BASIC ALGEBRA

This section reviews the fundamental algebra skills of multiplying, simplify-

ing, factoring, and problem-solving that you need. Some problems simply
ask you to apply this knowledge in a straight-forward way. Other times
these skills are only a part of what is necessary to solve the problem.

SIMPLIFYING POLYNOMIALS
Multiply each term in one polynomial to each term in the other polynomial.
Finally, add and subtract like terms to complete the process.

Example:
Multiply terms.
( 4 x2 + 5 x 3) ( x + 5) ( 2 x + 7) ( x 4 ) =
( 4 x3 + 20 x2 + 5 x2 + 25 x 3 x 15) ( 2 x2 8 x + 7 x 28) =

Combine like terms in parentheses.

( 4 x3 + 25 x2 + 22 x 15) (2 x2 x 28) =

Distribute the negative.

4x3 + 25x2 + 22x 15 2x2 (x) (28)
Group like terms.
4 x3 + (25 x2 2 x2 ) + [22 x ( x)] + [ 15 ( 28)] =
Combine like terms.
4 x3 + 23 x2 + 23 x + 13

FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
When factoring polynomials, check first to see if there is a common factor to
all the terms. When factoring is complete, check the answer by multiplying
the polynomial.

Difference of Squares

The difference of squares follows a standard form.

( a2 b2 ) = ( a b) ( a + b)

Example:
Simplify 3x2 27 = 3(x2 9) = 3(x 3)(x + 3)
 BASIC ALGEBRA

Square of Binomial

The square of a binomial follows a standard form.

( a + b)2 = a2 + 2 ab + b 2

Example:
Simplify (8 x2 + 24 xy + 18 y2 ) = 2 ( 4 x2 + 12 xy + 9 y2 ) = 2 ( 4 x2 + 2 i 2 x i 3 y + 9 y2 )
( 4 x2 + 12 xy + 9 y2 ) is the square of ( 2 x + 3 y)
2(2 x + 3 y)
2

General Binomial

Example:
Simplify x2 13x 42 = (x 6)(x 7).
Example:
Simplify 6x2 + 39x 72 = 3(2x2 + 13x 24) = 3(2x 3)(x + 8).

Simplifying Fractions That Include Polynomials

To simplify, factor the denominator and the numerator. Then cancel terms
common to the numerator and the denominator.

Example:

x2 8 x + 15 ( x 3) ( x 5) x3
= =
x 25
2 ( x + 5) x 5)
( x+5

EVALUATING EXPRESSIONS
An expression does not contain an equal sign. To evaluate an expression, sub-
stitute the numbers for the variables.

Example:
3x + 2y z. If z = 8 and y = 10, x = 4
3 ( 4) + 2 (10 ) 8 = 12 + 20 8 = 0

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Quadratic equations can be written in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. To solve a
quadratic equation write the equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. Then fac-
tor the equation. Finally set each factor equal to 0, and solve.
 Example:
x2 + 12 = 7x Write in quadratic form x2 7x + 12 = 0
Factor (x 3)(x 4) = 0
Solve x 3 = 0 and x 4 = 0 x = 3 and x = 4

Example:
2x2 13x 20 = 25 Write in quadratic form 2x2 13x 45 = 0
Factor (2x + 5)(x 9) = 0
5
Solve 2x + 5 = 0 and x 9 = 0 x = and x = 9
2

SOLVING INEQUALITIES
When solving an inequality you must switch the sign of the inequality if you
multiply or divide by a negative number.

Example:
2x + 9 15 2x 6 x 3.

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

ABSOLUTE VALUE
The absolute value of x, x , is always positive. If x = 3, then x can be +3 or 3.
Therefore, to solve with an absolute value use what is inside the absolute
value sign and its negative.

Example:
x4 = 6 x = 10
x4 = 6 or
x 4 = 6 x = 2

Example:
2 x + 7 6 > 11 2 x + 7 > 17
2 x + 7 > 17 2 x > 10 x>5
or
2 x + 7 < 17 2 x < 24 x < 12

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
BASIC ALGEBRA

SOLVING SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

Systems of equations are sometimes called simultaneous equations.

Example:
2 x + 4 y = 10
x 2 y = 3

Method 1: (Substitution)

Solve for x in the second equation, and substitute for x into the first
equation:
x 2 y = 3 x = 2 y 3
Substitute (2y 3) for x in the first equation.
2 (2 y 3) + 4 y = 10
Solve for y.
2 (2 y 3) + 4 y = 10 4 y 6 + 4 y = 10
8 y 6 = 10 8 y = 16 y=2
Because x = (2y 3), and y = 2, x = 2(2) 3 = 4 3 = 1. The solution to this sys-
tem of equations is x = 1 and y = 2. Check the solution. Substitute the values
for x and y into either original equation.

Method 2: (Elimination)

Multiply the second equation by 2.

2 x + 4 y = 10
2 ( x 2 y ) = 2 ( 3)
Add the two equations to eliminate the y.
2 x + 4 y = 10
2 x 4 y = 6
Add the two equations to eliminate the y.
2 x + 4 y = 10
2 x 4 y = 6
4x + 0 y = 4 4x = 4 x = 1
Substitute the value of x into either of the original equations to find the value
of y.
2 x + 4 y = 10 2 (1) + 4 y = 10 2 + 4 y = 10
4y = 8 y=2
x 2 y = 3 1 2 y = 3
2 y = 4 y=2
Practice Questions

1. Simplify (3x2 + 7x + 5)(x 2) + (3x 4)(x + 8).

2. Factor 27x2 72xy + 48y2.
3. Factor 50x2 72.
x2 + 9 x 36
4. Simplify .
x2 + 3 x 18
5. If 2x2 2x = 5x + 14, what are the possible values of x?
6. 3a + 4b = 5. If a = 4, b = ?
7. If 4x 12 + 15 = 19, what are the possible values of x?
8. If 2x + 7 13, what are the possible values of x?
9. Solve the system of equations for x and y?
3 x 2 y = 8
5x + y = 3

Practice Answers

1. 3x3 + 16x2 + 11x 42

2. 3(3x 4y)(3x 4y) = 3(3x 4y)2
3. 2(5x + 6)(5x 6)
x + 12
4.
x+6
7
2 x + 7 = 0 2 x = 7 x= = 3.5
2
5. (2 x + 7) ( x 2) = 0
x2=0 x=2
7
6. b = = 1.75
4
7. x = 4 and x = 2
8. 10 x 3
9. x = 2 and y = 7
BASIC ALGEBRA

SOLVED PROBLEMS

1. If x2 16 > 0, what are the possible values of x?

A. x>4
B. x<4
C. x > 4
D. 4 < x < 4
E. x < 4 or x > 4
Answer: E
x2 16 > 0 x2 > 16. Therefore, x < 4 or x > 4 when x2 is greater
than 16.

1
2. If 2ab + 6a = 4 and a = ,b=
2
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Answer: A
Factor out 2a.
2ab + 6a = 4 2a ( b + 3) = 4
1
Substitute for a.
2
1
2 ( b + 3) = 4
2
Solve for b.
b+3= 4 b= 43=1