30 Chapter 1 Review of Basic Algebraic Concepts

Section 1.3 Simplifying Expressions

Concepts 1. Recognizing Terms, Factors, and Coefficients

1. Recognizing Terms, Factors, An algebraic expression is a single term or a sum of two or more terms. A term
and Coefficients is a constant or the product of a constant and one or more variables. For example,
2. Properties of Real Numbers the expression
26x2 1 5xyz 1 12112
3. Simplifying Expressions
26x2 1 5xyz 2 11 or
consists of the terms 26x2, 5xyz, and 211.
The terms 26x2 and 5xyz are variable terms, and the term 211 is called a con-
stant term. It is important to distinguish between a term and the factors within a
term. For example, the quantity 5xyz is one term, but the values 5, x, y, and z are
factors within the term. The constant factor in a term is called the numerical coef-
ficient or simply coefficient of the term. In the terms 26x2, 5xyz, and 211, the
coefficients are 26, 5, and 211, respectively. A term containing only variables such
as xy has a coefficient of 1.
Terms are called like terms if they each have the same variables and the cor-
responding variables are raised to the same powers. For example:
Like Terms Unlike Terms
26t and 4t 26t and 4s (different variables)
1.8ab and 23ab 1.8xy and 23x (different variables)
1 2 3 1 2 3
2c d and c2d3 2c d and c2d (different powers)
4 and 6 4p and 6 (different variables)

Example 1 Identifying Terms, Factors, Coefficients,

and Like Terms
a. List the terms of the expression. 24x2 2 7x 1 32
b. Identify the coefficient of the term. yz3
1
c. Identify the pair of like terms. 16b, 4b2 or 2 c, 261 c

Solution:
a. The terms of the expression 24x2 2 7x 1 32 are 24x2, 27x, and 23.
b. The term yz3 can be written as 1yz3; therefore, the coefficient is 1.
1
c. 261 c are like terms because they have the same variable raised to the
2 c,
same power.
1
Skill Practice Given: 22x 2 1 5x 1 2 y2
2
1a. List the terms of the expression.
b. Which term is the constant term?
c. Identify the coefficient of the term 2y2.

Skill Practice Answers 2. Properties of Real Numbers

1
1a. 22x 2, 5x, , 2y 2 Simplifying algebraic expressions requires several important properties of real
2
1 numbers that are stated in Table 1-3. Assume that a, b, and c represent real num-
b. bers or real-valued algebraic expressions.
2
c. 21
 Section 1.3 Simplifying Expressions 31

Table 1-3
Algebraic
Property Name Representation Example Description/Notes
Commutative property a 1 b 5 b 1 a 5135315 The order in which
of addition two real numbers are
added or multiplied
Commutative property a ? b 5 b ? a 152 132 5 132 152 does not affect the
of multiplication result.
Associative property 1a 1 b2 1 c 12 1 32 1 7 The manner in which
of addition 5 a 1 1b 1 c2 5 2 1 13 1 72 two real numbers
are grouped under
Associative property 1a ? b2 c 5 a 1b ? c2 12 ? 327 5 213 ? 72 addition or
of multiplication multiplication does
not affect the result.
Distributive property a1b 1 c2 315 1 22 A factor outside the
of multiplication 5 ab 1 ac 53?513?2 parentheses is
over addition multiplied by each
term inside the
parentheses.
Identity property 0 is the identity 5 1 0 5 0 1 5 5 5 Any number added
of addition element for to the identity
addition because element 0 will
a10501a5a remain unchanged.
Identity property 1 is the identity 5?151?555 Any number multiplied
of multiplication element for by the identity
multiplication element 1 will
because remain unchanged.
a?151?a5a
Inverse property a and 12a2 are 3 1 1232 5 0 The sum of a number
of addition additive inverses and its additive
because inverse (opposite)
a 1 12a2 5 0 is the identity
and element 0.
12a2 1 a 5 0
Inverse property of a and a1 are 5 ? 15 5 1 The product of a
multiplication multiplicative number and its
inverses because multiplicative
inverse (reciprocal)
1
a? 51 and is the identity
a
element 1.
1
?a51
a
(provided a 0)

The properties of real numbers are used to multiply algebraic expressions. To

multiply a term by an algebraic expression containing more than one term, we
apply the distributive property of multiplication over addition.

Example 2 Applying the Distributive Property

Apply the distributive property.
a. 412x 1 52 b. 2123.4q 1 5.7r2

d. 2 a29x 1 y 2 5b
2 3
c. 231a 1 2b 2 5c2
3 8
32 Chapter 1 Review of Basic Algebraic Concepts

Solution:

a. 412x 1 52
5 412x2 1 4152 Apply the distributive property.
5 8x 1 20 Simplify, using the associative
property of multiplication.

b. 2123.4q 1 5.7r2 The negative sign preceding the

parentheses can be interpreted as a
factor of 21.
5 21123.4q 1 5.7r2
5 21123.4q2 1 121215.7r2 Apply the distributive property.
5 3.4q 2 5.7r

c. 231a 1 2b 2 5c2
TIP: When applying the
distributive property, a 5 231a2 1 123212b2 1 1232125c2 Apply the distributive property.
negative factor preceding
5 23a 2 6b 1 15c Simplify.
the parentheses will
change the signs of the
terms within the
d. 2 a29x 1 y 2 5b
2 3
parentheses.
3 8

5 2 129x2 1 a2 b a yb 1 a2 b 1252
231a 1 2b 2 5c2 2 2 3 2
Apply the distributive
3 3 8 3
property.
18 6 10
23a 2 6b 1 15c 5 x2 y1 Simplify.
3 24 3
1 10
5 6x 2 y 1 Reduce to lowest terms.
4 3

Skill Practice Apply the distributive property.

2. 10130y 2 402 3. 217t 2 1.6s 1 9.22

14a 1 72
1
4. 2214x 2 3y 2 62 5.
2

Notice that the parentheses are removed after the distributive property is applied.
Sometimes this is referred to as clearing parentheses.
Two terms can be added or subtracted only if they are like terms. To add or
subtract like terms, we use the distributive property, as shown in Example 3.

Example 3 Using the Distributive Property to Add

and Subtract Like Terms
Add and subtract as indicated.
Skill Practice Answers
a. 28x 1 3x b. 4.75y2 2 9.25y2 1 y2
2. 300y 2 400
3. 27t 1 1.6s 2 9.2
4. 28x 1 6y 1 12
7
5. 2a 1
2
 Section 1.3 Simplifying Expressions 33

Solution:
a. 28x 1 3x
5 x128 1 32 Apply the distributive property.
5 x1252 Simplify.
5 25x
b. 4.75y2 2 9.25y2 1 y2
5 4.75y2 2 9.25y2 1 1y2 Notice that y2 is interpreted as 1y2.
5 y2 14.75 2 9.25 1 12 Apply the distributive property.
5 y2 123.52 Simplify.
2
5 23.5y

Skill Practice Combine like terms.

6. 24y 1 7y 7. a 2 2 6a 2 1 3a 2

Although the distributive property is used to add and subtract like terms, it
is tedious to write each step. Observe that adding or subtracting like terms is a
matter of combining the coefficients and leaving the variable factors unchanged.
This can be shown in one step. This shortcut will be used throughout the text.
For example:
4w 1 7w 5 11w 8ab2 1 10ab2 2 5ab2 5 13ab2

3. Simplifying Expressions
Clearing parentheses and combining like terms are important tools to simplifying
algebraic expressions. This is demonstrated in Example 4.

Example 4 Clearing Parentheses and Combining Like Terms

Simplify by clearing parentheses and combining like terms.
a. 4 2 312x 2 82 2 1 b. 213s 2 11t2 2 512t 1 8s2 2 10s

d. 2 13w 2 62 2 a w 1 4b
1 1
c. 231.5x 1 4.71x2 2 5.2x2 2 3x4
3 4
Solution:
a. 4 2 312x 2 82 2 1
5 4 2 6x 1 24 2 1 Apply the distributive property.
5 4 1 24 2 1 2 6x Group like terms.
5 27 2 6x Combine like terms.
5 26x 1 27

TIP: The expression 27 2 6x is equal to 26x 1 27. However, it is custo-

mary to write the variable term first.

Skill Practice Answers

6. 3y 7. 22a 2
34 Chapter 1 Review of Basic Algebraic Concepts

b. 213s 2 11t2 2 512t 1 8s2 2 10s

5 23s 1 11t 2 10t 2 40s 2 10s Apply the distributive property.
5 23s 2 40s 2 10s 1 11t 2 10t Group like terms.
5 253s 1 t Combine like terms.
2
c. 231.5x 1 4.71x 2 5.2x2 2 3x4
5 23 1.5x 1 4.7x2 2 24.44x 2 3x4 Apply the distributive property to
inner parentheses.
5 2 31.5x 2 24.44x 2 3x 1 4.7x2 4 Group like terms.
5 23225.94x 1 4.7x2 4 Combine like terms.
2
5 251.88x 1 9.4x Apply the distributive property.
5 9.4x2 2 51.88x

TIP: By using the commutative property of addition, the expression

251.88x 1 9.4x 2 can also be written as 9.4x 2 1 1251.88x2 or simply
9.4x 2 2 51.88x. Although the expressions are all equal, it is customary to
write the terms in descending order of the powers of the variable.

d. 2 13w 2 62 2 a w 1 4b
1 1
3 4
3 6 1
52 w1 2 w24 Apply the distributive property.
3 3 4
1
5 2w 1 2 2 w 2 4 Reduce fractions to lowest terms.
4
4 1
52 w2 w1224 Group like terms and find a common
4 4
denominator.
5
52 w22 Combine like terms.
4

Skill Practice Simplify by clearing parentheses and combining like terms.

8. 7 2 213x 2 42 2 5 9. 216z 2 10y2 2 413z 1 y2 2 8y

10. 43 1.4a 1 2.21a2 2 6a2 4 2 5.1a2 11. 2 14p 2 12 2 1p 2 22

1 5
2 2

Skill Practice Answers

8. 26x 1 10 9. 22y 2 18z
2
10. 3.7a 2 47.2a
9 11
11. 2 p 1
2 2
 Section 1.3 Simplifying Expressions 35

Section 1.3 Practice Exercises

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Study Skills Exercises

1. It is very important to attend class every day. Math is cumulative in nature and you must master the material
learned in the previous class to understand a new days lesson. Because this is so important, many instructors
tie attendance to the final grade. Write down the attendance policy for your class.

2. Define the key terms.

a. Term b. Variable term c. Constant term
d. Factor e. Coefficient f. Like terms

Review Exercises
For Exercises 34,
a. Classify the number as a whole number, natural number, rational number, irrational number, or real
number. (Choose all that apply.)
b. Write the reciprocal of the number.
c. Write the opposite of the number.
d. Write the absolute value of the number.

3. 24 4. 0

For Exercises 58, write the set in interval notation.

5. 5x 0 x 7 023 0 6 6. e x 0 x # ` 2 ` f
4
3

7. e w 0 2 6 w # 29 f 8. e z 0 2 # z 6 f
5 11
2 3

Concept 1: Recognizing Terms, Factors, and Coefficients

For Exercises 912:
a. Determine the number of terms in the expression.
b. Identify the constant term.
c. List the coefficients of each term. Separate by commas.

9. 2x3 2 5xy 1 6 10. a2 2 4ab 2 b2 1 8

11. pq 2 7 1 q2 2 4q 1 p 12. 7x 2 1 1 3xy

36 Chapter 1 Review of Basic Algebraic Concepts

Concept 2: Properties of Real Numbers

For Exercises 1322, match each expression with the appropriate property.
1 1
13. 3 1 5 13 14. 7.214 1 12 5 7.2142 1 7.2112 a. Commutative property of
2 2
addition
15. 16 1 82 1 2 5 6 1 18 1 22 16. 14 1 192 1 7 5 119 1 42 1 7 b. Associative property of
multiplication

17. 914 ? 122 5 19 ? 4212 18. a 1 2b 20 5 5 1 40

1 c. Distributive property of
4 multiplication over addition

19. 113 ? 4126 5 141 ? 1326

d. Commutative property
20. 61x 1 32 5 6x 1 18 of multiplication
21. 31y 1 102 5 3110 1 y2 22. 513 ? 72 5 15 ? 327 e. Associative property
of addition

Concept 3: Simplifying Expressions

For Exercises 2360, clear parentheses and combine like terms.
23. 8y 2 2x 1 y 1 5y 24. 29a 1 a 2 b 1 5a 25. 4p2 2 2p 1 3p 2 6 1 2p2

26. 6q 2 9 1 3q2 2 q2 1 10 27. 2p 2 7p2 2 5p 1 6p2 28. 5a2 2 2a 2 7a2 1 6a 1 4

29. m 2 4n3 1 3 1 5n3 2 9 30. x 1 2y3 2 2x 2 8y3 31. 5ab 1 2ab 1 8a

32. 26m2n 2 3mn2 2 2m2n 33. 14xy2 2 5y2 1 2xy2 34. 9uv 1 3u2 1 5uv 1 4u2

35. 81x 2 32 1 1 36. 241b 1 22 2 3 37. 221c 1 32 2 2c

38. 41z 2 42 2 3z 39. 2110w 2 12 1 9 1 w 40. 212y 1 72 2 4 1 3y

41. 29 2 412 2 z2 1 1 42. 3 1 314 2 w2 2 11 43. 412s 2 72 2 1s 2 22

44. 21t 2 32 2 1t 2 72 45. 23125 1 2w2 2 8w 1 21w 2 12 46. 5 2 124t 2 72 2 t 2 9

14 2 2c2 1 5c
1
47. 8x 2 41x 2 22 2 212x 1 12 2 6 48. 61y 2 22 2 312y 2 52 2 3 49.
2

13d 1 62 2 4d
2
50. 51. 3.112x 1 22 2 411.2x 2 12 52. 4.515 2 y2 1 311.9y 1 12
3

53. 2 c 5a a 1 3b 2 1a2 1 a2 1 4 d 54. 23 c 3ab 2 b 2 21b 1 42 2 6b2 d

1 2
2 3

55. 3 12y 2 52 2 21y 2 y2 2 4 2 3y 56. 3 21x 1 62 1 31x2 1 12 4 1 2x

57. 2.254 2 8 36x 2 1.51x 1 42 2 6 4 1 7.5x6 58. 23.2 2 56.1y 2 4 39 2 12y 1 2.52 4 1 7y6

124n 2 16m2 2 13m 2 18n 2 22 1 125a 2 20b2 2 121a 2 14b 1 22 1

1 2 2 1 4 1
59. 60.
8 3 3 5 7 7
 Section 1.4 Linear Equations in One Variable 37

Expanding Your Skills

61. What is the identity element for addition? Use it in an example.

62. What is the identity element for multiplication? Use it in an example.

63. What is another name for a multiplicative inverse?

64. What is another name for an additive inverse?

65. Is the operation of subtraction commutative? If not, give an example.

66. Is the operation of division commutative? If not, give an example.

67. Given the rectangular regions:

x A x B C

y1z y z

a. Write an expression for the area of region A. (Do not simplify.)

b. Write an expression for the area of region B.

c. Write an expression for the area of region C.

d. Add the expressions for the area of regions B and C.

e. Show that the area of region A is equal to the sum of the areas of regions B and C. What property of
real numbers does this illustrate?

Linear Equations in One Variable Section 1.4

1. Definition of a Linear Equation in One Variable Concepts

An equation is a statement that indicates that two quantities are equal. The fol- 1. Definition of a Linear Equation
lowing are equations. in One Variable
2. Solving Linear Equations
x 5 24 p 1 3 5 11 22z 5 220
3. Clearing Fractions and
All equations have an equal sign. Furthermore, notice that the equal sign sep- Decimals
arates the equation into two parts, the left-hand side and the right-hand side. A 4. Conditional Equations,
solution to an equation is a value of the variable that makes the equation a true Contradictions, and Identities
statement. Substituting a solution to an equation for the variable makes the right-
hand side equal to the left-hand side.