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MATHEMATICS
FUNDAMENTALS OF ALGEBRA

What are properties of integers?

Integers have special properties. Computations of integers will become easier by understanding these
special properties. The commutative property, for instance, allows you to change the order of adding or
multiplying while the associative property allows you to change grouping.

The properties of addition of integers:

1. Closure property
a + b = integer
2. Commutative property
a+b=b+a
3. Associative property
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
4. Identity property
a+0=a
The number 0 is called the additive identity.
5. Inverse property
a + (-a) = 0
The number -a is called the additive inverse.
6. Distributive property
a (b + c) = ab + ac

The properties of multiplication of integers:

1. Closure property
ab = integer
2. Commutative property
ab = ba
3. Associative property
(ab) c = a (bc)
4. Identity property
a+1=a
The number 1 is called the multiplicative identity.
5. Inverse property

a ( 1a )=1
1
The number is called the multiplicative inverse.
a
6. Distributive property
a (b + c) = ab + ac
7. Multiplication property of zero

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

a (0) = 0
The properties of equality of integers:
Consider a, b and c as integers or real numbers or variables of an algebraic expression.

1. Reflexive property
a=a
2. Symmetric property
If a = b, then b = a
3. Transitive property
If a = b and b = c, then a = c
4. Substitution property
If a = b, then a can be replaced by b in any expression involving a
5. Addition / Subtraction property
If a = b, then a + c = b + c
If a = b, then a – c = b – c
6. Multiplication / Division property
If a = b, then ac = bc
a b
If a = b, then = with c ≠ 0
c c
7. Cancellation property
If a + c = b + c; then a = b
If ac = bc and c ≠ 0, then a = b

The properties of zero:

Consider a, b and c as integers or real numbers or variables of an algebraic expression.

1. a + 0 = a and a – 0 = a
2. a (0) = 0
0
3. =0 , with a ≠ 0
a
a
4. is undefined
0
5. If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0. This is known as Zero-Factor property

What is an exponent?
Exponent is a number that gives the power to which a base is raised. For example, in 3 2, 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 anymore. 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

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

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 ∙∙∙∙

n factors

The properties of exponents with corresponding examples:

Property Example
1. am + an = am+n x² + x³ = x2+3 = x5
am m−n x8 8−3 5
2. n
=a 3
=x =x
a x
3. (am)n = amn (y6)2 = y12
4. (ab)m = am bm (2x)4 = 24 x4 = 16x4

() ()
m m 4 4
a a 2 2 16
5. = m = 4= 4
b b x x x
m 5
6. a n = n am
√ ( 4 x) 3 = √( 4 x )5
3

−m 1 −5 1
7. a = m
x = 5
a x
8. a0 = 1 (a ≠ 0) (x2 + 2)0 = 1

What is a radical?
Radical refers to the symbol that indicates a root, √. It was first used in 1525 by Christoff Rudolff in his
Die Coss.

In the expression, √
n
a, n is called the index, a (the expression inside the symbol) is called the radicand
while the symbol √ is called radical.

Property Example
1. √ a =( √ a ) √ 8 =( √8 ) =2 =4
n m n m 3 2 3 2 2

2. √ a ∙ √ b=√ ab
n n n
√3 5 ∙ √3 675= √3 ( 5 )( 675 ) =√3 3375=15
3.
√n a = n a , b ≠ 0
√n b b √ √
√3 50 = 3 50 = 3 5
√3 10 10
√
4. √ √ √3 √4 15=12√15
m n mn
a= √ a

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

n 5
5. ( √n a ) =a ( √5 2 x ) =2 x
6. √ an =|a|
n
√ (−12 ) =|−12|=12
4 4
(For n = even no.)
√ (−12 ) =|−12|=−12
3 3
(For n = odd no.)
What is a surd?
Surd is a radical expressing an irrational number. The surd is described after the index of the radical. For
example, √ 3 is a quadratic surd, √3
3 is a cubic surd, √ 3 is a quartic surd and so on.
4

Different types of surds:

Pure surd, sometimes called an entire surd contains no rational number and all its terms are surds.
Example: √ 3+ √ 2

Mixed surd is a surd that contains at least one rational number. 5 √ 3 is a mixed surd because 5 is a
rational number while √ 3 is a surd.

Binomial surd is an expression of two terms with at least one term a surd.
Example: 5+ √ 2

Trinomial surd is an expression of three terms with at least two of them are surds and cannot be
expressed as a single surd, otherwise it will become a binomial surd.
Example: 5+ √ 2+ √ 3

What is a special product?

Special products are the expressions where the values can be obtained without execution of long
multiplication.

With x, y and z as real numbers or variables or algebraic expression, the following are the special
products.

1. Sum and difference of same terms or Difference of two squares

(x + y)(x - y) = x² - y²
2. Square of a binomial
(x + y)² = x² + 2xy + y²
(x - y)² = x² - 2xy + y²
3. Cube of a binomial
(x + y)3 = x³ + 3x²y + 3xy² + y3
(x - y)3 = x³ - 3x²y + 3xy² - y³
4. Difference of two cubes
x³ - y³ = (x - y)(x² + xy + y²)
5. Sum of two cubes

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

x³ + y² = (x - y) (x² - xy + y²)
6. Square of a trinomial
(x + y + z)² = x² + y² + z² + 2xy + 2xz + 2yz

What is a proportion?
Proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal.

Properties of proportion
a x
1. If = , then a : x = y : d
y d
a c a b
2. If = , then =
b d c d
a c a−b c−d
3. If = , then =
b d b d
a c a+b c +d
4. If = , then =
b d b d
a c a+b c +d
5. If = , then =
b d a−b c−d

In number (1), quantities a and d are called extremes while x and y are called means. If x = y, then its
value is known as mean proportional. In the ratio x/y, the first term x is called the antecedent while the
second term y is called the consequent.

What is a least common denominator (LCD)?

Least common denominator (LCD) refers to the product of several prime numbers occurring in the
denominators, each taken with its greatest multiplicity.

Problem:
What is the least common denominator of 8, 9, 12 and 15?

Solution:
8 = 2³
9 = 32
12 = 3 ∙ 2²

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

15 = 3 ∙ 5
LCD = 23 (3²) (5)
LCD = 360

What is a least common multiple (LCM)?

A common multiple is a number that two other numbers will divide into evenly. The least common
multiple (LCM) is the lowest multiple of two numbers.
Problem:
What is the least common multiple of 15 and 18?

Solution:
15 = 3 ∙ 5
18 = 3² ∙ 2
LCM = 3² (5) (2)
LCM = 90

What is a greatest common factor (GCF)?

A factor is a number that divides into larger number evenly. The greatest common factor (GCF) is the
largest number that divides into two or more numbers evenly.

Problem:
What is the greatest common factor of 70 and 112?

Solution:
70 = 2 ∙ 5 ∙ 7
112 = 24 ∙ 7
Common factors are 2 and 7.
GCF = 2(7)
GCF = 14

What is a Remainder Theorem?

Remainder Theorem states that if a polynomial in an unknown quantity x is divided by a first degree
expression in the same variable, (x – k), where k may be any real number or complex number, the
remainder to be expected will be equal to the sum obtained when the numerical value of k is
substituted for x in the polynomial. Thus,
remainder ¿ f ( x )
x →k

What is a Factor Theorem?

Factor theorem states that if a polynomial is divided by (x – k) will result to a remainder of zero, then
the value (x – k) is a factor of the polynomial.

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS
 STI Academic Center
P. Sanchez Street corner Pat Antonio
Street Sta. Mesa Manila, 1035 Metro Manila

Both remainder theorem and factor theorem were suggested by a French mathematician, Etienne
Bezout (1730-1783).

PRE-BOARD REVIEW: Fundamentals of Algebra Prepared by: Engr. KCG

MATHEMATICS