List of common formulas that is commonly used for solving equations.

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We know that an equation consists of an algebraic expression which is equated to zero.

The algebra formulas are just not used to solve these equations but form the foundation of various mathematical concepts.

Many topics such as quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, polynomials etc use these formulas for solution. These formulas help in simplifying the expressions and deducing the answers.

Before moving on to formulas, first understand what is Algebra and what are algebraic expressions.

What is Algebra?

Algebra is a more like a generalized arithmetic where letters are substituted for numbers.

The letters are known as variables and they don’t have a fixed value. The numbers are called constants as they have a fixed value.

Algebra is a wide branch of mathematics that covers vectors, matrices, complex numbers etc.

$x, y, a$ and $b$ are common letters that are used to represent the variables.

What is algebraic expression?

A combination of variables and constants which is connected with each other through various arithmetic operators such as +, -, x or ÷ is known as algebraic expression.

Basic Algebraic formulas to solve equations

- $\displaystyle {{\left( {a+b} \right)}^{2}}~=~{{a}^{2}}~+~2ab~+~{{b}^{2}}$
- $\displaystyle {{\left( {a-b} \right)}^{2}}~=~{{a}^{2}}~-~2ab~+~{{b}^{2}}$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{2}}-{{b}^{2}}=(a+b)(a-b)$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{2}}~+~{{b}^{2}}~=~{{\left( {a~+~b} \right)}^{2}}-2ab$
- $\displaystyle {{\left( {a~+~b~+~c} \right)}^{2}}~=~{{a}^{2}}~+~{{b}^{2}}~+~{{c}^{2}}~+~2ab~+~2bc+2ca$
- $\displaystyle {{\left( {a~-~b~-~c} \right)}^{2}}~=~{{a}^{2}}~+~{{b}^{2}}~+~{{c}^{2}}~-2ab~+~2bc-2ca$
- $\displaystyle {{(a+b)}^{3}}={{a}^{3}}+3{{a}^{2}}b+3a{{b}^{2}}+{{b}^{3}}={{a}^{3}}+{{b}^{3}}+3ab(a-b)$
- $\displaystyle {{(a-b)}^{3}}={{a}^{3}}-3{{a}^{2}}b+3a{{b}^{2}}-{{b}^{3}}={{a}^{3}}-{{b}^{3}}-3ab(a-b)$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{3}}-{{b}^{3}}=(a-b)({{a}^{2}}+ab+{{b}^{2}})$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{3}}+{{b}^{3}}=(a+b)({{a}^{2}}-ab+{{b}^{2}})$
- $\displaystyle {{(a+b)}^{4}}={{a}^{4}}+4{{a}^{3}}b+6{{a}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}+4a{{b}^{3}}+{{b}^{4}}$
- $\displaystyle {{(a-b)}^{4}}={{a}^{4}}-4{{a}^{3}}b+6{{a}^{2}}{{b}^{2}}-4a{{b}^{3}}+{{b}^{4}}$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{4}}-{{b}^{4}}=(a-b)(a+b)({{a}^{2}}+{{b}^{2}})$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{{-m}}}=\frac{1}{{{{a}^{m}}}}$

Formulas involving exponents

Let’s have a look at some very commonly used formulas for expressions having same base but different powers.

- $\displaystyle {{a}^{m}}.{{a}^{n}}={{a}^{{m+n}}}$
- $\displaystyle \frac{{{{a}^{m}}}}{{{{a}^{n}}}}={{a}^{{m-n}}}$
- $\displaystyle {{({{a}^{m}})}^{n}}={{a}^{{mn}}}$
- $\displaystyle {{\left( {ab} \right)}^{n}}={{a}^{n}}.{{b}^{n}}$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{0}}=1$
- $\displaystyle {{a}^{{-m}}}=\frac{1}{{{{a}^{m}}}}$

Roots of quadratic equation

To find the roots of a quadratic equation of the form $\displaystyle a{{x}^{2}}+~bx+c=0$ , you can use the following formula:

\displaystyle x=~\frac{{-b\pm \sqrt[{}]{{{{b}^{2}}-4ac}}}}{{2a}}

Here, $\displaystyle {{b}^{2}}-~4ac$ is known as discriminant or D.

D is helpful in finding the nature of roots of the equation.

If D > 0, then the roots of the quadratic equation will have two real and distinct roots.
If D = 0, then the two roots of the quadratic equation will be equal and real.
If D < 0, then the quadratic equation will have two imaginary roots.

Let’s apply these using some examples:

Q1. Solve the expression $\displaystyle {{25}^{2}}-~{{14}^{2}}$