How to Write an Algebraic Expression

Math is not everyone's favorite subject, yet once you take some time to familiarize yourself with math problems, you might find yourself asking why you ever ran from math in the first place. Algebra replaces numbers with letters and signs, to create what is referred to as an algebraic expression. Writing and understanding these algebraic expressions takes a little getting used to, but over time, can become just as easy to comprehend as 1+1=2.

Instructions

1. Create an algebraic expression using one term such as 3ab. This is called a monomial. Mono meaning one. In order to create an algebraic expression using more than one term, connect each term with either a plus sign or a minus sign, such as 3ab+2cd. An algebraic expression with two terms is called a binomial, and an expression with three terms is called a trinomial.

2. Write a polynomial algebraic expression by adding or subtracting many terms. Poly meaning many. For example, 4ab+5cd-6ef. Most polynomials are only written using up to three terms. There isn't a different word used for an algebraic expression with four or more terms.

3. Replace a number with a letter, and then solve the expression to discover what number the letter represents. Each algebraic expression represents one number or one quantity. Just as 7+8=15, which is one number, the algebraic expression, 2(a+b)-c, also equals one quantity. The actual arithmetic value of each expression depends on the actual numeric value given to each letter or symbol.

4. Solve the written algebraic expression 2x-3ay by replacing the x with 3, the a with 5, and the y with 1. After your replacement, you will have, 2(3)-3(5)(1) = 6-15 = -9. No matter how complex your algebraic expression might seem, if it is solved properly, it will always yield one result.

5. Pay attention to your order of operation when solving an algebraic expression. The order is always: multiplication, division, addition, then subtraction. 3x+7y-c is an algebraic expression. It is solved by first multiplying the 3 with the x, multiplying the 7 with the y, adding together the answers to both of the multiplication problems, and then subtracting the c from the previous solution.

Tips & Warnings

• If you insert the correct numbers into each letter space, and follow your order of operation, you should come out with the correct answer. Most wrong answers are due to adding or subtracting improperly. Go back and redo each step, paying close attention to the rules for each math equation.

• In the algebraic expression 3abx + cy - k, 3abx, cy, and k are the terms of the expression. Each term is a separate part of the problem and must be solved.