1. Chapter 3
Algebra
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

2. Learning Objectives Understand and use algebraic terms
Manipulate algebraic expressions
Solve simple linear equations (using transposition)
Solve simultaneous linear equations
Solve business problems using simple algebra
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

3. 3.1 Definitions
Algebra applies quantitative concepts to unknown quantities represented by symbols
A constant is a term whose value does not change
E.g.
A variable is a term that represents a quantity that may have different values
E.g. x, y, z
An (algebraic) expression is a combination of constants and variables using arithmetic operations
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

4. 3.1 Definitions (cont…)
A term is part of an expression that is connected to another term by a + or a – sign
E.g. In the expression 2x + 6y – 4z, the terms are 2x, 6y and –4z
A coefficient is a factor by which the rest of a term is multiplied
E.g. The term 9xy has a coefficient of 9
The degree of expression is the highest exponent of any variable in the expression
E.g. the expression 3x2 + 9x + 5 is a quadratic or second degree expression
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

5. 3.1 Definitions (cont…)
An equation is a statement that two expressions are equal
A linear equation is one in which the largest value of the exponents is 1
Solving the equation is where we find the value for the variable which makes the equation a true statement
Two simultaneous equations must be solved at the same time to find the values of the variables that will satisfy both equations
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

6. 3.1 Definitions (cont…)
A formula is a rule or principle that is expressed in terms of algebraic symbols
E.g. Formula to find the area of a circle
Formulas can be rewritten to make another variable the subject
E.g.
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

7. 3.2 Algebraic expressions
Rule:
If an expression contains like terms, these terms may be combined into a single term. Like terms are terms that differ only in their numerical coefficient. Constants may also be combined into a single constant
Example:
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

8. 3.2 Algebraic expressions (cont…)
Rule:
When an expression is contained in brackets, each term within the brackets is multiplied by any coefficient outside the brackets. This is called expanding
Example:
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

9. 3.2 Algebraic expressions (cont…)
Rule:
To multiply one expression by another, multiply each term of one expression by each term of the other expression. The resulting expression is said to be the product of the two expressions.
Example:
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

10. 3.3 Solving linear equations
When solving an equation that involves only one variable, follow these steps:
Place all the terms involving the variable on the left-hand side of the equation and the constant terms on the right-hand side
2. Collect the like terms, and collect the constant terms
3. Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

11. 3.3 Solving linear equations (cont…)
The left-hand side of the equation should now consist of the variable only. The right-hand side of the equation is the solution
When terms are moved from one side of an equation to the other, they are said to be transposed (or transferred). This process is called transposition
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

12. 3.3 Solving linear equations (cont…)
For example:
Solve 9x – 27 = 4x for x
1. Place like terms of the variable on the left side of the equation and the constant terms on the right side
9x – 4x =
2. Collect like terms and constant terms
5x = 30
3. Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable (in this case 5).
x = 6
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

13. 3.3 Solving linear equations (cont…)
Rule:
Any term may be transposed from one side of an equation to the other. When the transposition is made, the sign of the term must change from its original sign. That is, a ‘+’ becomes a ‘-’ and a ‘-’ becomes a ‘+’.
Example:
15x = x
15x x = 12
15x + 4x =
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

14. 3.4 Solving simultaneous linear equations
We consider the situation in which we have to find the values of two variables
We must have two equations involving the variables
Such equations are referred to as simultaneous equations
In this case, there will usually be unique values of the variables that will satisfy both equations
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

15. 3.4 Solving simultaneous linear equations (cont...)
Solve for x and y
3x + 4y = (1)
2x – 3y = (2)
Step 1:
Make the coefficient of either of the variables in one equation equal to its coefficient in the other equation. Multiply both sides of equation (1) by 2 and equation (2) by 3.
6x + 8y = (3)
6x – 9y = (4)
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

16. 3.4 Solving simultaneous linear equations (cont...)
Step 2:
Eliminate the variable that has the same coefficient by: subtracting equation (4) from equation (3)
If the signs are the same, then subtract equations
If the signs are different, then add equations
6x + 8y = 66 (3)
minus: 6x – 9y = 15 (4)
equals 8y – (– 9y) = 51
17y = 51
Divide both sides by 17 to find y
Therefore:
y = 3
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

17. 3.4 Solving simultaneous linear equations (cont...)
Substitute in 3 for y in equation (1) and solve for x.
3x + 4(3) = x = x = x = 21
Divide both sides by 3
Therefore: x = 7
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

18. 3.5 Applications
There are many problems in which the value of some unknown quantity is to be found
In many cases, we can represent the unknown quantity by some variable name and construct an equation involving that variable
There is a vast array of such problems, and the best way to describe them is to look at different examples and then determine how they are solved
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

19. 3.5 Applications (cont…) Example Solution
Tran left his car for service and received a combined bill (for parts and labour) of $228. Given that the labour costs twice as much as the parts, find the amount that parts and labour each cost
Solution
Let the amount charged for parts (in dollars) = x
Then the amount charged for labour (in dollars) = 2x
Therefore, the cost of parts = $x = $76
and the cost of labour = $2x = $2 ( 76 ) = $152
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e

20. Summary We have looked at different algebraic definitions
We have also looked at simplifying algebraic expressions
We examined solving simple linear equations, which is solving for one variable
We also solved simultaneous linear equations, which is solving equations with two variables
Lastly we had a brief look at the applications of algebra
Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PowerPoint slides to accompany Croucher, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, 5e