ALGEBRAIC College Algebra

EXPRESSIONS
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION.
refers to a constant, a variable, or a combination of variables and constants involving
a finite number of indicated fundamental operations in algebra.

Example:
 1. a²-4 5. a5 - 4a² + a - 1= 0
2. 6. -
3. 7. 0
4. a(a - b)
Example:
 1. a²-4 5. a5 - 4a² + a - 1= 0
2. 6. -
3. 7. 0
4. a(a - b)

Is Example no. 5 an algebraic expression? No. It is an algebraic equation.

A rational expression is an algebraic All except (1) and (3) are rational expressions.
expression that can be written without
any variables under the radical sign.
If an algebraic expression involves variables (1) and (3) are irrational expressions.
under radical signs, it is called an irrational
expression.
Example:
 1. a²-4 5. a5 - 4a² + a - 1= 0
2. 6. -
3. 7. 0
4. a(a - b)

A polynomial is a rational expression, which Examples (4) and (7) are polynomials
does not contain any division involving
variables.
A fractional expression is a rational (2) and (6) are fractional expressions.
expression, which is not a polynomial in
which denominators, or divisions involving
variables necessarily occur.
Each distinct part, together with +or-signs in Examples (1) has two terms, (2) has one term,
an algebraic expression separated by plus or and (6) has two terms.
minus sign is called a Term.
 A polynomial maybe a monomial, binomial, trinomial or multinomial accordingly
as it has one, two, three, and more than two terms.

A multinomial is a polynomial but a polynomial is not always a multinomial, that is

of the case of a monomial - a monomial is a polynomial but not a multinomial.

The constant factor of a term is called numerical coefficient and the literal factor(s) are
called literal coefficients.

The numerical coefficient of 2x3y is 2, the literal coefficients are x3 and y. While the
coefficient of 2 is x3y, the coefficient of y is 2x3 and the coefficient of x3 is 2y.

 Termswith the same literal coefficients (including the exponents) are called similar
terms, otherwise dissimilar terms.
Example:
x3y, -10x³y, , -x3y are similar terms.
 The degree of a polynomial, which involves variables, is the sum of exponents
attached to these variables.

Example:
3x2y has a degree of 3 and x3yz has a degree of 5

 The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of the term appearing in the polynomial.
Example:

3x³y²-5x³y + xy-10 has a degree of 5

x5y + x2y + y-5 has a degree of 6.

The absolute value of x, denoted by Ixl is x if x0 and -x if x < 0.

That is, the absolute value of any numeral/variable without regard to its sign called the absolute
value.
EXERCISE
  Determine whether each algebraic expression is a polynomial in x or not. If it is a
I.
polynomial, find its degree.
1. 2x (x-x²)+x³+2-1
2. x²-6+x²
3. x³ (1-5x²)-x (1+x²)
4. 3(1- ) + x + 3x2
5. -10
EXERCISE
 II. True or False. Explain your answer.
1. 3x-3 + x-2 – 2 is a trinomial.
2. The degree of the polynomial, x4 - 5x²y + x³y² + 10 is 5.
3. In the polynomial 2x³ - 5x + 12, the coefficient of x is 5.
4. There are 3 terms in the polynomial 1 - +
5. There are two terms in the algebraic expression +