Adding, Subtracting, Dividing, Multiplying, and Exponentiation of Algebraic Expressions

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Preface

Adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying, and exponentiation of algebraic expressions follows the PEMDAS operation order rule.

For more information, visit http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

Students have to know how to determine LCM and HCF (sometimes called GCD) , and can determine the factor(s) of an expression

Adding and Subtracting Algebraic Expressions

Adding and subtracting algebraic expression can only be done between similiar terms.

Examples:

7a + 2a - 4a = 5a

9a + 8b = 9a + 8b (a and b is not similar terms)

9xy² + 3x²y + 4x²y - 5xy² = 4xy² +7x²y

By adding and/or subtracting algebraic expression, we can get the simpler form of the expressions.

Multiplying Algebraic Expressions

Below are some example of multiplying algebraic expressions.

Division of Algebraic Expressions

If 2 algebraic expressions have the same factors, then the quotient of both expressions can be written in simple form by cancelling the same factors. Example:

The expression 3a and 4a have the same factor (a) so 3a : 4a = 3:4

Exponentiation of Algebraic Expression

Expontation is basically just multiplication several times, so (x + y)² is just (x+y)(x+y)