MATHEMATICS - FORM 1

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

UNKNOWNS
A) Determining an Unknown
An unknown is a certain quantity with its value yet to be determined. For example :(a) Team A scored a few goals in the football

match. The unknown is "the number of goals". (b) Miss Tee received some money from her brother yesterday. The unknown is "the amount of money".

B) Representing and Identifying an Unknown

1. Unknown can be represented by symbols or letters. For example :-

2. It is easier and more common to represent unknowns with letters compared to symbols. 3. Sometimes, letters are also used to represented objects. For example :-

ALGEBRAIC TERMS
A) Identifying an Algebraic Term with One Unknown
1. An algebraic term with one unknown is the

product of an unknown and a number. The number is called the coefficient.

2. An algebraic term is written with the number in front. For example :(a) 9y and not y8 (b) 15q and not q15 3. An algebraic term with one unknown can be written in the form of repeated addition or vice versa. For example :4a = 4 * a = a+ a+ a + a

B) Identifying Like and Unlike Terms

1. Like term are term having the same unknown. For example :7y, - 6y, 1 y and 0.8y are like terms. 3 2. All like terms have the same unknown but with different coeffients. 3. Unlike terms are terms having different unknowns. For example :10m, - x, 1 p and 3.5a are unlike terms. 3

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
A) Recognising Algebraic Expressions
An expression is a combination of two or more terms that are separated by + and - signs. For example : (a) 2a + 3 consists of 2 terms. (b) 7p + 4p - 6 consists of 3 terms. (c) 8x - 3x - 4 + 9 consists of 4 terms. Worked Example 1 How many term are there in each of the following expressions? (a) 2x + 3x (b) 6y + 3y - 2y - 8 (c) 5p + 4p + 9 Solution (a) 2x + 3x is an expression with 2 terms. (b) 6y + 3y - 2y - 8 is an expression with 4 terms. (c) 5p + 4p + 9 is an expression with 3 terms.

B) Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

1. To simplify an expression consisting of several like terms and unlike terms, group the like terms first. Then, add or subtrac the like terms. 2. Unlike terms cannot be combined into a single term by adding or subtracted. 3. When adding like terms, only their coefficients are to be added. 4. When subtracting like terms, only their coefficients are

to be subtracted. Worked Example 2 Simplify 12y + 2 + 4y Solution 12y + 2 + 4y = 12y + 4y + 2 ( Group the like terms. ) = 16y + 2 ( Add the like terms. ) Worked Example 3 Simplify 5x + 3 - 6x - 3 Solution 5x + 3 - 6x - 1 = 5x - 6x + 3 - 1 ( Group the like terms. ) = -1x + 2 Worked Example 4 Simplify 14y - 2 -( 5y - 3 ) Solution 14y - 2 - ( 5y - 3 ) = 14y - 2 - 5y + 3 = 14y - 5y - 2 + 3 = 9y + 1