ALGEBRA, EQUATIONS

AND FORMULAE
INTRODUCTION
Algebra essentially involves the substitution of
letters for numbers in calculations, so that we
can establish rules and procedures for
carrying out mathematical operations which
can be applied whatever the actual numbers
involved
An equation is simply a statement of equality
between two mathematical expressions, and is
generally used to enable one or more
unknown quantities to be worked out.
A formula is one particular form of generalized
mathematical statement, usually expressed in
the form of an equation, that sets out a rule
which may be applied in particular situations. It
enables us to work out an unknown quantity or
value provided we know certain specific
quantities or values
Objectives
Outline the basic principles of algebra
Apply the basic arithmetic operations of addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division to algebraic
notation, and simplify algebraic expressions by
the process of collecting like terms
Define equations and formulae and outline their
uses
Find unknown quantities and values from simple
equations by using transposition
Outline the principles of formulae and how they
are constructed
Rearrange the terms in a formula to isolate
different unknowns.
Algebra
Algebra is a branch of mathematics in which,
instead of using numbers, we use letters to
represent numbers.
Suppose you have a piece of wood which is 7
meters long and from it you wish to cut a piece
4 meters long. The length of the remaining
piece is 3
To find the area of a floor measuring 10 m long
and 9 m wide
The distance travelled by a train in 3 hours at a
speed of 60 miles per hour
Equations
An equation is simply a mathematical
statement that one expression is equal to
another. So, for example,
A certain number is added to 4 and the result
is 20.
A certain number is multiplied by 4 and the
result is 20.
If 4 is taken from a certain number the result is
5.
If a certain number is divided by 3 the result is
1.he statement that "2 +2 = 4" is an equation
Formulae
A mathematical formula (plural "formulae") is a
special type of equation which can be used for
solving a particular problem.


a formula is an equation which always applies
to a particular mathematical problem, whatever
the actual values.

ALGEBRAIC NOTATION
As algebraic letters simply represent numbers,
the operations of addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division are still applicable in
the same way. However, in algebra it is not
always necessary to write the multiplication
sign. So, instead of "a x b", we would write
simply "ab" (or sometimes "a.b", using the full
stop to represent multiplication).

Addition and Subtraction


Multiplication


Division


We can always cancel like terms in the numerator
and denominator
Indices, Powers and Roots
You will remember that indices are found when
we multiply the same number by itself several
times. The same rules apply in algebra

Multiplication of indices


Division of indices


Showing reciprocals


Negatives denote
reciprocals
Raising one power by another


Roots
Roots of powers
remember that the numerator of a fractional
index denotes a power and that the
denominator denotes a root.

Collecting like terms
Brackets in Algebra
The rules for brackets are exactly the same in
algebra as in arithmetic. However, if we have
unlike terms inside the brackets, it is not
possible to collect them together before
removing the brackets.



SOLVING EQUATIONS
When we talk about solving an equation, we
mean finding the value of the unknown or
unknowns using the other numbers in the
equation
What you do to one side of the equation, you
must also do to the other
Another way of thinking about this is that an
equation is like a balance. If the weights of a
balance are equal on both sides it is "in
balance". You can add an equal weight to each
side, or take an equal weight from each side,
and it will remain "in balance".
(a) The same number may be added to both
sides of the equation



(b) The same number may be subtracted from
both sides of the equation
(c) Both sides of the equation may be
multiplied by the same number






(d) Both sides of the equation may be divided
by the same number.
Transposition
Transposition is a process of transferring a
quantity from one side of an equation to another
by changing its sign of operation. This is done so
as to isolate an unknown quantity on one side



A multiplier may be transposed from one side of
an equation by changing it to the divisor on the
other, Similarly, a divisor may be transposed from
one side of an equation by changing it to the
multiplier on the other.

Equations with the Unknown Quantity on Both
Sides
These equations are treated in the same way
as the other equations we have met so far. We
simply keep transposing terms as necessary
until we have collected all the unknown terms
on one side of the equation

FORMULAE
A formula is a mathematical model of a real
situation.