BM 013 MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT I

Introduction to Algebraic Expressions

Chapter 1, Bittinger & Ellenbogen. Elementary Algebra: Concepts and

Application. 8th Edition. Pearson, 2009

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 Introduction to Algebraic Expressions
1.1 Introduction to Algebra
1.2 The Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Laws
1.3 Fraction Notation
1.4 Positive and Negative Real Numbers
1.5 Addition of Real Numbers
1.6 Subtraction of Real Numbers
1.7 Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers
1.8 Exponential Notation and Order of Operations

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 1.1 Introduction to Algebra
 An algebraic expression consists of variables and/or
numerals often with operation signs and grouping symbols

Examples

36
y  75 4a  9b 5a( x  w)
y

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 Example

The area of a triangle Solution

with a base length b 1
A  bh
and height of length h 2
is given by the formula 1
 (12m)(7.2m)
A = ½ bh. Find the 2
area when b is 12 m
1
and h is 7.2 m.  (12)(7.2)(m)(m)
2

 43.2m2

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 Translating to Algebraic Expressions
Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
added to subtracted from multiplied by divided by

sum of difference of product of quotient of

plus minus times divided into

more than less than twice ratio of

increased by decreased by of per

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 Example

Translate each phrase to an algebraic expression.

a) 9 more than y
b) 7 less than x
c) the product of 3 and twice w
Solution
Phrase Algebraic Expression
a) 9 more than y
b) 7 less than x
c) the product of 3 and twice w

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 Translating to Equations
 The symbol = (“equals”) indicates that the expressions on
either side of the equals sign represent the same number.

 An equation is a number sentence with the verb =.

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 Example
Translate the problem to an equation.
What number added to 127 is 403?

Solution
Let y represent the unknown number.

What number added to 127 is 403?

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 Solution
Solution

A replacement or substitution that makes an equation true is called a solution.

Some equations have more than one solution, and some have no solution.
When all solutions have been found, we have solved the equation.

Determine whether 12 is a solution of x + 4 = 16.

Solution

x + 4 = 16 Writing the equation

12 + 4 | 16 Substituting 12 for x
16 = 16 16 = 16 is TRUE.

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 1.2 The Commutative, Associative,
and Distributive Laws
The Commutative Laws
For Addition. For any numbers a and b,
a + b = b + a.
(Changing the order of addition does not affect the answer.)

For Multiplication. For any numbers

a and b,
ab = ba.
(Changing the order of multiplication does not affect the
answer.)

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 1.2 The Commutative, Associative,
and Distributive Laws (cont)
The Associative Laws
For Addition. For any numbers a, b, and c,
a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c.
(Numbers can be grouped in any manner for addition.)

For Multiplication. For any numbers

a, b, and c,
a • (b • c) = (a • b) • c.
(Numbers can be grouped in any manner for multiplication.)

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 1.2 The Commutative, Associative,
and Distributive Laws (cont)
The Distributive Law
For any numbers a, b, and c,
a(b + c) = ab + ac.

(The product of a number and a sum can be

written as the sum of two products.)

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 Example

Multiply: 7(x + y + 4z)

Solution

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 The Distributive Law and Factoring
 If we use the distributive law in reverse, we have the basis of
a process called factoring.

 To factor an expression means to write an equivalent

expression that is a product.

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 Example

Use the distributive law to factor each of the

following.
a) 5x + 5y b) 8y + 32w + 8

Solution

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 1.3 Fraction Notation

Factors and Prime Factorizations

 Natural Numbers can be thought of as the counting
numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…

(The dots indicated that the established pattern continues

without ending.)

To factor a number, we simply express it as a product of

two or more numbers.

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 Example

Write several factorizations of 18. Then list all the

factors of 18.

Solution

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 Factors and Prime Factorizations (cont)

Prime Number
A prime number is a natural number that
has exactly two different factors: the
number itself and 1. The first several
primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, and 23.

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 Definitions
 If a natural number, other than 1, is not prime, we call it
composite.
 Every composite number can be factored into a product of
prime numbers. Such a factorization is called the prime
factorization of that composite number.

Find the prime factorization of 48.

Solution

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 1.3 Fraction Notation


5  Numerator
7  Denominator

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 Example

1
Divide:  2
4 3
Solution

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 Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

For any two fractions a/d and b/d,

a b a b a b a b
  and   .
d d d d d d

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 Example

Add and simplify: 7 9


12 20
Solution

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 Example
Perform the indicated operation and, if possible,
simplify.
3
8 X
14
Solution

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 Example
Perform the indicated operation and, if possible, simplify.
3
7
9
5

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 1.4 Positive and Negative Real Numbers
Set of Integers
The set of integers =
{…−4, −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …}

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 Set of Rational Numbers

The set of rational numbers =

a 
 | a and b are integers and b  0 .
b 
This is read “the set of all numbers a
over b, where a and b are integers and b
does not equal zero.”

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 Set of Real Numbers

The set of real numbers = The set of all

numbers corresponding to points on the
number line.
We write |a|, read “the absolute value of a,” to
represent the number of units that a is from
zero.

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 Examples
Which numbers in the following list are (a) whole numbers? (b) integers?
(c) rational numbers? (d) irrational numbers? (e) real numbers?
9
27, , 0, 4, 65, 40, 72
5
Solution
a) whole numbers:

b) integers:

c) rational numbers:

d) irrational numbers:

e) real numbers:

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 1.5 Addition of Real Numbers
Rules for Addition of Real Numbers
1. Positive numbers: Add as usual. The answer is positive.
2. Negative numbers: Add the absolute values and make the answer negative.
3. A positive and a negative number: Subtract the smaller absolute value from the
greater absolute value.
a) If the positive number has the greater absolute value,
the answer is positive.
b) If the negative number has the greater absolute value,
the answer is negative.
c) If the numbers have the same absolute value, the
answer is 0.
4. One number is zero: The sum is the other number.

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 Example
Add: 17 + (−3) + 9 + 16 + (−4) + (−12).
Solution

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 Problem Solving
During the first two weeks of the semester, 6 students withdrew
from Mr. Lan’s algebra class, 9 students were added to the
class, and 4 students were dropped as “no-shows.” By how
many students did the original class size change?

The 1st plus the 2nd plus the 3rd is the total
change  change  change = change

The original class size dropped by one.

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 Combining Like Terms

 When two terms have variable factors that are

exactly the same, the terms are called like or similar
terms.

Example
Combine like terms −5x + 7x.

Solution

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 Example

Combine like terms: 3a + (−4b) + (−8a) + 10b

Solution

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 1.6 Subtraction of Real Numbers
Opposite
The opposite, or additive inverse, of a number a is written
−a (read “the opposite of a” or “the additive inverse of a”).
The Opposite of an Opposite
For any real number a,
−(−a) = a.
(The opposite of the opposite of a is a.)
The Law of Opposites
For any two numbers a and –a,
a + (–a) = 0.
(When opposites are added, their sum is 0.)

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 Example
Subtract each of the following.
1  4
a) 3  7 b) 8 – (–6) c) –3.4 – (–2.6) d)    
7  7
Solution

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 Example
Combine like terms. a) 4 + 5x − 19x
b) −7a − 4b − 3a + 12b
Solution

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 1.7 Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers

Rules for Multiplication and Division

To multiply or divide two nonzero real numbers:
1. Using the absolute values, multiply or divide,
as indicated.
2. If the signs are the same, the answer is positive.
3. If the signs are different, the answer is negative.
For any real number a,
a
is undefined,
0
and for a ≠ 0,
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 Example

a. Divide: b. Divide:
4  3 14.4
  
7  2 4

Solution Solution

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 1.8 Exponential Notation and
Order of Operations
Exponential Notation
For any natural number n,
n factors
n
b means b X b X b X b X ... b.
5
4 4 4 4 4 we write as 4
X X X X

5 factors
 The 5 is called an exponent.
 The 4 is the base.
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 Example
Evaluate
a) 82 b) (−8)3 c) (4y)3

Solution

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 Rules for Order of Operations

1. Calculate within the innermost grouping

symbols, ( ), [ ], { }, | |, and above or
below fraction bars.
2. Simplify all exponential expressions.
3. Perform all multiplication and division
working from left to right.
4. Perform all addition and subtraction
working from left to right.
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 Example
Evaluate 16  8(7  y)2 for y = 2.

Solution

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 Example
Simplify:
20  5  42 [(13  4)  8]  23.
Solution

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 Example

4(6  2)  8(8  3)
Simplify:
6(4  2)  22

Solution

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 Example

Simplify: 7 x  3  4(2 x  5)

Solution

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 The Property of −1
For any real number a,
−1  a = −a.
(Negative one times a is the opposite of a.)

The Opposite of a Sum

For any real numbers a and b,
−(a + b) = −a + (−b) = −a − b
(The opposite of a sum is the sum of the opposites.)

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 Example

Write an expression equivalent to

(4x + 3y + 5) without using parentheses.

Solution

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 Example
Simplify:
8 y  3 y  (2 y  6 y)
2 2

Solution

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 Example
Simplify:
7w3  5  [3(w3  2)  1]
Solution

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