Algebra

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Write, evaluate, and compute with expressions and polynomials
• Write, manipulate, and solve linear equations and inequalities
• Write, manipulate, and solve quadratic equations
• Compare, represent, and evaluate functions
Translating English into Math

An algebraic expression uses numbers, operations, and variables to show number relationships.

Variables are letters that represent unknown numbers.

Each time a letter is used within the same expression, it represents the same number. Use different
letters to represent different numbers.

2x + 3x + x 8d – 2a + 3b
Translating English into Math

Algebraic Expressions in Words In Symbols

the product of 5 and a number 5x

a number decreased by 12 x – 12

the sum of 3 and the square of a number 3 + x2

x
6 less than the quotient of a number and 2 −6
2
1
one-half a number increased by 15 x + 15
2
4 times the difference of –3 and a number 4(–3 – x)

the square root of the sum of a number and 3 x +3

Translating English into Math

1. A minor-league baseball team is giving a local charity the sum of $1500 and $0.50 for each ticket over
2000 sold for one game. Let t represent the number of tickets sold. If the team sells more than 2000
tickets, which of the following expressions could be used to find the amount of the donation?

A. $1500 + $0.50t
B. $1500 + $0.50(2000 – t)
C. $1500 + $0.50(t – 2000)
D. $1500(2000 – t)($0.50)
Simplifying and Evaluating Expressions

Simplifying a linear expression means performing all the operations you can within an expression.

When working with variables, you must remember an important rule: you can add and subtract
like terms only.

5x + 2y – 7z + 4x

The only like terms are 5x and 4x.

They can be combined: 5x + 4x = 9x

9x + 2y – 7z
Simplifying and Evaluating Expressions

2. What is the value of 36 x − 8 y 2 when x = 3 and y = – 6?

A. 3,600
B. 1,200
C. –180
D. –288
Equations and Inequalities

An equation is a mathematical statement that demonstrates the equality between two expressions.
4×2=8
An inequality is a mathematical statement that connects two unequal expressions.
Unlike equations, you must flip the inequality sign when you multiply or divide by a negative
value.

Instead of an equal sign, an inequality will contain one of the following symbols:
• Greater than (>) –2x + 11 ≤ –7
• Less than (<) −−2x
2x  −18
– 11 –11  xx  99
• Greater than or equal to (≥) −2 −2
• Less than or equal to (≤) –2x ≤ –18
Equations and Inequalities

3. Annie is planning a business meeting for her company. She has a budget of $1,325 for renting a
meeting room at a local hotel and providing lunch. She expects 26 people to attend the meeting. The
cost of renting the meeting room is $270. Which inequality shows how to find the amount, x, Annie can
spend on lunch for each person?

A. 26x + 270 > 1,325

B. 26x + 270 < 1,325

C. 270x + 26 > 1,325

D. 270x + 26 < 1,325

Mixed Practice

4. There are s steps from the pedestal to the head of the Statue of Liberty. The number of steps in the
Washington Monument is 27 less than 6 times the number of steps in the Statue of Liberty. Which
expression represents the number of steps in the Washington Monument in terms of s?

A. 6s – 27
B. 27 < 6s
C. 6(s + 27)
D. 6s < 27
Mixed Practice

5. A school is selling t-shirts as a fund raiser. For each shirt that is sold, the school will earn 7 dollars.
Which inequality shows how to find the minimum number of t-shirts, s, the school must sell in order to
earn at least $2,500?

A. 2,500 < 7s
B. 2,500 > 7s
C. 2,500 > 7s
D. 2,500 < 7s
Polynomials

A polynomial is a mathematical expression containing multiple algebraic terms.

3x2 + 7y + 8

Each term in a polynomial will contain a combination of coefficients, variables, exponents, and integers.
3x2 + 7y + 8

coefficients
exponent
variables
integer
A polynomial with exactly two terms is known as a binomial.
x+7
y-4
Adding & Subtracting Polynomials

When adding and subtracting polynomials, you can only combine like terms.

Like terms have the same variable and the same exponent.
Like terms: 8x2 and –6x2
Unlike terms: 9y2 and 9y4

To add and subtract like terms, keep the same variable and exponent and add or subtract the
coefficients.
8x2 + (–6x2) = 8x2 + 1(–6x2) = 8x2 – 6x2 = 2x2
Dividing Polynomials

You can divide a polynomial (multiple terms) by a monomial (one term).

4x2 − 8y3
2
When you divide a polynomial by a number, such as 2, you divide just the coefficients.

4x2 − 8y3 4x2 8y3

= − = 2x2 − 4y3
2 2 2

When you divide a polynomial by a variable, you can only simplify terms that share a common variable.

Remember: you cannot divide anything by zero.

4x2 − 8y3 4x2 8y3 8y3
= − = 4x −
x 1x 1x x
Dividing Polynomials

To simplify more complex polynomial division, look for the factors and variables that each term has in
common with the divisor:

8x4 y + 6x2 y3 8x4 y 6x2 y3

= 2 +
6x2 y 6x y 6x2 y

Divide the coefficients: Divide the x terms: Divide the y terms:

8x4 y 6x2 y3 4x4 y x2 y3 4x2 y y3

+ + +
6x2 y 6x2 y 3x2 y x2 y 3y y

4x4 y 1x2 y3 4x2 y (1)y3 4x2 (1) y2 4x2

= 2 + 2 = + = + = + y2
3x y 1x y 3(1)y (1)y 3(1) 1 3
Mixed Practice

6. What is the simplified form of the expression 3a2b + 4ab + 3a2b + 5ab?

A. 6a3b2 + 8a3b2
B. 6a2b + 8ab
C. 15a6 + b4
D. 6a2b + 9ab
Mixed Practice

7. When simplified, how many terms are in the polynomial j2 + k3 – 2j3 + 5k3 – 2j2?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Mixed Practice

8. Which of the following equals (5x2 − 2x + 1) − (3x2 − 3x − 2)?

A. x − 5x − 2
B. 2x2 − x + 3
C. 2x2 + x + 3
D. 2x2 − 5x + 3
Multiplying Binomials
To multiply two binomials, just remember the acronym FOIL:

First, Outer, Inner, Last

2x +33) (xx – 5 5) = 2x2 – 10x + 3x – 15 = 2x2 – 7x – 15

(2x

There are 3 patterns that pop up so often that it’s worth memorizing them:

(a + b)(a + b) = a2 + 2ab + b2 (x + 3)(x + 3) = x2 + 2(x)(3) + 32 = x2 + 6x + 9

(a – b)(a – b) = a2 – 2ab + b2 (x – 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 2(x)(3) + 32 = x2 – 6x + 9

(a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2 (x + 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 32 = x2 – 9
Multiplying Binomials

9. Which of the following expressions is equivalent to (3x + 8)(x + 2)?

A. 3x + 10x + 6
B. 3x2 + 14x + 16
C. 3x2 + 24x – 6
D. 3x3 + 14x + 16
Quadratic Equations
To solve a quadratic equation in the form x2 + bx + c = 0, look for two numbers that add to b and
multiply to c.

x2 + 2x – 15 = 0

What two numbers add to 2 and multiply to –15? 5 and –3

x2 + 2x – 15 = (x + 5)(x – 3) = 0
Since anything times zero equals zero, we can set each term equal to zero to find the solutions:

x+5=0 x–3=0
x = –5 x=3
So, the solutions to the quadratic equation in the form x2 + 2x – 15 = 0 are x = –5 and x = 3.
Functions

A function is a rule that shows how the terms in one sequence of numbers are related to the terms in
another sequence.

Each distinct number entered into the function produces a unique output.

number (n) of scarves 1 2 3 4

cost (c) per scarf $5.00 $4.75 $4.50 $4.25

Anatomy of a Function

f(x) = 3x + 2
• f = function name
• x = input
• 3x + 2 = output

“Given the input x, f of x equals 3 times x plus 2”

What is f(4)?
Write: f(4) = 3(4) + 2, or f(4) = 14
Functions

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

10. Jan has her chimney inspected and purchases a smoke guard for $89. How much will she be charged?

A. $99
B. $104
C. $129
D. $174
Functions

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

11. After an inspection, Ahmed decides to have a new damper installed for $255. How much will he pay?

A. $215
B. $265
C. $280
D. $295
Mixed Practice

12. If the temperature is 68° Fahrenheit, what is the temperature in Celsius?

Temperature Conversion Formulas

To convert Fahrenheit (°F) to 5
C= (F − 32)
Celsius (°C) 9
To convert Celsius (°C) to 9
F = C + 32
Fahrenheit (°F) 5

A. 20°
B. 36°
C. 154.4°
D. 180°
Mixed Practice

18 x 2 + 6 xy
13. What is the simplified form of the expression ?
3x
A. 6x + 2y
B. 6x + 2
C. 15x + 3y
D. 15x + 3
Learning Objectives

Now that you have completed this lesson, you should be able to:
•Write, evaluate, and compute with expressions and polynomials
• Write, manipulate, and solve linear equations and inequalities
• Write, manipulate, and solve quadratic equations
• Compare, represent, and evaluate functions
Questions?

Effort and practice are the keys to Test Day Success. Now that you have completed this lesson, you
should reinforce these topics by completing practice questions.

If you have questions between live sessions, email your GED experts at GEDHelp@[Link].

Happy studying!
Answer Key
Answer Key

1. A minor-league baseball team is giving a local charity the sum of $1500 and $0.50 for each ticket over
2000 sold for one game. Let t represent the number of tickets sold. If the team sells more than 2000
tickets, which of the following expressions could be used to find the amount of the donation?

A. $1500 + $0.50t
What variable represents the number of tickets? t
B. $1500 + $0.50(2000 – t)
How many tickets get the $0.50 bonus? t – 2000
C. $1500 + $0.50(t – 2000)
D. $1500(2000 – t)($0.50) Only one answer choice has this combination!
Answer Key

2. What is the value of 36 x − 8 y 2 when x = 3 and y = – 6?

A. 3,600 36(3) – 8(–6)2 = 108 – 8(36)

B. 1,200 = 108 – 288
C. –180 = –180
D. –288
Answer Key

3. Annie is planning a business meeting for her company. She has a budget of $1,325 for renting a
meeting room at a local hotel and providing lunch. She expects 26 people to attend the meeting. The
cost of renting the meeting room is $270. Which inequality shows how to find the amount, x, Annie can
spend on lunch for each person?

A. 26x + 270 > 1,325

What does x represent? The amount spent per person
B. 26x + 270 < 1,325
Rental fee: $270
C. 270x + 26 > 1,325
Person fee: 26x
D. 270x + 26 < 1,325
Answer Key

4. There are s steps from the pedestal to the head of the Statue of Liberty. The number of steps in the
Washington Monument is 27 less than 6 times the number of steps in the Statue of Liberty. Which
expression represents the number of steps in the Washington Monument in terms of s?

A. 6s – 27 W = 6 s – 27
B. 27 < 6s
C. 6(s + 27)
D. 6s < 27
Answer Key

5. A school is selling t-shirts as a fund raiser. For each shirt that is sold, the school will earn 7 dollars.
Which inequality shows how to find the minimum number of t-shirts, s, the school must sell in order to
earn at least $2,500?

A. 2,500 < 7s s = number of t-shirts sold

B. 2,500 > 7s
“For each shirt . . . the school will earn 7 dollars”: 7s
C. 2,500 > 7s
D. 2,500 < 7s “in order to earn at least $2,500”: amount of money earned ≥ 2,500
7s ≥ 2,500
Answer Key

6. What is the simplified form of the expression 3a2b + 4ab + 3a2b + 5ab?

A. 6a3b2 + 8a3b2 Combine like terms: 6a2b + 9ab

B. 6a2b + 8ab
C. 15a6 + b4
D. 6a2b + 9ab
Answer Key

7. When simplified, how many terms are in the polynomial j2 + k3 – 2j3 + 5k3 – 2j2?

A. 2 What are the different terms?

B. 3 j2, k3, and j3
C. 4
D. 5
Answer Key

8. Which of the following equals (5x2 − 2x + 1) − (3x2 − 3x − 2)?

A. x − 5x − 2 (5x2 – 2x + 1) – 1 (3x2 – 3x – 2)
B. 2x2 − x + 3
C. 2x2 + x + 3 Simplify the parentheses: 5x2 – 2x + 1 – 3x2 + 3x + 2
D. 2x2 − 5x + 3
Rearrange by like terms: 5x2 – 3x2 – 2x + 3x + 1 + 2
Combine like terms: (5x2 – 3x2) + (–2x + 3x) + (1 + 2) = 2x2 + 1x + 3
Answer Key

9. Which of the following expressions is equivalent to (3x + 8)(x + 2)?

A. 3x + 10x + 6 (3x + 8)(x + 2)

B. 3x2 + 14x + 16 3x2 + 6x + 8x + 16
C. 3x2 + 24x – 6 3x2 + 14x + 16
D. 3x3 + 14x + 16
Answer Key

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

10. Jan has her chimney inspected and purchases a smoke guard for $89. How much will she be charged?

A. $99 C = $25 + (s – $15)

B. $104 = 25 + (89 – 15)
C. $129 = 25 + 74
D. $174 = $99
Answer Key

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

11. After an inspection, Ahmed decides to have a new damper installed for $255. How much will he pay?

A. $215 C = $25 + (s – $15)

B. $265 = 25 + (255 – 15)
C. $280
= 25 + 240
D. $295
= $265
Answer Key

12. If the temperature is 68° Fahrenheit, what is the temperature in Celsius?

Temperature Conversion Formulas

To convert Fahrenheit (°F) to 5
C= (F − 32)
Celsius (°C) 9
To convert Celsius (°C) to 9
F = C + 32
Fahrenheit (°F) 5

A. 20° C = 5(F – 32)

9
B. 36° 5
= (68 – 32)
C. 154.4° 9

D. 180° = 5 (36)
9
= 20
Answer Key

18 x 2 + 6 xy
13. What is the simplified form of the expression ?
3x
A. 6x + 2y 18x2 + 6xy 18x2 6xy
= +
B. 6x + 2 3x 3x 3x
C. 15x + 3y
= 6x + 2y
D. 15x + 3