Algebra 1 : Variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Simpify into quadratic form: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, FOIL the binomial combinations:

FOIL stands for the multiplication between the first terms, outer terms, inner terms, and then the last terms.

Next, distribute  into our new binomial and combine all compatible terms:

So, our answer is .

Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Simplify the following expression: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let's solve this problem the long way, to see how it's done. Then we can look at a shortcut.

First, FOIL the binomial combinations:

FOIL stands for the multiplication between the first terms, outer terms, inner terms, and then the last terms.

Lastly, add the compatible terms in our trinomials:

  

So, our answer is .

Now, let's look at a potentially faster way.

Look at our initial problem.

Notice how  can be found in both terms? Let's factor that out:

Simpify the second term:

Now, perform a much easier multiplication:

So, our answer is , and we had a much easier time getting there!

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

Now we add/subtract all like terms, yielding:

Example Question #4 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Subtract  with .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Group both trinomials with a parenthesis and set up the expression.

Simplify by removing the parentheses, distribute the negative sign, and rewrite the expression.

Combine like-terms.

The answer is:  

Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To subtract polynomials, simply combine like terms. But be extremely careful to distribute the negative to ALL terms in the second polynomial! (Consider subtracting vertically to help.)

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To subtract polynomials, simply combine like terms. But be extremely careful to distribute the negative to ALL terms in the second polynomial! (Consider subtracting vertically to help.)

Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Trinomials

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To subtract polynomials, simply combine like terms. But be extremely careful to distribute the negative to ALL terms in the second polynomial! (Consider subtracting vertically to help.)

Here, notice that the terms are not in the same order in both polynomials.

Example Question #51 : Variables

Find the difference.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When subtracting trinomials we distribute the negative sign and turn it into addition. 

We then combine together coefficients of like terms. 

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Trinomials

Divide:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Factor the numerator and denominator:

Cancel the factors that appear in both the numerator and the denominator:

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Trinomials

Divide the following trinomials:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to divide, we must first factor both trinomials on the numerator and denominator.

Notice that we now have common terms in the numerator and denominator that can be divided and cancelled.  

Cancel the  terms in the numerator and denominator.

The answer is:  

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