JSS1 Second Term Mathematics Lesson Note – Simplification of Algebraic Expression

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WEEK 8

SIMPLIFICATION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

CONTENTS

• Basic arithmetic operations applied to algebraic expression of similar terms.
• Collection and simplification of like and unlike terms in algebraic expressions
• Use of bracket
• Quantitative reasoning.

BASIC ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS APPLIED TO ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION OF SIMILAR TERMS.

A combination of constants and variables connected by the signs of fundamental operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is called an Algebraic Expression. That is, numbers or objects are represented with letters. For example, 5b + 3c + 7d can be representation of 5 babies, 3 cats and 7 dogs. The quantities 5b, 3c and 7d are referred to as terms of the expression. The above expression contains 3 terms.

In the above expression, 5, 3 and 7 are called the co-efficient of b, c and d respectively.

Addition and subtraction of similar terms

            Examples: Simplify the following expressions

• 4a + 5a + a 2) 9n – 5n – 3n            3) 11q + 5q – 2q + q   4) 20p – 9p – p + 2p

Solutions:

• 4a + 5a + a

Since the letters are alike, we add the co-efficients together

Therefore, 4a + 5a + a = 10a

• 9n – 5n -3n

Here, we have 9 n’s, 5 n’s, and 3 n’s

Therefore, 9n – 5n – 3n = 4n -3n

= n

• 11q + 5q – 2q + q

To simplify this type of expression, we group the positive and negative terms separately before finally simplifying it.

11q + 5q – 2q + q = 11q + 5q + q – 2q

= 16q – 2q

= 14q

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