Basic Algebra

A1
In daily life we often choose
letters to represent people that
we want to keep anonymous.

X said this and Y said that.

Where X and Y are not

necessarily the same person.
In mathematics letters are
used to represent some
number.

Letters chosen are arbitrary.

In algebra a combination of
numbers and letters are used.
Algebra is useful to translate
a problem (given as text) into
an equation to solve.

Lets try the simple ones before

tackling the more difficult
ones.
Translate five times a number
into an algebraic expression.

Letter you choose is arbitrary.

5 × d or 5.d or 5d
Common notation
Translate three more than a
number into an algebraic
expression.

Letter you choose is arbitrary.

a + 3 or 3 + a
Translate seven less than a
number into an algebraic
expression.

Letter you choose is arbitrary.

g - 7 or -7 + g
Translate the sum of two numbers
into an algebraic expression.

Letters you choose is arbitrary.

j+k
Translate a number multiplied by
itself into an algebraic expression.

Letter you choose is arbitrary.

c × c = c2
Translate half the number into an
algebraic expression.

Letter you choose is arbitrary.

s
2
Translate the product of two
numbers into an algebraic
expression.

Letters you choose is arbitrary.

Looks neat if
x × y or x.y or xy in alphabetical
order
y × x or y.x or yx
Translate a number divided by
three times another number into
an algebraic expression.

Letters you choose is arbitrary.

m
3n
Attempt questions 2, 7 & 8
Exercise 1
When a letter is replaced by a
number, this is called
substitution.
Try questions 5, 9 & 10
Exercise 2
Now
a × a = a2
a × a × a = a3
a × a × a × a = a4

The power of ‘a’ tells us how many

times the letter a is multiplied by
itself.
Therefore

ac3 a×c×c×c
=
b2 b×b
Try questions 5, 9 & 10
Exercise 3
Take care when substituting
in negative values.

When multiplying or dividing

it is advisable to deal with
the signs first.
Suppose x= -1, y = 2, z = 3

xyz = x × y × z

= -1 × 2 × 3
= - 6
Try questions 4 & 5
Exercise 4
We can only add and
subtract to a same letter or a
group of letters linked together
by multiplication and/or division .
b’s can only be added to b’s

k’s can only be added to k’s

fg’s can only be added to fg’s

g2’s can only be added to g2’s

xy’s can only be added to xy’s

z z
 2xy + 3a + 5yx + a

= 7xy
 2xy + 3a + 5yx + a

= 7xy + 4a
Try questions 6, 8 & 10
Exercise 5
When simplifying an algebraic
expression comprising letters
linked with multiplication and/or
division, the following steps are
practised respectively:-
cancel where possible
deal with the signs
 deal with the numbers
 and finally deal with the
letters
Simplify
-3ab2 × 4ac
4a2bc
-3 × a × b × b × 4 × a × c
=
4×a×a×b×c

-3b
= = -3b
1
Try questions 9, 12 & 14
Exercise 6
In an algebraic expression a group
of letters linked together by
multiplication and/or division only
is referred to as term.

ab + xy – pq2
termterm 4
term
Addition and minus signs separate
terms in an expression.
If there is no addition or minus
sign between a bracket and a
expression on the outside of the
bracket

then to remove the bracket, the

expression on the outside must
be multiplied to the inner
contents of the bracket.
 Not separated by an
addition or minus sign

-2x ( 3 + x )

= - 6x

Remember to take in the sign as well.

This is always immediately left of a
letter or term.
 -2x ( 3 + x )

= - 6x - 2x2

Remember to take in the sign as well.

This is always immediately left of a
letter or term.
Try questions 5, 9 & 10
Exercise 7
When brackets are removed
remember to add all ‘like’ terms.
Try questions 8, 9 & 10
Exercise 8

Try question 8
Exercise 9
Finished