A symbol which takes various numerical values is called a variable.
A combination of constants and variables connected by the signs of fundamental operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is called an algebraic expression.
Various parts of an algebraic expression which are separated by the signs of ‘+’ or ‘-‘ are called the terms of the expression.
An algebraic expression is called a monomial, a binomial, a trinomial, a quadrinomial accordingly as it contains one term, two terms, three terms and four terms, respectively.
While adding or subtracting polynomials, first look for like terms and then add or subtract these terms, then handle the, unlike terms.
Monomial multiplied by a monomial always gives a monomial.
Terms, Factors and Coefficients
Terms are added to form expressions. Terms themselves can be formed as the product of factors. The numerical factor (with sign) of a term is called it’s coefficient.
Monomials, Binomials and Polynomials
An expression that contains exactly one, two or three terms is called a monomial, binomial or trinomial, respectively. In general, an expression containing, one or more terms with non-zero coefficients and with variable having non-negative exponents is called a polynomial.
Like and Unlike Terms
Like (or similar) terms are formed from the same variables and the powers of these variables are also the same. Coefficients of like terms need not be the same. In case otherwise, they are called, unlike (or dissimilar) terms.
Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions
While adding (or subtracting) polynomials, first look for like terms and add (or subtract) them; then handle the unlike terms. Note that the sum of a number of like terms is another like term whose coefficient is the sum of the coefficients of the like terms being added.
Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions Introduction
There exist a number of situations when we need to multiply algebraic expressions. For example, in finding area of a rectangle whose sides are given as expressions.
Multiplying a Monomial by a Monomial
A monomial multiplied by a monomial always gives a monomial.
Multiplying Two Monomials
In the product of two monomials
Coefficient = coefficient of the first monomial × coefficient of the second monomial
Algebraic factor = algebraic factor of a first monomial × algebraic factor of the second monomial
Multiplying Three or More Monomials
We first multiply the first two monomials and then multiply the resulting monomial by the third monomial. This method can be extended to the product of any number of monomials.
Rules of Signs
The product of two factors is positive or negative accordingly as the two factors have like signs or unlike signs. Note that
(i) (+) × (+) = +
(ii) (+) × (-) = –
(iii) (-) × (+) = –
(iv) (-) × (-) = +
If x is a variable and p, q are positive integers, then xp × xq = xp+q
Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial
While multiplying a polynomial by a monomial, we multiply every term in the polynomial by the monomial.
Multiplying a Monomial by a Binomial
By using the distributive law, we carry out the multiplication term by term.
Multiplying a Monomial by a Trinomial
By using the distributive law, we carry out the multiplication term by term.
Multiplying A Polynomial by a Polynomial
We multiply each term of one polynomial by each term of the other polynomial. Also, we combine the like terms in the product.
Multiplying a Binomial by a Binomial
We use distributive law and multiply each of the two terms of one binomial by each of the two terms of the other binomial and combine like terms in the product.
The following are the useful identities and these identities are known as standard identities.
- (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
- (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
- (a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2
- (x + a) (x + b) = x2 + (a + b) x + ab
- (x + a) (x – b) = x2 + (a – b) x – ab
- (x – a) (x + b) = x2 – (a – b) x – ab
- If x is a variable and m, n are positive integers, then (xm × xn) = x(m+n) Thus, x2 × x4 = x(2+4) = x6
- If x is a variable and m, n are positive integers such that m > n, then (xm ÷ xn) = xm-n. Thus, x9 ÷ x4 = x9-4 = x5
- Product of two monomials = (Product of their coefficients) × (Product of their variables)
- Division of two monomials = (Division of their coefficients) × (Division of their variables)
