Lesson 12 · Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic Expressions

MathematicsSubject
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Quantities that change and quantities that stay fixed

To enter a park, every visitor pays an entry fee of Rs. 100. Whoever goes in, and whenever they go in, that amount stays Rs. 100. It does not change. Inside the same park there are boats, and one round costs Rs. 20. Two rounds cost Rs. 40 and three rounds cost Rs. 60. Here the amount to be paid grows as the number of rounds grows. The amount is always 20 times the number of rounds.

The number of rounds can be anything, so it is convenient to write it with a letter. If the number of rounds is written as \( x \), then the boat charge is \( 20 \times x \), that is Rs. \( 20x \). In the same way, if one round on a horse costs Rs. 50, then \( y \) rounds cost Rs. \( 50y \).

Definition

Constant: a quantity that has only one value is called a constant. The entry fee Rs. 100, and numbers like 7 and 20, are constants.

Definition

Variable: a quantity that can take two or more values is called a variable. The letter \( x \) standing for the number of rounds, or \( y \) standing for a number of students, is a variable.

Terms and algebraic expressions

Separate pieces such as Rs. 100, \( 20x \) and \( 50y \) are called algebraic terms. When such terms are joined by the signs of addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, the mathematical statement formed is an algebraic expression. If somebody pays the entry fee and takes \( x \) boat rounds, the total paid is \( 100 + 20x \).

Key idea

A mathematical relation formed by joining variables and constants with the four basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is called an algebraic expression.

The number of terms in an expression gives it its name. Some everyday statements can be written as algebraic expressions. If Rupa had \( x \) marbles and Rupak gave her 3 more, Rupa now has \( x + 3 \) marbles. If Dipesh gives 7 of his \( y \) pencils to his brother, he is left with \( y - 7 \) pencils. If Surakshya shares her \( x \) chocolates equally between two brothers, each one gets \( \frac{x}{2} \) chocolates.

  • An expression having only one term is called a monomial, for example \( \frac{x}{2} \), \( 20x \) and \( 6ab \).
  • An expression having two terms is called a binomial, for example \( x + 3 \), \( y - 7 \) and \( 100 + 20x \).

Like terms and unlike terms

Whether two terms can be added or subtracted is decided by looking at their variables. The number in a term is its coefficient, and the letter part is its algebraic factor. The factors of \( 3xy \) are 3, \( x \) and \( y \), while the factors of \( 2xy \) are 2, \( x \) and \( y \). Both terms have the same algebraic factors \( x \) and \( y \), so they are like terms.

Definition

Like terms: terms that have the same variables raised to the same indices are called like terms. In other words, terms whose algebraic factors are the same are like terms.

Definition

Unlike terms: terms that have different variables, or the same variable with different indices, are called unlike terms.

Pair of termsLike or unlikeReason
\( 2x \) and \( 5x \)Likeboth have the variable \( x \)
\( 4a \) and \( 7a \)Likeboth have the variable \( a \)
\( 3x \) and \( 4y \)Unlikeone has \( x \) and the other has \( y \)
\( 3a^2 \) and \( 7a^2 \)Likeboth have the variable part \( a^2 \)
\( 7x^3 \) and \( 9x^2 \)Unlikethe indices are different
\( 3a^2b \) and \( 3b^2a \)Unlikeone has \( a^2b \) and the other has \( b^2a \)
\( 4x^2y \) and \( 7x^2yz \)Unlikethe second one also carries \( z \)
Common mistake

Unlike terms cannot be joined into one term. Writing \( 3x + 4y \) as \( 7xy \) is wrong, because the answer stays \( 3x + 4y \). In the same way \( 2a + 4a^2 \) is not \( 6a^2 \).

Adding and subtracting algebraic expressions

When adding or subtracting, only like terms are combined and unlike terms are written as they are. The sum of \( 12x^2y \), \( 5x^2yz \) and \( 15x^2y \) is found step by step below.

Step 1: The mathematical statement is:

\[ 12x^2y + 5x^2yz + 15x^2y \]

Step 2: The like terms \( 12x^2y \) and \( 15x^2y \) are brought together:

\[ 12x^2y + 15x^2y + 5x^2yz \]

Step 3: Adding the coefficients, since \( 12 + 15 = 27 \), this becomes:

\[ 27x^2y + 5x^2yz \]

Step 4: The two terms that are left are unlike, so they cannot be joined any further. The sum is \( 27x^2y + 5x^2yz \).

When one bracket is subtracted from another, the sign of every term inside it changes. Subtracting \( (2a + b - 3c) \) from \( (4a - 3b + 5c) \) is done like this.

Step 1: The mathematical statement is:

\[ (4a - 3b + 5c) - (2a + b - 3c) \]

Step 2: The bracket is removed, and the sign of each term inside the second bracket changes:

\[ 4a - 3b + 5c - 2a - b + 3c \]

Step 3: The like terms are grouped together:

\[ (4a - 2a) + (-3b - b) + (5c + 3c) \]

Step 4: Simplifying each group:

\[ 2a - 4b + 8c \]

Careful with the signs

When a bracket is subtracted, the sign of every term inside changes, not only the first one. Writing \( -(2a + b - 3c) \) as \( -2a + b - 3c \) is the mistake students make most often.

Multiplying monomials

Take a rectangle of length \( 3a \) cm and breadth \( 2b \) cm. Cutting the length into three pieces of \( a \) cm and the breadth into two pieces of \( b \) cm divides the rectangle into six small rectangles, each of area \( ab \) cm².

A rectangle \( 3a \) cm long and \( 2b \) cm wide splits into six pieces of \( ab \) cm², which is why \( 3a \times 2b = 6ab \).
A rectangle \( 3a \) cm long and \( 2b \) cm wide splits into six pieces of \( ab \) cm², which is why \( 3a \times 2b = 6ab \).

Adding the six small areas gives the area of rectangle ABCD as \( (ab + ab + ab + ab + ab + ab) \) cm², that is \( 6ab \) cm². Again, since area (A) = length (l) × breadth (b), the same area is \( 3a \times 2b \). So \( 3a \times 2b = 6ab \). Here the coefficients 3 and 2 were multiplied to give 6, and the variables \( a \) and \( b \) were multiplied to give \( ab \).

Key idea

When monomials are multiplied, the product of the coefficients is written in front of the product of the variables. If the product of the coefficients is 1, that 1 is not written, for example \( 1 \times b = b \) and \( a \times b = ab \).

Now multiply \( 3y \times 4y \times 5y \). First the numbers are put together and the letters are put together:

\[ 3 \times 4 \times 5 \times y \times y \times y = 60y^3 \]

The method stays the same when a coefficient is a fraction. Look at \( \frac{2}{3}a \times 6b \times \frac{c}{4} \) step by step.

Step 1: The numbers and the letters are separated:

\[ \frac{2}{3} \times 6 \times \frac{1}{4} \times a \times b \times c \]

Step 2: Multiplying the numbers gives:

\[ \frac{12}{12} \times abc \]

Step 3: Since \( \frac{12}{12} = 1 \) and a coefficient of 1 is not written:

\[ abc \]

Multiplying a binomial by a monomial

Take a rectangle ABCD of length \( (a + b) \) cm and breadth \( d \) cm. Cutting the length into \( a \) cm and \( b \) cm splits the rectangle into two parts.

A rectangle \( (a + b) \) cm long splits into parts of \( ad \) cm² and \( bd \) cm², which is why \( (a + b) \times d = ad + bd \).
A rectangle \( (a + b) \) cm long splits into parts of \( ad \) cm² and \( bd \) cm², which is why \( (a + b) \times d = ad + bd \).

The area of rectangle ABCD is the area of ABFE plus the area of EFCD, that is \( ad \) cm² + \( bd \) cm² = \( (ad + bd) \) cm². Again, since area = length × breadth, the same area is \( (a +

  • b) \times d \). So \( (a +
  • b) \times d = ad + bd \).
Key idea

When a binomial is multiplied by a monomial, the monomial multiplies each term of the binomial, and the two products are added together.

Use this rule to multiply \( 8a \times (2a + 9ac) \).

Step 1: \( 8a \) multiplies each term inside the bracket:

\[ 8a \times 2a + 8a \times 9ac \]

Step 2: Working out the first product:

\[ 8a \times 2a = 16a^2 \]

Step 3: Working out the second product:

\[ 8a \times 9ac = 72a^2c \]

Step 4: Adding the two products together:

\[ 16a^2 + 72a^2c \]

Finding the value of an expression

Once the values of the variables are given, an expression has one number as its value. Each letter is replaced by its value, then the powers are worked out, then the multiplications, and the additions and subtractions come last. Find the value of \( x^3 - 2x^2y + y^2 \) when \( x = 2 \) and \( y = 3 \).

Step 1: Putting the values in place of the letters:

\[ 2^3 - 2 \times 2^2 \times 3 + 3^2 \]

Step 2: Working out the powers:

\[ 8 - 2 \times 4 \times 3 + 9 \]

Step 3: Multiplying, since \( 2 \times 4 \times 3 = 24 \), this becomes:

\[ 8 - 24 + 9 \]

Step 4: Adding the two positive numbers:

\[ 17 - 24 \]

Step 5: Subtracting gives the value:

\[ -7 \]

Dividing a monomial by a monomial

Finding the breadth of a rectangular field whose area is \( 4xy \) cm² and whose length is \( 2x \) cm needs division. Since area (A) = length (l) × breadth (b), the breadth is \( b = \frac{A}{l} = \frac{4xy}{2x} = 2y \) cm.

A rectangle showing that when the area and one side are known, the other side comes from a division.
A rectangle showing that when the area and one side are known, the other side comes from a division.

The safe way to divide is to write the numerator and the denominator as factors and cancel the common factors. Here is \( 18a^2b \div 3ab \).

Step 1: The division is written as a fraction:

\[ \frac{18a^2b}{3ab} \]

Step 2: The numerator and the denominator are written as factors:

\[ \frac{2 \times 3 \times 3 \times a \times a \times b}{3 \times a \times b} \]

Step 3: Cancelling the common factors 3, \( a \) and \( b \) leaves:

\[ 2 \times 3 \times a = 6a \]

Dividing a binomial by a monomial

Finding the length of a rectangular field whose area is \( (6x^2 + 9x) \) cm² and whose breadth is \( 3x \) cm means dividing a two term expression by a single term.

A rectangle showing that the missing side is still found by division even when the area is a two term expression.
A rectangle showing that the missing side is still found by division even when the area is a two term expression.
Key idea

When a binomial is divided by a monomial, the denominator must divide each of the two terms of the numerator separately.

Now work out \( (21x^3y^2 - 56x^2y^3) \div 7x^2y^2 \).

Step 1: The division is written as a fraction:

\[ \frac{21x^3y^2 - 56x^2y^3}{7x^2y^2} \]

Step 2: The denominator divides each of the two terms separately:

\[ \frac{21x^3y^2}{7x^2y^2} - \frac{56x^2y^3}{7x^2y^2} \]

Step 3: Cancelling the common factors in the first fraction:

\[ \frac{21x^3y^2}{7x^2y^2} = 3x \]

Step 4: Cancelling the common factors in the second fraction:

\[ \frac{56x^2y^3}{7x^2y^2} = 8y \]

Step 5: Writing the two quotients with the sign they had:

\[ 3x - 8y \]

The length of the field above comes out the same way. Since \( \frac{6x^2}{3x} = 2x \) and \( \frac{9x}{3x} = 3 \), the length is \( (2x + 3) \) cm. To check a quotient, multiply it back by the divisor, because \( 3x \times (2x + 3) \) returns \( 6x^2 + 9x \).

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A quantity with only one value is a constant; a quantity that can take two or more values is a variable.

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1State whether each sentence is true or false: (a) adding \( x \) and 3 gives \( 3x \); (b) adding \( 2a \) and \( 4a^2 \) gives \( 6a^2 \); (c) subtracting \( 2x \) from \( 5x \) gives \( 3x \); (d) in \( x - 2 = 8 \) the value of \( x \) is 10; (e) if \( y = 1 \) then \( y^2 + 1 \) is 3; (f) if \( x = 2 \) and \( y = 3 \) then \( x^2 + y^2 \) is 3.
2Say whether each letter stands for a variable or a constant: (a) \( x \) is the number of books you have; (b) \( y \) is the total number of teachers in your school; (c) \( z \) is the odd number between 2 and 4; (d) the value of \( a \) is 7; (e) \( b \) stands for the counting numbers between 1 and 9; (f) \( c \) is the sum of 1 and 2.
3Write an algebraic expression for each, and say how many terms it has: (a) Ram had \( x \) exercise books and his sister gave him 5 more; (b) Resma gave 3 of her \( y \) pens to a friend; (c) twice as many sticks were added to \( x \) sticks; (d) of \( z \) students, \( y \) were absent; (e) a friend gave Hari one more biscuit to add to his \( a \) biscuits.
4Find the sum: (a) \( 3s \) and \( 7s \); (b) \( 2xy \) and \( 5xy \); (c) \( 6a^2 \) and \( 8a^2 \); (d) \( a \), \( 2a \) and \( 3a \); (e) \( 3x^2y \), \( 4x^2y \) and \( 5xy^2 \); (f) \( m^2n \), \( 2mn^2 \) and \( 6mn^2 \); (g) \( (2a + 3) \) and \( (3a + 5) \); (h) \( (3x^2 + 4x + 5) \) and \( (5x^2 + 6x + 7) \).
5Find the difference: (a) \( (2x + 2y) \) from \( (3x + 4y) \); (b) \( (a + b) \) from \( (6a + 4b) \); (c) \( (2x + 3y + 4z) \) from \( (6x + 7y + 8z) \); (d) \( (a - 2b - 3c) \) from \( (7a - 5b - 7c) \); (e) \( (x^2 - xy + 2y^2) \) from \( (2x^2 - xy + y^2) \).
6Simplify: (a) \( 4a + 6a - 9a \); (b) \( 5x - 6x + 3x \); (c) \( 6m^2 + 3m^2 - 9m^2 \); (d) \( (x^2 + xy + y^2) - (x^2 - xy + y^2) \); (e) \( (5x^2 + xy + y^2) + (3x^2 + 2xy + 4y^2) \); (f) \( (2a - 3b + 7c) - (2a + 3b + 7c) \); (g) \( (a + 2b + 3c) - (3a + 4b + 5c) \); (h) \( (6x^3 - 2x^2y - y^3) + (4x^3 + x^2y + 3y^3) \).
7Find the total length of each line: (a) AB = \( x \) cm and BC = \( 2x \) cm; (b) AB = \( x \) cm and BC = \( (x + 5) \) cm; (c) AB = \( x \) cm, BC = \( 2x \) cm and CD = \( 3x \) cm; (d) AB = \( x \) cm, BC = \( 2x \) cm and CD = \( (x + 6) \) cm.
8Fill in the blanks: (a) the product of \( x \) and 1 is ....... ; (b) \( 2a \) multiplied by 0 gives ....... ; (c) the product of \( 3x \) and 4 is ....... ; (d) \( 5y \) multiplied by ....... gives \( 15y \); (e) \( 3y(2x - 2) = \) ....... ; (f) if \( p = 2 \) then \( p^2 - 1 \) is ....... ; (g) if \( a = 2 \) and \( b = 3 \) then \( a(a + b) \) is ....... .
9Multiply: (a) \( 0 \times a \); (b) \( 1 \times b \); (c) \( 2a \times 9b \); (d) \( a \times b \times c \); (e) \( 8b \times 9c \); (f) \( 2p \times 3q \times 4r \); (g) \( 2a \times 5a \); (h) \( 4x \times 7x \); (i) \( 3l \times 4m \times 5n \); (j) \( 2x \times 4y \times 5y \); (k) \( 5p \times 6p \times 7q \); (l) \( \frac{2x}{5} \times 20y \times \frac{z}{4} \).
10Multiply: (a) \( a \times (b + c) \); (b) \( 2x \times (3y + 4z) \); (c) \( 2p \times (q + 3) \); (d) \( 3l \times (2l + 3m) \); (e) \( 3a \times (5a + 7b) \); (f) \( 2x \times (3x + 4y) \); (g) \( 5x \times (4x - 5y) \).
11A rectangle has length \( 3x \) and breadth \( 2x \). (a) What is its area? (b) What is its perimeter? (c) If \( x = 7 \) cm, what are the area and the perimeter?
12The area (A) of a rectangle is length (l) × breadth (b). Find the area of a rectangle whose sides are: (a) \( 2a \) cm and \( 2b \) cm; (b) \( 5a \) cm and \( 6b \) cm; (c) \( (b + c) \) cm and \( 2a \) cm; (d) \( (5x + 6y) \) cm and \( 7x \) cm; (e) \( (a + 2b) \) cm and \( 3a \) cm; (f) \( (4y + 7x) \) cm and \( 9y \) cm.
13Taking \( a = 1 \), \( b = 2 \), \( c = 3 \), \( x = 4 \) and \( y = 5 \), find the actual area of each of those rectangles.
14The volume (V) of a cuboid is length (l) × breadth (b) × height (h). Find the volume when the three measurements are: (a) \( 2a \), \( a \), \( a \) cm; (b) \( 3c \), \( b \), \( 2a \) cm; (c) \( 3x \), \( 2y \), \( 4z \) cm; (d) \( 5a \), \( 2b \), \( 3x \) cm; (e) \( 7l \), \( 3m \), \( 4n \) cm.
15If \( a = -2 \), \( b = 3 \) and \( c = 4 \), find the value of: (a) \( a + b \); (b) \( a - b + c \); (c) \( 2a + 3b + 4c \); (d) \( 5a - 3c + 7b \); (e) \( 3a \times 4b \times 5c \); (f) \( a^2 + 2abc + b^2 \); (g) \( b^2 + 2bc - ac^2 \).
16Divide: (a) \( ab \div a \); (b) \( 3x^2y \div y \); (c) \( 20x^3y^2 \div 4x^2y \); (d) \( 12x^3y^3z^2 \div 3x^3y^2z \); (e) \( 36l^7m^3n^2 \div 4l^6m^2n \); (f) \( 100p^4q^7r^6 \div 25p^3q^4r^5 \).
17Divide: (a) \( (xy + xz) \div x \); (b) \( (x^2 - 2xy) \div x \); (c) \( (a^2bc + abc^2) \div abc \); (d) \( (5l^2m - 15lm^2) \div 5lm \); (e) \( (14p^3q^2 + 49p^2q^3) \div 7p^2q^2 \); (f) \( (36ax^3y^3 - 18bx^2y^2) \div 9x^2y^2 \); (g) \( (40u^3v^2 - 24u^2v^3) \div 8u^2v^2 \).
18(a) A rectangular plot has an area of \( 9x^2y^3 \) square metres. What could its length and breadth be? (b) A rectangular garden has an area of \( 32a^2b^2 \) square metres. What could its length and breadth be?
19Find the missing side of each rectangle: (a) area \( 9x^2y \) cm² with one side \( 3xy \) cm; (b) area \( 25a^2b^2c \) cm² with one side \( 5abc \) cm; (c) area \( 24p^4q^3r^2 \) cm² with one side \( 8p^3q^2r \) cm; (d) area \( (4u^2v - 6uv^2) \) cm² with one side \( 2uv \) cm.
20A rectangle ABCD has length \( (2x + y) \) and breadth \( 2x \). (a) What is its perimeter? (b) What is its area? (c) The diagonal DB divides the rectangle into two equal parts, so what is the area of triangle ABD? (d) How much must be taken off the length to make it a square? (e) What is the area of that square?
21Are \( 5p^2q \) and \( 5pq^2 \) like terms or unlike terms? Give the reason.
22In a shop one exercise book costs Rs. \( x \) and one pen costs Rs. \( y \). Sita buys 4 exercise books and 3 pens. (a) Write an algebraic expression for what she pays. (b) If \( x = 40 \) and \( y = 15 \), how much does she pay?
23Work out \( (12a^2b + 18ab^2) \div 6ab \) and check that the answer is right.
24A student wrote \( 7m - 3n - (2m - 5n) \) as \( 5m - 8n \). Where is the mistake, and what is the correct answer?

Question 1 of 13

1What is \( 3x + 4y \) in its simplest form?
Slide 1 of 4
Mathematics, Class 6, Unit 12

Algebraic Expressions

Variables and constants · Add, subtract, multiply, divide · Rules from a rectangle

What we will be able to do

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Tell a variable from a constant

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Spot like and unlike terms

Add and subtract expressions

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Multiply monomials and binomials

Divide to find a missing side

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Put values in and find the answer

What the park charges teach us

🎟️Constant
Entry fee Rs. 100
The same for every visitor
Only one value
VS
🚣Variable
Number of rounds \( x \)
Can be 1, 2, 3 or more
Charge is Rs. \( 20x \)

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Presenter notes: Today we learn how a letter can stand for a number, and how to do all four operations with such letters.