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Algebra Cheat Sheet

The document provides information on various algebra topics including properties of arithmetic operations, exponents, logarithms, functions, graphs, common errors. It contains formulas, definitions, examples and explanations of concepts in algebra.

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SophieSzhang

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

952 views

Algebra Cheat Sheet

Uploaded by

SophieSzhang

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Algebra Cheat Sheet

Basic Properties & Facts

Arithmetic Operations

Properties of Inequalities
If a < b then a + c < b + c and a c < b c
a b
If a < b and c > 0 then ac < bc and <
c c
a b
If a < b and c < 0 then ac > bc and >
c c

b ab
a =
c c

ab + ac = a ( b + c )
a
a
b =
c
bc

a
ac
=
b b

c

a c ad + bc
+ =
b d
bd

a c ad bc
=
b d
bd

a b ba
=
cd d c

a+b a b
= +
c
c c
a
ad
b =
c bc

d

ab + ac
= b + c, a 0
a

Properties of Absolute Value

if a 0
a
a =
if a < 0
a
a 0
a = a

a+b a + b

(a )

n m

an
1
= a nm = mn
m
a
a

( ab )

a 0 = 1, a 0
n

a n =
a

b

= a nm

1
an
n

bn
b
= = n
a
a

n
m

a = an

m n

a = nm a

( x2 x1 ) + ( y2 y1 )
2

Complex Numbers
i = 1

( ) = (a )

a = a

Properties of Radicals
n

d ( P1 , P2 ) =

a
a
= n
b
b
1
= an
n
a

= a nb n

Triangle Inequality

Distance Formula
If P1 = ( x1 , y1 ) and P2 = ( x2 , y2 ) are two
points the distance between them is

Exponent Properties
a n a m = a n+m

a
a
=
b
b

ab = a b

1
m

i 2 = 1

a = i a , a 0

( a + bi ) + ( c + di ) = a + c + ( b + d ) i
( a + bi ) ( c + di ) = a c + ( b d ) i
( a + bi )( c + di ) = ac bd + ( ad + bc ) i
( a + bi )( a bi ) = a 2 + b 2

ab = n a n b

a + bi = a 2 + b 2

a na
=
b nb

( a + bi ) = a bi Complex Conjugate
2
( a + bi )( a + bi ) = a + bi

a n = a, if n is odd

a n = a , if n is even

For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu.

Complex Modulus

2005 Paul Dawkins

Logarithms and Log Properties

Definition
y = log b x is equivalent to x = b y

Logarithm Properties
log b b = 1
log b 1 = 0
log b b x = x

b logb x = x

log b ( x r ) = r log b x

Example
log 5 125 = 3 because 53 = 125

log b ( xy ) = log b x + log b y

Special Logarithms
ln x = log e x
natural log

x
log b = log b x log b y
y

log x = log10 x common log

where e = 2.718281828K

The domain of log b x is x > 0

Factoring and Solving

Factoring Formulas
x 2 a 2 = ( x + a )( x a )

Quadratic Formula
Solve ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , a 0

x 2 + 2ax + a 2 = ( x + a )

x 2 2ax + a 2 = ( x a )

b b 2 4ac
2a
2
If b 4ac > 0 - Two real unequal solns.
If b 2 4ac = 0 - Repeated real solution.
If b 2 4ac < 0 - Two complex solutions.
x=

x 2 + ( a + b ) x + ab = ( x + a )( x + b )
x3 + 3ax 2 + 3a 2 x + a 3 = ( x + a )
x3 3ax 2 + 3a 2 x a 3 = ( x a )

Square Root Property

If x 2 = p then x = p

x3 + a3 = ( x + a ) ( x 2 ax + a 2 )
x3 a 3 = ( x a ) ( x 2 + ax + a 2 )
x a
2n

= (x a
n

)( x

If n is odd then,
x n a n = ( x a ) ( x n 1 + ax n 2 + L + a n 1 )
xn + a n

Absolute Value Equations/Inequalities

If b is a positive number
p =b

p = b or p = b
p <b

b < p < b

p >b

p < b or

p>b

= ( x + a ) ( x n 1 ax n 2 + a 2 x n 3 L + a n 1 )
Completing the Square
(4) Factor the left side

Solve 2 x 6 x 10 = 0
2

(1) Divide by the coefficient of the x 2

x 2 3x 5 = 0
(2) Move the constant to the other side.
x 2 3x = 5
(3) Take half the coefficient of x, square
it and add it to both sides
2

9 29
3
3
x 2 3x + = 5 + = 5 + =
4 4
2
2

3
29

x =
2
4

(5) Use Square Root Property

3
29
29
x =
=
2
4
2
(6) Solve for x
3
29
x=
2
2

For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu.

2005 Paul Dawkins

Functions and Graphs

Constant Function
y = a or f ( x ) = a
Graph is a horizontal line passing
through the point ( 0, a ) .
Line/Linear Function
y = mx + b or f ( x ) = mx + b

Graph is a line with point ( 0, b ) and

slope m.
Slope
Slope of the line containing the two
points ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is
y2 y1 rise
=
x2 x1 run
Slope intercept form
The equation of the line with slope m
and y-intercept ( 0,b ) is
y = mx + b
Point Slope form
The equation of the line with slope m
and passing through the point ( x1 , y1 ) is
m=

y = y1 + m ( x x1 )

Parabola/Quadratic Function
2
2
y = a ( x h) + k
f ( x) = a ( x h) + k
The graph is a parabola that opens up if
a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex
at ( h, k ) .
Parabola/Quadratic Function
y = ax 2 + bx + c f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c
The graph is a parabola that opens up if
a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex
b
b
at , f .
2a 2 a

Parabola/Quadratic Function
x = ay 2 + by + c g ( y ) = ay 2 + by + c
The graph is a parabola that opens right
if a > 0 or left if a < 0 and has a vertex
b b
at g , .
2a 2 a
Circle
2
2
( x h) + ( y k ) = r 2
Graph is a circle with radius r and center
( h, k ) .
Ellipse

( x h)

( y k)
+

=1
a2
b2
Graph is an ellipse with center ( h, k )
with vertices a units right/left from the
center and vertices b units up/down from
the center.
Hyperbola

( x h)

( y k)

( x h)

=1
a2
b2
Graph is a hyperbola that opens left and
right, has a center at ( h, k ) , vertices a
units left/right of center and asymptotes
b
that pass through center with slope .
a
Hyperbola

(y k)

=1
b2
a2
Graph is a hyperbola that opens up and
down, has a center at ( h, k ) , vertices b
units up/down from the center and
asymptotes that pass through center with
b
slope .
a

For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu.

2005 Paul Dawkins

Common Algebraic Errors

Error

Reason/Correct/Justification/Example

2
2
0 and 2
0
0

Division by zero is undefined!

32 9

32 = 9 ,

(x )

2 3

a
a a
+
b+c b c
1
x 2 + x 3
2
3
x +x

a ( x 1) ax a

x2 + a2 x + a
x+a x + a

( x + a)

x n + a n and

= 9 Watch parenthesis!

= x2 x2 x2 = x6

( x + a)

x2 + a2

1
1
1 1
=
+ =2
2 1+1 1 1
A more complex version of the previous
error.
a + bx a bx
bx
= +
= 1+
a
a a
a
Beware of incorrect canceling!
a ( x 1) = ax + a
Make sure you distribute the -!

a + bx
1 + bx
a

( x + a)

( 3 )

x+a n x + n a

= ( x + a )( x + a ) = x 2 + 2ax + a 2

5 = 25 = 32 + 42 32 + 42 = 3 + 4 = 7
See previous error.
More general versions of previous three
errors.
2 ( x + 1) = 2 ( x 2 + 2 x + 1) = 2 x 2 + 4 x + 2
2

2 ( x + 1) ( 2 x + 2 )

( 2 x + 2)

2 ( x + 1)

( 2 x + 2)

= 4 x2 + 8x + 4
Square first then distribute!
See the previous example. You can not
factor out a constant if there is a power on
the parethesis!
2

x2 + a2 x2 + a2
a
ab

b c

c
a
ac
b
c
b

x2 + a2 = ( x2 + a 2 ) 2
Now see the previous error.
a

a
1
a c ac
= = =
b b 1 b b

c c
a a

b = b = a 1 = a

c
c b c bc

1