ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

GLOSSARY
1. Algebraic expression : bentuk aljabar
2. Variable : variabel
3. Coefficient : koefisien
4. Constant : konstanta
5. Term : suku
6. Like term : suku sejenis
7. Unlike term : suku tidak sejenis

Algebraic expressions are the idea of expressing numbers using letters or alphabets
without specifying their actual values. The basics of algebra taught us how to express an unknown
value using letters such as 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, etc. These letters are called here as variables. An algebraic
expression can be a combination of both variables and constants. Any value that is placed before
and multiplied by a variable is a coefficient. The examples of algebraic expression are 3𝑚 + 5,
1
27𝑥 + 1500𝑦, 2 𝑗 + 3, etc. Here the examples how we convert the word problem into algebraic

expression.

Example 1
Mr. Tohir has two kinds of livestocks, they are 27 cows and 1500 sheeps. He want to sell all
of them. Express the total money he will get in algebraic expression.
Answer :
Do we know the price of each cow and each sheep?
The answer is no.
Since we don’t know the price of each cow and each sheep, we need some variables to represent
it.
Let 𝑥 be the price of each cow and 𝑦 be the price of each sheep.
The total money he will get is 27 × 𝑥 + 1500 × 𝑦.
In algebraic expression, we don’t need to write the multiplication notation (a cross symbol).
So the algebraic expression is 27 × 𝑥 + 1500 × 𝑦 and it is written as 27𝑥 + 1500𝑦.
Example 2
Last week, Shaun had half as many computer games as Johan. He purchased 3 more games
this week. Write an algebraic expression that represents the number of games Shaun now.
Answer :
Do we know the number of games that Johan has?
The answer is no.
Since we don’t know the number of games that Johan has, we need to express it in a variable,
called 𝑗.
Let 𝑗 be the number of games that Johan has,
1
Last week shaun had 2 𝑗 then he purchased 3 more,
1
So the algebraic expression that represent the number of games Shaun now will be 2 𝑗 + 3

Variables, Coefficient & Constant in Algebraic Expressions

Term Term

In the above expression (i.e. 5x – 3),

Example 4
Let 3𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 5 − 9𝑥 + 𝑦 +2 as the algebraic expression. We will identify the components of
algebraic expression, such as variables, constants, coefficients, and terms.
Answer:
• 𝑥 and 𝑦 are variables
• 3 and -9 are coefficient of 𝑥,
6 and 1 are coefficient of 𝑦.
Note: if the coefficient is 1 or -1, we don’t need to write it.
• 5 and 2 are the constants
• 3𝑥, 6𝑦, −9𝑥, 𝑦, 2 are the terms.
Note : there are two types of terms, they are unlike terms and like terms. Like term is the
term which has same variable or both terms are the constants
Like terms : 3𝑥 and −9𝑥;
6𝑦 and 𝑦
5 and 2
Exercise 1
Match the word problem to algebraic expression.
Word Problem Algebraic Expression
1. A number is multiplying by 3 then minus a. 10 − 𝑛
6. Let 𝑛 be a number
2. Substract 10 from a number. Let 𝑛 be a b. 𝑛 − 10
number
3. Joe is 9 years younger than Drew. Let c. 𝑛 − 9
𝑛 𝑏𝑒 Drew’s age. Express the Joe’s age in
algebraic expression.
4. Mom buys two boxes of books and 3 d. 2𝑛 + 3
books. Let 𝑛 be number books in each e. 2𝑛
box. Express the total books she buy in
algebraic expression.
5. Jenna’s salary is $120 more than f. 9−𝑛
Moana’s. Let 𝑛 be Moana’s salary. g. 3𝑛 − 6
Express Jenna’s salary in algebraic h. 3𝑛 + 6
expression i. 𝑛 + 120
j. 120 − 𝑛

Exercise 1
1g, 2b, 3c, 4d, 5i
Exercise 2
Identify the coefficients, constants, variables, and terms from these algebraic expressions.
1
1. 𝑗+3
2
1
• is ………..
Coefficient
2
• 𝑗 is …………
Variabel
• 3 is …………..
Constants
1
• 𝑗 and 3 are……..
Terms
2

2. 27𝑥 + 1500𝑦
• …….is
27 the coefficient of x
• ………
X&Y are the variables
• ………is
1500 the coefficient of y
• ………..
0 is the constant
• … … … … are the terms
27x &
1500y

3. 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 9 + 2𝑥 − 8
• The coefficient of 𝑥 : 3 & 2
• The coefficient of 𝑦 : 5
• The variables : x & y
• The constants : -9 & -8
• Like terms : 3x & 2x, -9 &-8

4. −2𝑚 − 5𝑛 − 7 − 𝑚 + 𝑛
• The coefficient of 𝑚 : -2 & -1
• The coefficient of 𝑛 : -5 & 1
• The variables : m & n
• The constants : -2, -5
• Like terms : -2m -1m, -5n & n

1
5. 4𝑏 + 2 𝑐 − 𝑏 + 𝑑
• The coefficient of 𝑏 : 4 -1
• The coefficient of 𝑐 : 1/2
• The coefficient of 𝑑 : -1
• The variables : b c, d
• The constants : -b d
• Like terms : 4b -b