BASIC RULES OF ALGEBRA 34

The properties of real numbers are often used to rewrite algebraic expressions.

Basic Rules of Algebra

Let a, b, and c represent real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions. Then the following
properties are true.

Property Example

Commutative Property of Addition:

a+b=b+a 3x + x2 = x2 + 3x

Commutative Property of Multiplication:

ab = ba (5 + x)x3 = x3(5 + x)

Associative Property of Addition:

(a + b) + c = a + (b + c) (2x + 7) + x2 = 2x + (7 + x2)

Associative Property of Multiplication:

(ab)c = a(bc) (2x  5y)  7 = 2x  (5y 7)

Distributive Property:
a(b + c) = ab + ac 4x(7 + 3x) = 28x + 12 x2
(a + b)c = ac + bc (2y + 5)y = 2y2 + 5y

Additive Identity Property:

a+0=a 3y2 + 0 = 3y2
0+a=a 0 + x 2 = x2

Multiplicative Identity Property:

a1=1a=a (-2x3)  1 = -2x3
1  (-2x3) = -2x3
Additive Inverse Property:
a + (-a) = 0 3y2 + (-3y2) = 0

Multiplicative Inverse Property:

1 1
a = 1, a0 (x2 + 2)  1
a x 2
2

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The Order of Operations Agreement

Step 1 Perform operations inside grouping symbols. Grouping symbols include

parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and the fraction bar.

Step 2 Simplify exponential expressions.

Step 3 Do multiplication and division as they occur from left to right.

Step 4 Do addition and subtraction as they occur from left to right.

Use this mnemonic device to remember the order of operations:

Please  Parentheses

Excuse  Exponents

My  Multiply
Do in order: left to right
Dear  Divide

Aunt  Add
Do in order: left to right
Sally  Subtract

Simplify: 12 - 24(8 - 5)  22

1) Perform operations inside grouping symbols. 12 -24(8 - 5)  22

2) Simplify exponential expressions. 12 -24 (3)  22

3) Do multiplication and division as they occur 12 - 24(3)  4

from left to right. 12 - 72  4

4) Do addition and subtraction as they occur 12 - 18

from left to right.
12 + (-18) Do this step mentally.
-6

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One or more of the previous steps may not be needed to simplify an expression. In that
case, proceed to the next step in the Order of Operations Agreement.

48
Simplify - (3 -1) + 2
2 1

48
1) Perform operation inside grouping symbols. - (3 -1) + 2
2 1

12
3) Do multiplication and division as they occur - 2+2
3
from left to right.

4) Do addition and subtraction as they occur 4 - 2+2

from left to right.
4 + (-2) + 2 Do this step mentally.

2 + 2

When an expression has grouping symbols inside grouping symbols, perform the
operations inside the inner grouping symbols first.

Simplify 6  [4 - (6 - 8)] + 22

1) Perform operations inside grouping symbols . 6  [ 4 - (6 - 8) ] + 22

6  [ 4 - (-2) ] + 22
6  [ 4 + 2 ] + 22 Do this step
mentally.
2) Simplify exponential expressions. 6  6 + 22

3) Do multiplication and division as they occur 6  6 + 4

from left to right.

4) Do addition and subtraction as they occur 1 + 4

from left to right. 5

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 Practice Exercises
1. (2 + 8) - (7 - 3) 11. [ 5(x + 2) ] - 3x

2. 5(6 - 4) + 2(8 - 5) 12. (3x + 5) + [ 4(2x + 7) ]

3. (7 + 3)  6 + 5 13. 16x - [ 5(2x + 7) ]

4. 7 + (3  6) + 5 14. [ 37(6x - 5x) ] -35x

5. 2  [ 4 + 3(7 - 2) ] 15. [ 10(x + 3) - 4 ] + [ 2(x - 17) + 6 ]

6. 3 + [ 2 (16 + 9) ] 16. [ 4(2x - 5) + 7 ] + [ 3(x + 3) + 5x ]

7. [ 4( 9 - 6) + 11] - [ 14 - (6 + 4) ] 17. [ 7(x + 5) - 19 ] - [ 4(x - 6) + 10 ]

8. [ (2 + 9)  (16 - 7) ] - [ ( 3 + 7)  (23 - 11) ] 18. 3{[ 6(x - 2) + 4 ] - [ 2(2x - 5) + 6 ]}

9. {[ 7(9 - 4) ] + [ 5(10 - 7) ]} + {5[ 2(8 - 3) ]} 19. {(3  2x) + 5} + {4x - [ 7(x + 2)]}

10. {[ 11(2 - 6) ] - [ 3(15 - 6) ]} + 17

Answers:
19.
18.
17.
16.
15.
14.
13.
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
3x - 9
6x - 12
3x + 30
16x - 4
12x - 2
2x
6x - 35
11x + 33
2x + 10
-54
100
-21
19
53
38
30
65
16
6

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