Algebraic Expressions - 1

1 Algebraic expressions are mathematical expressions that contain numbers and/or variables.

They can have one or more terms.

Expressions with a single term each: 2, x, y, √2xy, xy, x2, z4, etc.
Expressions with more than one term: 2 + x , x - y, y + √2xy, x2 + xy + z4, etc.

2 Algebraic expressions are mathematical expressions that contain numbers and/or variables.

x (3x+y+z)
For example: , .
(2+x) (x − 4)
• Note: The denominator cannot be zero.

x
o Thus, for the rational expression ,2+x≠0
(2+x)
(3x+y+z)
o For ,x-4≠0
(x − 4)

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Algebraic Expressions - 2

3 "Like" terms have the same variables, and these variables have the same exponents in each term.

• The terms 3x2 and x2 are like terms as both of them have the same variable x, along with the same exponent (= 2) on the variable.
• The terms 10xy and 2xy are like terms as both of them have the same variables x and y, along with the same exponents on both the variables. (1 each)
• The terms 2x and 3y are not like terms as the variables in both the terms are different.
• The terms x2y and xy2 are not like terms as the exponents of the variables are different in both terms.

Note: If two terms are not like terms, they are known as unlike terms.

4 Only "like" terms can be added /subtracted.

For example:
• 2x + 3x = 5x since both 2x and 3x are like terms.
• 2x + 3y = 2x + 3y, since 2x and 3y are not like terms and cannot be added.
• 2x2 + 3x2 = 5x2 since both 2x2 and 3x2 are like terms.

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Algebraic Expressions - 3

5 Rules that apply to numbers apply to algebraic expressions as well.

• While adding, the order of operation does not matter.

o 2x + 3x = 3x + 2x = 5x
o 2x + 3x + 5x = 2x + 5x + 3x = 3x + 5x + 2x = 10x
• While subtracting, the order of operation matters.
o 2x - 3x = -x while 3x - 2x = x
o 5y - y = 4y while y - 5y = -4y
• Subtraction can be converted into addition and then, the order will not matter.
o 2x - 3x = 2x + (-3x) = -3x + 2x = -x

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Algebraic Expressions - 4

6 A step-by-step method should be used to add/subtract algebraic expressions.

1. Observe all the terms in the expression.

2. Group all the like terms.
3. Add the terms in each grouping of like terms.
4. The final answer should be an algebraic expression containing only unlike terms.

example 1 : 2x + 3y + 4y example 3 : 2xy + 7x + 5xy

= 7xy + 7x
= 2x + 7y

example 2 : 2x + 3x + 4y + 5y example 4 : 2x2y + 3x2y2 + 5x2y + 6xy2

= 7x2y + 3x2y2 + 6xy2
= 5x + 9y

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Algebraic Expressions - 5

7 Rules that apply to numbers apply to algebraic expressions as well.

• Order does not matter in the case of multiplication.

o 2a × 3b = 3b × 2a = 6ab = 6ba

• The terms common to the numerator and the denominator can be canceled.

(2a × 3b)
o =b
6a

• Note: Denominator cannot be zero. Thus, 6a ≠ 0.

8 Multiplication of algebraic expressions can be performed in the same way as we do for numerical expressions.

Since 2(3-1) = 2 × 3 - 2 × 1 = 6 - 2 = 4 similarly, we can perform the multiplication of algebraic expressions as follows.
• 2a( 3b - 1) = 2a × 3b - 2a ×1 =6ab - 2a
• 2p(3q - p - 1) = 2p × 3q + 2p × (-p) + 2p × (-1) = 6pq -2p2 -2p
• (x-2)(x-3) = x(x-3) -2(x-3) = x2 - 3x - 2x + 6 = x2 - 5x + 6
o Since -3x and -2x are like terms.
• (2 - x + y)(x + 4) = x(2 - x + y) + 4(2 - x + y) = 2x - x2 + xy + 8 - 4x + 4y = -x2 -2x + xy + 4y + 8
o Since 2x and -4x are like terms.
In general, all the terms from one expression are multiplied with all the terms from the other expression while performing the multiplication of two
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Algebraic Expressions - 6

9 The degree of a term is the sum of all exponents of all the variables in that term.

• The degree of the term a3x is 3 + 1 = 4.

• The degree of the term y2z is 2 + 1 = 3.

10 The degree of an expression is the greatest degree of all the terms.

3+1=4 2+1=3 3+1=4

2+1=3 2+1=3 0
6 Terms in the 1a3x + 1y2z + 5x2y + 6y2z – 2a3x + 8
expression

Constant = (Variable)0
coefficients

Degree of a term = Sum of all exponents of all the variables

Degree of an expression = greatest degree of all the terms = 4

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