MATH 121

ALGEBRA
LECTURE 1:
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
& OPERATIONS
SAMUEL N. N. NORTEY

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 ALGEBRA
DEFINITION: What is Algebra?

• Algebra has often been described as

“arithmetic with letters.”

• Unlike arithmetic, which deals with

specific numbers, algebra introduces
variables that greatly extend the
generality and scope of arithmetic.
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 ALGEBRAIC QUANTITIES
• The principal distinguishing
characteristic of algebra is the use of
letters to represent numerical quantities
and simple symbols to represent
mathematical operations.

• Following a system that originated with

the 17th century French thinker René
Descartes, letters, especially x, y, and z,
represent unknown quantities, or
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 ALGEBRAIC QUANTITIES

• The + and − signs indicate addition and

subtraction of these quantities, but
multiplication is simply indicated by
adjacent letters.

• Thus, ax represents the product of a by

x.

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 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

• Algebraic expression – a group of

numbers, symbols, parentheses and
variables that express an operation or a
series of operations.
• m+8
• (a) (b)
• 3m + 6n - 6
• r–3
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 WHAT ARE COEFFICIENTS?

A Coefficient – is the number multiplied

by the variable in an algebraic expression.

Algebraic Expression Coefficient

6m + 5 6
8r + 7m + 4 8, 7
14b - 8 14
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 WHAT IS A TERM?

A TERM – is the name given to a number,

a variable, or a number and a variable
combined by multiplication or division.

Algebraic Expression Terms

a + 2 a, 2
3m + 6n - 6 3m, 6n, -6
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 WHAT ARE CONSTANTS?

A CONSTANT – is a number that

cannot change its value.

In the expression: 5x + 7y - 2
The constant is: - 2

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 FIGURE IT OUT!
IDENTIFY– the terms, coefficients, and
constants.

1. 12a - 6b + 4
2. 4x - 2y
3. c - 32
4. 3x + 2

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 Writing Algebraic Expressions
YOU CAN – translate word phrases into
variables.
Examples:
1. Three more than a number = x + 3
2. The quotient of a number and 8 = y/8
3. Six times a number = 6 x n or 6n
4. 15 less than a number = z – 15
5. The quotient of 30 and a number plus 10 =
30/x + 10.
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 EVALUATING ALG. EXPRESSION

• Evaluate an Algebraic expression –

To find the value of an algebraic
expression by substituting numbers for
variables.

• m+8 m=2 2 + 8 = 10
• r–3 r=5 5–3=2

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SYMPLIFYINGING ALG. EXPRESSION

• Simplify –
Combine like terms and complete all
operations.
M=2

• m+8+m 2m+8
• (2 x 2) + 8 4 + 8 = 12
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 WORDS THAT LEAD TO ADDITION &
SUBTRACTION
• Addition: • Subtraction:
–Add –Minus
–Plus –Difference
–Sum –Subtract
–Total –Less than
–Increased by –Decreased by
–More than –less
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 CONTI.
• Multiplication: • Division:
–Product –Quotient
–Times –Divide
–Multiply

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 Write Algebraic Expressions
for These Word Phrases

• Ten more than a number n + 10

• A number decrease by 5 w-5
• 6 less than a number x-6
• A number increased by 8 n+8
• The sum of a number & 9 n+9
• 4 more than a number y+4

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 Write Algebraic Expressions
for These Word Phrases

• A number s plus 2 s+2

• A number decrease by 1 k-1
• 31 less than a number x - 31
• A number b increased by 7 b+7
• The sum of a number & 6 n+6
• 9 more than a number z+9

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 Write Algebraic Expressions
for These Situations
• Sam’s brother is 2 years younger than
Sam.
s+2
• The sum of two number is 12:
v+c
• The difference between two numbers
is 5.
m–n=5
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 Write Algebraic Expressions
for These Word Phrases

1. Four more than s.

2. The product of 7 and c.
3. Nine less than x.
4. A number divided by the sum of 4 and
7.
5. Twice the sum of a number plus 4.
6. The sum of ¾ of a number and 7.
7. Ten times a number increased by 150.
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 PROBLEM 1
• Write Algebraic expressions for the following:
1. A quarter more than r
2. The product of 2 and q
3. Nine less than y
4. A number divided by the square of 7 and ¼ .
5. Twice the sum of a number plus 4.
6. The sum of ¾ of a number and 9.
7. Fifty times a number increased by 120.
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WRITE AN ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
FOR THE FOLLOWING
1. A car was traveling 35 miles per hour for a
number of hours.
2. Bob ran 7 times a week for a number of weeks.
3. The plumber added an extra GH¢105 to her bill.
4. Thirty-five fewer people came than the number
expected.
5. Steve’s brother is 2 years younger than Steve.
6. The sum of two numbers is 24.
7. The difference between two numbers is 8

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ABSOLUTE VALUES

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 ABSOLUTE VALUES

Let x be any real number. The

absolute value of x, denoted by | x
|, is defined as x if x ≧ 0.
x
- x if x < 0.

eg. | 5 | = 5, | 0 | = 0, | -5 | = 5

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 ABSOLUTE VALUES

For all real numbers x and y,

x  x
2
x x 2

x y  x  y
x x
 (y ≠ 0)
y y
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 GENERALIZATION

• If | x | = a, where a ≧0,
• then x = a or x = -a

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 SUMMARY
• Definition of Algebra
• Variables
• Algebraic Expressions
• Coefficients
• Term
• Constants
• Simplifying, Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
• Absolute Value Functions

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