Introduction to Algebra

Content
1. Why learn Algebra
2. Balance and Algebra
1. Why learn Algebra?
Most people know that algebra is an extremely powerful problem solving tool. Simple
problems encountered in everyday life can be solved mentally using common sense.
Algebra enables you to solve problems that would be almost impossible by mere
inspection. In fact, without algebra modern technology could never have been
developed. In this section, we first discuss simple mathematical word problems and
then increase their complexity; more complex problems would require algebra and
these will be discussed in later sections.

Exercise 1.1: Very Simple word problems

(1) Your friend is 20 years old, and you are 3 years younger. How old are you?
(2) Your cat is 15 years old, and your dog is 5 years older. How old is your dog?
(3) Your pet hamster is 7 years old, and your brother is 3 years younger. How old is
your brother?

This exercise is relatively simple and and expect all of you can solve these mentally.
Here solve means finding the unknown age. You will see later that algebra is all about
unknowns. Let’s consider a harder question.

Exercise 1.2: Determine The Integer

(1) An integer between 0 and 10 is chosen. The integer when multiplied by 3 and
after the addition of 11 becomes 26.
(2) An integer between 0 and 20 is chosen. The integer when multiplied by 5 and
after the subtraction of 6 becomes 79.
(3) An integer between 0 and 50 is chosen. The integer when multiplied by 8 and
after the addition of 10 becomes 354.
Discussion
A common strategy for answering the above question would be to test every integer
between 1 and 10 until the right answer is discovered. Such a strategy is only practical
since the range of values is restricted, but what if integer could take values say between
1-1000? then you would need the mental power of Mr Spock from Star Trek or
Raymond from the film "The Rain Man". However, in later sections we shall learn how
algebra can be used to solve problems which are far more complicated than the above
question, and without the mental mathematical prowess of Mr Spock or Raymond.
Instead, you shall develop algebraic prowess which forms the basis of modern science
and engineering.
You can practice more word problems here
http://animated-mathematics.net/algebra-intoduction.html
2. Balance and Algebra
An algebraic equation has an equal sign, where the left hand side (LHS) equals the right
hand side (RHS):

LHS=RHS

The fundamentals of algebra are based on a scale. A scale can be in balance if boths
sides have the same weight and out of balance if one side weighs more, as shown:

A legitimate algebraic operation retains balance. Consider a balance that contains pink
bricks and gold bricks.
Example 2.1
The pink and gold bricks have different weights:

We can add/subtract equal amounts of gold bricks both sides. After taking away 2 gold
bricks from both sides, we observe:

The pink brick weights 3g.

The above problem can be solved by make x=weight of pink brick. The gold bricks have
a known weight which are numbers in the equation.

This is really straightforward, all we have done is taken 2 away from both sides.

Exercise 2.1
Determine the weight of the pink brick, show your working using an equation.

Example 2.2
A two step problem. The gold bricks weigh 1g each; by removing gold and pink bricks
determine the weight of a single pink brick.
Solution: after repeatedly taking away both gold and pink bricks from both sides we are
left with

The pink brick weights 5g. The above problem can be solved by make x=weight of pink
brick. The gold bricks have a known weight which are numbers in the equation.

You can practice more similar problems here:

http://animated-mathematics.net/algebra-balance.html

Discussion
Algebra is based on balance and legitimate algebraic steps retain balance. This is the
basis of algebra and must be understood, and not memorised.
Answers
Exercise 1.1
(1) 17 (2) 20 (3) 4
Exercise 1.2
(1) 5 (2) 17 (3) 43
Exercise 2.1