CLASS-8
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION –

As we all aware of the basic terms and concepts of algebra, now we will learn about some advanced form of Algebra.


Literals & Constants

A symbol, such as a, b, c, d, x, y, and z are representing an unspecified number or member of a class of objects is called a literal or a variable.

A symbol that has a fixed value is known as a constant. Numbers such as 3, 52, 0, 5/9, 4.7, 28.231, - 12, and – 2.89 have a specific value, so they are constant.

Operation on Literals

Since literals represent numbers, we can add, subtract, multiply, & divide literals and numbers.

Addition-1) a + b is to be considered as the sum where a & b are literals. 

          2) a + a = 2a,  a + a + a = 3a,  a + a + a + a = 4a, etc.

          3) b + 0 = b,  0 + b = b

Subtraction– 1)  a – b is to be considered as the subtract where a & b are literals.

              2)  b – b = 0  or  a – a = 0

              3) 4 subtracted from a or b are a – 4 and b – 4.

Multiplication– 1) ab means  a X b or ‘a’ multiplied by ‘b’

                2) 4b means 4 X b or 4 multiplied with ‘b’

                3)   a.1  =  1.a  =  a

                              a

Division- 1)  a ÷ b  or --------- means ‘a’ divided by ‘b’

                              b

                              5

          2)  5 ÷ b  or --------- means 5 divided by ‘b’

                              b 

                              a

          3)  a ÷ 8  or --------- means ‘a’ divided by 8

                              8

                 a                       b

          4) -------- = 1    or  --------- = 1

                 a                       b

 

                  a                        b

          5) --------- = a    or  --------- = b

                  1                        1