Algebra & Math Reference
Numbers
Rational Numbers: Numbers that can be expressed as a fraction.
Irrational Numbers: Numbers that cannot be expressed as a fraction (e.g., Euler's number e, π).
Integers: Positive and negative whole numbers.
Real Numbers: All numbers.
Whole Numbers: All non-negative numbers from 0 to ∞.
Natural Numbers: Positive numbers (excluding 0) from 1 to ∞.
Surds: Roots of non-perfect squares or cubes (e.g., √2, ■5).
Roots
Rules of Roots: √(a×b) = √a × √b √(a/b) = √a / √b √(a²) = a
Simplifying Surds: Example: √60 = √(15×4) = √15 × √4 = 2√15 Example: √8 = √(4×2) = 2√2
Exponents
Rules of Exponents: a^m × a^n = a^(m+n) a^m / a^n = a^(m−n) (a^m)^n = a^(m×n) a^(−m) = 1/a^m
a^0 = 1
Algebraic Expressions
Variables: Symbols (usually letters) representing unknown values.
Expressions: Combinations of numbers, variables, and operations.
Equations: Statements showing equality between two expressions.
Like Terms: Terms with the same variable and exponent.
Solving Equations
Steps: 1. Simplify both sides by combining like terms. 2. Isolate the variable term. 3. Solve for the
variable.
Inverse Operations: Addition ↔ Subtraction, Multiplication ↔ Division.
Example: Solve 3x − 9 = 3 → 3x = 12 → x = 4
Algebraic Identities
(a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b² (a−b)² = a² − 2ab + b² (a+b)(a−b) = a² − b²
Expanding Expressions
Distributive Property: a(b+c) = ab + ac Example: (x+y)(2x−y) = 2x² + xy − y²
Factorization
Simple Factorization: Example: 12x² + 8x = 4x(3x+2)
Quadratic Factorization: Steps: 1. Find two numbers that multiply to ac and add to b. 2. Rewrite
middle term. 3. Factor by grouping. Example: x²+7x+12 = (x+3)(x+4)
Quadratic Formula
For ax²+bx+c=0: x = (−b ± √(b²−4ac)) / 2a Example: x²−6x+5=0 → x=5 or x=1
Surds: Adding and Subtracting
Rule: Only like radicals can be added or subtracted. Example: √10×2 + √50 = 10√2 + 5√2 = 15√2
Rationalizing the Denominator
Multiply numerator & denominator by the conjugate. Example: 3/√5 × √5/√5 = 3√5/5 Example:
(2+√3)/(2−√3) × (2+√3)/(2+√3) = (7+4√3)/1
Area of a Rectangle
Area = Length × Width Width = Area / Length
Volume of a Rectangular Prism (Shed)
Volume = Length × Width × Height
Important Reminders
• Order of Operations: PEMDAS/BODMAS • Negative numbers can have cube roots, not square
roots. • Pay close attention to signs (+ and −).