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This module is from Elementary Algebra by Denny Burzynski and Wade Ellis, Jr. Operations with algebraic expressions and numerical evaluations are introduced in this chapter. Coefficients are described rather than merely defined. Special binomial products have both literal and symbolic explanations and since they occur so frequently in mathematics, we have been careful to help the student remember them. In each example problem, the student is "talked" through the symbolic form.This module contains a summary of the key concepts in the chapter "Algebraic Expressions and Equations".

Summary of key concepts

Algebraic expressions ( [link] )

An algebraic expression (often called simply an expression) is a number, a letter, or a collection of numbers and letters along with meaningful signs of operation. ( 5 ÷ 0 is not meaningful.)

Terms ( [link] )

In an algebraic expression, the quantities joined by " + " signs are terms .

Distinction between terms and factors ( [link] )

Terms are parts of sums and are therefore separated by addition signs. Factors are parts of products and are therefore separated by multiplication signs.

Common factors ( [link] )

In an algebraic expression, a factor that appears in every term, that is, a factor that is common to each term, is called a common factor .

Coefficients ( [link] )

The coefficient of a quantity records how many of that quantity there are. The coefficient of a group of factors is the remaining group of factors.

Distinction between coefficients and exponents ( [link] )

Coefficients record the number of like terms in an expression. x + x + x 3 terms = 3 x coefficient is 3
Exponents record the number of like factors in an expression x x x 3 factors = x 3 exponent is 3

Equation ( [link] )

An equation is a statement that two expressions are equal.

Numerical evaluation ( [link] )

Numerical evaluation is the process of determining a value by substituting numbers for letters.

Polynomials ( [link] )

A polynomial is an algebraic expression that does not contain variables in the denominators of fractions and in which all exponents on variable quantities are whole numbers.

A monomial is a polynomial consisting of only one term.
A binomial is a polynomial consisting of two terms.
A trinomial is a polynomial consisting of three terms.

Degree of a polynomial ( [link] )

The degree of a term containing one variable is the value of the exponent on the variable.
The degree of a term containing more than one variable is the sum of the exponents on the variables.
The degree of a polynomial is the degree of the term of the highest degree.

Linear quadratic cubic polynomials ( [link] )

Polynomials of the first degree are linear polynomials.
Polynomials of the second degree are quadratic polynomials.
Polynomials of the third degree are cubic polynomials.

Like terms ( [link] )

Like terms are terms in which the variable parts, including the exponents, are identical.

Descending order ( [link] )

By convention, and when possible, the terms of an expression are placed in descending order with the highest degree term appearing first. 5 x 3 2 x 2 + 10 x 15 is in descending order.

Multiplying a polynomial by a monomial ( [link] )

To multiply a polynomial by a monomial, multiply every term of the polynomial by the monomial and then add the resulting products together.
7 ( x 3 ) = 7 x 7 3 = 7 x 21

Simplifying + ( a + b ) And ( a + b ) ( [link] )

+ ( a + b ) = a + b ( a + b ) = a b

Multiplying a polynomial by a polynomial ( [link] )

To multiply polynomials together, multiply every term of one polynomial by every term of the other polynomial. ( x + 3 ) ( x 4 ) = x 2 4 x + 3 x 12 = x 2 x 12

Special products ( [link] )

( a + b ) 2 = a 2 + 2 a b + b 2 N o t e : ( a + b ) 2 a 2 + b 2 ( a b ) 2 = a 2 2 a b + b 2 ( a b ) 2 a 2 b 2 ( a + b ) ( a b ) = a 2 b 2

Independent and dependent variables ( [link] )

In an equation, any variable whose value can be freely assigned is said to be an independent variable . Any variable whose value is determined once the other values have been assigned is said to be a dependent variable .

Domain ( [link] )

The collection of numbers that can be used as replacements for the independent variable in an expression or equation and yield a meaningful result is called the domain of the expression or equation.

Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
Eunice Reply
what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
Someone
definitely of physics
Haryormhidey Reply
how many start and codon
Esrael Reply
what is field
Felix Reply
physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
Collete
what is ogarnic chemistry
WISDOM Reply
determine the slope giving that 3y+ 2x-14=0
WISDOM
Another formula for Acceleration
Belty Reply
a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
Adah
pratica A on solution of hydro chloric acid,B is a solution containing 0.5000 mole ofsodium chlorid per dm³,put A in the burret and titrate 20.00 or 25.00cm³ portion of B using melting orange as the indicator. record the deside of your burret tabulate the burret reading and calculate the average volume of acid used?
Nassze Reply
how do lnternal energy measures
Esrael
Two bodies attract each other electrically. Do they both have to be charged? Answer the same question if the bodies repel one another.
JALLAH Reply
No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
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Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. May 08, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10614/1.3
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