8/9/2020 Algebraic Expressions
Introduction to Algebraic Expressions
Constant
Constant is a quantity which has a fixed value.
Terms of Expression
Parts of an expression which are formed separately first and then added are known as
terms. They are added to form expressions.
Example: Terms 4x and 5 are added to form the expression (4x +5).
Coefficient of a term
The numerical factor of a term is called coefficient of the term.
Example: 10 is the coefficient of the term 10xy in the expression 10xy + 4y.
Algebra as Patterns
Writing Number patterns and rules related to them
If a natural number is denoted by n, its successor is (n + 1).
Example: Successor of n=10 is n+1 =11.
If a natural number is denoted by n, 2n is an even number and (2n+1) an odd number.
Example: If n=10, then 2n = 20 is an even number and 2n+1 = 21 is an odd number.
Writing Patterns in Geometry
Algebraic expressions are used in writing patterns followed by geometrical figures.
Example: Number of diagonals we can draw from one vertex of a polygon of n sides is
(n – 3).
Definition of Variables
Any algebraic expression can have any number of variables and constants.
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Variable
A variable is a quantity that is prone to change with the context of the
situation.
a, x, p, . . . are used to denote variables.
Constant
It is a quantity which has a fixed value.
In the expression 5x + 4, the variable here is x and the constant is 4.
The value 5x and 4 are also called terms of an expression.
In the term 5x, 5 is called the coefficient of x. Coefficients are any numerical factor of
a term.
Factors of a term
Factors of a term are quantities which can not be further factorised. A term is a
product of its factors.
Example: The term – 3xy is a product of the factors –3, x and y.
Formation of Algebraic Expressions
Variables and numbers are used to construct terms.
These terms along with a combination of operators constitute an algebraic expression.
The algebraic expression has a value that depends on the values of the variables.
For example, let 6p − 3p + 5) be an algebraic expression with variable p
2
The value of the expression when p = 2 is,
2
6(2) − 3(2) + 5 → 6(4) − 6 + 5 = 23
The value of the expression when p = 1 is,
2
6(1) − 3(1) + 5 → 6 − 3 + 5 = 8
Like and Unlike Terms
Like terms
Terms having same algebraic factors are like terms.
Example: 8xy and 3xy are like terms.
Unlike terms
Terms having different algebraic factors are unlike terms.
Example: 7xy and −3x are unlike terms.
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Monomial, Binomial,Trinomial and Polynomial Terms
Types of expressions based on the number of terms
Based on the number of terms present, algebraic expressions are classified as:
Monomial: An expression with only one term.
Example: 7xy, −5m, etc.
Binomial: An expression which contains two unlike terms.
Example: 5mn + 4, x + y, etc
Trinomial: An expression which contains three terms.
Example: x + y + 5, a + b + ab, etc.
Polynomials
An expression with one or more terms.
Example: x + y, 3xy + 6 + y, etc.
Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Equations
Mathematical operations like addition and subtraction can be applied to algebraic
terms.
For adding or subtracting two or more algebraic expression, like terms of both the
expressions are grouped together and unlike terms are retained as it is.
Sum of two or more like terms is a like term with a numerical coefficient equal to the
sum of the numerical coefficients of all like terms.
Difference between two like terms is a like term with a numerical coefficient equal to
the difference between the numerical coefficients of the two like terms.
For example, 2y + 3x − 2x + 4y → x(3 − 2) + y(2 + 4) → x + 6y
Summation of algebraic expressions can be done in two ways:
Consider the summation of the algebraic expressions 5a + 7a + 2ab and 7a + 9a + 11b 2 2
Horizontal method
2 2
5a + 7a + 2ab + 7a + 9a + 11b
= (5 + 7)a + (7 + 9)a + 2ab + 11b
2
= 12a + 16a + 2ab + 11b
2
Vertical method
2
5a + 7a + 2ab
2
7a + 9a + 11b
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
2
12a + 16a + 2ab + 11b
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Solving an Equation
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Use of algebraic expressions in formula of perimeter of figures
Algebraic expressions can be used in formulating perimeter of figures.
Example: Let l be length of one side then the perimeter of:
Equilateral triangle = 3l
Square = 4l
Regular pentagon = 5l
Use of algebraic expressions in formula of area of figures
Algebraic expressions can be used in formulation area of figures. \
Example: Let l be the length and b be the breadth then the area of:
Square = l 2
Rectangle = l × b = lb
Triangle = , where b and h are base and height, respectively.
b×h
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