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Algebra Basics Handout

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Wilance Daray
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7 views

Algebra Basics Handout

Uploaded by

Wilance Daray
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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### **Algebra Basics Handout**

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#### **I. Polynomials**

1. **Definition**:

A polynomial is an algebraic expression made up of terms. Each term


includes a variable raised to a non-negative integer exponent and a
coefficient.

**Example**:

\( 2x^3 + 5x^2 - 3x + 7 \)

2. **Terms**:

- **Constant**: A number without a variable (e.g., 7).

- **Variable**: Letters (e.g., \( x \)) that represent unknown values.

- **Coefficient**: The number in front of a variable (e.g., in \( 2x \), 2 is the


coefficient).

- **Degree**: The highest power of the variable in the polynomial (e.g., in \


( 2x^3 \), the degree is 3).

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#### **II. Simplification and Factoring Methods**

1. **Simplification**:
- Combine like terms: Terms with the same variables raised to the same
power.

- Example:

\( 3x + 4x^2 - 2x + 5 = 4x^2 + (3x - 2x) + 5 = 4x^2 + x + 5 \)

2. **Factoring Methods**:

- **Factoring Common Terms**:

Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from all terms.

- Example:

\( 6x^2 + 9x = 3x(2x + 3) \)

- **Factoring Trinomials**:

Factor trinomials of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c \) by finding two numbers


that multiply to give \( ac \) and add to give \( b \).

- Example:

Factor \( x^2 + 5x + 6 \):

Find numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 5: (2 and 3)

\( x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3) \)

- **Difference of Squares**:

\( a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) \)

- Example:

\( 9x^2 - 25 = (3x - 5)(3x + 5) \)

- **Perfect Square Trinomial**:

\( a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a + b)^2 \)

- Example:
\( x^2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)^2 \)

---

#### **III. Linear Algebra and Solving Linear Equations**

1. **Linear Equation in One Variable**:

An equation of the form \( ax + b = 0 \), where \( x \) is the variable.

- **Steps to Solve**:

1. Isolate the variable.

2. Simplify both sides if necessary.

**Example**:

Solve \( 3x + 7 = 10 \):

- \( 3x = 10 - 7 \)

- \( 3x = 3 \)

- \( x = 1 \)

2. **Linear Equation in Two Variables**:

An equation of the form \( ax + by = c \), where \( x \) and \( y \) are


variables.

- **Solving Systems of Equations**:

1. **Substitution**: Solve one equation for one variable and substitute it


into the other equation.

2. **Elimination**: Add or subtract the equations to eliminate one variable


and solve for the other.
**Example (Substitution)**:

Solve:

\( x + y = 4 \)

\( 2x - y = 1 \)

- Solve \( x + y = 4 \) for \( y \):

\( y = 4 - x \)

- Substitute \( y = 4 - x \) into \( 2x - y = 1 \):

\( 2x - (4 - x) = 1 \)

\( 2x - 4 + x = 1 \)

\( 3x = 5 \)

\( x = \frac{5}{3} \)

Substitute \( x = \frac{5}{3} \) into \( y = 4 - x \):

\( y = 4 - \frac{5}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \)

---

#### **IV. Graphing Linear Algebra**

1. **Slope-Intercept Form**:

The equation of a line in slope-intercept form is:

\( y = mx + b \), where:

- \( m \) is the slope (rate of change of \( y \) with respect to \( x \)).

- \( b \) is the y-intercept (the point where the line crosses the y-axis).

**Example**:

\( y = 2x + 3 \)
- Slope \( m = 2 \)

- Y-intercept \( b = 3 \) (the point \( (0, 3) \))

2. **Graphing a Line**:

- **Step 1**: Plot the y-intercept \( (0, b) \).

- **Step 2**: Use the slope to determine the next point. From \( (0, b) \),
move up/down and left/right according to the slope \( m \).

- **Step 3**: Draw a line through the points.

**Example**:

Graph the equation \( y = 2x + 1 \):

- Y-intercept: \( (0, 1) \)

- Slope: \( 2 \), which means rise 2 and run 1.

- Plot the points \( (0, 1) \) and \( (1, 3) \), and draw a line through them.

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#### **V. Practice Problems**

1. **Polynomials**:

Simplify \( 4x^3 + 3x^2 - 5x + 6 + 7x^2 - 2x + 9 \).

2. **Factoring**:

Factor \( 6x^2 - 5x - 6 \).

3. **Linear Equations**:

- Solve for \( x \): \( 7x - 3 = 11 \).


- Solve the system of equations:

\( 2x + y = 8 \)

\( x - 2y = 3 \)

4. **Graphing**:

Graph the equation \( y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 4 \).

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This handout provides a structured overview of basic algebra topics,


including polynomials, simplification, factoring, solving linear equations, and
graphing lines.

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