+3 = 12𝑥2-1𝑦2-1
=24p6 = 12𝑥𝑦
2.a) 18𝑎 2𝑏3 × 2𝑎𝑏 ÷ 12𝑎 3𝑏2 2 b) 50c 2  25c  8c3
= 36𝑎 3𝑏4 ÷ 12𝑎 3𝑏2 50c 2
= 3𝑎0𝑏2   8c 3
=3𝑏 2 25c
 2c  8c 3
 16c 4

2 c) 2m  3mn  6n 2 d) 14 p 2  7 p  2 p3
 6m 2 n  6n 14 p 2
  2 p3
6m 2 n 7p

6n  2 p  2 p3
 1m 2
 4 p4

12 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 4𝑎+2𝑏 3𝑎+𝑎2
3.a) 3.b)
2 𝑎
4𝑎 2𝑏 3𝑎 𝑎2
= + = +
2 2 𝑎 𝑎
=3 +a
= 2a + b

6𝑥+1 6𝑎+18𝑏−12𝑐
3.c) 3.d)
𝑥 6

6𝑥 1 6𝑎 18𝑏 12𝑐
= +
=
6
+ 6 − 6
𝑥 𝑥
1
=6+ = a + 3b – 2c
𝑥
4.a) 3(5𝑥 + 6) 4.b) 8(𝑥 − 2𝑦)

= 15𝑥 + 18 = 8𝑥 − 16𝑦

4.c) -4(2𝑥 + 4) 4.d) – (𝑥 − 7𝑦)

= −8𝑥 − 16 = −𝑥 + 7𝑦
5.a) 3(𝑏 + 3) + 2(𝑏 − 6) 5.b) −(6 + 2𝑚) + 3(2𝑚 − 1)
= 3𝑏 + 9 + 2𝑏 − 12
= 3𝑏 + 2𝑏 + 9 − 12
= 5𝑏 − 3 = −6 − 2𝑚 + 6𝑚 − 3
= −6 − 3 − 2𝑚 + 6𝑚
= −9 + 4𝑚
5.c) 5(2𝑥 − 6) − 6(4𝑥 + 9) 5.d) 2(5𝑥 + 𝑦) − 3(𝑥 − 4𝑦)
= 10𝑥 − 30 −24� −54 = 10𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 12𝑦
= 10𝑥 −24�−30 − 54 = 10𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 12𝑦
= −12𝑥 − 84 = 7𝑥 + 14𝑦

Memo Revision Exercise on Page 81

1.a) Trinomial, three terms
b) not a polynomial 2.b) −7𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 11𝑥
= 2𝑥
2.)a) 12𝑎𝑏 + 5𝑎𝑏 − 18𝑎𝑏 2.c) 𝑎(3 − 2𝑎) Multiply in
= −1𝑎𝑏

= 3𝑎 − 2𝑎2
3) 3𝑥 − 7𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2𝑥2 + 15 − 6𝑥 − 9 + 3𝑥 3

3.a) group all the like terms together and then simplify
= 3𝑥 3 − 7𝑥2 − 2𝑥2 + 3𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 9 + 15
= − 9𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 6 + 3𝑥 3

3.b) 3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 6

3.c) the degree of the expression is the highest exponent in the expression.
Answer: 3

13 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 3.d) +6

3.e) -9

3.f) if x = -1
3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 6
= 3(−1)3 – 9(−1)2 + (−1) + 6
= -3 – 9 -1 +6
= -7
4.a) Perimeter of a rectangle: 2(length) + 2(width)
= 2(2𝑥 + 4) + 2(𝑥 - 3)

4.b) 2(2𝑥 + 4) + 2(𝑥 - 3)

= 4𝑥 + 8 + 2𝑥 − 6
= 6𝑥 + 2

4.c) if 𝑥 = 5𝑚
. 6𝑥 + 2
= 6(5) + 2
= 30 + 2
= 32 m

5.) (9𝑎 − 5𝑏 + 10𝑐) + (−8𝑎 + 12𝑏 − 10𝑐)

= 9𝑎 − 5𝑏 + 10𝑐 − 8𝑎 + 12𝑏 − 10𝑐
Group like terms together
= 9𝑎 − 8𝑎 − 5𝑏 + 12𝑏 + 10𝑐 − 10𝑐
= 1𝑎 + 7𝑏

6.) (11𝑚 − 3𝑛 − 𝑝) − (6𝑚 + 4𝑛 − 5𝑝)

Important. The negative in front of the bracket will influence all the terms inside the
bracket when you multiply it in.
= 11𝑚 − 3𝑛 − 𝑝 − 6𝑚 − 4𝑛 + 5𝑝
= 11𝑚 − 6𝑚 − 3𝑛 − 4𝑛 − 𝑝 + 5𝑝
= 5𝑚 − 7𝑛 + 4𝑝

7.) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 2𝑥 2𝑦 + 4𝑦2

= 2(−1)2(3) + 4(3)2
=2(3) + 4(9)
= 6 + 36
=42

8.a) 𝑥 + 6
8.b) 2𝑥

9.a) 9𝑎 2 𝑏3 × 2𝑎𝑏 ÷ 6𝑎3𝑏2

= 18𝑎 3𝑏 4 ÷ 6𝑎 3𝑏 2
= 3𝑏 2

14 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 9.b) 18𝑝2 ÷ 3𝑝 × 2 𝑝3
= 6 𝑝 × 2 𝑝3

= 12 𝑝4

3𝑎+6𝑏
10.a)
3
3𝑎 6𝑏
= +
3 3
= a + 2b
4𝑥+2
10.b)
𝑥
4x 2

x x
2
4
x
11.a) 4(𝑎 + 2) + 3(𝑎 − 5)

= 4𝑎 + 8 + 3𝑎 − 15
= 4𝑎 + 3𝑎 + 8 − 15
= 7𝑎 − 7

11.b) 3(2𝑥 − 7) − 5(3𝑥 + 6)

= 6𝑥 − 21 − 15𝑥 − 30
= 6𝑥 − 15𝑥 − 21 − 30
= −9𝑥 − 51

15 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 TOPIC 9
Day 7
Algebraic equations
Equations involving adding, subtracting, multiplication and division
To solve equations implies to find the value(s) for a variable that will make a
mathematical sentence true. Although it is sometimes possible to find the answer
mentally, sound mathematical practice involves solving equations by applying the
opposite operation or the operational inverse.
Examples:
The opposite of adding
1. 32 + x = 116
32 is subtracting 32
x = 116 – 32
x = 84

2. 6x = 108
The opposite of multiplying
108
x by 6 is dividing by 6
6
x  18

x
3.  18 The opposite of dividing by
12
12 is multiplying by 12
x = 18 × 12
x = 216

4. x  17  35 The opposite of subtracting 17

x = 35 + 17 is adding 17
x = 52

5. 4x – 16 = 36
4x = 36 + 16
4x = 52
52
x
4
x = 13

6. 3(2x + 4) = x – 18
6x + 12 = x – 18
6x – x = – 18 – 12
5x = – 30
30
x
5
x6

16 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

Exercise E1
Solve the following equations:
1. 8 + y = 25 2. 2x = 82
x
3. 3m = –48 4.  15
2
5. 27 + p = 43 6. 2n – 12 = –6
7. 3a = a + 8 8. 4(y – 2) = 16
9. 3e + 14 = 26 10. 2f – 10 = 40
11. x + 15 = 6 – 2x 12. 2c + 3 = c – 5
3x
13. 4r – 5 = 2r + 7 14.  15
2
15. 4(g – 3) = 2(g – 1)

Day 8
Algebraic equations
Equations involving exponents
The variable of the equation can be in the base or the exponent of the equation.
When the variable is in the base:
Before we start solving equations, we must remember that even exponents always
render positive answers – even where the base is negative; for example  3  81
4

as well as 34=81. Uneven exponents will render a negative answer where the base is
negative and a positive value if the base is positive; for example  3  243 and
5

35 = 243.
Examples
Even exponent
1. x  64
2

x   64
x  8
Uneven exponent
2. x  64
3

x  3 64
x4
Even exponent
3. x6  64
x   6 64
x  2

17 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 Uneven exponent

4. x3  64
x  3 64
x  4
Even exponent
5. x2  64
No answer
When the variable is in the exponent:
When solving exponential equations with the variable in the exponent, we aim to
write the both sides of the equation with the same base.
Examples

1. 2 x  32
2 x  25
x  5
2. 5x  125
5 x  53
x  3
3. 4 x  8
2 
x
2
 23
2 2 x  23
2x  3
3
x
2
Exercise E2
Solve for x:

1. 3x  9 2. 2 x  16
3. 3x  27 4. 2 x  64
5. 4 x  64 6. 4 x  32
7. 7 x  343 8. 25x  125
9. x 2  25 10. x3  27
11. x3  1728 12. x5  7776
13. 2 x 2  98 14. 32 x1  81
15. 3
x  2 16. 2 x  16
17. x  16
4

18 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

Day 9
Algebraic equations
Solve equations
Page 85
To solve equations, you need to perform inverse operations on the equation until you
have isolated the variable.
Remember to perform the same operation to both sides of the equation to keep it
balanced.

To solve equations, follow these steps.

Step 1: Multiply out any brackets and add any like terms together.
Step 2: Isolate the variable term by adding the additive inverse of the constant to both
sides of the equation.
Step 3: Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable term.
Step 4: Check your answer.

Example:
Solve the equation
1.c) 4𝑥 + 2 = 14
Answer: Follow the 4 steps to solve the equation.
Step 1: Multiply out any brackets and add any like terms together.
We have no brackets and no like terms to add.

Step 2: Isolate the variable term by adding the additive inverse of the constant to both sides
of the equation. (get x alone)

.4𝑥 + 2 = 14 (+2) and (-2) are additive inverses

4𝑥 + 2 − 2 = 14 − 2
This simplifies to 4𝑥 = 12
Step 3: Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable term.
4𝑥 ÷ 4 = 12 ÷ 4 (×4) and (÷ 4) are multiplicative inverses.
This simplifies to 𝑥 = 3
Step 4: Check your answer:
. 4𝑥 + 2 = 14

19 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

LHS = 4(3) + 2 RHS: = 14
=12 + 2
=14
LHS = RHS
Homework: Exercise 9.2 Page 85
All of the questions

Day 10
Algebraic equations
Revision
Page 87

Homework: Revision Exercise Page 87

All of the questions

Memo of exercise E1, E2, 9.2 and Revision Exercise

Memo for Exercise E1

Solve the following equations:
Answers:
Isolate the unknown value to solve it.
1.) 8 + 𝑦 = 25 (inverse of (+8) is (-8)) 2.) 2𝑥 = 82 (inverse of (×2) is (÷2))
𝑦 = 25 − 8 𝑥 = 41
.𝑦 = 17
𝑥
4.) = 15 (inverse of (÷2) is (×2))
2
3.) 3𝑚 = −48 (inverse of (×3) is (÷3)) 𝑥 = 15 × 2
.𝑚 = −16 . 𝑥 = 30
5) 27 + 𝑝 = 43 6) 2𝑛 − 12 = −6
. 𝑝 = 43 − 27 (inverse of (+27) is (-27)) . 2𝑛 = −6 + 12 (inverse of (-12) is
. 𝑝 = 16 (+12))
. 2𝑛 = 6 (inverse of (×2) is (÷2))
. 𝑛 = 6 ÷2
.𝑛=3

20 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 7.) 3𝑎 = 𝑎 + 8 8) 4(y − 2) = 16
. 3𝑎 − 𝑎 = 8 (inverse of (+a) is (-a)) . 4𝑦 − 8 = 16
. 2𝑎 = 8 (inverse of (×2) is (÷2)) . 4𝑦 = 16 + 8
.𝑎 =8 ÷2 . 4𝑦 = 24
.a=4 . 𝑦 = 24 ÷ 4
.𝑦=6
9) 3𝑒 + 14 = 26
. 3𝑒 = 26 − 14 10) 2𝑓 − 10 = 40
. 3𝑒 = 12 . 2𝑓 = 40 + 10
. e = 12 ÷ 3 . 2f = 50
.𝑒=4 . 𝑓 = 50 ÷ 2
. f = 25
11) 𝑥 + 15 = 6 − 2𝑥
. x + 2x = 6 − 15 12) 2𝑐 + 3 = 𝑐 − 5
. 3𝑥 = −9 . 2𝑐 − 𝑐 = −5 − 3
. 𝑥 = −9 ÷ 3 . 𝑐 = −8
. 𝑥 = −3
3𝑥
13) 4𝑟 − 5 = 2𝑟 + 7 14) 2 = 15
. 4𝑟 − 2𝑟 = 7 + 5 . 3𝑥 = 15 × 2
. 2r = 12 . 3𝑥 = 30
. 𝑟 = 12 ÷ 2 . 𝑥 = 30 ÷ 3
.r=6 . 𝑥 = 10
15) 4(𝑔 − 3) = 2(𝑔 − 1)

. 4𝑔 − 12 = 2𝑔 − 2
. 4𝑔 − 2𝑔 = −2 + 12
. 2𝑔 = 10
. 𝑔 = 10 ÷ 2
.𝑔=5

Memo for Exercise E2

Solve the following equations:
Answers:
1) 3x = 9 2.) 2x = 16
3x = 3 2 2x = 24
𝑥=2 𝑥=4

3) 3x = 27 4) 2x = 64
3x = 3 3 2x = 2 6
𝑥=3 𝑥=6

21 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 5) 4x = 64 6) 4x = 32
22x = 26 22x = 25
2𝑥 = 6 2𝑥 = 5
𝑥 = 6÷2 𝑥 = 5÷2
𝑥=3 𝑥 = 2,5

7) 7x = 343 8) 25x = 125

7x = 7 3 52x = 53
𝑥=3 2𝑥 = 3
𝑥 = 3÷2
3
𝑥 = 1.5 𝑜𝑟
2
9) 𝑥2 = 25
10) 𝑥3 = 27
𝑥 2 = 52
𝑥 3 = 33
𝑥=5
𝑥=3
11) 𝑥3 = -1728 ( ∛1728 ) 5
12) 𝑥5 = 7776 ( √7776)
𝑥3 = - 123
𝑥 5 = 65
𝑥 = −12
𝑥=6
13) 2𝑥 2 = 98
14) 32x + 1 = 81
𝑥2 = 98 ÷ 2
32x + 1 = 34
𝑥2 = 49
2𝑥 + 1 = 4
𝑥 2 = 72
2𝑥 = 4 − 1
𝑥=7
2𝑥 = 3
𝑥 =3÷2
3
𝑥 = 1,5 𝑜𝑟 2
3
15) √𝑥 = −2 16) 2x = -16
3
√−8 = -2 2x = -24
x = -8 Undefined

17) 𝑥4 = -16
𝑥4 = -24
𝑥 = −2

Memo for Exercise 9.2 page 85

Answers:
1.a) 𝑥 + 8 = −4 1.b) −3𝑥 = 24
𝑥 = −4 − 8 𝑥 = 24 ÷ (−3)
𝑥 = −12 𝑥 = −8

1.c) 4𝑥 + 2 = 14 1.d) 5𝑥 − 3 = 27
4𝑥 = 14 − 2 5𝑥 = 27 + 3
4𝑥 = 12 5𝑥 = 30
𝑥 = 12 ÷ 4 𝑥 = 30 ÷ 5
𝑥=3 𝑥=6

22 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 6
1.e) 2(𝑥 + 1) = 10 1.f) 𝑥 = 2
2𝑥 + 2 = 10
6=2×𝑥
2𝑥 = 10 − 2
6÷2 =𝑥
2𝑥 = 8
3=𝑥
𝑥 =8 ÷2
𝑥=4 1.h) 𝑥3 + 𝑥3 = 2
2𝑥3 = 2
1.g) 2x = 32
𝑥3 = 2 ÷ 2
2x = 2 5
𝑥3 = 1
𝑥=5
𝑥=1

2.a) 𝑥 + 15 = 63 2.b) 𝑥 × 80 = 720

𝑥 = 63 − 15 𝑥 = 720 ÷ 80
𝑥 = 48 𝑥 = 9 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠

2.c) 6 + 3 = 𝑥 2.d) 𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 78
9=𝑥 3𝑥 = 78
𝑥 = 78 ÷ 3
𝑥 = 26
𝑥 = 26 𝑎𝑛𝑑 52

2.e) 𝑥 × 𝑥 × 𝑥 = −64 2.f) 2𝑥 2 = 72

𝑥3 = -64 𝑥2 = 72 ÷ 2
3
𝑥 = √−64 𝑥2 = 36
𝑥 = −4 𝑥2 = (6)2
𝑥 = 6 or -6
3.a) perimeter of a rectangle: 3.b) area of rectangle:
= 2(length) + 2(width) = length × Bwidth
‘2(2𝑥) + 2(𝑥) = 108 = 2(18) × (18)
. 4𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 108 =648 cm2
. 6𝑥 = 108
. 𝑥 = 108 ÷ 6
𝑥 = 18 cm
4.a) 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑡ℎ × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ a) V = 6 × 7 × 10
V = 420 cm3

5.a) 15+ 10𝑥 5.b) 15 + 10 (30)

= R315
No the passenger can only afford to
travel 23,5km

Memo for Revision Exercise on page 87

Answers:
1.a) 2𝑥 + 13 = 294 2.b) 𝑎 − 𝑏 = 146

1.c) 2𝑥 = 3𝑦 1.d) 𝐴 = 𝑙 × 𝑏

23 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics

 2.a) 2𝑥 + 8 = 4 2.b) −6𝑥 = 48
2𝑥 = 4 − 8 𝑥 = 48 ÷ −6
2𝑥 = −4 𝑥 = −8
𝑥 = −4 ÷ 2
𝑥 = −2 2.d) 3x = 81
3x = 3 4
2.c) 5 + 3𝑥 = 35 𝑥=4
3𝑥 = 35 − 5
3𝑥 = 30 2.e) 𝑥2 + 𝑥2 = 50
𝑥 = 30 ÷ 3 2𝑥 2 = 50
𝑥 = 10 𝑥2 = 50 ÷ 2
x2 = 25
𝑥 = ±5
3.a) 50 + 35𝑥 = 189,95 4) 4(𝑥 + 7) + 6 = 70
35𝑥 = 189,95 − 50 4𝑥 + 28 + 6 = 70
35𝑥 = 139,98 4𝑥 = 70 − 28 − 6
𝑥 = 139,98 ÷ 35 4𝑥 = 36
𝑥 = 3,999 𝑥 = 36 ÷ 4
He must work 4 mornings 𝑥=9

5) 8𝑥 = 704 6) R249 – R32,50

𝑥 = 704 ÷ 8 R216,50
𝑥 = 88 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
8.a) 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ ×
7) Area = 189 cm2 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑡ℎ
8.b) 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 5 × 2 × 10
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 100 𝑐𝑚3

9) Perimeter: add all the sides together. 10) Perimeter of a rectangle:

=12,4 + 6,5 + 12,4 + 6,5 2(length) + 2(width)
= 37,8cm
Area = 24m2

24 | P a g e Grade 8 Lock Down Mathematics