Algebra

The greatest mathematical

tool of all!!
This is a course in basic introductory
algebra.

Essential Prerequisites:

• Ability to work with directed numbers (positives

and negatives)
• An understanding of order of operations
Stephen is 5 years older than Nancy.
Their ages add to 80.
How old are they?

Without algebra, students would probably guess different

pairs of values (with each pair differing by 5) and hope to
somehow find a pair that add to 80. Eventually, we might
work out that Stephen is 42 ½ and Nancy is 37 ½ .

The problem, however, is that there can be too

much guesswork. Algebra takes away the
guesswork.
SEE THE SOLUTION!
 Contents
1. Substituting – numerals and GO!!
pronumerals
2. Like and unlike terms – adding GO!!
and subtracting
3. Multiplying GO!!

4. Dividing GO!!

5. Mixed operations and order of GO!!

operations
Section 1

Substituting – numerals and pronumerals

When working with algebra, you will meet TWO different
kinds of terms…..

• NUMERALS
These are all the ordinary numbers you’ve
been working with all your life. Numerals
include 2, 5, 7, 235, 15½, 9¾, 2.757, 3.07, –
9, – 7.6 , 0,  and so on.

• PRONUMERALS
These are symbols like , , , and letters
(either single letters or combinations) like x,
y, a, b, ab, xyz, x2 , y3 etc…Pronumerals often
take the place of numerals.
 If a=5
b=2
c=3
find the value of

(1) a + b (2) c – a – b
SOLUTION SOLUTION

a+b c–a–b
=5+2 =3–5–2
= 7 (ans) =–4 (ans)
 NOTE
WHEN WORKING WITH PRONUMERALS YOU’RE
ALLOWED TO LEAVE OUT MULTIPLICATION SIGNS.
PRONUMERALS ARE USUALLY WRITTEN
ALPHABETICALLY (ab rather than ba)

3 x a = 3a 2 x p = 2p
a x b = ab 5 x a x b = 5ab
c x a x b = abc
THIS DOESN’T APPLY WHEN WORKING ONLY
WITH NUMBERS

3 x 4 can’t be written
as 34!
If a=5
b=2
c=3
find the value of

(3) ab + c (4) 4bc – 2a + ab

SOLUTION SOLUTION

ab + c 4bc – 2a + ab
=5×2+3 =4×2×3–2×5+5×2
= 13 (ans) = 24 – 10 + 10
Remember to
= 24 (ans) do
multiplication
first!!
If a=5
b=2
c=3
find the value of

(5) a(b + c) (6) 4b(7c – 4a)

SOLUTION SOLUTION

a (b + c) 4b(7c – 4a)
= a × (b + c) = 4 × b × (7 × c – 4 × a)
= 5 × (2 + 3) = 4 × 2 × (7 × 3 – 4 × 5)
=5×5
= 8 × (21 – 20)
= 25 (ans) =8× 1

= 8 (ans)
 REMEMBER
ORDER OF
If a=–3 OPERATIONS
b = 10
c=–4
find the value of
(1) 3a + b (2) c – (4a – b)
SOLUTION SOLUTION
= 3a + b c – (4a – b)
=3×a+b = c – (4 × a – b)
= 3 × – 3 + 10 = – 4 – (4 × – 3 – 10)
= – 9 + 10 = – 4 – ( – 12 – 10)
= – 4 – ( – 22)
= 1 (ans) = – 4 + 22
Note a – (– b) is
= 18 (ans) same as a + b !!
If a=–3
b = 10 MULTIPLY
c=–4 BEFORE
evaluate YOU ADD!!
(4)
SOLUTION
(3) a2 + b2
SOLUTION

= a2 + b2
=a×a+b×b
= – 3 × – 3 + 10 × 10
= 9 + 100

= 109 (ans)
= 2.4 (ans)
Section 2

Like and Unlike terms

Adding and Subtracting
Work out the value of 5 × 7 + 3 × 7.
5 × 7 + 3 × 7 = 35 + 21

= 56

Now work out the value of 8 × 7.

8 × 7 = 56

So here we have two different questions that give the

same answer, 56. So we can make this conclusion:

5×7 + 3×7 = 8×7

 5 × 7 + 3× 7 = 8× 7
Or, in words,

5 lots of 7 + 3 lots of 7 = 8 lots of 7

Can you predict the value of 9 × 5 – 2 × 5?
If you said 7 × 5 then you would be correct!
Check that both sums equal 35!
Try these! Make sure you write the SHORT SUM first,
then the answer!
“Long sum” “Short sum” Answer
2x8+5x8 7x8 56
6x9+2x9 8x9 72
4x7+1x7 5x7 35
8x9–3x9 5x9 45
7x6–3x6 4x6 24
5x2+2 6x2 12
Rewrite as
5x2+1x2
So by now you are hopefully beginning
to see the general pattern. For example
using the fact 3 + 4 = 7 we can write….
3×1 +4×1 =7×1
3×2 +4×2 =7×2
3×8 +4×8 =7×8
3 × 9½ + 4 × 9½ = 7 × 9½
In fact, the pattern holds for all numbers (not just 1, 2,
8 and 9½) and can be written more generally as

3×a +4×a =7×a or

3×x +4×x =7×x or
any pronumeral (letter) of your choice!
Now try these:
7 × b + 8 × b = 15 × b
2 × y + 9 × y = 11 × y
4×p–2×p= 2 × p
6×q–1×q= 5 × q
8×x+1×x= 9 × x
Remember x
4×x+ x= 5 × x
really means 1x
8×a–2×a = 6×a
What would be a single statement that
would cover all possibilities in this pattern?
8 × 7 + 5 × 7 = 13 × 7
8 × 2 + 5 × 2 = 13 × 2 Ans:
8 × 12 + 5 × 12 = 13 × 12
8 × a + 5 × a = 13 × a
And this pattern? Of course we could have
used any pronumeral here –
5×9– 2×9=3×9 it does not have to be a or w.
5×2– 2×2=3×2
5 × 79 – 2 × 79 = 3 × 79

Ans: 5 × w – 2 × w = 3 × w
When you’re writing algebra sums, you’re
allowed to LEAVE OUT
MULTIPLICATION SIGNS!
So,
3 × c can be written as 3c
7 × a × b can be written as 7ab
x × y can be written as xy
BUT 3 × 4 CAN’T be written as 34!!
Now try these:
4a + 7a = 11a
5y + 8y = 13y
2p – 6p = – 4p
q + 7q = 8q
Remember x really
x + x = 2x means 1x
10x + x = 11x
a – 7a = – 6a
– 7z + 5z = – 2z
When terms are multiplied, the
order is not important….
6 × 5 is the same as 5 × 6 (both = 30)

a × b is the same as b × a. i.e. ab = ba. We usually

use alphabetical order though, so ab rather than ba.
a×b×c =b×a×c Again, we prefer
=a×c×b alphabetical order
= c × a × b etc …. so abc is best.

6 × a is the same as a × 6 i.e. 6a = a6

But the number is usually written first!
Although it’s still correct, we don’t write a6.
Always write 6a. So…. PUT THE NUMBERS
BEFORE PRONUMERALS
More about like terms…
We know that ab and ba are the same thing,
so we can do sums like
4ab + 5ba = 9ab
7xy + 9yx = 16xy
3abc – 2bca + 8cab = 9abc
mnp – 2mpn – 7pmn = – 8mnp

Note that in each case,

• the number goes first
• alphabetical order is used for the answer
(though it is still correct to write 9ba, 16yx etc…)
Key We know we can write

Question: 7but×is5there
+ 4 × 5 as a “short sum” 11 × 5,
a similar way of writing

6×3+5×7?
If we calculate this sum, it is equal to 18 + 35 = 53
But there are no factors of 53 (other than 1 and 53)
so there is NO SHORT SUM for 6 × 3 + 5 × 7 !!
Because of this, we can conclude that there is no
easy way of writing 6a + 7b, other than 6a + 7b!
In summary, we can simplify 6a + 7a to get 13a.
But cannot simplify 6a + 7b.
6a + 7a is an example of LIKE TERMS.
Like terms can be added or subtracted to
get a simpler answer (13a in this case)

6a + 7b is an example of UNLIKE TERMS.

Like terms cannot be added or subtracted.
You will encounter terms with powers such as x2 ,
3a2 , 5p3, 3a2 b etc. These are treated the same
way as terms with single pronumerals. x2 and x
are UNLIKE, just as x and y are.
2a and 3a2 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
3b and 3b4 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
2ab and 4ab2 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
2a2 and 3a2 are LIKE and can be added to get 5a2. Subtracted to get –1a2 or – a2
9a6 and 4a6 are LIKE and can be added to get 13a6. Subtracted to get 5a6
2a2band 4ba2 are LIKE and can be added to get 6a2b. Subtracted to get – 2a2b
2a2band 4ab2 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted. They’re unlike
because the powers are on different pronumerals
ab and ac are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
3a and 5 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
3a and 3 are UNLIKE and can’t be added or subtracted
In the table below, match each term from Column 1 with
its “like” term from Column 2

4a – 11pk2
6w 2kp2
6 7a
ab 9bca
3y h
7pk2 2c2
– 7d 12c
5c 7d
3h – 5w
3p2k 5ba
– 3c2 y
4abc 2

Answers next slide

In the table below, match each term from Column 1 with
its “like” term from Column 2

4a – 11k2p
6w 2kp2
6 7a
ab 9bca
3y h
7pk2 2c2
– 7d 12c
5c 7d
3h – 5w
3p2k 5ba
– 3c2 y
4abc 2
Like terms – very important in addition
and subtraction algebra sums !
3a + 2a = 5a
6ab – 2ab = 4ab These questions have
7a2 – 3a2 = 4a2 algebra parts that are
2ac – 7ca = – 5ac like (the same). When
that happens, you can
8xy2 – 3xy2 = 5xy2
simplify them!
x – 7x + 2x = – 4x
8x2 – 3x2 = 5x2
These questions have
8x – 3y = 8x – 3y algebra parts that are
5x2 – 3x = 5x2 – 3x different. When that
happens, you can’t
2ab – 3ac = 2ab – 3ac simplify them!
A mixed bag. Which have like terms? Simplify those that do.

5a – 3a 2a 5a + 6
2x + 7x 9x x + 6x 7x
3x + 8y 8x + 8y
4a – 2b a – 7a – 6a
5a + 4 5abc + 4cba 9abc
2x + 7x2 2x3 + 2x2
3xy + 8yx 11xy xy + yx 2xy
4ab – 2b ab – ba 0
5a + 4a2 5 + 4a2
3x – 9x – 6x x – 9x – 8x
–xy + 7yx 6xy 4x3 + 5x3 9x3
4ab – 7ba –3ab 7ac – ca 6ac
Simplifying expressions with more than two terms

3x + 5x + y + 8y The like terms are added

= 8x + 9y (ans) together

2a – 3a + 5b – 6b The like terms are simplified

= – a – b (ans)

5a2 + 3a + 2a2 + a The like terms are simplified

= 7a2 + 4a (ans) Remember that terms with a
and a2 are unlike and can’t be
added
 using “cut ‘n’ paste”
Simplify 5 – 7 + 6 – 2
Working left to right 5–7+6–2
=–2+6–2
=4–2
=2
But we can also rearrange the terms in the
original question using “cut ‘n’ paste”
First, draw lines to separate the
terms, placing lines in front of 5 –7 +6 –2
each + or – sign

Now, “cut” any term between the

lines (with its sign) and move it to a
new position. We’ll move the “+6” 5 –2
next to the “5”, swapping it with the
“– 7”
Now the original question appears as

5+6–7–2
Which can now easily be simplified to the
correct answer, 2.

Note that we did not HAVE to cut and paste the

+6 and the –7 . We are allowed to cut and
paste ANY TERMS we like.
We will now apply this to help us simplify ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS, and aim to cut and paste so like terms
are together.

Example 1: Simplify 3a + 2b + 5a – 9b
Here we’ll use cut ‘n’ paste 3a +2b +5a –9b
to bring the a’s together
and the b’s together by
swapping the +2b and +5a

3a –9b

The question now becomes 3a + 5a + 2b – 9b

Simplifying like terms, we get
3a + 5a = 8a
= 8a – 7b ans
2b – 9b = – 7b
Example 2: Simplify a – 9b – 2b + 8a

Again use cut ‘n’ paste to

bring the a’s together and
the b’s together by
swapping the – 9b and +8a

a – 9b – 2b +8a

a –2b

The question now becomes a + 8a – 2b – 9b

Simplifying like terms, we get
a + 8a = 9a
= 9a – 11b ans
– 2b – 9b = – 11b
Example 3: Simplify 2x – 5 + 4x + 8

Again use cut ‘n’ paste to

bring the x’s together and
the numbers together by
swapping the – 5 and +4x

2x – 5 +4x +8

2x +8

The question now becomes 2x + 4x – 5 + 8

Simplifying like terms, we get
2x + 4x = 6x
= 6x + 3 ans
– 5 + 8 = +3
Example 4: Simplify 3y – 2x – 5x2 + 4y + x – 2x2
Here there are 6 terms which
can be grouped into 3 pairs of
3y – 2x – 5x2 +4y +x – 2x2
like terms (2 terms contain an x,
2 terms contain an x2 and 2
terms contain y.

Swap +4y with – 2x = 3y +4y – 5x2 – 2x +x – 2x2

This puts the y’s together

Now swap +x with – 5x2

This puts the x’s together = 3y +4y +x – 2x – 5x2 – 2x2
and the x2 terms together

Simplifying like terms,

we get
3y + 4y = 7y = 7y – x – 7x2 ans
x– 2x = – x
– 5x2 – 2x2 = – 7 x2
Section 3

Multiplying and working with brackets

Remember the basic rules
 Place numbers before letters
 Keep letters in alphabetical order
 Two negatives multiply to make a positive
 A negative and a positive multiply to make a negative
 If an even number of negatives is multiplied, the
answer is a positive (because they pair off)
 If an odd number of negatives is multiplied, the
answer is a negative (one is left after they pair off)
 You can rearrange terms that are all being multiplied
(3 x 4 x 5 = 5 x 3 x 4 = 4 x 5 x 3; ab = ba etc…)
 When doing multiplication, we do not have to bother
with like terms!
4 × a = 4a
– x × –3y = 3xy
a × 5 × 2 = 10a
– 5x × –3y × – 6p = –90pxy
c × a × b = abc
w × – 3 × k = – 3kw
x × a × b × w = abwx
a × 3bc = 3abc – 2a × 3b × c × – 5d
– 3b × a = – 3ab = 30abcd
a × 5c = 5ac
½ a × 5b × 6c = 15abc
2a × b = 2ab NOTE in this last question, it’s
easier to change the order and do
½a x 6c x 5b
a×a b×b×b –x×x×x
= aa = bbb = – xxx
= a2 = b3 = – x3

a2 × a b2 × b × b3 (– x)4
= aa × a = bbbbbb = (– x)(–x)(– x)(–x)
= aaa = b6 = x4
= a3
 (3a)2 (7b)4
= 3a × 3a 7b × 7b × 7b × 7b

= 9a2 = 2401b4
(–5x)3 (– ab)4
= – 5x × – 5x × – 5x = –ab × –ab × –ab × –ab
= – 125x3 = +a4b4
NOTE: negatives raised to an even power give a POSITIVE
negatives raised to an odd power give a NEGATIVE
 QUESTION ANSWER QUESTION ANSWER
2a × b = 2ab –2a × –5a × a = 10a3
5a × 3b = 15ab –a × b × ab × 2ba = –2a3b3
2a × – 3 = –6a –4a × 3a2 = –12a3
a×–a= –a2 a2 × a3 = a5
2 × –a = –2a –y × –y × –y = –y3
3a × 2a = 6a2 2ab × –3a2b3 = –6a3b4
–4p × –2p = 8p2 –cd × –2cd = 2c2d2
2a × 4a × 7a = 56a3 2a × 3a × 5a = 30a3
ab × 3ab = 3a2b2 2a + 3a + 5a = 11a
a × 3ab × 5b × 2 = 30a2b2 (2ab)3 = 8a3b3
ab × –2ab × –3a = 6a3b2 (–5abc)2 = 25a2b2c2
–a × – 3 × –2a × 6b –36a2b (–2cdg)3 = –8c3d3g3

Note the blue one! It’s an addition!!

Section 4

Dividing
Basically, all expressions with a division sign can
be simplified, or at least rewritten in a more
concise form.

Consider the expression 24 ÷ 18.

This can be written as a fraction 24 and simplified

18
further by dividing (cancelling) numerator and
denominator by 6….
4 24 4

318 3
The same process can be applied to algebraic
expressions….

Example 1 Simplify 12x ÷ 3

Solution 3
12x ÷ 3
12x
 Writing as a fraction
3
412x Now think…. What is the largest number that divides
 into both numerator and denominator? (the HCF )
1 3

4x Note when there is only a

 = 4x ans “1” left in the
1 denominator, ignore it!
Example 2 Simplify 8ab ÷ 2a
Solution
8ab ÷ 2a
8ab
 Writing as a fraction
2a
4 8ab
 Dividing numerator and denominator by
HCF 2 and also by a.
1 2a

= 4b ans
Example 3
Simplify 28abc ÷ 18acd

Solution
28abc ÷ 18acd
28abc Writing as a fraction

18acd
Dividing numerator and denominator by
14 28abc
 HCF (2) and by a and by c.
9 18acd

14b Note – in this question (and

 many others) your answer will
9d be a fraction!
Example 4
Simplify 20a3b2c ÷ 8ab2c4

Solution
20a3b2c ÷ 8ab2c4
20aaabbc Writing as a fraction and in “expanded”
 format to make dividing easier
8abbcccc
5 20aaabbc Dividing numerator and denominator by
 HCF (4) and cancelling matching pairs of
2 8abbcccc pronumerals (a with a, b with b etc)
5aa

2ccc
2
5a
 3
2c
Example 5
Simplify 5xy2z ÷ –15x2y3z5

Solution
5xy2z ÷ –15x2y3z5
5 xyyz Writing as a fraction and in “expanded”

 15 xxyyyzzzzz format to make dividing easier
1 5 xyyz Dividing numerator and denominator by
 HCF (5) and cancelling matching pairs of
– 3  15 xxyyyzzzzz pronumerals (x with x, y with y etc)
1
 IMPORTANT NOTES
 3xyzzzz (1) When a negative sign remains in top or
bottom, place it in front of the whole fraction
1 (2) When only a “1” remains in the top, you
 must keep it. (Remember when a “1”
3 xyz 4 remains in the bottom, you can ignore it)
Section 5

Mixed Operations
• Before anything, simplify all BRACKETS
Then..
B
• Working from left to right, do all
DIVISON and MULTIPLICATION
operations
Then..
DM
• Working from left to right, do
all ADDITION and
SUBTRACTION operations
AS
Example 1 Simplify 20 – 2 × 9

Solution
No brackets.
Do the multiplication first 20 – 2 × 9
= 20 – 18
Now do the subtraction = 2 (ans)

NOTE – good setting out has all the “=“ signs

directly under one another, and never more
than one “=“ sign on the same line.
Example 2 Simplify 13 – (6 + 5) × 4

Solution 13 – (6 + 5) × 4
Do brackets first. = 13 – 11 ×4
Now do the multiplication = 13 – 44
Now do the subtraction = – 31 (ans)
Example 3 Simplify 2x × 3 + 4 × 5x

Solution
No brackets. 2x × 3 + 4 × 5x
Do the two multiplications 2x × 3 + 4 × 5x
working left to right
= 6x + 20x
Now do the addition = 26x (ans)
Remembering
that you can
only add LIKE
TERMS
Example 4 Simplify 2x × 6xy – 4y × 3x2

Solution
No brackets. 2x × 6xy – 4y × 3x2
Do the two multiplications 2x × 6xy – 4y × 3x2
working left to right
= 12x2y – 12x2y
Now do the subtraction = 0 (ans)
Example 5 Simplify 12ab – (2b + 3b) × 4a

Solution 12ab – (2b + 3b) × 4a

Do brackets first. = 12ab – 5b × 4a
Now do the multiplication = 12ab – 20ab
Now do the subtraction = – 8ab (ans)
Example 6
Simplify 8a – 12ab ÷ (4b + 2b) + 3a × a – 5a2

Solution 8a – 12ab ÷ (4b + 2b) + 3a × a – 5a2

Brackets first. = 8a – 12ab ÷ 6b + 3a × a – 5a2
Division & = 8a – 2a + 3a2 – 5a2
multiplication
Now subtract like terms

= 6a – 2a2
(ans)
 Example 7
Simplify (3ab2)2 – (ab + ab) × 4ab3 + 2a3b ÷ – ab
Solution Note (3ab2)2 = 3ab2 x 3ab2 = 9a2b4

(3ab2)2 – (ab + ab) × 4ab3 + 2a3b5 ÷ – ab

Brackets
first = 9a2b4 – 2ab × 4ab3 + 2a3b5 ÷ – ab

Multiplication = 9a2b4 – 8a2b4 – 2a2b4

& Division
Note 2ab x 4ab3 = 8a2b4 Note 2a3b5 ÷ – ab = – 2a2b4

Subtract as
these are all = –a2b4
like terms
The solution to our introductory problem on
Slide #3

Let Nancy’s age = x

So Stephen’s age = x + 5 So Nancy’s age is 37½ and
These add to 80, so Stephen (who is 5 years older)
x + 5 + x = 80 must be 42 ½
2x + 5 = 80
2x = 75 NO GUESSWORK!!!
x = 75 ÷ 2 BACK TO
x = 37 ½ CONTENTS