How to solve algebraic expressions in small steps

Often in the most “computational” mathematics, we are faced with exercises composed of long rows of numbers and letters linked together by elementary operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). These are the so-called Algebraic Expressions, also called Literal Algebraic Expressions. In this article, we will try to define them and understand how to solve them.

Let’s start with some essential definitions …

Definition of Algebraic Expression

It is called Expression Algebraic a set of numbers and letters (lower case) linked together by the signs of elementary operations.

For example

• 5a-3b + 32
• 2AY 9a +

Definition and properties of a Monomial

Monomial is defined as a literal Algebraic Expression whose numbers and letters are linked to each other only by the multiplication operation.

A monomial consists of a numerical part bearing the sign and a literal part, the relation that binds them is multiplication.

For example

• + 4ab is a monomial whose coefficient is +4 and the literal part is ab;
• -cd is a monomial whose coefficient is -1 and the literal part is cd;
• e / f is not a monomial.

Two Monomials are defined as similar when they have the same literal part: the same letters with the same exponent.

For example

• 5a and -3a are similar monomials. Same literal part with same exponent.

Two Monomials are defined as opposites when they are similar with the opposite sign coefficient.

For example

• 5a and -5a are opposite monomials.

Two Monomials are defined equal when they are similar and with the same coefficient.

Definition of the Degree of a Monomium

The degree of a monomial with respect to one of its letters is the exponent with which it figures.

The overall Degree of a monomial is the sum of the exponents of the letters that compose it.

For example

• -3a 3 b 3   a is grade 3; b is grade 3 and the monomial has degree 3 + 3 = 6

We have therefore defined the main characteristics of the Monomas, that is those elements that make up the Algebraic Expressions. Once we have understood what is meant by Monomio, the definition of Polynomial comes from itself, that is, a set of non-similar monomials linked together by signs of addition and subtraction. But when we face an expression how do we solve it?

Algebraic Addition Of Monomi

The algebraic sum of two or more similar monomials results in a monomial similar to the starting ones having as coefficient the algebraic sum of the coefficients of the starting monomials. If the monomials are not similar to each other, it is not possible to make an algebraic sum, but it will be possible, if necessary, to carry out other “simplification” operations.

For example.

• 8abc + 32abc-6de + 2def = (8 + 32) abc-6de + 2def = 40adb-6de + 2def

Multiplication Of Monomi

Unlike the algebraic sum of monomials, the multiplication and then the division of two or more monomials is more delicate since it not only works on the coefficients but also on the exponents of the letters that make up the monomials.

Property 1: the product of two or more monomials having equal base results in the starting base and as exponent the sum of the exponents.

Property 2: the product of two or more monomials with more letters is a monomial that has:

• The coefficient as product of all the coefficients of the starting monomials
• For the literal part all the letters present in the starting monomials, each written only once and having as exponent the sum of the exponents of the letter itself.

For example.

• (+ 5a 2 ) * (- 3a 3 b 3 ) * (2b 2 ) = (5 * (- 3) * 2) * (a 2 + 3 b 3 + 2 ) = -30a 5 b 5

Division Of Monomi

Making a division it is good to keep in mind a fundamental rule of mathematics, or the impossibility of dividing by 0 . When we defined the monomials, we said that the letters represent numbers. Generally there refers to Natural numbers ( ℕ ) or those Reali ( ℝ ), and in them is also present in the lower studies 0. Often we tend to pass over this thing giving more account execution of the exercise rather than Formality factors, but in order to carry out the exercise correctly, it is good to at least take them into account.

One of the simplest tricks to solve a division between monomials is to remember one of the most important properties of the exponents, namely that when we want to bring the denominator to the numerator the sign of the exponents changes. If we then see the divisions as multiplications having exponents of opposite sign, everything becomes simpler.

However, we give the properties of the division between monomials bearing in mind the rule mentioned above.

Property 1: the quotient of two or more powers having the same basis (not zero) is a monomial based on the starting one and as an exponent the difference of the exponents.

Property 2: the quotient of two monomials (of which the second is non-zero) is a monomial having:

• As the coefficient the quotient of the coefficients of starting monomials
• For the literal part all the letters present each monomial, written only once and as an exponent the difference between the exponents of the starting monomials

Power Of A Monomial

The power of a monomial is said to be the product of many equal monomials, as many times as the value of the exponent is.

Properties : the power of a monomial is a monomial having:

• By coefficient, the starting coefficient raised to the exponent of the power
• For literal part all the letters present elevated to the exponent of the power.

For example.

• (-2a) 4 = (-2a) * (- 2a) * (- 2a) * (- 2a) = + 16a 4

Once we have defined all the various possible operations within the calculation of the various Algebraic Expressions, we see how to solve them practically.

In solving an expression, it is essential to know how to perform the operations defined above. In fact, there are calculation rules, related to the order of execution of operations, which we must keep in mind:

• The powers have absolute priority;
• Subsequently multiplication and divisions are performed in the order in which they appear in the text;
• Finally the additions and subtractions are carried out in the order in which they appear in the text.

Where these rules are not respected you will arrive at the wrong results. When you will be more expert in the calculation you can do 1) and 2) in a unique way.

There are exceptions to these rules that derive from the use of parentheses. They give a different execution order of operations and give priority to one calculation rather than another. In this case the rounds are made first, then the brackets and then the staples. Otherwise, or if the brackets are not present, the previous rules apply.

We are going to solve together an Algebraic Expression so as to better understand how to proceed.

Example:

(3 * 5-5) 2 : (2 2 +1) * 2 =

= (15-5) 2 : (4 + 1) * 2 = The powers inside the brackets are made first

= 10 2 : 5 * 2 = The round brackets are resolved

= 100: 5 * 2 = The powers are made

= 20 * 2 = 40 Divisions / multiplications are calculated in order