CHAPTER 7 : ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

1. Group all the like terms together
2. Add / subtract the coefficient of the terms
3. Unlike terms cannot be simplified
Examples
Exercises
1. 6m 2n + 4m 5n
1. 2x 7y + 5x y
= 6m + 4m -2n -5n (group like
=
terms)
= 10m 7n
2. -7x + 4y + 3y + 2x
= -7x + 2x + 4y + 3y
= -5x + 7y
3. ( 12a 4b) + ( 5a + 7b)
= 12a+ 5a 4b + 7b
= 17a + 3b
4. ( 9q + 2p) ( 4q 6p)
= 9q + 2p 4q + 6p
= 9q 4q + 2p + 6p
= 5q + 8p
5. 8x ( - 4x) + x
= 8x + 4x + x
= 13x

2. 11z -3w - 8z- 8w

=

3. ( 6r + 9s) + ( 3r 2s)
=

Algebraic Term
Unknown
Coefficients
Like and Unlike (Algebraic )Terms
Algebraic Expressions

Multiplication & Division of 2 or more terms

(i) Finding the product of 2 algebraic terms
1. Collect all numbers and similar unknowns together
2. Then multiply the numbers and the unknown separately
Examples
1. 2ab x 4b2c
2. 4m2 x mn2
=2xaxbx4xbxbxc
=4xxmxmxmxnxn
=2x4xaxbxbxbxc
= 2 x m3 x n2
= 8 x a x b2x c
= 2 m3n2
= 8ab3c
Exercises
1. ab x a2b
4. (-8p3qr) x ( -7pqr2)
=
=

4. ( 5k -3) ( 7k + 2)
=

2 2
w z ( 9 w3 )
3

5. (2t +4s) (7t 3s)

=

6. -3c (- d) +(-2d)
= -3c +d 2d
=-3d -d
6. 3s (- 5s + 1)
=

2.3xy x (-2yz)
=

5.
=

3. 6ab2c x ( bc3)
=
(ii) Finding the quotient of two algebraic terms
1.Express the division in fraction form
2.Cancel similar unknowns that are found in both numerator and
denominator
Examples
Exercises

1. 24pq2z 8qr
=

16 x 3 y 2 2.
4 x2 y3 =
3. (- 18sr3t2) 6sr2t
=

iii) Multiplication and Division involving algebraic terms

Examples
Exercises

Computations involving Algebraic Expressions

* In Multiplication / division of algebraic expressions by a number, every
term
In the expression is multiply/ divide by the same number
Examples
Exercises

(G) Expanding single Brackets

* Expanding algebraic expressions by multiplying each term inside the
bracket by the number or term outside

Expanding double brackets

* Expanding algebraic Expressions by multiplying each term within the
first pair of brackets by every term within the second pair of brackets

Factorization
* Process of writing an expression as a product of two or more factors.
1. List out common factors for each alg. term , determine the HCF of
the terms .
2. Write as the product of 2 factors

*Factorize an expression by using the difference between 2 squares

i) expressions which consist of 2 terms :

ii) expressions which consist of 3 terms

iii) expressions which consist of 4 terms

Factorizing & Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

* Algebraic Fractions are fractions with either its numerator or
denominator or both having algebraic expressions
I) Simplifying algebraic Expressions

1. divide the numerator and denominator by their common factors.

2. factorizing the numerator or denominator or both and then divide the
numerator and denominator by their common factors.

PMR past year questions