Study Guides/Maths/Algebraic Identities – All Standard Formulas with Examples
Study Guide · Maths

Algebraic Identities – Complete List and Examples

The standard algebraic identities are: (a+b)² = a²+2ab+b², (a−b)² = a²−2ab+b², and (a+b)(a−b) = a²−b². These identities are true for all values of a and b and are used to expand, simplify, and factorise algebraic expressions.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the identity for (a+b)²?

Answer

(a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b². For example, (x+5)² = x² + 10x + 25.

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Key Facts

(a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b²

(a−b)² = a² − 2ab + b²

(a+b)(a−b) = a² − b²

(a+b)³ = a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³

(a−b)³ = a³ − 3a²b + 3ab² − b³

a³+b³ = (a+b)(a²−ab+b²); a³−b³ = (a−b)(a²+ab+b²)

If a+b+c = 0, then a³+b³+c³ = 3abc

(a+b+c)² = a²+b²+c²+2(ab+bc+ca)

Basic Algebraic Identities

  1. (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² Example: (x+3)² = x² + 6x + 9

  2. (a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b² Example: (x−4)² = x² − 8x + 16

  3. (a + b)(a − b) = a² − b² Example: (x+5)(x−5) = x² − 25

  4. (x + a)(x + b) = x² + (a+b)x + ab Example: (x+2)(x+3) = x² + 5x + 6

Cubic Algebraic Identities

  1. (a + b)³ = a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³ = a³ + b³ + 3ab(a+b) Example: (x+2)³ = x³ + 6x² + 12x + 8

  2. (a − b)³ = a³ − 3a²b + 3ab² − b³ = a³ − b³ − 3ab(a−b) Example: (x−1)³ = x³ − 3x² + 3x − 1

  3. a³ + b³ = (a + b)(a² − ab + b²)

  4. a³ − b³ = (a − b)(a² + ab + b²)

Sum and Product Identities

  1. (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca

  2. a³ + b³ + c³ − 3abc = (a+b+c)(a²+b²+c²−ab−bc−ca) Special case: if a+b+c = 0, then a³+b³+c³ = 3abc

  3. (a+b)² + (a−b)² = 2(a²+b²)

  4. (a+b)² − (a−b)² = 4ab

These are important for competitive exams.

Using Identities for Calculations

Identity 1 for quick calculation: 99² = (100−1)² = 10000 − 200 + 1 = 9801

Identity 3 for quick calculation: 103 × 97 = (100+3)(100−3) = 100² − 9 = 10000 − 9 = 9991

Identity 7 for factorisation: 8x³ + 27 = (2x)³ + 3³ = (2x+3)(4x²−6x+9)

These shortcuts save time in competitive exams.

Questions and Answers

What is the identity for (a+b)²?+

(a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b². For example, (x+5)² = x² + 10x + 25.

What is (a+b)(a−b) equal to?+

(a+b)(a−b) = a² − b². This is the difference of squares identity. Example: (x+7)(x−7) = x² − 49.

What is the cube identity for (a+b)³?+

(a+b)³ = a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³ = a³ + b³ + 3ab(a+b).

How do you use algebraic identities for quick mental calculations?+

Example: Calculate 98². Use (100−2)² = 10000 − 400 + 4 = 9604. Or 52 × 48 = (50+2)(50−2) = 2500 − 4 = 2496.

What is a³+b³+c³ when a+b+c = 0?+

When a+b+c = 0, then a³+b³+c³ = 3abc. This is a special case of the identity a³+b³+c³−3abc = (a+b+c)(a²+b²+c²−ab−bc−ca).

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