MATH NOTES ON ALGEBRA
INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies symbols and the rules for
manipulating these symbols. It is a generalization of arithmetic in which unknowns
are represented by letters.
KEY CONCEPTS
• Variables: Symbols (usually letters like x, y, z) that represent unknown
quantities or values that can change.
• Expressions: Combinations of numbers, variables, and operation symbols
(like +, -, *, /). For example, 2x + 5 is an algebraic expression.
• Equations: Statements that two expressions are equal. They always contain
an equals sign (=). For example, 2x + 5 = 11 is an algebraic equation.
• Constants: Numbers that do not change their value (e.g., the '5' in 2x + 5).
• Coefficients: The numerical factor that multiplies a variable (e.g., the '2' in
2x).
SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS
The goal of solving an equation is to find the value of the variable that makes the
equation true. This is typically done by isolating the variable on one side of the
equation using inverse operations.
Example: Solve for x in 2x + 5 = 11
1. Subtract 5 from both sides: 2x = 11 - 5 which simplifies to 2x = 6.
2. Divide both sides by 2: x = 6 / 2 which simplifies to x = 3.
POLYNOMIALS
Polynomials are expressions consisting of variables and coefficients, that involves
only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative
integer exponentiation of variables.
Example: 3x^2 + 2x - 7
• Terms: Individual parts of a polynomial separated by + or - signs (e.g., 3x^2,
2x, -7).
• Degree of a term: The exponent of the variable in that term (e.g., the degree
of 3x^2 is 2).
• Degree of a polynomial: The highest degree of its terms (e.g., the degree of
3x^2 + 2x - 7 is 2).
