Basic Concepts of Algebra

ALGEBRA

Generalized arithmetic

A good understanding of arithmetic provides a sound basis for the

study of algebra
Numerical Experessions

6+8
23
4x3
91
In algebra, we use variables to generalize arithmetic ideas
Algebraic expressions

x+y
xy
mn
m/n
Some of the vocabulary and symbolism associated with the concept of
SETS can be effectively used in the study of algebra.
SET

Denoted by a capital letter, it is a collection of objects

The objects are called ELEMENTS
Braces (or { }) are used to enclose the elements
SET

Examples:

Word description
A = {vowels of the English alphabet}

List or roster description

A = {a,e,i,o,u}

Set-builder notation
A = {x l x is a vowel}
where the vertical line is read such that
The set of real numbers
Natural numbers, counting numbers, positive integers
{1, 2, 3, 4, ... }
Whole numbers, nonnegative integers
(0, 1, 2 , 3, 4, ...}
Negative integers
{ ... , -3, -2, -1}
Nonpositive integers
{ ... , -3, -2, -1, 0}
Integers
{..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ... }
Rational number

Any number that can be expressed in the form a/b, where a and b
are integers and b is not zero.
A number with either a terminating or a repeating decimal
representation
Examples:
-1/7
6
-4
0.3
0.3333
0.2143
Irrational number
Any number that cannot be expressed in the form a/b, where
a and b are integers and b is not zero.
Has a NONrepeating, NONterminating decimal
representation

Examples:
Square root of 2 = 1.41421356...
Pi = 3.1415926...
In general...

Real
numbers

Rational Irrational

Non-
Integers Negative Positive
integers

Negative Zero Positive Negative Positive

Real number line

Indicates a one-to-one correspondence between the set of real

numbers and the points on a line
To each real number, there corresponds one and only one point on
the line
The number that corresponds to a particular point on the line is
called the COORDINATE of that point
Absolute value of a real number

The distance between that number and zero on the number line
Properties of Real Numbers

1. Closure (in addition and in multiplication)

2. Commutative
3. Associative
4. Distributive
5. Identity
6. Inverse
Other important concepts

PEMDAS

Greatest Common Factor

Least Common Multiple

Algebraic expressions
Term

An indicated product which contains variables (called literal factors)

and numerical coefficients.
Example: In 3xy, 3 is the numerical coefficient and x and y are the literal
factors

Terms having the same literal factors are called similar terms or
like terms
Such similar terms may be added or subtracted
An algebraic expression takes on a numerical value whenever each
variable (literal factor) in the expression is replaced by a real number.

-- called evaluating an algebraic expression

Evaluating algebraic expressions

1. Perform the operations inside the symbols of inclusion (parentheses,

brackets, braces) and above and below each fraction bar. Start with the
innermost inclusion symbol.
2. Perform all multiplications and divisions in the order in which they appear,
from left to right.
3. Perform all additions and subtractions in the order in which they appear, from
left to right.
exponents
The exponent of a number

The number of times that number is multiplied by itself

That number is referred to as the BASE
Properties of exponents
1. bn . bm = bn+m
2. (bn)m = bnm
3. (ab)n = anbn
4. (a/b)n = an/bn , b 0
5. bn / bm = bn-m , when n > m, b 0
6. bn / bm = 1 , when n = m, b 0
7. bn / bm = 1 / bm-n , when n < m, b 0
8. b0 = 1
9. b1 = b
10. b-n = 1 / bn
polynomials
Monomial

Terms that contain variables with only nonnegative integers as

exponents
The DEGREE OF A MONOMIAL is the sum of the exponents of the
literal factors
Polynomial

A monomial or a finite sum of monomials

Polynomials with two terms are BINOMIALS and those with three are
TRINOMIALS
The DEGREE OF A POLYNOMIAL is the degree of the term with the
highest degree in the polynomial
Operations on Polynomials

Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

Addition (or subtraction) of polynomials

1. Add (or subtract) the numerical coefficients of similar terms

2. Attach the common literal coefficient to the sum of each set of
similar terms
Multiplication of polynomials

1. Product law
bn . bm = bn+m
2. Power of a product law
(bn cm)^p = bnp cmp
3. Distributive property
x(y+z) = xy + xz
Multiplication of polynomials

Multiplying a monomial by another monomial

Multiplying a multi-termed polynomial by a monomial
Multiplying a multi-termed polynomial by another multi-termed
monomial
 some special products

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a b)2 = a2 2ab + b2
(a + b)(a b) = a2 b2
(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3
(a b)3 = a3 3a2b + 3ab2 b3
Division of polynomials

1) The power of a quotient law

2) The law on zero exponents
3) The law on negative exponents
Division of polynomials

Dividing a monomial by another monomial

Dividing a multi-termed polynomial by a monomial
Dividing a multi-termed polynomial by another multi-termed
polynomial
Recall: Evaluating algebraic expressions

1. Perform the operations inside the symbols of inclusion (parentheses,

brackets, braces) and above and below each fraction bar. Start with the
innermost inclusion symbol.
2. Perform all multiplications and divisions in the order in which they appear,
from left to right.
3. Perform all additions and subtractions in the order in which they appear, from
left to right.
Factoring polynomials
Factoring polynomials

If a polynomial is equal to the product of other polynomials, then

each polynomial in the product is a FACTOR of the original
polynomial
We are interested in getting the COMPLETELY FACTORED FORM of a
polynomial
Some cases

1. Monomial factor
2. Difference of two squares
3. Sum and Difference of two cubes
x3 + y3 = (x + y) (x2 xy + y2)
x3 - y3 = (x - y) (x2 + xy + y2)
4. Perfect square trinomial
5. Quadratic trinomial

x2 + (a+b)x + ab = (x + a)(x + b)
Rational expressions
Rational expression

Quotient of two polynomials

[May be related to division of polynomials]
Because division by zero must be avoided, no values must be
assigned to variables that will create a denominator of zero
Radicals
Other properties
 References

See course syllabus

Basic Concepts of Algebra