Basic Algebra

Yousuf Mohammed

Agenda
About me
Pep Talk
From words to equations
Solving the equations (Two Techniques)
What is the take-away from this session
Possibilities for the Future

Boooooriiiinnng
History..
Much early work in algebra, as the Arabic origin of its
name suggests, was done in theMiddle East, byPersian
mathematicians such asal-Khwrizm(780
850)andOmar Khayyam(10481131)

If people living more than 1000

years ago could do it, then so
can you.

We Do Algebra on Facebook
Everyday
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Converting Words to Equation

Algebra is like solving puzzles. We have some information
and we are missing some information. We need to
complete the picture!
Example1:You have some money. If I give you $4, then
you will have $10. How much do you have now.
Say, the unknownXamount
+ 4 = you
10 have now is X (Our
favorite!)

o, We have finished one part of the problem which is converting words to equatio
he second part involves solving
he equation. We will look at two ways of doing this..

1st Method: Adjusting the Equation on Both Sides

X+4

10

Treat both sides the same way. Whatever you do to the Left
Side, do the same to the Right Side. THE IDEA IS TO
ISOLATE X i.e. GET RID OF 4
X+44

10 - 4

X =6

2nd Method: Moving unwanted items to the

other side of the equation
X + 4 =10
Isolate X by moving 4 to the other side.
When sides change, signs change
X

= 10 - 4
X=6

Example 2
The sum of two consecutive numbers is 35. What are the
numbers?
Say, the first number is X (Yes, still our favorite!)

X+1

The second number would be

Their sum equals 35

X +X + 1= 35

Add all Xs and the numbers on each side

2X + 1 = 35
2X = 35 -1
2X = 34

Example 2 continued
2X = 34
How do we get rid of the 2. Note that it is not added to X
(it is multiplied)
Generally, to get rid of the number attached to X we do
the opposite. That is, if it is added we subtract in order to
get rid of it. Now that it is multiplied, we do the opposite
of multiplication which is .division
34
2X = ___
___
Divide both sides 2
by 2 to
2 get rid of X
X = Which is the first
17 = number
The second number would 17+1
18
be

Separating X from Other Junk

Sometimes the questions involve finding the value of X.
Solve for X in

(p-q)X + a = b
Dont worry about p,q,a and b. We dont really care if they are
numbers or variables.
First, anything that is added or subtracted should be separated
Try to get the equation in the form
(Something)X = (Something else)
Once you turn your equation to look like this, then you can
simply divide both sides
(p-q) X = b - a

Separating X from Other Junk

(p-q)X = b - a
(p-q) X = b - a
So, now divide both sides by (p-q)
b-a
(p-q)X
______
___________
= (p(pq)
q)
______
b-a
X = (pq)