Mathematics is the art of

giving the same name to

different things.
HENRI POINCARÉ
 Chapter - 9
Algebraic expressions and
identities
 What are Expressions?
Expressions are mathematical sentences which include at least two constant, variables or both connected by
mathematical operations.

For example: 3+5,x−y,5+y

etc.

Number line and expression: An expression can be shown on a number line as shown by the example below

For example: To show x+3 on a number line

Make x at any distance on the number line then move 3 units right of x. The point P shows x+3 on a number
line

Similarly, if we have to show x−4 on the number line Make x at any distance on the number line then move 4
units left of x.
 Terms, Factors and Coefficients
Terms are the building blocks of an expression. It may be single number, single variable, product of
variables, product of numbers or product of number and variable both.

For example: In expression 3x+5y there are two terms 3x and 5y

Factors are number or algebraic expressions that completely divide another number or expression.

For example: In expression 5y the factors are 5 and y

The numerical factor of a term is called coefficients

For example: In expression 5x+7y , 5 and 7 are the coefficients of x and y respectively
 Monomials, Binomials, Polynomials
Expression that contains only one term is called monomial

For example: 5y,3x,x²,9,ab etc. are monomials

Expression that contains two term is called binomial

For example: 2x+y,4y²+z,ab+mn etc. are binomials

Expression that contains three term is called trinomial

For example: x+y+z,2a+b+7c,a²+6b+c² etc.

An expression containing one or more terms with non-zero coefficient and with variables having non negative exponents
is called a polynomial.

A polynomial may contain any number of terms.

For example: 2x+y,4xy,a+b+c,m² etc. are polynomials

 Like and Unlike Terms
Like terms are those terms which have the same variable, power of the variable
should also be same and coefficient can be different.

For example: 6x and 8x are the like terms

Unlike terms are opposite of like terms it has different variables.

For example: 5y and 9a are unlike terms

Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions
In addition, like terms are added.

For example: Add of 3a+5b+2ab and 2a+3b+7ab

Write like terms below one another then add

3a+5b+2ab

+2a+3b+7ab

5a+8b+9ab
In subtraction also only like terms are subtracted.

For example: Subtract x²+2x−4xy and 3x²+2xy

Write like terms below one another then subtract

x²+2x−4xy
+3x² +2xy

−2x² + 2x - 6xy
 Multiplication of Algebraic Expression
1. Multiplying a Monomial by a Monomial

The product of two monomial is always a monomial

For example: Multiplication of 20xy and 4z is 20xy×4z=80xyz

Multiplication of 7z,2x² and 4y is 7z×2x²×4y=56x²yz

 2. Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial

Use distributive law to multiply a monomial by a polynomial i.e., multiply monomial to each term of polynomial

For example: Multiplication of 6x and 3x²+5y is

(6x)×(3x²+5y)=(6x×3x²)+(6x×5y)
=18x³+30xy
3. Multiplying a Polynomial by a Polynomial

Multiply each term of a polynomial by each term of another polynomial then combine like terms if any

For example: Multiplication of (2x+3y) and (2x−3y+z) is

(2x+3y)×(2x−3y+z)=(2x)(2x−3y+z)+(3y)(2x−3y+z)

=((2x)(2x)−(2x)(3y)+(2x)(z))+((3y)(2x)−(3y)(3y)+(3y)(z))

=(4x²−6xy+2xz)+(6xy−9y²+3yz)

=4x²+2xz−9y²+3yz
 Identity
An equation is not true for any value of variable but for certain values.

The equation which is always true for any value of variables is called identity.

Standard Identities

The following identities are known as standard identities

1). (a+b)²=a²+b²+2ab

2). (a−b)²=a²+b²−2ab

3). (a+b)(a−b)=a²−b²

4). (x+a)(x+b)=x²+(a+b)x+ab