Algebraic Expressions
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Prior Knowledge Check
2 2
1) Simplify: 2 𝑚 𝑛+3 𝑚𝑛 4) Write down the highest common
factor of:
a) 8
a) 24 and 16 b) and 2𝑥
b)
2 c) and
6 𝑥 − 12 𝑥 −10
𝑥𝑦
2) Write as a single power of 2
8 5) Simplify:
a) 2 b)
c) 2
4 a) 2𝑥 b) 10 𝑥
6
2 c) 5𝑥
3
3) Expand:
a) 3 𝑥+ 12 b)
c) 1 2 𝑥 − 30 𝑦 1 0 −15 𝑥
Teachings for Exercise 1A
Algebraic Expressions
You can use the laws of indices 7
to simplify powers of the same a) ¿𝑥
base
5
b) ¿6𝑟
c) 3
¿𝑏
2
d) ¿2 𝑥
e)
6 2
¿ 𝑎 ×2 𝑎
8
¿2𝑎
f)
6 4
¿ 27 𝑥 ÷ 𝑥
2
¿27 𝑥
1A
Algebraic Expressions
You can use the laws of indices
to simplify powers of the same Expand and simplify if possible
base
a)
2
¿ − 21 𝑥 + 12 𝑥
b)
2 5
¿3 𝑦 −2 𝑦
c)
2 3 4
¿ 12 𝑥 −8 𝑥 +20 𝑥
d)
2
¿ 10 𝑥 + 6 𝑥 −10 𝑥 −15
2
¿ 10 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 15
1A
Algebraic Expressions
You can use the laws of indices
to simplify powers of the same Simplify
If you have a single
base 𝑥7
𝑥 4
term as the
a) ¿ + 3
𝑥
3
𝑥 denominator, you can
simplify the
numerator terms
¿ 𝑥4+ 𝑥 separately…
2 5
b) 3𝑥 6𝑥
¿ −
2𝑥 2𝑥
3𝑥 4
¿ −3 𝑥
2
c) 20 𝑥7 15 𝑥 3
¿ +
5 𝑥2 5 𝑥2
¿ 4 𝑥+3 𝑥
5
1A
Teachings for Exercise 1B
Algebraic Expressions
To find the product of two
There are various
expressions you multiply each
methods for doing
term in one expression by each this, all are ok!
term in the other expression
(x + 4)(x + 7) x +4
x2 + 4x + 7x + 28 x x2 + 4x
x2 + 11x + 28 +7 + 7x + 28
2x +3
(2x + 3)(x – 8)
x 2x2 + 3x
2x + 3x – 16x – 24
2
2x2 – 13x - 24 -8 - 16x - 24
1B
Algebraic Expressions
To find the product of two
expressions you multiply each Expand
term in one expression by each
term in the other expression
( 𝑥+ 4 ) ( 2 𝑥 − 1 )( 𝑥 +3 )
Multiply the first
If you have more than two brackets, pair of brackets
just multiply any 2 first, and then 2
( 𝑥+ 3)
multiply the answer by the next one ¿ (2 𝑥 +7 𝑥 − 4)
Multiply this
new pair
𝑥 4 𝑥 − 12
¿ 2 𝑥 + 6 𝑥+7 𝑥 +21−
3 2 2
Simplify
3 2
¿ 2 𝑥 + 13 𝑥 +17 𝑥 − 12
1B
Teachings for Exercise 1C
Algebraic Expressions
You can write expressions as
products of their factors. This
is known as factorising. Common
Factor
If the terms have a common factor a) 3x 9 3 3( x 3)
(or several), then the expression
can be factorized into a single
b) x2 5x x x( x 5)
bracket
c) 8 x 2 20 x 4x 4 x(2 x 5)
d) 9 x 2 y 15 xy 2 3xy 3 xy (3 x 5 y )
e) 3 x 2 9 xy 3x 3 x( x 3 y )
1C
Algebraic Expressions
(x + 2)(x + 1)
x2 + 3x + 2
You get the middle You get the last
number by adding the number in a Quadratic
2 numbers in the Equation by
brackets multiplying the 2
numbers in the
brackets
Algebraic Expressions
(x - 5)(x + 3)
x2 - 2x - 15
You get the middle You get the last
number by adding the number in a Quadratic
2 numbers in the Equation by
brackets multiplying the 2
numbers in the
brackets
Algebraic Expressions
x2 - 7x + 12
Numbers that Which pair adds
multiply to give + to give -7?
12
+3
+4
So the brackets were
-3 -4
originally…
+12
+1 (x - 3)(x -
-12 - 4)
1
Algebraic Expressions
x2 + 10x +
16
Numbers that Which pair adds
multiply to give + to give +10?
16
+1
+16
So the brackets were
-1 -
16 originally…
+2 (x + 2)(x +
+8 8)
-2 -8
+4
Algebraic Expressions
x2 - x - 20
Numbers that Which pair adds
multiply to give - to give - 1?
20
+1 -
20
So the brackets were
-1
+20 originally…
+2 - (x + 4)(x - 5)
10
-2
+10
Algebraic Expressions
Factorising Quadratics Exampl
es
A Quadratic Equation has the form; a x2 6x 8
)
The 2 numbers in brackets must:
ax2 + bx + c
Multiply to give ‘c’
Add to give ‘b’
Where a, b and c are constants and a
≠ 0.
( x 2)( x 4)
You can also Factorise these
equations.
REMEMBER
An equation with an ‘x2’ in does not
necessarily go into 2 brackets. You
use 2 brackets when there are NO
‘Common Factors’
1E
Algebraic Expressions
Factorising Quadratics Exampl
es
b x2 4x 5
A Quadratic Equation has the
)
form;
The 2 numbers in brackets must:
Multiply to give ‘c’
ax + bx + c
2
Add to give ‘b’
Where a, b and c are constants ( x 5)( x 1)
and a ≠ 0.
You can also Factorise these
equations.
1E
Algebraic Expressions
Factorising Quadratics Exampl
es
c) x 2 25
A Quadratic Equation has the
form;
The 2 numbers in brackets must:
Multiply to give ‘c’
ax + bx + c
2
Add to give ‘b’
(In this case, b = 0)
Where a, b and c are constants ( x 5)( x 5)
and a ≠ 0.
You can also Factorise these
equations.
This is known as ‘the
difference of two squares’
x2 – y2 = (x + y)(x – y)
1E
Algebraic Expressions
Factorising Quadratics Exampl
es
d 4x2 9 y 2
A Quadratic Equation has the
)
form;
The 2 numbers in brackets must:
Multiply to give ‘c’
ax + bx + c
2
Add to give ‘b’
Where a, b and c are constants (2 x 3 y )(2 x 3 y )
and a ≠ 0.
You can also Factorise these
equations.
1E
Algebraic Expressions
Factorising Quadratics Exampl
es
d 5 x 2 45
A Quadratic Equation has the
)
form;
The 2 numbers in brackets must:
Multiply to give ‘c’
ax + bx + c
2
Add to give ‘b’
Sometimes, you need to
Where a, b and c are constants remove a ‘common factor’ first…
and a ≠ 0.
5( x 2 9)
You can also Factorise these
equations. 5( x 3)( x 3)
1E
Algebraic Expressions
• Expand the following pairs
of brackets
(x + 3)(x + 4) x +3
x2 + 3x + 4x + 12 x x2 + 3x When an x term has a
x + 7x + 12
2
‘2’ coefficient, the rules
+4 + 4x + 12 are different…
2 of the terms are
doubled
(2x + 3)(x + 4) 2x +3
So, the numbers in
the brackets add to
2x2 + 3x + 8x + 12 x 2x2 + 3x
give the x term,
2x2 + 11x + 12 +4 + 8x + 12 WHEN ONE HAS BEEN
DOUBLED FIRST
Algebraic Expressions
2x2 - 5x - 3
Numbers that One of the values to the left
multiply to give - 3 will be doubled when the
brackets are expanded
-3 +1 -6 +1
-3 +2 So the brackets were
originally…
+3 -1 +6 -1
(2x + 1)(x -
+3 -2 The3)
-3 doubles so it
must be on the
opposite side to the
‘2x’
Algebraic Expressions
2x2 + 13x +
11
Numbers that One of the values to the left
multiply to give + will be doubled when the
11 brackets are expanded
+11 +22
+1 +1 So the brackets were
+11 originally…
+2
-22 -1
(2x + 11)(x
The+ 1)doubles so it
-11 -
1 -11 -2 +1
must be on the
opposite side to the
‘2x’
Algebraic Expressions
3x2 - 11x - 4
Numbers that One of the values to the left
multiply to give - 4 will be tripled when the
brackets are expanded
+2 -2 +6 -2
+2 -6 So the brackets were
-4 +1
originally…
-12
+1 (3x + 1)(x - 4)
+4 -1 -4 +3
+12 - The -4 triples so it must
1 be on the opposite side
+4 -3 to the ‘3x’
Teachings for Exercise 1D
Algebraic Expressions
Indices can be negative
numbers or fractions Simplify
a) 6
¿𝑥
b) 2
¿𝑥
c) 2
¿𝑥
1
d) ¿ ( 125 𝑥 )
6 3
1 1
¿ (125) ( 𝑥 ) 3 6 3
2
¿5 𝑥
1D
Algebraic Expressions
Indices can be negative
numbers or fractions Simplify
2
e) 2𝑥 𝑥
¿ 5
− 5
𝑥 𝑥 Simplify
2 1 separately
¿ −
𝑥3 𝑥4
Rewrit
−3 −4 e
¿2 𝑥 − 𝑥
Either of these forms is correct – check
if the question asks for a specific one!
1D
Algebraic Expressions
Indices can be negative
numbers or fractions Evaluate (work out the value of)
a)
¿√9
¿3
You can use a
b)
¿ √ 64
3 calculator for these,
but you still need to
¿4 be able to show the
process, especially for
3 algebraic versions
c) ¿ ( √ 49 )
¿ 343
d) ¿
1 1 ¿
1
¿
3
3 125
25 2
( √ 25 )
1D
Algebraic Expressions
Indices can be negative
numbers or fractions Given that , express in the form
where and are constants
1 2
𝑦= 𝑥
16
Rewrite based
( )
1 1 on the question
2 1 2 2
𝑦 = 𝑥
16
Each part is
1 raised to a power
( ) (𝑥 )
1 1
2 1 2 2 ½
𝑦 = 2
16
Simplify
1
2 1
𝑦 = 𝑥
4
1D
Algebraic Expressions
Indices can be negative
numbers or fractions Given that , express in the form
where and are constants
1 2
𝑦= 𝑥
16
Rewrite based
( )
−1
1 2 on the question
4 𝑦 − 1=4 𝑥
16
Each part is raised to
a power -1, and will
( )
−1
−1 1 ( 𝑥2)
−1 then be multiplied by
4 𝑦 =4 4
16
Simplify
−1 −2
4𝑦 = 4 (16)( 𝑥 )
Simplify
−1 −2 more
4𝑦 =64 𝑥
1D
Teachings for Exercise 1E
Algebraic Expressions
In is an integer that is not a
square number, then is a surd. Simplify
It is an example of an irrational
number.
a) ¿√9 × √2 Find a factor which is a
square number, which
¿ 3 √2 you can then square root
Surds can be used to leave answers
exact without rounding errors, and Make sure that
can be manipulated by using the what you write is
following rules:
clear…
and are different!
¿√
b) 4 ×√5
2
Simplify the numerator
¿ √
2 5
2 Simplify the whole
fraction
¿√5
1E
Algebraic Expressions
In is an integer that is not a
square number, then is a surd. Simplify
It is an example of an irrational
number.
c)
Try to find a
common factor
Surds can be used to leave answers ¿ 5 √ 6 − 2 √ 4 √6 + √ 49 √6
Square roots
exact without rounding errors, and
can be worked
can be manipulated by using the
following rules: ¿ 5 √ 6 − 4 √ 6+7 √6 out
Simplify
¿ 8 √6
1E
Algebraic Expressions
In is an integer that is not a
square number, then is a surd. Expand and simplify if possible
It is an example of an irrational
number. a)
Multiply out
Surds can be used to leave answers
¿ 5 √2 −√6
exact without rounding errors, and
can be manipulated by using the
following rules:
b)
Multiply out
¿ 10+2 √ 3− 5 √ 3 − √ 9 Group together like
terms. Calculate root
¿ 10 − 3 √ 3 −3 9
Simplify
¿7 − 3 √3
1E
Teachings for Exercise 1F
Algebraic Expressions
If a fraction has a surd in the
denominator, then it can be Rationalise
Multiply so that the
useful to rearrange it so that
a) 1 √3 surd is removed
the denominator is a rational ×
number. This is called √3 √3 from the
denominator
rationalising the denominator. √3
¿
3
For fractions of the form , multiply the
numerator and denominator by
b) 1 3 − √2
For fractions of the form , multiply the ×
numerator and denominator by
3+ √ 2 3 − √ 2 Multiply both
numerator and
3 − √2 denominator
¿
For fractions of the form , multiply the ( 3+ √ 2 ) ( 3 − √ 2 ) Multiply out the
numerator and denominator by
3 −√2 brackets
¿
9+ 3 √ 2− 3 √ 2− 2
Simplify
3 −√2
¿
7
1F
Algebraic Expressions
If a fraction has a surd in the
denominator, then it can be Rationalise
useful to rearrange it so that c) √ 5+ √2× √ 5+ √ 2
the denominator is a rational √ 5− √ 2 √ 5+ √ 2 Multiply both
number. This is called numerator and
rationalising the denominator. ( √ 5 + √ 2 ) ( √ 5+ √ 2 ) denominator
¿
( √ 5 − √ 2 )( √ 5 + √ 2 ) Multiply out the
For fractions of the form , multiply the brackets
numerator and denominator by 5+ √ 10+ √ 10 +2
¿
5+ √ 10 − √ 10 − 2 Simplify
For fractions of the form , multiply the 7+ 2 √ 10
numerator and denominator by ¿
3
For fractions of the form , multiply the
numerator and denominator by
1F
Algebraic Expressions
If a fraction has a surd in the
denominator, then it can be Rationalise
useful to rearrange it so that d) 1
¿
the denominator is a rational ( 1 − √ 3 )( 1− √ 3 ) Multiply out the
number. This is called brackets first
rationalising the denominator. 1
¿
4 −2 √ 3
Multiply to
For fractions of the form , multiply the 1 4+2 √ 3 cancel the
¿ ×
numerator and denominator by 4 −2 √ 3 4+2 √ 3 surds
4+ 2 √ 3
¿
For fractions of the form , multiply the ( 4 − 2 √ 3) ( 4 +2 √ 3 )
numerator and denominator by Multiply out the
4 +2 √ 3 brackets
¿
16+ 8 √ 3 −8 √3 − 4 √ 9
For fractions of the form , multiply the Simplify
numerator and denominator by 4 +2 √ 3
¿
4
Divide all by
2 +√ 3 2
¿
2
1F
