MODULE I

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Lesson 1 The number System of

Algebra

Lesson 2 Algebraic Expression

Lesson 3 Operations and

Factoring of Polynomials

Lesson 4 Linear Equations

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MODULE I

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

 INTRODUCTION

College Algebra course represents the first opportunity to discover the

beauty and practical power of mathematics. It is a problem solving art with
numerous applications in solving real-world problems.

OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. Determine and apply the basic algebraic principles and operations.

2. Familiarize the real number system, algebraic expressions and
solving basic equations.

 DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are four lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully
then answer the exercises/activities to find out how much you have
benefited from it. Work on these exercises carefully and submit your
output to your instructor.

In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your instructor

during the face-to-face meeting.

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Lesson 1

 The number System of Algebra

What are Real numbers?

The number system is divided into two categories namely, real numbers and
Imaginary number.
Real numbers are classified as follows:
• Natural numbers – also called “counting numbers” such as 1,2,3,4, … . , 𝑁,
which are positive whole numbers.
• The Integers – consists of positive whole numbers, zero, and negative whole
numbers such as; 1,2,3, … ,0, , −1, … . 𝑍
• Rational Numbers- the set of numbers which can be written as fractions in
the form 𝑎/𝑏, or the ratio of integers a and b where a is the numerator and b
is the denominator which should not be equal to zero. ½, 1/8, ¼, −1/4, −1/6,
that when changed to decimals may either be terminating or repeating like
½ = 0.5, −1/4 = −0.25, 1/3 = 0.3333
• Irrational Numbers- the set of numbers under radical signs and other forms
that when changed to decimals, is non-terminating or non-repeating such as;
√2 = 1.414… √5 = 2.236…

Number Integer Rational Number Irrational Number

a. 8 ✔
b. – ¾ ✔

c. √3 ✔
d. 0.8888 … ✔
e. 3.98 ✔

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What is an Imaginary number?

An imaginary number is denoted as “𝑖” which is equal to the square root of
negative one. In some other areas in mathematical computation, especially in
electronics and electrical engineering it is denoted as “𝑗”.
Imaginary number and its equivalent:
𝑖 = √−1
𝑖 2 = −1
𝑖 3 = −𝑖 = − √−1
𝑖4 = 1
What is a complex number?
A complex number is an expression of both real and imaginary number
combined. It takes the form of 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, where “𝑎” and “𝑏” are real numbers.
If 𝑎 = 0, then pure imaginary number is produces while real number is obtained
when 𝑏 = 0.

What is an Absolute Value?

The absolute value of a real number is the numerical value of the number
neglecting the sign.
For example, the absolute value of −5 is 5 while of −𝑥 is 𝑥.

The Operations of Real Numbers

• ADDITION
a. Commutative Law- the order of numbers does not affect a sum; adding
first to last is equal when adding last to first:

𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑐 + 𝑏 + 𝑎

b. Associative Law- The grouping of the numbers does not affect a sum;
grouping any set is equal when any other set is grouped.

𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) = (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐

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c. Identity Element Law- adding an element, zero to a number a makes no

difference. Then, the identity element of addition is that element, zero
that when added to that number a is equal to a number a or to itself
𝑎+0 = 𝑎

d. Inverse Element Law- For every number a, the

e. additive inverse is – 𝑎, which means that the inverse element of every
number 𝑎 is the negative of the number a which is – 𝑎 that when added to
that number 𝑎 is equal to zero

𝒂 + (−𝑎) = 0

• MULTIPLICATION
a. Commutative Law- the order of numbers does not affect the product

𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏𝑎

b. Associate Law- The grouping of the numbers does not affect a product;
grouping any set is equal when any other set is grouped.

𝑎(𝑏𝑐) = (𝑎𝑏)𝑐

c. Identity Element Law- multiplying an element, one by a number 𝑎 makes

no difference. Then, the identity element of multiplication with that
element, one that when multiplied by that number 𝑎 is equal to a
number a or to itself

𝑎(1) = 𝑎

d. Inverse Element Law- For every number a except zero (0), the
multiplicative inverse is 1/𝑎 . This means that the inverse element of
every number 𝑎 is the reciprocal, which is 1/𝑎 that when multiplied by
that number 𝑎 is equal to one

𝑎 (1/𝑎) = 1
• SUBTRACTION
Subtraction of any number 𝒃 from another number 𝒂 means addition of
that number 𝒂 and that additive inverse of number 𝒃 which is – 𝒃

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𝑎 − 𝑏 = 𝑎 + (−𝑏)

• DIVISION
Division of any number 𝒂 by another number 𝒃, where b is not equal to
zero means multiplying of that number 𝒂 by the multiplicative inverse of
number 𝒃
𝑎 / 𝑏 = 𝑎 (1/𝑏)

Other Laws and Properties

1. Distributive Law
Also known as the law of distribution which involves:

a. Addition and Multiplication

When a number 𝒂 is multiplied by other numbers 𝒃 + 𝒄, is equal to the
product of numbers 𝒂 and 𝒃 plus the product of numbers 𝒂 and 𝒄, 𝒂 is
distributed to 𝒃 and 𝒄

𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐

b. Subtraction and Multiplication

When a number 𝒂 is multiplied by other numbers 𝒃 − 𝒄, is equal to the
product of numbers 𝒂 and 𝒃 minus the product of numbers 𝒂 and 𝒄, 𝒂
is distributed to 𝒃 and 𝒄;

𝑎(𝑏 − 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎𝑐

2. Substitution Law
Substitution Law involves the following:

a. Numbers or variables equal to each other are equal.

This means that:

If 𝑎 = 𝑏

Then 𝑏 = 𝑎, which is called symmetric property

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b. Numbers or variables equal to other variables or numbers are equal to

each other

If 𝑎 = 𝑏 and 𝑏 = 𝑐
Then 𝑎 = 𝑐, which is called its transitive property

c. If equal numbers are added to other equal numbers, the results are
equal. This means that:

If 𝑎 = 𝑏 and 𝑐 = 𝑑

Then, 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 𝑏 + 𝑑, which is also called as addition property

d. If equal numbers are multiplied by other equal numbers, the results

are equal.
This means that:

If 𝑎 = 𝑏 and 𝑐 = 𝑑

Then 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑏𝑑, this is multiplication property

3. Law on addition of two numbers with the same signs

Add the numbers disregarding the signs, then carry the sign of the
numbers for the result.

Ex. (+8) + (+7) = +15 (−6) + (−9) = −15

4. Law on addition of numbers with different signs

Subtract the smaller number from the greater number disregarding the
signs, then carry the sign of the greater number for the result.

Ex. (+2) + (−6) = −4

5. Law on subtraction of two numbers with the same signs

Change the sign of the subtracted or lower term, then add, applying the
law on addition of numbers with different signs.

Ex. (−7) – (−3) = (−7) + (+3) = −4

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6. Law on subtraction of numbers with different signs

Change the sign of the subtracted or lower term, then add, applying the
law on addition of numbers with same signs.

Ex. (+7) – (−3) = (+7) + (+3) = 10

7. Law on multiplication of two numbers with the same signs

Multiply the numbers disregarding the signs. The sign of the result is
always positive.

Ex. (+3)(+9) = +27, (−3)(−4) = +12

8. Law on multiplication of two numbers with different signs

Multiply the numbers disregarding the signs. The sign of the result is
always negative.

Ex. (−9) (+8) = −72

9. Law on division of two numbers with the same signs

Divide the numbers disregarding the sign. The sign of the result is always
positive.

Ex. (+8) / (+2) = +4 , (−9) / (−3) = 3

10. Law on division of two numbers with different signs

Divide the numbers disregarding the signs. The sign of the result is always
negative.

Ex. (−8) /(+2) = −4

What are Fractions?

𝑎
Fractions are numbers which are in the form of or a/b, where a is called the
𝑏
numerator which may be any integer while b is called the denominator which
may be any integer greater than zero. Fraction is also defined as a part of a
whole.
What are the types of Fractions?
1. Simple Fraction – a fraction in which the numerator and denominator
are both integers. This is also known as a common fraction
2 6
Examples: 3 , -7

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2. Proper Fraction – is one where the numerator is smaller than the

denominator.
5 2
Examples: ,
7 3
3. Improper Fraction – is one where the numerator is greater than the
denominator.
5 12
Examples: , -7
2
4. Unit fraction – is a fraction with unity for its numerator and positive
integer for its denominator.
1 1
Examples: 4 , 25
5. Reciprocal – a fraction that results from interchanging the numerator
and denominator.
1
Examples: 4 is the reciprocal of 4
6. Complex Fraction – a fraction in which the numerator or denominator,
or both are fractions.
3 5
8
Examples: 4
7 ,−1 , 13
2
8 4

Operations of Rational Numbers

a. Multiplication and Division

• Theorem I

When two fractions, a/b and c/d are equated with each other,
a/b=c/d the resulting expression, ad=bc, is obtained by cross multiplication

Ex. ½ = 3/6 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∶ 1(6) = 2(3)

• Theorem II

When two fractions, 𝑎/𝑏 is divided by another fraction 𝑐/𝑑 that is

(𝑎/𝑏) ÷ (𝑐/𝑑) the resulting expression, 𝑎/𝑏 (𝑑/𝑐) = 𝑎𝑑/𝑏𝑐 , is obtained by
leaving the numerator or the first term unchanged, still a/b, then invert the
second term of the denominator 𝑐/𝑑 to 𝑑/𝑐 . However, operation must be

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changed from division to multiplication , 𝑎/𝑏 ÷ 𝑐/𝑑 to 𝑎/𝑏 × 𝑑/𝑐 , then

perform horizontal multiplication,

𝑎 ×𝑑 𝑎𝑑
=
𝑏 ×𝑐 𝑏𝑐

b. Addition and Subtraction

• Theorem I

When two fractions with the same denominators, 𝑎/𝑏 and 𝑐/𝑏 are
added, 𝑎/𝑏 + 𝑐/𝑏 add the numerators, then copy the common denominator,
𝑎+𝑐
for the 𝑏 for
1 1 1+1 2
Ex. 2
+ 2
= 2
= 2
=1

• Theorem II

When two fractions with different denominators 𝑎/𝑏 and 𝑐/𝑑 are
added, 𝑎/𝑏 + 𝑐/𝑑 , find the common denominator by multiplying the
denominators of all the fractions or pinpoint the least common denominator
(LCD). For the numerator of the resulting fraction, divide the common
denominator (LCD) by the denominator of the first fraction, the result to be
multiplied by its numerator, plus whatever the result, when the common
denominator or LCD is divided by the denominator of the second fraction
where the result is to be multiplied by its numerator.

𝑎 𝑐 𝑑(𝑎)+𝑏(𝑐) 𝑎𝑑+𝑏𝑐
Ex. + = =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑 𝑏𝑑

Using Properties of Real Numbers:

Use the properties of real numbers to rewrite and simplify each expression.
State which properties apply.
a. 3 ⋅ 6 + 3 ⋅ 4 = 3 ⋅ (6 + 4) Distributive Property
= 3 ⋅ 10 Simplify
= 30 Simplify
b. (5 + 8) + (−8) = 5 + [8 + (−8)] Associative property of addition
= 5 + 0 Inverse Property of addition

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= 5 Identity property of addition

c. 6 – (15 + 9) = 6 + [(−15) + (−9)] Distributive Property
= 6 + (−24) Simplify
= −18 Simplify
4 2 7 4 7 2
d. ⋅ (3 ⋅4) = ⋅ (4 ⋅ 3 ) Commutative property of Multiplication
7 7
4 7 2
= (7 ⋅4) ⋅ Associative Property of Multiplication
3
2
=1⋅ Inverse property of multiplication
3
2
= Identity property of multiplication
3

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e.
Learning Activity

A. Classify each of the following numbers according to the categories:

real number, positive integer, negative integer, rational number,
irrational number, none of the foregoing.

If the number belongs to one or more categories, this is indicated by a

check mark.
Real Positive Negative Rational Irrational None of
number Integer Interger number number the
foregoing
−6
3/5
4𝜋
3

√−1
0.4893

B. Perform the indicated operations:

1. (5)(−3)(−2)
2. 8(−3)(10)
12(−40)(−12)
3. 5(−3)(−3)

C. Evaluate the following:

1. 23
2. 5(3)2
52 ∙ 53
3. 57

D. Use the properties of real numbers to rewrite and simplify each

expression.

1. Use the associative property to regroup, then simplify.

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−4(8𝑎)
2. Use the distributive property to expand the expression, and then use
order of operations to simplify.
8(6𝑥 − 𝑦)

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Lesson 2

 Algebraic Expression

An Algebraic Expression is a combination of ordinary numbers and letters

which represent numbers.
5𝑥𝑦+3𝑧
Thus, 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 4 , 2𝑎3 𝑏5 , 2𝑎3 −𝑐2

are algebraic expressions.

A term consists of products and quotients of ordinary numbers and letters
5𝑥
which represent numbers. Thus 6𝑥 2 𝑦 3 , , −3𝑥 7 are terms.
3𝑦 4

However, 6𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑦 is an algebraic expression consisting of two terms. One

factor of a term is said to be the coefficient of the rest of the term. Thus in the
term 5𝑥 3 𝑦 2 , 5𝑥 3 is the coefficient of 𝑦 2 , 5𝑦 2 is the coefficient of 𝑥 3 , and 5 is the
coefficient of 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 . If a term consists of the product of an ordinary number and
one or more letters, we call the number the numerical coefficient (or simply the
coefficient) of the term. Thus in −5𝑥 3 𝑦 2 , − 5 is the numerical coefficient or
simply the coefficient.
A symbol of grouping such as parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], or braces { } is
often used to show that the terms contained in them are considered as a single
quantity. For example, the sum of two algebraic expressions 5𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑦 and
2𝑥 − 3𝑦 may be written (5𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑦) + (2𝑥 − 3𝑦). The difference of these
may be written ( 5𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑦 ) − ( 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 ), and their product ( 5𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 +
𝑦)(2𝑥 − 3𝑦).
Removal of symbols of grouping is governed by the following laws.
(1) If a + sign precedes a symbol of grouping, this symbol of grouping may be
removed without affecting the terms contained.

Thus (3𝑥 + 7𝑦) + (4𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 3 ) = 3𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 4𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 3

(2) If a − sign precedes a symbol of grouping, this symbol of grouping may be

removed if each sign of the terms contained is changed.

Thus (3𝑥 + 7𝑦) − (4𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 3 ) = 3𝑥 + 7𝑦 − 4𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥 3

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(3) If more than one symbol of grouping is present, the inner ones are to be
removed first.

Thus,

2𝑥 − {4𝑥 3 − (3𝑥 2 − 5𝑦)} = 2𝑥 − {4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑦} = 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑦

Kinds of Algebraic Expressions considering number of terms:

I. Monomial- is an algebraic expressions consisting of one term. Because
of this definition, monomial are sometimes simply called terms.

𝐸𝑥. 3𝑥 , 7𝑥 3 , 7/3𝑥

II. Polynomials- involves more than one term

a. Binomials – is a polynomial consisting of two terms.

𝐸𝑥. 7𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 8

b. Trinomials - is a polynomial consisting of two terms.

𝐸𝑥. 7𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 8 + 10𝑥 3

Note: The degree of polynomials is the highest power or exponent the variable
is raised, not the coefficient or the highest sum of the powers the variables are
raised in a term.

Other types of Expression:

Apart from monomial, binomial and polynomial types of expressions, an
algebraic expression can also be classified into two additional types which are:
• Numeric Expression
• Variable Expression
Numeric Expression
A numeric expression consists of numbers and operations, but never
include any variable. Some of the examples of numeric expressions are;
10 + 5

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15 ÷ 2

Variable Expression
A variable expression is an expression which contains variables along with
numbers and operation. A few examples of a variable expression include;
4𝑥 + 𝑦
5𝑎𝑏 + 33
Example of Algebraic Expression:
2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑥 + 7
Then,
2𝑥 2 , 3𝑥𝑦, 4𝑥 and 7 are the terms.
Coefficient of term 𝑥 2 = 2
Constant term = 7

Example of like and unlike terms:

Like terms: 2𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3𝑥
Unlike terms: 2𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3𝑦
Factors of a term:
𝐼𝑓 3𝑥𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 3, 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦.
Describing Algebraic Expressions
List the constants and variables for each algebraic Expression.
a. 𝑥 + 5
4
b. 𝜋𝑟 3
3
c. √2𝑚3 𝑛2
Constants Variables
a. 𝑥 + 5 5 𝑥

b.
4
𝜋𝑟 3 4 3 𝑟
3 𝜋𝑟
3
c. √2𝑚3 𝑛2 2 𝑚, 𝑛

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Evaluating an Algebraic Expression at Different Values.

The following example will show you how to evaluate the expression 2𝑥 – 7
for each value for 𝑥.
a. 𝑥 = 0
b. 𝑥 = 1
1
c. 2
d. 𝑥 = −4

a. 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.
2𝑥 – 7 = 2(0) – 7
= 0– 7
= −7

b. 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.
2𝑥 – 7 = 2(1) – 7
= 2– 7
= −5
c. 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 1/2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.
2𝑥 – 7 = 2(1/2) – 7
= 1– 7
= −6
d. 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 − 4 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.
2𝑥 – 7 = 2(−4) – 7
= −8 – 7
= −15

Formulas:
The general algebraic formulas we use to solve the expressions or equations are:
1. (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2
2. (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2
3. 𝑎2 – 𝑏2 = (𝑎 – 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏)
4. (𝑎 + 𝑏)3 = 𝑎3 + 𝑏3 + 3𝑎𝑏(𝑎 + 𝑏)
5. (𝑎 − 𝑏)3 = 𝑎3 − 𝑏3 − 3𝑎𝑏(𝑎 − 𝑏)
6. 𝑎3 – 𝑏3 = (𝑎 – 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
7. 𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

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Example
Simplify the given expressions by combining the like terms and write the
type of Algebraic Expression.
(i) 3𝑥𝑦 3 + 9𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 5𝑦 3 𝑥
(ii) 7𝑎𝑏2 𝑐 2 + 2𝑎3 𝑏2 – 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 – 5𝑎𝑏2 𝑐 2 – 2𝑏2 𝑎3 + 2𝑎𝑏
(iii) 50𝑥 3 – 20𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 21𝑥 3 – 3𝑥 + 15𝑥 − 41𝑥 3

Term Simplification Type of

Expression
1 3𝑥𝑦 3 + 9𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 5𝑦 3 𝑥 8𝑥𝑦 3 + 9𝑥 2 𝑦 3 Binomial
2 7𝑎𝑏2 𝑐 2 + 2𝑎3 𝑏2 – 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 – 5𝑎𝑏2 𝑐 2 – 2𝑏2 𝑎3 2𝑎𝑏2 𝑐 2 – 3𝑎𝑏𝑐 Trinomial
+ 2𝑎𝑏 + 2𝑎𝑏
3 50𝑥 – 20𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 21𝑥 3 – 3𝑥 + 15𝑥
3
30𝑥 3 Monomial
− 41𝑥 3

What is an Exponent?
Exponent is a number that gives the power to which a based is raised. For
example, in 32 , the base is 3 and the exponent is 2.
Exponent should not be misunderstood as “power”. Power is a word that
is almost never used in its correct, original sense any more. Strictly speaking, if
we write 32 = 9 , then 3 is the base, 2 is the exponent and 9 is the power. But
almost everyone, including most mathematicians, would say that 3 is the power
and that “power” and “exponent” mean the same thing. The misuse has
probably come from a misunderstanding of statements such “nine is the second
power of three”.
The exponential notation states that if a is a real number, variable or
algebraic expression and n is a positive number, then:
an = a ⋅ a ⋅ a ⋅ a ....
Laws of Exponents
1. Zero Exponent Rule: a0 = 1, anything that raised to the zero power is 1

Ex. 30 = 1 (3𝑥 2 𝑦 3 )0 = 1

2. Power Rule (Power of powers); (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 , to raise a power to a power

multiply the exponents

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Ex. (𝑥 5 )4 = 𝑥 20 (2𝑥 4 𝑦 2 )3 = 2𝑥 12 𝑦^6

3. Negative Exponent Rule; a-n = 1/an, negative exponents in the

numerator get moved to the denominator and become positive exponents
or vice versa. Only moved the negative exponents.

Ex. 5−2 = 1/52 = 1/25 𝑥 −3 /𝑦 −7 = 𝑦 7 /𝑥 3

4. Product Rule; am . an = am+n , to multiply two exponents with the

same base, you keep the base and add the powers
Ex. 𝑦 5 . 𝑦 6 = 𝑦 11 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥5 = 𝑥6

5. Quotient Rule: am / an = am-n, to divide two exponents with the same

base, you keep the base and subtract the powers. When subtracting the
powers put the answer on where the higher power was located.

𝑥5 𝑦4 1
Ex. = 𝑥2 = 𝑦5
𝑥3 𝑦9

6. Raise each coefficient (or number) to the appropriate power and then
simplify or reduce any remaining fractions.

Note: In simplifying exponential expressions, follow the rules 1-5 and Raise each
coefficient to the appropriate power and then simplify or reduce any remaining
fractions.

(3𝑥 −5 𝑦 2 )0
Ex. Simplify:
(4𝑥 −3 𝑦 2 )−2

Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule.

Apply the Power Rule.

Apply the Negative Exponent Rule.

Move every negative exponent in the
numerator to the denominator and
vice versa.

Module I
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Apply the Product Rule. In this case,

the product rule does not apply.
Apply the Quotient Rule. In this case,
the quotient rule does not apply.
Raise each coefficient (or number) to
the appropriate power and then
simplify or reduce any remaining
fractions. In this case, the fraction
does not reduce.

−3
4𝑥 3 𝑦 −2
Simplify: (9𝑥5 𝑦−3 )

Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule. In this 𝟒𝒙𝟑 𝒚−𝟐

−𝟑

case, there are no zero powers. ( 𝟓 −𝟑 )

𝟗𝒙 𝒚
Apply the Power Rule. 4−3 x −9 y 6
9−3 x −15 y9
Apply the Negative Exponent Rule. 𝑦 6 93 𝑥 15
Move every negative exponent in the 𝑦 9 43 𝑥 9
numerator to the denominator and
vice versa.
Apply the Product Rule. In this case, 𝑦 6 93 𝑥 15
the product rule does not apply. 𝑦 9 43 𝑥 9
Apply the Quotient Rule. In this case, 93 𝑥 6
the x’s ended up in the numerator 𝑦 3 43
and the y’s ended up in the
denominator.
Raise each coefficient (or number) to 729𝑥 6
the appropriate power and then 64𝑦 3
simplify or reduce any remaining
fractions. In this case, the fraction
does not reduce.

(−3𝑥 3 𝑦−1 )2(5𝑥 3𝑦 −2 )0

Simplify: (2𝑥 4 𝑦 2)−3

Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule. In this (−𝟑𝒙𝟑𝒚−𝟏 )𝟐 (𝟏)

case, after applying the zero- (𝟐𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟐 )−𝟑

Module I
 21

exponent rule and multiplying by 1,

that term is essentially gone.
Apply the Power Rule. (−3)2 x 6 y −2
(2)−3 x −12 y −6
Apply the Negative Exponent Rule. 32 𝑥 6 23 𝑥 12 𝑦 6
Move every negative exponent in the 𝑦2
numerator to the denominator and
vice versa.
Apply the Product Rule. 32 23 𝑥 18 𝑦 6
𝑦2
Apply the Quotient Rule. In this case, 2 3 18 4
3 2 𝑥 𝑦
the x’s and y’s ended up in the
numerator.
72𝑥 18 𝑦 4

Radical Expressions

A radical is an expression of the form of 𝑛√𝑎 , which denotes the principal nth
root of 𝑎. The positive integer n is the index, or order, of the radical and the
3
number 𝑎 is the radicand. The index is omitted if n = 2: Thus √5 , 4√7𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 2 ,
√𝑥 + 10 , are radicals which have respectively indices 3, 4, and 2 and radicands
5, 7𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 2 , and x + 10.

Laws for Radicals

The laws for radicals are the same as the laws for exponents, since
𝑛
√𝑎 = 𝑎1/𝑛 . The following are the laws most frequently used. Note: If n is even,
assume 𝑎, b ≥ 0.

𝒏
A. ( 𝒏√𝒂) = 𝒂

𝟑 𝟑
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: (𝟏) ( √𝟔) = 𝟔
𝟒
𝟒
(2) (√𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 ) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

𝒏 𝒏 𝒏
B. √𝒂𝒃 = √𝒂 √𝒃
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: (𝟏) √𝟓𝟒 = √𝟐𝟕 ∙ 𝟐 = √𝟐𝟕 ∙ √𝟐 = 𝟑 √𝟐

Module I
 22

𝟕 𝟕 𝟕
(2) √𝒙𝟐𝒚𝟓 = √𝒙𝟐 √𝒚𝟓
𝒏
𝒏 𝒂 √𝒂
C. √𝒃 = 𝒏 𝒃≠𝟎
√𝒃

𝟓 𝟓
𝟓 √𝟓 √𝟓𝟓
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: (𝟏) √ = 𝟓 =
𝟑𝟐 √𝟑𝟐 𝟐

𝟑
(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟑
𝟑 √ ( 𝒙 + 𝟏) 𝟑 𝒙+𝟏
(𝟐 ) √ 𝟔
= =
(𝒚 − 𝟐) 𝟑
√ (𝒚 − 𝟐) 𝟔 (𝒚 − 𝟐 )𝟐
𝒏 𝒏 𝒎
D. √𝒂𝒎 = ( √𝒂)
𝟑 𝟑 𝟒
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: √(𝟐𝟕)𝟒 = ( √𝟐𝟕) = 𝟑𝟒 = 𝟖𝟏
𝒎 𝒏 𝒎𝒏
E. √ √𝒂 = √𝒂
𝟑
𝟔
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: (𝟏) √√𝟓 = √𝟓
𝟒
(𝟐) √ 𝟑√𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐√𝟐

𝟑 𝟓 𝟏𝟓
(𝟑) √ √ 𝒙 𝟐 = √ 𝒙 𝟐

Simplifying Radicals
The form of a radical may be changed in the following ways:
(a) Removal of perfect nth powers from the radicand.
3 3 3 3 3
√32 = √23 (4) = √23 ∙ √4 = 2√4
√8𝑥 5 𝑦 7 = √4𝑥 4 𝑦 6 (2𝑥𝑦) = √4𝑥 4 𝑦 6 √2𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 3 √2𝑥𝑦
(b) Reduction of the index of the radical.
6 3
4 4
√64 = √26 = 24 = 22 = √23 = √8 = 2√2
where the index is reduced from 4 to 2.

2 1
6 3 3
√25𝑥 6 = 6√(5𝑥 3 )2 = (5𝑥 3 )6 = (5𝑥 3 )3 = √5𝑥 3 = 𝑥 √5
where the index is reduced from 6 to 3.
4 4 4
2 1
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: √(−4)2 = √16 = 2. 𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 √(−4)2 = (−4)4 = (−4)2
= √−4.

(c) Rationalization of the denominator in the radicand.

Module I
 23

3 9
Rationalize the denominator of √ .
2
Multiply the numerator and denominator of the radicand (9/2) by such a
number as will make the denominator a perfect nth power (here n = 3)
and then remove the denominator from under the radical sign. The
number in this case is 22 . Then
3
3 9 3 9 22 3 9(22) √36
√ = √ ( 2) = √ =
2 2 2 23 2

Rationalize the denominator of

4
4 7𝑎3 𝑦 2 4 7𝑎3 𝑦 2 2𝑏2 𝑥 4 14𝑎3 𝑦 2 𝑏 2 𝑥 √14𝑎3 𝑦 2 𝑏2 𝑥
√ = √ ∙ = √ =
8𝑏6 𝑥 3 8𝑏6 𝑥 3 2𝑏2 𝑥 16𝑏8 𝑥 4 2𝑏 2 𝑥

A radical is said to be in simplest form if:

(a) all perfect nth powers have been removed from the radical,
(b) the index of the radical is as small as possible,
(c) no fractions are present in the radicand, i.e., the denominator has
been rationalized.

Operations with Radicals

Two or more radicals are said to be similar if after being reduced to simplest
1
form they have the same index and radicand. Thus √32, √2, and √8, are similar
since
1 1 2 √2
√32 = √16 ∙ 2 = 4√2 , √2 = √2 ∙ 2 = , and √8 = √4 ∙ 2 = 2√2.
2

3 3
Here each radicand is 2 and each index is 2. However, √32 and √2 are
3 3 3
dissimilar since √32 = √8 ∙ 4 = 2√4 .
To add algebraically two or more radicals, reduce each radical to simplest form
and combine terms with similar radicals. Thus:

1 √2 1 3
√32 − √ − √8 = 4√2 − − 2√2 = (4 − − 2) √2 = √2
2 2 2 2

When multiplying two radicals, we choose the procedure to use based on

whether or not the indices of the radicals are the same.
(a) To multiply two or more radicals having the same index, use Law B:
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
√𝑎 √𝑏 = √𝑎𝑏

Module I
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3 3 3 3 3
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠: (2√4)(3√16) = 2 ∙ 3 √4 √16 = 6√64 = 6 ∙ 4 = 24

4 4 4 4 4
(3√𝑥 2 𝑦) ( √𝑥 3 𝑦 2 ) = 3 √(𝑥 2 𝑦)(𝑥 3 𝑦 2 ) = 3√𝑥 5 𝑦 3 = 3𝑥 √𝑥𝑦 3

(b) To multiply radicals with different indices it is convenient to use

fractional exponents and the laws of exponents.

3
1 1 2 3 1 1 6
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠: √5√2 = 53 ∙ 22 = 56 ∙ 26 = (52 ∙ 23 )6 = (25 ∙ 8)6 = √200
3 3 2 1
6
4 3 7 6
√4√2 = √22 √2 = 23 ∙ 22 = 26 ∙ 26 = 26 = √27 = 2√2

When dividing two radicals, we choose the procedure to use based on whether
or not the indices of the radicals are the same.
(a) To divide two radicals having the same index, use Law C,
𝑛
√𝑎 𝑛 𝑎
𝑛 = √
√𝑏 𝑏
3 3
5 3 5 32
√5 3 45 √45 3
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: 3 = √ = √ ∙ 2 = √ 3 =
√3 3 3 3 3 3

We may also rationalize the denominator directly, as follows.

3 3 3 3 3
√5 √5 √32 √5 ∙ 32 √45
3 = 3 ∙ 3 = 3 =
√3 √3 √32 √33 3

(b) To divide two radicals with different indices it is convenient to use

fractional exponents and the laws of exponents.
1 2
√6 62 64 4 62 4 36
= √ 2 = √ 2 = √18
4
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: 4 = 1 = 1
√2 24 24
2 4
3 3 1
√4 √22 23 26 6
= = 1 = 3 = 26 = √2
√2 √2 22 26

RATIONALIZING BINOMIAL DENOMINATORS

The binomial irrational numbers √𝑎 + √𝑏 and √𝑎 - √𝑏 are called

conjugates of each other. Thus 2√3 + √2 and 2√3 − √2 are conjugates.
The property of these conjugates that makes them useful is the fact that

Module I
 25

they are the sum and difference of the same two terms, so their product
is the difference of the squares of these terms.

Hence, (√𝑎 + √𝑏) ( √𝑎 - √𝑏) = (√𝑎)^2 − (√𝑏)^2 = 𝑎 − 𝑏.

To rationalize a fraction whose denominator is a binomial with radicals

of index 2, multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate.

5 5 2√3 − √2 5(2√3 − √2)

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: = ∙ =
2√3 + √2 2√3 + √2 2√3 − √2 12 − 2
2√3 − √2
=
2
3
If the denominator of a fraction is 3√𝑎 + √𝑏, we multiply the numerator
3 3 3
and denominator of the fraction by √𝑎2 − √𝑎𝑏 + √𝑏2 and get a
denominator of a + b.

3
If the original denominator has the form 3√𝑎 − √𝑏 , we multiply the
3 3 3
numerator and denominator of the fraction by √𝑎2 + √𝑎𝑏 + √𝑏2 and get
a denominator of a – b.

3 3 3 3
3 3( √25+2 √5+4) 3( √25+2 √5+4)
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: 3 = 3 3 3 = 3 3
√5−2 ( √5−2)( √25+2 √5+4) ( √5) −(2)3
3 3 3 3
3( √25 + 2 √5 + 4) 3( √25 + 2√5 + 4) 3 3
= = = − √25 − 2√5 − 4
5−8 −3

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 26

Learning Activity

A. Classify each of the following algebraic expressions according to the

categories: term or monomial, binomial, trinomial, multinomial,
polynomial.
If the expression belongs to one or more categories, this is indicated by a
check mark.
Term or Binomial Trinomial Multinomial Polynomial
monomial
𝑥 3 + 8𝑦 2 𝑧
7𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5
4𝑥 2 𝑦/𝑧
𝑦+3
4𝑧 2 + 3𝑧 − 2√𝑧

B. Simplify using the Laws of Exponents:

𝟏
−
𝟓𝟑 𝟑 𝟔 𝟑
1. (𝟐𝟔 ) 2. √ √𝒂𝟐

C. Simplify by Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Radicals:

1. 2√27 − 4√12
10√6
2. 5√2

3. √18 + √50 − √72

√5 3
4. + − √1.6
√2 √0.1
4 4
5. √𝑎𝑏−1 𝑐 5 ∙ √𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐 −1
6. (2√7)(3√5)
D. List the constants and variables for each algebraic Expression.
a. 5𝜋𝑤(𝑤 + 𝑦)

Module I
 27

b. 8(𝑏 + ℎ)
c. 16𝑧 3 + 𝑧

E. Evaluating an Algebraic Expression at Different Values.

Evaluate the expression 25 – 8𝑦 for each value for 𝑦.
a. 𝑦 = 5
b. 𝑦 = 0
c. 𝑦 = 3/2
d. 𝑦 = −8

Module I
 28

Lesson 3

1
 Operations and Factoring of Polynomials

The factors of a given algebraic expression consist of two or more

algebraic expressions which when multiplied together produce the given
expression. The factorization process is generally restricted to finding factors
of polynomials with integer coefficients in each of its terms. In such cases it is
required that the factors also be polynomials with integer coefficients. Unless
otherwise stated we shall adhere to this limitation. A polynomial is said to be
factored completely when it is expressed as a product of prime factors.
Example: Factor each algebraic expression.
(𝑎) 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 6 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 6)
(𝑏) 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 8)
(𝑐 ) 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 5 = (3𝑥 − 5)(2𝑥 + 1)
(𝑑 )𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 8𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 4𝑦)(𝑥 − 2𝑦)

Note 1. In factoring we shall allow trivial changes in sign. Thus 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 +

6 can be factored either as (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 6) or (1 − 𝑥)(6 − 𝑥). It can be shown
that factorization into prime factors, apart from the trivial changes in sign and
arrangement of factors, is possible in one and only one way. This is often
referred to as the Unique Factorization Theorem.
Note 2. Sometimes the following definition of prime is used. A polynomial
is said to be prime if it has no factors other than plus or minus itself and ±1.
This is in analogy with the definition of a prime number or integer such as 2, 3,
5, 7, 11, . . . and may be seen to be equivalent to the previous definition.
Note 3. Occasionally we may factor polynomials with rational
9 3 3
coefficients, e.g., 𝑥 2 − = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2). In such cases the factors should be
4
polynomials with rational coefficients.
Note 4. There are times when we want to factor an expression over a
specific set of numbers, e.g., 𝑥 2 − 2 = (𝑥 + √2 )(𝑥 − √2) over the set of real
numbers, but it is prime over the set of rational numbers. Unless the set of

Module I
 29

numbers to use for the coefficients of the factors is specified it is assumed to be

the set of integers.

POLYNOMIAL OPERATIONS
Addition of polynomials
When adding polynomials, arrange the terms in descending power if
needed, write like terms under each other, and then by column following the
law in adding the same and different signs.

Examples:
1. (3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) + (5𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5) = 5𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 6
2. (4𝑥 2 – 3𝑦 + 5𝑠 2 ) + (4𝑥 + 7𝑦 − 𝑠 2 ) = 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑠 2 + 4𝑥 + 4𝑦

Subtraction of polynomials
When subtracting polynomials, arrange the terms in descending power if
needed, write the subtrahend below the minuend, placing like terms under
each other. Change the sign of the subtrahend or the lower term, then
change the operation from subtraction to addition.

Examples:
1. (2𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 7𝑧) – (3𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 4𝑧) = −𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 11𝑥
2. (3𝑥 2 – 2𝑥 + 7) – (6𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 11) = −6𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4

Multiplication and division of polynomials

a. Multiplication of polynomials
When multiplying polynomials, use the law on distribution, that is,
multiplying each term of the first expression by each term of the second
following the law on multiplying same and different signs and take the
algebraic sum of the product following the law on exponents for the
variables treat the coefficients separately.

Examples:
1. (8𝑥 3 𝑦𝑧) (10𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧) = 80𝑥 5 𝑦 2 𝑧 2
2. (6𝑥 3 – 8𝑥 + 12) (8𝑥 – 5) = 48𝑥 4 – 30𝑥 3 – 64𝑥 2 + 40𝑥 + 96𝑥 – 60
= 48𝑥 4 – 30𝑥 3 – 64𝑥 2 + 136𝑥 − 60

Module I
 30

b. Division of Monomials

Case 1: Division of Monomials

When a polynomials or monomial is to be divided by a monomial,
divided each term of the dividend, the polynomial or monomial by the
divisor, the monomial, treating the coefficients separately, and for
every variable, follow the law on exponents.

Examples:

1. (12𝑥 7 ) / (4𝑥 2 ) = 3𝑥(7 − 2) = 3𝑥 5

18𝑥 7 6𝑥 5 3𝑥 3
2. (18𝑥 7 – 6𝑥 5 + 3𝑥 3 ) / (3𝑥 2 ) = − + = 6𝑥 5 – 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥
3𝑥 2 3𝑥 2 3𝑥 2

Case 2: Division of Polynomials

(a) Arrange the terms of both polynomials in descending (or
ascending) powers of one of the variables common to both
polynomials.
(b) Divide the first term in the dividend by the first term in the
divisor. This gives the first term of the quotient.
(c) Multiply the first term of the quotient by the divisor and subtract
from the dividend, thus obtaining a new dividend.
(d) Use the dividend obtained in (c) to repeat steps (b) and (c) until a
remainder is obtained which is either of degree lower than the
degree of the divisor or zero.
(e) The result is written:
𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟
= 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 +
𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑟

Example: Write the polynomials in descending powers of x and

arrange the work as follows.

Module I
 31

Write the polynomials in descending powers of 𝑥 and arrange the work as

follows.

2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 6
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2√2𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2
2𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2
3𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2
3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 6𝑥
6𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 2
6𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 12
13𝑥 − 14

2𝑥 4 −3𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 +𝑥−2 13𝑥−14

Hence 𝑥 2 −3𝑥+2
= 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 6 + 𝑥2 −3𝑥+2

7𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 8
𝑥−1
7𝑥
𝑥 − 1√7𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 8
−(7𝑥 2 − 7𝑥)
8𝑥 − 8
−(8𝑥 − 8)
0+0

7𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 8
= 7𝑥 + 8
𝑥−1

Arrange in descending powers of a letter, say 𝑥.

𝑥 2 + 2𝑦
𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 √𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 3
𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3𝑦 + 𝑥 2𝑦 2
2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 3
2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 3
0
𝑥 4 −𝑥 3 𝑦+𝑥 2 𝑦 2 +2𝑥 2 𝑦−2𝑥 2 𝑦+2𝑦 3
Thus = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦
𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑦+𝑦 2

Module I
 32

Factoring of Polynomials

In factoring polynomials, express them as products of polynomials of

lower degree.

Simple Types of factoring

Case I: Monomial Common Factor

The greatest possible common factor is the term that can be
taken out from an algebraic sum of terms or inside the grouping
symbol, such that in 𝑠𝑏 – 𝑠𝑐 + 𝑠𝑑 – 𝑠𝑒, the factors are (𝑠) (𝑏 − 𝑐 +
𝑑 – 𝑒)
And in (𝑠𝑏) (𝑠𝑐), the factors are 𝑠(𝑏𝑐)
Examples:
1. 2𝑥 2 + 18𝑥𝑦 + 6𝑦 2 = 2(𝑥 2 + 9𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑦 2 )

2. 8𝑥 4 𝑦 4 − 28𝑥 3 𝑦 3 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 4 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 (2 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 – 7𝑥𝑦 + 1)

3. 30𝑠 2 𝑚𝑏 + 5𝑠𝑚2 𝑏 + 15𝑠 3 𝑚𝑏3 = 5𝑠𝑚𝑏(6𝑠 + 𝑚 + 3𝑠 2 𝑏2 )

Case II: Difference of Two Squares

The factors of the difference of the squares of two terms can be
expressed as the products of the sums of the two quantities and their
differences; or, it is the product of the first term plus the second
term and the first term minus the second term , such that, 𝑎2 – 𝑏2 =
(𝑎)2 – (𝑏)2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏) (𝑎 − 𝑏)

Examples:

1. 16𝑥 2 – 36𝑦 2 = (4𝑥 )2 – (6𝑦)2

= (4𝑥 + 6𝑦)(4𝑥 – 6𝑦)

2. 9𝑥 2 – 100𝑦 2 = (3𝑥 )2 – (10𝑦)2

= (3𝑥 + 10𝑦)(3𝑥 – 10𝑦)

3. 81𝑥 2 – 64𝑦 2 = (9𝑥 )2 – (8𝑦)

= (9𝑥 + 8𝑦)(9𝑥 – 8𝑦)

Module I
 33

Case III: Trinomial Perfect Square

The factors of a trinomial perfect square in the form 𝑎2 +

2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 are the products of the first term plus the third term and
the first term plus the third term or the square of the first term plus
the third terms,
(𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏) (𝑎 + 𝑏)

The factors of a trinomial perfect square in the form 𝑎2 −

2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 are the products of the first term minus the third term
and the first term minus the third term or the square of the first
term minus the third terms,
(𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) = (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = (𝑎 − 𝑏) (𝑎 − 𝑏)

Note: For the expression to be a trinomial perfect square, the first and the third
terms should be perfect squares and the product of 2 (𝑎) (𝑏) should be equal to
the middle term of the expression.

Examples:

1. 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 = 𝑥 2 + 2(5)𝑥 + 52

= (𝑥 + 5)2

2. (𝑚 + 𝑛)2 + 12 (𝑚 + 𝑛) + 36 = (𝑚 + 𝑛)2 + 6(2)(𝑚 + 𝑛) +

62

= (𝑚 + 𝑛 + 6)2

Case IV: Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

a. The factors of the sum of two cubes, 𝑎3 + 𝑏3 , are products of

the first term plus the second term, and the square of the first
term minus the first multiplied by the second plus the square of
the second term,

𝑎3 + 𝑏3 = (𝑎 + 𝑏) (𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

Examples:
8𝑥 3 + 27𝑦 3 = (2𝑥 )3 + (3𝑦)3

Module I
 34

= (2𝑥 + 3𝑦)[(2𝑥 )2 − (2𝑥)(3𝑦) + (3𝑦)2 ]

= (2𝑥 + 3𝑦)(4𝑥 2 – 6𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑦 2 )

b. The factors of the difference of two cubes, a3 – b3, are products

of the first term minus the second term, and the square of the
first term plus the first multiplied by the second plus the square
of the second term,

𝑎3 − 𝑏3 = (𝑎 − 𝑏) (𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )

Examples:

8𝑥 3 𝑦 3 − 1 = (2𝑥𝑦)3 − (1)3

= (2𝑥𝑦 – 1)(4𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 1)

Other Examples:

1. 𝑥 3 𝑦 6 − 84

= (𝑥𝑦 2 )3 – 43

= (𝑥𝑦 2 – 4)((𝑥𝑦 2 )2 + (𝑥𝑦 2 )(4) + 42 )

= (𝑥𝑦 2 – 4)(𝑥 2 𝑦 4 + 4𝑥𝑦 2 + 16)

2. 27𝑝3 + 64𝑞3

𝑎 = 3𝑝 ; 𝑏 = 4𝑞
= (3𝑝 + 4𝑞)(9𝑝2 – 12𝑝𝑞 + 16𝑞2 )

Case V: Combination of Different Simple Types of Factoring

For any polynomial, it is advisable to take out the greatest
possible common factor first if any, then apply whatever types
of factoring, appropriate to a given case.

Examples:

1. 25𝑥 3 – 4𝑥𝑦 2

= (25 ⋅ (𝑥3)) – 22 𝑥𝑦 2

Module I
 35

= 52 𝑥 3 − 22 𝑥𝑦 2

= 𝑥 ⋅ (5𝑥 + 2𝑦) ⋅ (5𝑥 – 2𝑦)

2. 40𝑢3 – 625𝑣 3

= (40 ⋅ (𝑢3 )) – 54 𝑣 3

= (23 ⋅ 5𝑢3 ) – (54 𝑣 3 )

= (2𝑢 – 5𝑣) ⋅ (4𝑢2 + 10𝑢𝑣 + 25𝑣 2)

= 5 ⋅ (2𝑢 – 5𝑣) ⋅ (4𝑢2 + 10𝑢𝑣 + 25𝑣 2 )

Factoring by Grouping

In factoring polynomials by grouping, group the terms that have common

factors, then apply the monomial common factors, then apply the monomial
common factors, if it is possible. However, if the expression is not factorable,
add and subtract a chosen term to have any form of the simple types of
factoring where the grouping commonly represents a trinomial perfect square or
difference of two squares.

Example: 5𝑥 2 – 13𝑥 + 6

5(6) = 30; 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 10

5𝑥 2 – 3𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 6
= (5𝑥 2 – 3𝑥) – (10𝑥 + 6)
= 𝑥(5𝑥 – 3) – 2(5𝑥 − 3)
= (𝑥 – 2)(5𝑥 – 3)

Factoring Trinomials (not perfect square)

In factoring trinomials which are not perfect, the following can be used:

I. Grouping
Evaluate first the middle term and split it if needed such that one
component when grouped with the first term and the other component
when grouped with the last term, a common factor will be arrived at.
Examples:

Module I
 36

1. 𝑥 2 – 3𝑥 – 2𝑥 + 6
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: (𝑥 2 – 3𝑥) – (2𝑥 – 6)
= 𝑥 (𝑥 – 3) – 2(𝑥 – 3)
= (𝑥 – 3)(𝑥 – 2)

2. 4𝑥 2 – 11𝑥 + 6
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 4𝑥 2 – 8𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 6
= (4𝑥 2 – 8𝑥) – (3𝑥 – 6)
= 4𝑥 (𝑥 – 2) – 3(𝑥 – 2)
= (𝑥 – 2)(4𝑥 – 3)

3. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 – 5𝑥 − 10
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥) − (5𝑥 + 10)
= 𝑥(𝑥 + 2) – 5(𝑥 + 2)
= (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 – 5)

II. Trial-and-Error Method

Evaluate the first and the last terms of the expression. Write down
all possible factors. Any pair of these factors when cross multiplied gives
the middle term the factors.
Case I: the first term (+), the middle term (+), the last term (+)
The sign of the factors of the first term and the last term must
be both positive for the sign of the middle term to be positive when
the product of the factors are added.

Examples:

1. 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 + 2, +1
𝑥 + 1, +2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 3𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)

2. 𝑥 2 – 9𝑥 + 20
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

Module I
 37

𝑥 + 5, +10, +20
𝑥 + 4, +2, +1
4𝑥 + 5𝑥 = 9𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 4)

Case 2: the first term (+), the middle term (-), the last term (+)
The sign of the factors of the first term must be both positive
and the last term must be both negative for the sign of the middle
term to be negative when the product of the factors are added.

Examples:

1. 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 − 2, −6
𝑥 − 3, −1
−3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = −5𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)

2. 𝑥 2 – 6𝑥 + 8
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 − 4, −8
𝑥 − 2, −1
−2𝑥 − 4𝑥 = −6𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 2)

Case 3: the first term (+), the middle term (+), the last term (−)
The signs of the factors of the first term must be both
positive, while the last term must be different. Take note that the
positive product of the factors of the first term and the last term
must be greater than the negative product for the sign of the
middle term to be positive.

Module I
 38

Examples:

1. 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 18
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 ± 6, ±9, ±18
𝑥 ∓ 3, ∓2, ∓1
−3𝑥 + 6𝑥 = 3𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 3)

2. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 ± 4, ±8
𝑥 ∓ 2, ∓1
−2𝑥 + 4𝑥 = 2𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 2)

Case 4: the first term (+), the middle term (−), the last term (−)
The signs of the factors of the first term must be both
positive, while the last term must be different. Take note that the
positive product of the factors of the first term and the last term
must be greater than the negative product for the sign of the
middle term to be positive.

Examples:

1. 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
3𝑥 ± 3, ±9
𝑥 ± 3, ±1
−9𝑥 + 3𝑥 = −6𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(3𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)

Module I
 39

2. 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 8
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑥 ± 1, ±4
𝑥 ± 8, ±2
−8𝑥 + 𝑥 = −7𝑥 (𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒;
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 8)

Binomial Theorem

A Binomial Theorem is a formula for calculating powers and coefficient

of terms without very long calculations.

Combinatorial Notation

The number of combinations of n objects selected 𝑟 at a time, 𝑛𝐶𝑟, can

be written in the form
𝒏
( )
𝒓

which is called combinatorial notation.

𝒏! 𝒏
𝒏𝑪𝒓 = = ( )
(𝒏 − 𝒓)! 𝒓! 𝒓

When n and r are integers and r ≤ 𝑛.

Example: Evaluate each expression:

7 8 9 5
(𝑎 ) ( ) (𝑏 ) ( ) (𝑐 ) ( ) (𝑑 ) ( )
3 7 9 0

7 7! 7! 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5 ∙ 4!
(𝑎 ) ( ) = = = = 7 ∙ 5 = 35
3 (7 − 3)! 3! 4! 3! 4! 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1

8 8! 8! 8 ∙ 7!
(𝑏 ) ( ) = = = =8
7 (8 − 7)! 7! 1! 7! 1 ∙ 7!

9 9! 9! 1 1
(𝑐 ) ( ) = = = = =1
9 (9 − 9)! 9! 0! 9! 0! 1

Module I
 40

5 5! 5! 1 1
(𝑑 ) ( ) = = = = =1
0 (5 − 0)! 0! 5! 0! 0! 1

Binomial Theorem Formula

𝒏 𝒏(𝒏−𝟏) 𝒏(𝒏−𝟏)(𝒏−𝟐)
(𝒙 + 𝒚)𝒏 = 𝒙𝒏 + ( ) 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 𝒚 + 𝒙𝒏−𝟐 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒙𝒏−𝟑 𝒚𝟑 +
𝟏 (𝟏)(𝟐) (𝟏)(𝟐)(𝟑)
… … … … . + 𝒚𝒏
𝒏 𝒏(𝒏−𝟏) 𝒏(𝒏−𝟏)(𝒏−𝟐)
(𝒙 − 𝒚)𝒏 = 𝒙𝒏 + ( ) 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 𝒚 + + 𝒙𝒏−𝟐 𝒚𝟐 − 𝒙𝒏−𝟑 𝒚𝟑 +
𝟏 (𝟏)(𝟐) (𝟏)(𝟐)(𝟑)
… … … … . − 𝒚𝒏

Other forms of the binomial theorem exist and some use combinations to
express the coefficients. The relationship between the coefficients and
combinations are shown below.

5∙4 5∙4∙3∙2∙1 5! 5! 5
= = = =( )
2! 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1 ∙ 2! 3! 2! (5 − 2)! 2! 2

𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) … 2.1 𝑛! 𝑛

= = =( )
3! (𝑛 − 3)! 3! (𝑛 − 3)! 3! 3

So
𝒏! 𝒏!
(𝒂 + 𝒙)𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + ⋯
(𝒏 − 𝟏)! 𝟏! (𝒏 − 𝟐)! 𝟐!
𝒏!
+ 𝒂𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒙𝒓−𝟏 + ⋯ + 𝒙𝒏
(𝒏 − [𝒓 − 𝟏])! (𝒓 − 𝟏)!
and
𝒏 𝒏 𝒏
(𝒂 + 𝒙)𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 + ( ) 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙 + ( ) 𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + ⋯ + ⋯ ( ) 𝒂𝒏−𝒓+𝟏𝒙𝒓−𝟏 + ⋯ + 𝒙𝒏
𝟏 𝟐 𝒓−𝟏

The 𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 of the expansion of (𝑎 + 𝑥 )𝑛 is

𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝟐) … (𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟐) 𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒓−𝟏

𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂 𝒙
(𝒓 − 𝟏)!

The 𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 formula for the expansion of (𝑎 + 𝑥 )𝑛 can be expressed in terms of
combinations.

𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝟐) … (𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟐) 𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒓−𝟏

𝑟𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂 𝒙
(𝒓 − 𝟏)!

Module I
 41

𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝟐) … (𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟐)(𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟏) … 𝟐. 𝟏 𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒓−𝟏

= 𝒂 𝒙
(𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝒓) … 𝟐. 𝟏(𝒓 − 𝟏)!

𝒏!
𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒙𝒓−𝟏
(𝒏 − [𝒓 − 𝟏])! (𝒓 − 𝟏)!

𝒏
𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = ( ) 𝒂𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒙𝒓−𝟏
𝒓−𝟏

Expand by the Binomial Formula:

3∙2 2 3∙2∙1 3
(𝑎 + 𝑥 )3 = 𝑎3 + 3𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑥 = 𝑎3 + 3𝑎2 𝑥 + 3𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3
1∙2 1∙2∙3
4 ∙ 3 4∙3∙2 3 4∙3∙2∙1 4
(𝑎 + 𝑥 )4 = 𝑎4 + 4𝑎3 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑥
1∙2 1∙2∙3 1∙2∙3∙4
= 𝑎4 + 4𝑎3 𝑥 + 6𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑥 4
5∙4 3 2 5∙4∙3 2 3 5∙4∙3∙2 4
(𝑎 + 𝑥 )5 = 𝑎5 + 5𝑎4 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥5
1∙2 1∙2∙3 1∙2∙3∙4
= 𝑎5 + 5𝑎4 𝑥 + 10𝑎3 𝑥 2 + 10𝑎2 𝑥 3 + 5𝑎𝑥 4 + 𝑥 5

• Pascal’s Triangle is a special formula in the form of a triangle for

calculating powers and coefficients of terms without very long
calculations.

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )0 = 1

(𝑥 + 𝑦)1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )3 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )4 = 𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 𝑦 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 3 + 𝑦 4

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )5 = 𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 4 𝑦 + 10𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 10𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 5𝑥𝑦 4 + 𝑦 5

In the Pascal’s Triangle, the first row which is (𝑥 + 𝑦)0 is equal to

1. The second row (𝑥 + 𝑦)1 is equal to itself, 𝑥 + 𝑦. The succeeding rows

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contain terms raised to an exponent equal to the exponent of the preceding

binomial plus 1, where the exponent of the first term, 𝑥 is descending while
the exponent of the second term, 𝑦 is ascending. The coefficient of the
terms except the first and last is the sum of the coefficient of the two terms
directly above it.

Note: If the sign of the second term of the binomial is negative (−), the
signs of terms be positive (+), negative (−) alternate for both the binomial
theorem and the Pascal’s Triangle.

𝒏 𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏) 𝒏−𝟐 𝟐 𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝟐) 𝒏−𝟑 𝟑

(𝒙 − 𝒚)𝒏 = 𝒙𝒏 − ( ) 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 𝒚 + 𝒙 𝒚 − 𝒙 𝒚
𝟏 (𝟏)(𝟐) (𝟏)(𝟐)(𝟑)
+ … … … … . − 𝒚𝒏

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )0 = 1

(𝑥 + 𝑦)1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )3 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )4 = 𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 𝑦 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 3 + 𝑦 4

(𝑥 + 𝑦 )5 = 𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 4 𝑦 + 10𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 10𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 5𝑥𝑦 4 + 𝑦 5

6∙5 4 6∙5∙4 3
(𝑥 − 𝑦 2 )6 = 𝑥 6 + 6𝑥 5 (−𝑦 2 ) + 𝑥 (−𝑦 2 )2 + 𝑥 (−𝑦 2 )3
1∙2 1∙2∙3
6∙5∙4∙3 2 6∙5∙4∙3∙2
+ 𝑥 (−𝑦 2 )4 + 𝑥(−𝑦 2 )5 + (−𝑦 2 )6
1∙2∙3∙4 1∙2∙3∙4∙5

= 𝑥 6 − 6𝑥 5 𝑦 2 + 15𝑥 4 𝑦 4 − 20𝑥 3 𝑦 6 + 15𝑥 2 𝑦 8 − 6𝑥𝑦 10 + 𝑦 12

In the expansion of a binomial of the form (𝑎 − 𝑏)𝑛 , where 𝑛 is a positive

integer, the terms are alternately + and −.
4∙3 4∙3∙2
(3𝑎3 − 2𝑏)4 = (3𝑎3 )4 + 4(3𝑎3 )3 (−2𝑏) + (3𝑎3 )2 (−2𝑏)2 + (3𝑎3 )(−2𝑏)3
1∙2 1∙2∙3
+ (−2𝑏)4

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= 81𝑎12 − 216𝑎9 𝑏 + 216𝑎6 𝑏2 − 96𝑎3 𝑏3 + 16𝑏4

7∙6 5 7∙6∙5 4 7∙6∙5∙4 3

(𝑥 − 1)7 = 𝑥 7 + 7𝑥 6 (−1) + 𝑥 (−1)2 + 𝑥 (−1)3 + 𝑥 (−1)4
1∙2 1∙2∙3 1∙2∙3∙4
7∙6∙5∙4∙3 2 7∙6∙5∙4∙3∙2
+ 𝑥 (−1)5 + 𝑥 (−1)6 + (−1)7
1∙2∙3∙4∙5 1∙2∙3∙4∙5∙6

= 𝑥 7 − 7𝑥 6 + 21𝑥 5 − 35𝑥 4 + 35𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 1

𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)(𝒏 − 𝟐) … (𝒏 − 𝒓 + 𝟐) 𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒓−𝟏

𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 (𝒂 + 𝒙)𝒏 = 𝒂 𝒙
(𝒓 − 𝟏)!

Examples:
𝑆𝑖𝑥𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑓 (𝑥 + 𝑦)15
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
𝑛 = 15, 𝑟 = 6, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 2 = 11, 𝑟 − 1 = 5, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 1 = 10
15 ∙ 14 ∙ 13 ∙ 12 ∙ 11 10 5
𝟔𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = 𝑥 𝑦 = 3003𝑥 10 𝑦 5
1∙2∙3∙4∙5

𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑓 (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )11

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
𝑛 = 11, 𝑟 = 4, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 2 = 9, 𝑟 − 1 = 3, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 1 = 8
11 ∙ 10 ∙ 9 2 8
𝟒𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = (𝑥 ) (−𝑦 2)3 = −165𝑥 16 𝑦 6
1∙2∙3

𝑥 1 12
𝑁𝑖𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑓 (2 + 𝑥)

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
𝑛 = 12, 𝑟 = 9, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 2 = 5, 𝑟 − 1 = 8, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 1 = 4
12 ∙ 11 ∙ 10 ∙ 9 ∙ 8 ∙ 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5 𝑥 4 1 8 495
𝟗𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = ( ) ( ) =
1∙2∙3∙4∙5∙6∙7∙8 2 𝑥 16𝑥 4

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Find the term involving 𝑥 2 in the expansion of

𝑎 10
(𝑥 3 + )
𝑥
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 (𝑥 3 )10−𝑟+1 (𝑥 −1 )𝑟−1 = 𝑥 2 𝑤𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 3(10 − 𝑟 + 1) − 1(𝑟 − 1) = 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑟 = 8
For the 8th term:
𝑛 = 10, 𝑟 = 8, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 2 = 4, 𝑟 − 1 = 7, 𝑛 − 𝑟 + 1 = 3
10 ∙ 9 ∙ 8 ∙ 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5 ∙ 4 3 3 𝑎 7
𝟖𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = (𝑥 ) ( ) = 120𝑎7 𝑥 2
1∙2∙3∙4∙5∙6∙7 𝑥

Product of the Sum and Difference of two terms

It is equal to the difference of their squares, the square of the first term
minus the square of the second term.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:
1. (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 – 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 – 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑥 – 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2

2. (3𝑥 + 2𝑦) (3𝑥 – 2𝑦) = (9𝑥 2 – 6𝑥𝑦 + 6𝑦𝑥 – 4𝑦 2 ) = 9𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2

Product of the square of a binomial

I. When the signs of both terms are positive they are equal to the squares
of the first term plus twice the product of the first and second terms plus
the square of the second term.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:

1. ( 𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2
2. (3𝑥 + 2𝑦)2 = (3𝑥 )2 + 2(3𝑥 )(2𝑦) + (2𝑦)2
= 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 2

II. When the sign of the first term is positive while the sign of the second
term is negative, it is equal to the square of the first term minus twice
the product of the first and second terms plus the square of the second
term.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:

1. ( 𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2

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2. (3𝑥 − 2𝑦)2 = (3𝑥 )2 − 2(3𝑥)(2𝑦) + (2𝑦)2

= 9𝑥 2 − 12𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 2

Product of two Binomials

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:

1. (𝑥 + 𝑎) (𝑥 + 𝑏) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏
= 𝑥 2 + 𝑥(𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑎𝑏

2. (𝑥 + 8)(𝑥 + 3) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 8(3)
= 𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 + 24

3. (2𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 + 2) = 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 6 = 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 6

4. (5𝑥 + 3𝑦) (3𝑥 – 2𝑦) = 5𝑥(3𝑥) + 5𝑥(−2𝑦) + 3𝑥(3𝑦) + (3𝑦)(−2𝑦)

= 15𝑥 2 – 10𝑥𝑦 + 9𝑥𝑦 – 6𝑦 2

Product of the square of a polynomial

It is equal to the sum of the square of each term and twice the product of
each term by another. In the case trinomial, it is equal to the square of the first
term, plus the square of the second term, plus the square of the third term,
plus twice the product of the first and third terms, plus twice the product of the
second and third terms.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:
( 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 )2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑦𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥 + 𝑧𝑦 + 𝑧 2
= 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑥 + 2𝑧𝑥

Quadratic Equations Solved by Quadratic Formula

For quadratic equations in one variable where any type of factoring is not
applicable, use the quadratic formula in solving the values of that variable.
From the general equation of quadratic equations, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑥
is the variable and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are constants.

Module I
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The quadratic formula to be used:

−𝑏−+ √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐

𝑥=
2𝑎

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:
1. 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 = 0
−5+ 2
− √(5) − 4(2)(3)
𝑥 =
2(2)
𝑥1 = −1 𝑥2 = −3/2

2. 2(𝑤 2 – 2𝑤 ) = 5 2𝑤 2 – 4𝑤 – 5 = 0
−(−4)+ 2
− √(−4) − 4(2)(−5)
𝑥 =
2(2)
2 + √14 2 − √14
𝑥1 = 𝑥2 =
2 2

Module I
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Learning Activity

A. Evaluate the following:

1. 8𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 – 1𝑦 2 2. 8𝑥 2 + 12𝑥𝑦 – 115𝑦 2
+ 4𝑥 2 – 3𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 2 – 3𝑥𝑦 + 10𝑦 2

3. 𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 (4𝑥 2 – 9𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 ) 𝑏𝑦 (12𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 – 6𝑦 2 )

4. 𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 (5𝑥 3 – 2𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑏𝑦 (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑦 – 8𝑦 2 )
5. 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒 (2𝑥 3 – 7𝑥 2 𝑦 + 12𝑥𝑦 2 – 9𝑦 3 ) 𝑏𝑦 (2𝑥 – 3𝑦)

B. Factor each expression:

1. 3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 + 6𝑥 3 𝑦 3
2. 𝑚4 − 4𝑚2 − 21
3. 𝑦 3 + 27

C. Expand by the binomial formula:

𝑥 3 4
1. (2 + 𝑦)
1 1
2. (𝑦 2 + 𝑦 −2 )^6

D. Using the formula of quadratic formula:

1. 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 12𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 – 1 = 0

2. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥: 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 3 = 0
3. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 36𝑥 2 + 64𝑥 + 30 = 0

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Lesson 4

 Linear Equations

A linear equation is an equation of terms in the first degree. A linear

equation in 𝒙 is one that can be written in the standard form of 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0,
where 𝒂 and 𝒃 are constants and 𝑎 ≠ 0.

A root of an equation is x is a number which, when substituted for such a

variable in equation, that equation is satisfied, making that equation a true
statement.

Note: An important law to be used in problems that involve the equality sign
(=) , is the “Law of Transposition” which states that, “When a number,
variable or term is transferred to the other side of the equality sign (=), the
sign should be changed.”

To solve the value of the unknown in an equation of one unknown,

combine similar terms on one side of the equality sign and all the other terms
on the other side of the equality sign.

To check if the value of the unknown is correct, substitute the solved

value in the original equation, thus satisfying the equation.

LINEAR EQUATION IN ONE VARIABLE

A linear equation in one variable has the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 − 0, where 𝑎 ≠ 0 and b
are constants. The solution of this equation is given by 𝑥 = −𝑏/𝑎.
When a linear equation is not in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0, we simplify the equation
by multiplying each term by the LCD for all fractions in the equation, removing
any parentheses, or combining like terms. In some equations we do more than
one of the procedures.

Module I
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𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 + 8 – 2(𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥 – 6 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.

𝑥 + 8 – 2(𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥 – 6 First we remove the parentheses
𝑥 + 8 – 2𝑥 − 2 = 3𝑥 – 6 We now combine like terms.
−𝑥 + 6 = 3𝑥 – 6 Now get the variable terms on one
side of the equation by
−𝑥 + 6 – 3𝑥 = 3𝑥 – 6 – 3𝑥 Subtracting 3𝑥 from each side of the
equation.
−4𝑥 + 6 = −6 Now we subtract 6 from each side of
the equation to get the
−4𝑥 + 6 – 6 = −6 – 6 Variable term on one side of the
equation by itself
−4𝑥 = −12 Finally we divide each side of the
equation by the coefficient of
−4𝑥
=
−12 The variable, which is −4.
−4 −4

𝑥 = 3 Now we check this solution in the

original equation.
𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘:
3 + 8 – 2(3 + 1) ? 3(3) – 6 The question mark indicates that we dont
know for sure that
11 – 2(4) ? 9 – 6 the two quantities are equal.
11 – 8 = 3 The solution checks.
3 = 3

WORD PROBLEMS:
In solving a word problem, the first step is to decide what is to be found.
The next step is to translate the conditions stated in the problem into an
equation or to state a formula that expresses the conditions of the problem.
The solution of the equation is the next step.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (1)
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 6. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠?
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑛 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 + 6 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟.
𝑛 + (𝑛 + 6) = −4
𝑛 + 𝑛 + 6 = −4
2𝑛 + 6 = −4
2𝑛 = −10

Module I
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𝑛 = −5
𝑛+6 = 1
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 − 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (2) If the perimeter of a rectangle is 68 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 and the length is
14 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 more than the width, what are the dimension of the rectangle?
Let 𝑤 = the number of meters in the width and 𝑤 + 14 = the number of
meters in the length.
2[(𝑤 + 14) + 𝑤] = 68
2𝑤 + 28 + 2𝑤 = 68
4𝑤 + 28 = 68
4𝑤 = 40
𝑤 = 10
𝑤 + 14 = 24
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑠 24 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑦 10 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (3) If one pump can fill a pool in 16 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 and if two pumps can fill the
pool in 6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠, how fast can the second pump fill the pool?
Let ℎ = the number of hours for the second pump to fill the pool.
1 1 1
+ =
ℎ 16 6
1 1 1
48ℎ ( + ) = 48ℎ ( )
ℎ 16 6
48 + 3ℎ = 8ℎ
48 = 5ℎ
ℎ = 9.6
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 9.6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 (𝑜𝑟 9 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 36 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠) 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑙.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (4) How many liters of pure alcohol must be added to

15 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 60 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 alcohol solution to obtain an 80 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 alcohol solution?
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑛 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑜ℎ𝑜𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑.
𝑛 + 0.60(15) = 0.80(𝑛 + 15) (The sum of the amount of alcohol in each
quantity is equal to the amount of alcohol in the
mixture.)
𝑛 + 9 = 0.8𝑛 + 12
0.2𝑛 = 3
𝑛 = 15

𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑜ℎ𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑.

Solving an equation in one variable:

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1. 2𝑥 + 1 = −9
2𝑥 = −9 – 1
2𝑥 = −10
2𝑥 −10
=
2 2
𝒙 = −𝟓

2. −2(3𝑥 − 1) + 𝑥 = 14 − 𝑥
−6𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 = 14 – 𝑥
−4𝑥 = 12
−4𝑥 12
=
−4 −4
𝒙 = −𝟑

Systems of Two Linear Equation in Two Unknowns

I. Method of elimination by substitution

In this method, the value of one unknown is substituted to find the
value of the other unknown.
Steps:
1. Find the value of one unknown in terms of the other in one equation.
2. Substitute the resulting expression in step 1 to the other equation to
come out with an equation in one unknown only.
3. Solve the value of the unknown in the resulting expression in step 2.
4. Substitute the value of the unknown found in step 3 to solve for the value
of the other unknown in any of the given equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the unknowns to find out if
both the given equations are satisfied by such values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:

(𝑖)
3𝑥 – 𝑦 = 7
{
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 1

𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:

3𝑥 – 7 = 𝑦

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑:

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2𝑥 + 3(3𝑥 – 7) = 1
2𝑥 + 9𝑥 – 21 = 1
11𝑥 = 22
11𝑥 22
=
11 11
𝒙 = 𝟐

𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 7
𝑦 = 3(2) – 7
𝒚 = −𝟏
𝑺𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 = −𝟏.
(𝑖𝑖)
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
{
3𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 2
𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
3𝑥 = 6𝑦 + 2
2
𝑥 = 2𝑦 +
3

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑:

5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
2
5(2𝑦 + ) + 4𝑦 = 1
3
10
10𝑦 + + 4𝑦 = 1
3
7
14𝑦 = −
3

7
14𝑦 −3
=
14 14

−𝟏
𝒚 =
𝟔

−1 2
𝑥 = 2( 6 ) + 3
𝟏
𝒙 = 𝟑

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𝟏 −𝟏
𝑺𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒙 = 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 = .
𝟑 𝟔

II. Method of elimination by multiplication and addition

In this method, the unknowns are eliminated by multiplication and
addition such that the coefficient of the unknown to be eliminated
will be the same but of different signs.
Steps:
1. Multiply both equations by a chosen constant to make the coefficient of
one unknown the same but opposite in signs.
2. Add the resulting equation, thus eliminating one unknown in step 1.
3. Solve the value of the unknown in the resulting equation in step 2.
4. Repeat steps 1,2 and 3 with the roles of the unknown interchanged to
solved for the other unknown or substitute the value of the unknown
found in step 3 in any of the given equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the unknowns in both
equations, thus satisfying the equations for the solved values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:
(𝑖)
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
{
3𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 2
Using the steps above by method of elimination:
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1 𝑥3 15𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 3
3𝑥 – 6𝑦 = 2 𝑥2 6𝑥 – 12𝑦 = 4
21𝑥 = 7
Therefore 𝑥 = 1/3 which is exactly the same as the previous example.
Find 𝑦: 3𝑥 – 6𝑦 = 2
1
3 ( ) – 6𝑦 = 2
3
1 – 6𝑦 = 2
−6𝑦 = 1
Therefore 𝑦 = −1/6 and again this is the same value we found in the previous
example.

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Using the steps above, try to evaluate the following:

Solved for 𝑥 and 𝑦

1. 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10, 6𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6 𝑎𝑛𝑠. 𝑥 = 3 , 𝑦 = −4

2. 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 1, 10𝑥 – 25𝑦 = 5 𝑎𝑛𝑠. 𝑥 = ½ , 𝑦 = 0

Systems of Three Linear Equation in Three Unknowns

Steps:
1. Between any two of a given three equations, one unknown may be
eliminated resulting in an equation in the other two unknowns.
2. Between any other pair of the given three equations, eliminate the same
unknown eliminated in step 1 resulting in a second equation in the other
two unknowns obtained in step.
3. Use the two equations of those other two unknowns obtained in step 1s 1
and 2, results of which consist of a system of two linear equations in two
unknowns, then follow the steps of solving the two unknowns in a system
of two linear equations using any of the methods. (by substitution, by
multiplication and addition).
4. To solve for the third unknown, substitute the values of the unknowns
found in step 3 in any given three equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the three unknowns in all the
given equations, thus satisfying all the equations for the solved values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:
(i) 𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 – 𝑧 = −6 (2)
2𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 5𝑧 = 17 (3)
There will always be several choices as to where to begin, but the most obvious
first step here is to eliminate 𝑥 by adding equations (1) and (2).
𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)

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−𝑥 + 3𝑦 – 𝑧 = −6 (2)
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3 (4)
The second step is multiplying equation (1) by −2 and adding the result to
equation (3). These two steps will eliminate the variable 𝑥.
−2𝑥 + 4𝑦 – 6𝑧 = −18 (2) 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 − 2
2𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 5𝑧 = 17 (3)
−𝑦 − 𝑧 = −1 (5)
In equation (4) and (5), we have created a new two-by-two system.We can solve
for 𝑧 by adding the two equations.
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3 (4)
−𝑦 − 𝑧 = −1 (5)
𝒛 = 𝟐 (6)
Next, we back-substitute 𝑧 = 2 into equation (4) and solve for 𝑦.
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3
𝑦 + 2(2) = 3
𝑦 + 4 = 3
𝑦 = 3– 4
𝒚 = −𝟏
Finally, we can back substitute 𝑧 = 2 and 𝑦 = −1 into equation (1). This will
yield the solution for 𝑥.
𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)
𝑥 – 2(−1) + 3(2) = 9
𝑥 + 2 + 6 = 9
𝑥 = 9– 6– 2
𝒙 = 𝟏

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Learning Activity
A. Solve each of the following equations.
1. 3𝑥 + 8 = 25
2. 8(𝑥 − 4) + 16 = 25 − 2(𝑥 + 1)
3. −3(5𝑥 − 3) + 𝑥 = 26 − 𝑥
4. 𝑦 + 3(𝑦 − 4) = 4
5. 𝑥 − 3 − 2(6 − 2𝑥 ) = 2(2𝑥 − 5)
2𝑡−9 3𝑡+4
6. =
3 2
3 4 1
7. − =
𝑧 5𝑧 10

B. Using the steps above, try to solve the following:

Solve for the values of 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧
1. 𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 2𝑧 = −25, 2𝑥 – 3𝑦 = −10, − 4𝑥 + 6𝑦 – 2𝑧 = 21
2. 2𝑥 – 𝑦 + 7𝑧 = 3, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4, − 2𝑥 + 3 𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −12
3. 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4, 3𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 36, 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 12
4. −5𝑥 – 6𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 26, −10𝑥 + 6𝑦 – 4𝑧 = 36, 20𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 5𝑧 +
102 = 0

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 MODULE SUMMARY

In module I, you have learned the Fundamentals of algebra which shows

the principles and operations of the subject. Manual solutions in the problem
solvings are used to develop an understanding of the procedures that are
frequently done using calculators and computers.

There are four lessons in module I. Lesson 1 consists of the number

systems of Algebra which shows the two sub-classifications of the two basic
classifications of numbers namely real numbers and imaginary numbers.

Lesson 2 deals with the Fundamental operations with Algebraic

Expressions. This topic helps you to learn the combination of ordinary numbers
and letters which represent numbers. It also helps to introduce the kinds of
algebraic expressions, laws of exponents, rules and simplifications, and
operations on roots and radicals.

Lesson 3 explains the operations and Factoring of Polynomials in which

you can learn the factorization process and its limitations.

Lesson 4 explains the nature of Linear equations. It can be linear

equation in two variable and systems of linear equation in three variables. From
this, you can learn how to find the unknown variables using the step by step
process indicated per topic.

Congratulations! You have just studied Module I.

Module I