Algebraic Expressions

OBJECTIVES

 Understand the concept of

Algebra Expressions
 Identify parts of Algebraic
Expressions
Language uses symbols
and words
 The Cool Language of
Algebra…

…also uses symbols and

words!
 Expressions
You are familiar with the following type of
numerical expressions:

12 + 6
3 (12)
6 (3 + 2)
15 - 4 (6)
 The Cool Language of
Algebra!

Variables, such as x, y, m, a, k
The Cool Language of Algebra!

Algebra
Solves real
Problems…

…using
variables!
 What is a variable?

In the expression 12 + x, the

letter “x” is a variable.

A variable is a letter or
symbol that represents an
unknown value.
 The Cool Language of Algebra!

• the height of an avatar

• time in seconds
• the depth of a pool
• my maths grade
Where did the idea of x come
from?
 Algebraic Expressions
When variables are used with other
numbers, parentheses, or
operations, they create an
algebraic expression.

a + 2
(a) (b)
3m + 6n - 6
 Name parts of an
Algebraic Expression

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
“three x minus two y plus seven”

Multiply 3 by x then subtract 2

times y then add 7
 Name parts of an Algebraic
Expression

Variables

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
A variable is a letter or symbol
that represents an unknown value.
It can be anything from a-z!
Identify the variables!

5x + 7y - 2

x,y
Identify the variables!

3a - 5

a
Identify the variables!

6k - 3m + 2

k,m
Identify the variables!

d - 3e + 2f

d,e,f
 Constant

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
A constant is a number that
cannot change its value.
Constant doesn’t change at all – it
remains constant!
Identify the constant!

5x + 7y + 2

+2 or simply 2
 Identify the constant!

3a - 5

-5
Always include the sign!
Identify the constant!

6k - 3m - 8

-8
Identify the constant!

d - 3e + 2f

0
 Coefficient

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
 Coefficient

3+ 𝑥
 Coefficients

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
A coefficient is the number
multiplied by the variable in an
algebraic expression.
Note: Coefficient could be a fraction too! e.g.
Identify the coefficients!

5x + 7y + 2

5,7
 Identify the coefficients!

-3a - 5

-3
Always include the sign!
Identify the coefficients!

6k - 3m - 8

6,-3
 Identify the coefficients!
a-2
1
Variables without coefficients have
an imaginary 1 coefficient!
Identify the coefficients!

d - 3e + 2f

1, -3, 2
 Operators

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
These are the plus + and minus –
of algebraic expressions.

We can count the number of terms

by looking at the operators!
 Terms

3 𝑥 − 2 𝑦 +7
A term is the name given to a number, a
variable, or a number and a variable
combined by multiplication or division.

Terms are separated by operators!

Identify the terms!

5x + 7y

5x and 7y
 Identify the terms!

-3a - 5

-3a and -5
Always include the sign!
Identify the terms!

6k - 3m - 8

6k, -3m , -8
Identify the terms!
a-2

a , -2
Identify the terms!

d - 3e + 2f

d, -3e, 2f
 Figure it out!
Identify the terms, coefficients, and
constants.

1) 12a - 6b + 4
2) 4x - 2y
3) c - 32
4) 3x + 2
 Seatwork #2
Identify the terms, coefficients, and constants.
Variables Constants Coefficients # of
Terms

-4k - 3l - 5

12m - 3n

p - 22q

3r + 7