Arithmetic and Algebra - Presentation

FC311E
Intermediate Mathematics
Arithmetic and Algebra
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Arithmetic and Algebra
After studying this theme you should be able to:
• Use the basic number operations

• Simplify algebraic expressions
• Use and rearrange equations
• Use the rules for combining indices
• Simplify and use surds
• Rationalise the denominator for surds
• Factorise algebraic expressions
Basic Number Operations
 In this session we will learn the basic operations with numbers and
how to use them.
There are 4 basic things we can do with numbers.
• We can add them:

• We can subtract them:

• We can multiply them:

• We can multiply them:
• We can divide them: (or write

/)
These 4 operations pair up as opposites of each other:
Adding is the opposite of

Subtracting

Subtracting
Multiplying is the opposite of

Dividing

Subtracting
Multiplying is the opposite of

Dividing
Therefore as “” is the opposite of “”
Fractions
Although adding, subtracting and multiplying whole numbers (1,2,3,4,5…) will

always give a whole number, dividing will sometimes give a fraction:
e.g. but “7
halves” or “7 over 2”
Fractions

e.g. but “7
Here are some common fractions:

Fractions

e.g. but “7
Here are some common fractions:

“One half” “One third”
“One quarter”
“Three quarters” “One 8th”

“Four 9ths”
Remember a fraction just shows two whole numbers which have been divided by
each other…
each other…
…so if we multiply a fraction by whatever appears on the bottom (the

“denominator”) we just get back the top (the “numerator”):
each other…
…so if we multiply a fraction by whatever appears on the bottom (the

“denominator”) we just get back the top (the “numerator”):
e.g.
Sometimes fractions are written as decimals.
(the 3s carry on forever!)

(the 3s carry on forever!)
Your calculator should automatically convert between decimals and fractions so

make sure you know how to do this.
Negative Numbers
If you subtract a number from itself then you get zero:

Negative Numbers
If you subtract a larger number from a smaller number then you get a negative
number:
“Three minus seven equals minus four”
Negative Numbers
number:
Multiplying two negative numbers gives a positive number:

Negative Numbers
number:
Multiplying two negative numbers gives a positive number:
But multiplying a positive and a negative number together gives a negative

number:
Although there are 4 basic operations we can use with numbers, there are also
some others based upon these.
Although there are 4 basic operations we can use with numbers, there are also
some others based upon these.
For example we can raise one number as a power (or “index”) of the
other.
e.g. means multiplied by itself times:
“7 to the power 2” or “7 squared” is equal to .

For “squaring” (i.e. “raising to the index 2”) there is an opposite operation called
“square rooting” given the symbol
so
so
so
so
Because these are opposites this can often help us simplify things
e.g.
so
so
Because these are opposites this can often help us simplify things
e.g.
Note that there are opposites of other indices as well e.g. (“cube root”) but we will
not discuss them yet.
You need to be careful using operations on your calculator as the order in
which you type things matters…
e.g. and not because the is done before the
The basic order things are done is:

• Evaluate anything in brackets first
• Then deal with indices
• Then do dividing and multiplying
• Finally do adding and subtracting
The basic order things are done is:

• Evaluate anything in brackets first
• Then deal with indices
• Then do dividing and multiplying
• Finally do adding and subtracting
This is sometimes referred to as BIDMAS (Brackets, Indices, Divide, Multiply,

Add, Subtract) but if in doubt always put brackets around expressions:
e.g. evaluates the first to give then multiplies
by 4 to give .
Algebra
 In this session we will learn about the importance of algebra in
mathematics and how to simplify algebraic expressions.
Algebra is a very important part of mathematics.
All of the themes you will study in this module will include algebra and so it is
important that you know how to use, manipulate and simplify algebraic
expressions correctly.
What makes algebra so useful is that it allows us to generalise things.
For example, if I have 3 circles and I multiply the number of circles by 2 how
many circles do I have?
×2=¿
I get 6 circles.
×2=¿
I get 6 circles.
We could write this as an equation: where is a circle.
But this would apply just as well for other shapes as for circles!
Our equation is much more general than just a statement about circles.
In the previous example, was what we call a “variable”.
Usually our variables represent numbers rather than objects themselves.

However, they don’t necessarily have to represent a particular number. The

number they represent could vary (hence the name “variable”). This is what
allows us to make more general statements using algebra than just numbers by
themselves.

themselves.
e.g. means multiplying any number by rather than a particular number.

.

themselves.
e.g. means multiplying any number by rather than a particular number.
Usually we don’t bother with the symbol in cases like these and just write .
Quite often algebraic expressions will include more than one variable.
e.g.
One of the key features of algebra is you can combine the same variables but
you can’t combine different variables.
e.g.
If you think about it this makes sense:
If I have 5 circles and I add 2 circles then I have 7 circles:

e.g.
If you think about it this makes sense:
If I have 5 circles and I add 2 circles then I have 7 circles:
… but if I have 5 circles and I add 2 squares then I don’t have 7 circles!
is not equal to !
We can use this to simplify algebraic expressions:
Examples:
(we can’t combine the and terms!)
( is not the same as so we can’t combine it

with the term!)
Brackets
Sometimes expressions have brackets ( ) in them. You can get
rid of the brackets by multiplying out (or expanding them):
Brackets
E.g.
Brackets
E.g.
The needs to multiply

everything inside the
brackets!
Brackets
E.g.

brackets!
Sometimes it is useful to do the opposite and factorise:

Brackets
E.g.

brackets!
E.g.
Brackets
E.g.

brackets!
E.g.
We added brackets back
in or factorise.
Expand the brackets in the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Double brackets: Multiply everything in the 1st bracket by everything in the 2nd …
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Factorise the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Equations
 In this session we will learn how to use equations and how to
rearrange them to make any variable the subject.
Equations
An equation links an algebraic expression and a number, or two
algebraic expressions with an equals sign.
e.g.
We can rearrange an equation by making changes to the two

sides.
BUT...
Equations
An equation links an algebraic expression and a number, or two
algebraic expressions with an equals sign.
e.g.
We can rearrange an equation by making changes to the two

sides.
Whatever we do to the left side we
BUT... must DO THE SAME to the right
side
must DO THE SAME to the right side
𝑥 −2=10
𝑥 −2=10
𝑥 −2+ 2=¿
If we add 2 to
the left side…
𝑥 −2=10
𝑥 −2+ 2=10 +2
If we add 2 to … we must add to
the left side… the right side
𝑥 −2=10
𝑥 −2+ 2=10 +2
If we add 2 to … we must add to
the left side… the right side
𝑥=12
3 𝑥=12
3 𝑥=12
3 𝑥 ÷ 3=¿
If we divide the
left by …
3 𝑥=12
3 𝑥 ÷ 3=12 ÷ 3
If we divide the … we must divide
left by … the right by
3 𝑥=12
3 𝑥 ÷ 3=12 ÷ 3
left by …
12 the right by
𝑥=
3
3 𝑥=12
3 𝑥 ÷ 3=12 ÷ 3
left by …
12 the right by
𝑥=
3
𝑥=4
When there is only one variable (e.g. ) then we can rearrange the
equation to solve for .
E.g.
E.g.
We want to get rid of the on the left side so the is left by itself.
Subtract 5:
E.g.
Subtract 5:
E.g.
Subtract 5:
Sometimes there will be more than one variable (e.g. and )
then we can rearrange the equation to make the subject.
E.g.
E.g.
We want to get rid of the multiplying on the left side so the is

left by itself.
Divide by 2:
E.g.

left by itself.
Divide by 2:
Whatever we do to the left side

we must DO THE SAME to the
right side
E.g.

left by itself.
Divide by 2:
Whatever we do to the left side

we must DO THE SAME to the
right side
Some useful tricks…
• If there are multiple things to do then start from the furthest out
E.g.
E.g.
Add first as it is
furthest from the
E.g.
Add first as it is
furthest from the
• If there is a square root then we must square to get rid of it…

E.g.
E.g.
Add first as it is
furthest from the

E.g.
E.g.
Add first as it is
furthest from the

E.g.
• If there are some brackets ( ) it is usually a good idea to multiply

them out…
E.g.
E.g.
Add first as it is
furthest from the

E.g.
• If there are some brackets ( ) it is usually a good idea to multiply

them out…
E.g.
Sometimes the will appear more than once and normal simplifying
methods won’t work.
E.g.
E.g.
We can’t go further because we can’t combine the and the !
E.g.
Instead we must factorise the left side…
E.g.
E.g.
We now just have one multiplied by something. To get rid of this we

divide both sides by it:
E.g.

E.g.

Make the subject
a)
b)
c)
Make the subject
a)
b)
c)
Make the subject
a)
b)
c)
Make the subject
a)
b)
c)
Indices
 In this session we will learn the rules for combining indices and how
to apply these.
Indices
Indices are a way to show how many times a term has been
multiplied by itself.
represents .
represents .
The index (or power) is written as a small number next to the top
of a term. The is called the base.
Rules of Indices
Operations involving indices follow these rules
These rules only apply if the base is the same on both terms.
doesn’t work for example.
Index form
The following is expected knowledge
e.g.
For the following, state the value of :
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b) so
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b) so
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b) so
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b) so
c)
d)
e)
f)
a) so
b) so
c)
d)
e)
f)
Index form
Convert the following into index form
a)
b)
c)
Index form
a)
b)
c)
Index form
a)
b)
c)
Index form
a)
b)
c)
Surds
 In this session we will learn what is meant by a “surd” and how to
combine and simplify them.
Surds
Surds are terms where we cannot simplify or remove a root.
is not a surd as it simplifies to 2. is a surd as no further

simplification is possible.
All surds are irrational i.e. cannot be written as a fraction.

Simplifying Surds
Surds can be manipulated by the following rule:
Simplifying a surd aims to reduce the value inside the root.

Simplify the following surd expressions.
a) (Hint: )
b)
c)
d)
Simplify the following surd expressions.
a) (Hint: )
b)
c)
d)
Algebra with Surds
You’ll be expected to use surds within algebra.
Express in the form
a)
b)
c)
Express in the form
a)
b)
c)
Rationalising the denominator
 In this session we will learn how to “rationalize the denominator” by
getting rid of surd expressions in the bottom of a fraction.
In some questions, in order to simplify the fraction we needed to “rationalise the
denominator”.
e.g. Simplify
In this case we needed to multiply top and bottom by .
How about this example? How do we rationalise this fraction?
How about this example? How do we rationalise this fraction?
We have to multiply top and bottom by the conjugate.

Conjugate pairs multiply out to integer values. Normally they
only have a sign difference.
Rationalise the denominator.
a)
b)
c)
Simplify
Rationalise the denominator.
a)
b)
c)
Simplify
Factorising
 In this session we will learn how to “factorise” algebraic expressions
including “quadratic” expressions with an term.
Recall that to “factorise” an algebraic expression you find the common factors
of the terms, add in some brackets and take the factors outside.
e.g. has a common factor because both and can be

divided by 3.
Add in some brackets:
Take the common factor outside: and we have factorised!

e.g. has a common factor because both and can be

divided by 3.
Add in some brackets:
Take the common factor outside: and we have factorised!
You will also need to be able to factorise quadratic expressions which have an
term e.g. .
Generally this is more difficult and requires us to use two sets of brackets:
Easy Factorising
When factorising quadratic expressions

where the following rules help you
factorise.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
When the number appearing before is not we will need to modify our technique.
e.g. for some and to be identified.

We need to put in one of the brackets as otherwise we can never get back
.
.
To find and notice that . Therefore either and or and .

.
To find and notice that . Therefore either and or and .
If we try each and multiply out the brackets we will find that only will give
back the correct expression.
Some useful tricks for factorising quadratics:
Usually we can write
Then write down all the possible combinations such that
• If both and are positive then both and will be positive

• If is negative then either is negative or is negative (not both!)
• If is negative and is positive then both and are negative
Even with these rules you will probably have to use some trial and error so
make sure you are quick at expanding brackets!
a)
b)
c)
d)
a)
b)
c)
d)

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FC311E

• Use the basic number operations

• We can add them:

• We can add them:

• We can subtract them:

• We can add them:

• We can subtract them:

• We can multiply them:

• We can add them:

• We can subtract them:

• We can multiply them:

• We can divide them: (or write

Adding is the opposite of

Adding is the opposite of

Multiplying is the opposite of

Adding is the opposite of

Multiplying is the opposite of

Although adding, subtracting and multiplying whole numbers (1,2,3,4,5…) will

Although adding, subtracting and multiplying whole numbers (1,2,3,4,5…) will

Here are some common fractions:

Although adding, subtracting and multiplying whole numbers (1,2,3,4,5…) will

Here are some common fractions:

“Three quarters” “One 8th”

…so if we multiply a fraction by whatever appears on the bottom (the

…so if we multiply a fraction by whatever appears on the bottom (the

(the 3s carry on forever!)

(the 3s carry on forever!)

Your calculator should automatically convert between decimals and fractions so

If you subtract a number from itself then you get zero:

If you subtract a number from itself then you get zero:

If you subtract a number from itself then you get zero:

Multiplying two negative numbers gives a positive number:

If you subtract a number from itself then you get zero:

Multiplying two negative numbers gives a positive number:

But multiplying a positive and a negative number together gives a negative

e.g. means multiplied by itself times:

“7 to the power 2” or “7 squared” is equal to .

The basic order things are done is:

The basic order things are done is:

This is sometimes referred to as BIDMAS (Brackets, Indices, Divide, Multiply,

We could write this as an equation: where is a circle.

Usually our variables represent numbers rather than objects themselves.

Usually our variables represent numbers rather than objects themselves.

However, they don’t necessarily have to represent a particular number. The

Usually our variables represent numbers rather than objects themselves.

However, they don’t necessarily have to represent a particular number. The

e.g. means multiplying any number by rather than a particular number.

Usually our variables represent numbers rather than objects themselves.

However, they don’t necessarily have to represent a particular number. The

e.g. means multiplying any number by rather than a particular number.

If you think about it this makes sense:

If I have 5 circles and I add 2 circles then I have 7 circles:

If you think about it this makes sense:

If I have 5 circles and I add 2 circles then I have 7 circles:

(we can’t combine the and terms!)

( is not the same as so we can’t combine it

The needs to multiply

The needs to multiply

Sometimes it is useful to do the opposite and factorise:

The needs to multiply

Sometimes it is useful to do the opposite and factorise:

The needs to multiply

Sometimes it is useful to do the opposite and factorise: