Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry

In reading this module, you should be able to:

1. recall the different laws of exponents
2. Perform operations on polynomials

Lesson 1: Laws of Exponents

Product of Powers am ● an = am + n

Simplify:
1. (5x3)(4x) =(5)(4)(x3)(x)
= 20x3 + 1
= 20x4

2. (x3y2)(xy4) = (x3 ● x)(y2 ● y4)

= x 3 + 1 y2 + 4
= x4y6

3. (-3n)(5n6)(n6) = (-3)(5)(n)(n6)(n6)
= -15n1+6+6
= -15n13

Power of a Power (am)n = amn

Simplify:
1. (x2)3 = x2(3)
= x6

2. (3a5b7)4 = 34a5(4)b7(4)
= 81a20b28

3.) (2pq7r3)5 = 25p5q7(5)r3(5)

= 32p5q35r15

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Power of Product (ab)m = ambm

Simplify:
1. (2x)4 = 24 x 4
= 16x4
2. (-3mn)5 = (-3)5m5n5
= -243m5n5

3. (8mn)2 ● (-2m)5 = [82m2n2] [(-2)5m5]

= (64 m2n2)(-32m5)
= (64)(-32)(m2)(m5)(n2)
= -2048m2+5n2
= -2048m7n2

Quotient of Powers = am-n

Examples:
1. = 75-3
= 2
7
= 49

2. =( )
= 2x6y2

3. =( )

= a9bcd2

Power of a Fraction ( ) =

Examples:
1. ( ) =

2. ( ) =

3. ( ) ( ) =( )( )

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=( )( )

= m10-9n9-6
= mn3

Zero and Negative Exponents

For any nonzero number a,

a0 = 1

In general, for any nonzero number a and any integer n,

a-n =

Illustrative Examples:
1. 50 =1
2. 82y0 = 8 ● x2 ● 1 = 8x2
3. = 23 – 7 = 2-4 apply the rule of negative exponent
= a-n =

= simplify

4. =( ) ( )

= 16r-2s-2t-2 apply the rule of negative exponent: a-n =

5. ( ) =

=
=

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Web link: www.math-only-math.com › laws-of-exponents

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZu5su2mzw8

Lesson 2: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Just as you can perform operations on numbers, you can perform operations on polynomials. To
add or subtract polynomials, combine like terms.

Like Terms are terms with the same variable(s) raised to the same power. To simplify
expressions combine like terms by adding the coefficients

Examples
1. (12p3 + 11p2 + 8p – 7) + (12p3 – 2p2 –25p + 6)
Solution: 12p3 + 12p3 + 11p2 – 2p2 + 8p –25p – 7 + 6 Combine like terms.
24p3 + 9p2 – 17p – 1 Sum

2. (7m4 – 2m2) – (5m4 – 5m2 + 8)

Solution: 7m4 – 2m2 – 5m4 + 5m2 – 8 Remove the parentheses by multiplying (-) to all
terms on the second polynomials
7m4 – 5m4 – 2m2 + 5m2 – 8 Combine like terms
2m4 + 3m2 – 8 Difference

3. Add: 2a2 + 4ab – 3b2, 6a2 – 4b2, -3a2 – 6ab + 9b2, and -7ab + 2b2
Solution: 2a2 + 6a2 – 3a2 + 4ab – 6ab – 7ab -3b2 – 4b2 + 9b2 + 2b2 Combine similar terms
5a2 – 9ab + 4b2

4. (4x2y – 3xy2 + 15xy -12) – (-8x2y + 7xy2 + 16xy + 21)

Solution: Remove the parentheses by multiplying (-) to all terms on the second polynomials
4x2y – 3xy2 + 15xy –12 + 8x2y – 7xy2 – 16xy – 21
4x2y + 8x2y – 3xy2 – 7xy2 + 15xy – 16xy – 12 –21 Combine similar terms
12x2y – 10xy2 – xy – 33

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5. (38m2 – 27mn + 44n2) – (52m2 – 46mn + 59n2)

Solution: Remove the parentheses by multiplying (-) to all terms on the second polynomials
38m2 – 27mn + 44n2 – 52m2 + 46mn – 59n2
38m2 – 52m2 – 27mn + 46mn + 44n2 – 59n2 Combine similar terms
-14m2 + 19mn – 15n2

Web link:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-adding-subtracting.html
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/adding-subtracting-polynomials

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5Y6yHm8FA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egPRVWOjfVw

Lesson 3: Multiplication of Polynomials

Multiply by Distributing

Just as we distribute a monomial through parenthesis we can distribute an entire polynomial. As we do

this we take each term of the second polynomial and put it in front of the first polynomial.

Example:
1. (4x + 7y)(3x − 2y)
Solution: (4x + 7y)(3x − 2y) Distribute (4x + 7y) through parenthesis
3x(4x + 7y) − 2y(4x + 7y) Distribute the 3x and − 2y
2 2
12x + 21xy − 8xy − 14y Combine like terms 21xy − 8xy
12x2 + 13xy − 14y2 Our Solution
This example illustrates an important point, the negative/subtraction sign stays with the 2y.
Which means on the second step the negative is also distributed through the last set of parenthesis.
Multiplying by distributing can easily be extended to problems with more terms. First distribute the
front parenthesis onto each term, then distribute again!

2. (2x − 5)(4x2 − 7x + 3)
Solution: (2x − 5)(4x2 − 7x + 3)
4x2(2x − 5) − 7x(2x − 5) + 3(2x − 5)
8x3 − 20x2 − 14x2 + 35x + 6x − 15
8x3 − 34x2 + 41x − 15
Distribute (2x − 5)through parenthesis
Distribute again through each parenthesis
Combine like terms
Our Solution

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Multiply by FOIL

Another form of multiplying is known as FOIL. Using the FOIL method we multiply each term in
the first binomial by each term in the second binomial. The letters of FOIL help us remember every
combination. F stands for First, we multiply the first term of each binomial. O stand for Outside, we
multiply the outside two terms. I stands for Inside, we multiply the inside two terms. L stands for Last,
we multiply the last term of each binomial.

3. (4x + 7y)(3x − 2y) Use FOIL to multiply

Solution: (4x)(3x) = 12x2 F − First terms (4x)(3x)
(4x)( − 2y) = − 8xy O − Outside terms (4x)( − 2y)
(7y)(3x) = 21xy I − Inside terms (7y)(3x)
(7y)( − 2y) = − 14y2 L − Last terms (7y)( − 2y)
12x2 − 8xy + 21xy − 14y2 Combine like terms − 8xy + 21xy
12x2 + 13xy − 14y2 Our Solution

4. (x + 12y)(x - 6y) Use FOIL to multiply

Solution: (x)(x) = x2 F − First terms (x)(x)
(x)( − 6y) = − xy O − Outside terms (x)( − 6y)
(12y)(x) = 12xy I − Inside terms (12y)(x)
(12y)( − 6y) = − 72y2 L − Last terms (12y)( − 6y)
x2 − xy + 12xy − 72y2 Combine like terms − xy + 12xy
x2 + 11xy − 72y2 Our Solution

Multiplying in rows

5. (4x + 7y)(3x − 2y)

Solution: 4x + 7y Rewrite as vertical problem
× 3x − 2y
− 8xy − 14y2 Multiply − 2y by 7y then 4x
12x2 + 21xy Multiply 3x by 7y then 4x. Line up like terms
12x2 + 13xy − 14y2 Add like terms to get Our Solution

This same process is easily expanded to a problem with more terms.

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Web link:
https://www.mathwarehouse.com/algebra/polynomial/multiplying-polynomials-by-polynomials.php

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpD_BugTR6I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn51ML8jkIs

Lesson 4: Division of Polynomials

Using synthetic division

Synthetic division is the shorter procedure when a polynomial is to divided by a binomial of the
form (x – r). In this procedure we write only the coefficients.

Examples:

1. 3x3 + 4x2 + 8 ÷ x + 2
Steps:
a. Arrange the coefficients in descending powers 3 4 0 8
of x, placing 0s for the missing terms. The leading
coefficient becomes the first entry of the third row. 3

b. Place value of r in the upper left corner. -2 3 4 0 8

In this example, x + 2 = 0, x = 0 – 2, x = -2

c. The first number in the second row is the -2 3 4 0 8

second row (-6) is the product of r(-2) and
the number in the third row (3) of the -6
preceding column. The second number in 3 -2
third row (-2) is the sum of the two numbers
(4 and -6) above it.

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d. Repeat the procedure described in step 3 -2 3 4 0 8

until the last number in the third row is
obtained. -6 4 -8
3 -2 4 0

e. Write the quotient. Note that the degree

of the quotient is one less than the degree 3x3 + 4x2 + 8 ÷ x + 2 = 3x2 – 2x + 4, r = 0
of the dividend. The entries in the third row
give the coefficients of the quotient and the
remainder R.

2. (x4 + 8x2 – 5x3 – 2 + 15x) ÷ (x – 3)

By inspection, the dividend is not in the standard from, so there is a need to rearrange the terms
of the polynomial.
Thus, x4 + 8x2 – 5x3 – 2 + 15x = x4 – 5x3 + 8x2 + 15x – 2

Then, write the coefficients of the polynomial in the first row. Follow the steps described in
example 1.

3 1 -5 8 15 -2
3 -6 6 63
1 -2 2 21 61

Therefore, the quotient is x3 – 2x2 + 2x + 21, r = 61

x3 – 2x2 + 2x + 21 +

3. (6x5 – x4 – 32x3 – 20x2 + 5x + 8) ÷ (2x – 3)

Observe that the divisor is not of the form (x – r), However, note that if we get r in this binomial
we have,
2x – 3 =0
2x = 3
x= =r

Since the divisor is divided by 2 the dividend should be also divided by 2.

6x5 – x4 – 32x3 – 20x2 + 5x + 8 =

=

3 -16 -10 4

6 -15

3 4 -10 -25 -35

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Thus the quotient is 3x4 + 4x3 – 10x2 – 25x – 35 – = 3x4 + 4x3 – 10x2 – 25x – 35 –

Long Division

4. (10x2 + 24x4 + 8 + 7x3) ÷ (2x2 + x – 1)

Solution: Since the dividend is not in the form of (x – r) we will use the long division method
Write the dividend and divisor in decreasing order and insert zeros as coefficients of any
missing term
x2 + 3x + 4 quotient
divisor → 2x2 + x – 1 2x4 + 7x3 + 10x2 + 0x + 8 dividend
2x4 + x3 – x2
6x3 + 11x2 + 0x
6x3 + 3x2 – 3x
8x2 + 3x + 8
8x2 + 4x – 4
-x + 12

Hence, = x2 + 3x + 4 –

5. (-13x2 + 4x3 + 2x – 7) ÷ (x2 + 3x – 2)

Solution:
Make sure the polynomial is written in descending order. If any terms are missing, use a zero to
fill in the missing term

4x – 25 quotient
2 3 3
divisor → x + 3x – 2 4x – 13x + 2x – 7 dividend
4x3 + 12x2 – 8x
-25x2 + 10x – 7
-25x2 – 75x + 50
85x – 57

– –
Hence, = 4x – 25 +
– –

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Web link:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/Alg/DividingPolynomials.aspx
https://www.mathplanet.com/education/algebra-1/rational-expressions/division-of-polynomials

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxHWoUOq2iQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FSXJmESFmQ

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZu5su2mzw8
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-adding-subtracting.html
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/adding-subtracting-polynomials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5Y6yHm8FA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egPRVWOjfVw
https://www.mathwarehouse.com/algebra/polynomial/multiplying-polynomials-by-polynomials.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpD_BugTR6I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn51ML8jkIs
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/Alg/DividingPolynomials.aspx
https://www.mathplanet.com/education/algebra-1/rational-expressions/division-of-polynomials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxHWoUOq2iQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FSXJmESFmQ

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