Mathematics 8 Reviewer
First Term Examination
Modeling Real-Life Situations Using Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase made of numbers, variables, and operation symbols without an equal
sign.
Parts of an Algebraic Expression
Variable
A letter that represents an unknown number.
Examples: x, y, a, b
-Constant
A number without a variable.
Examples: 5, 12, -7
number only
Coefficient
The number multiplied by a variable.
Example:
o 5x
o Coefficient = 5
Algebraic Term
Parts of an expression separated by (+ or −).
Number of Terms Name Example
1 Monomial (5x)
2 Binomial (x+4)
3 Trinomial (x2+5x+6)
4 or more Polynomial (Multinomial) (x3+2x2-x+8)
Translating Words into Algebraic Expressions
Words Expression Example 1
Translate:
A number x -Seven more than a number x
Solution:
Five more than a number x + 5 Start with the number:
x
Five less than a number x − 5 Add seven:
x+7
Seven more than x x+7 Example 2
Translate:
Five less than three times a number
Twice a number 2x
Solution
Three times a number
Three times a number 3x 3x
Five less than
Half of a number x/2 subtract 5
Answer
Sum of x and 8 x+8 3x − 5
Difference of x and 8 x−8
Product of x and 8 8x
Quotient of x and 8 x/8
Rules in addition
same sign=add, +5 + (+3) = +8
-4 + (-7) = -11
Adding and Subtracting Monomials different sign=subtract and copy the sign of bigger
number
Definition
8 + (-3) = 5
A monomial is an algebraic expression with only one term. -9 + 4 = -5
Examples Rules is subtraction
Change - into + and change the sign of second term
5 - (-3)
= 5 +(+ 3)
5x
7a²
✓ 5x and 9x
-3xy Examples
✓ 3a²b and 7a²b
12
Like Terms Not Like Terms
Like terms have: ✗ 4x and 4y
the same variables ✗ x² and x³
the same exponents
Rule
Only like terms can be added or subtracted.
Add or subtract the coefficients only.
Sample Solving Example 2 Example 3
Example 1 Simplify Simplify
Simplify xyz + (−6xyz) 4a²b − 7a²b
5u²v + 6u²v Solution Solution
Solution 1 − 6 = −5 4 − 7 = −3
Like terms Answer Answer
Add coefficients −5xyz −3a²b
5 + 6 = 11
Answer
11u²v
Remember
Different variables cannot be combined.
Example
3x + 5y
Answer
3x + 5y and Dividing Monomials
Multiplying
Operation Rule Example
Multiply Add exponents (x2)(x3)=x5
Divide Subtract exponents x4/x2=x2
Power of Power Multiply exponents (x2)3=x6
Zero Exponent a⁰ = 1 70=1
Negative Exponent a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ x−2=1/x2
Multiplying and Dividing Monomials (Laws of Exponents)
Product Rule
When multiplying powers with the same base,
Add the exponents.
am×an=am+n
Sample Solving Example 2
Example 1 Divide
Example Multiply 12x⁵ ÷ 3x²
x² × x³ 3x² • 4x³ Solution
= x⁵ Solution 12 ÷ 3 = 4
Quotient Rule Multiply 5−2=3
When dividing powers with the same base, coefficients
Subtract the exponents. Answer
3 × 4 = 12 4x³
am÷an=am−n Add exponents
Example 2+3=5
x⁶ ÷ x² Answer
= x⁴ 12x⁵
Power of a Power
Multiply the exponents.
(am)n=amn
Example
(x²)³
=x
Multiplying Monomials and Binomials
Distributive Property
Multiply every term in the first expression by every term in the second expression.
a(b+c)=ab+ac
Example 2
Sample Solving 2x(x + 5) + 3x Example 3
Example 1 First distribute. (2x + 3)(x + 4)
2x(x + 5) 2x² + 10x + 3x Multiply every term.
Solution Then combine like 2x(x) = 2x²
Multiply 2x to every terms. 2x(4) = 8x
term. 10x + 3x 3(x) = 3x
2x(x) = 13x 3(4) = 12
= 2x² Answer Combine like terms.
2x(5) 2x² + 13x 8x + 3x = 11x
= 10x Answer
Answer 2x² + 11x + 12
2x² + 10x
Product of a Binomial and a Binomial
When multiplying two binomials, every term in the first binomial must be multiplied by every term in the second
binomial.
Method 1: FOIL Method
FOIL stands for:
F – First Terms
O – Outer Terms
I – Inner Terms
L – Last Terms
The FOIL method works only for multiplying two binomials. Vertical (Column) Method
Example The Vertical Method is similar to the multiplication
Multiply: algorithm used for whole numbers. Multiply each term
(x+3)(x+5)( vertically, then combine like terms.
Step 1: Multiply the First Terms
x(x)=x2
Step 2: Multiply the Outer Terms
x(+5)=5x
Step 3: Multiply the Inner Terms
+3(x)=3x
Step 4: Multiply the Last Terms
+3(+5)=15
Step 5: Combine Like Terms
x2+5x+3x+15
Answer x2+8x+15
1. Square of a Binomial
(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2
Example
(x+4)²
= x² + 8x +16
2. Square of a Difference
(a−b)2
Example
(x−5)²
= x² −10x +25
3. Difference of Two Squares
(a+b)(a−b)=a2−b2
Example
(x+4)(x−4)
Answer
x² −16