# Algebraic Identities

The algebraic equations which are true for all values of variables in them are called algebraic identities. They are also used for the factorization of polynomials. This is how they find utility in the computation of algebraic expressions. You have already learned about a few of them in the junior grades. In this article, we will recall them and introduce you to some more standard algebraic identities along with examples.

## Standard Algebraic Identities:

All the standard Algebraic Identities are derived from the Binomial Theorem, which is given as:

$\mathbf{(a+b)^{n} =\; ^{n}C_{0}.a^{n}.b^{0} +^{n} C_{1} . a^{n-1} . b^{1} + …….. + ^{n}C_{n-1}.a^{1}.b^{n-1} + ^{n}C_{n}.a^{0}.b^{n}}$

Below are some of the Standard Algebraic Identities:

Identity I: (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

Identity II: (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2

Identity III: a2 – b2= (a + b)(a – b)

Identity IV: (x + a)(x + b) = x2 + (a + b) x + ab

Identity V: (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca

Identity VI: (a + b)3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab (a + b)

Identity VII: (a – b)3 = a3 – b3 – 3ab (a – b)

Identity VIII: a3 + b3 + c– 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca)

Example 1: Find the product of (x + 1)(x + 1) using standard algebraic identities.

Solution: (x + 1)(x + 1) can be written as (x + 1)2. Thus, it is of the form Identity I where a = x and b = 1. So we have,

(x + 1)2 = (x)2 + 2(x)(1) + (1)2 = x2 + 2x + 1

Example 2: Factorise (x4 – 1) using standard algebraic identities.

Solution: (x4 – 1) is of the form Identity III where a = x2 and b = 1. So we have,

(x4 – 1) = ((x2)2– 12) = (x2 + 1)(x2 – 1)

The factor (x2 – 1) can be further factorised using the same Identity III where a = x and b = 1. So,

(x4 – 1) = (x2 + 1)((x)2 –(1)2) = (x2 + 1)(x + 1)(x – 1)

Eample 3: Factorise 16x2 + 4y2 + 9z2 – 16xy + 12yz – 24zx using standard algebraic identities.

Solution: 16x2 + 4y2 + 9z2– 16xy + 12yz – 24zx is of the form Identity V. So we have,

16x2 + 4y2 + 9z2 – 16xy + 12yz – 24zx = (4x)2 + (-2y)2 + (-3z)2 + 2(4x)(-2y) + 2(-2y)(-3z) + 2(-3z)(4x)= (4x – 2y – 3z)2 = (4x – 2y – 3z)(4x – 2y – 3z)

Example 4: Expand (3x – 4y)3 using standard algebraic identities.

Solution: (3x– 4y)3 is of the form Identity VII where a = 3x and b = 4y. So we have,

(3x – 4y)3 = (3x)3 – (4y)3– 3(3x)(4y)(3x – 4y) = 27x3 – 64y3 – 108x2y + 144xy2

Example 5: Factorize (x3 + 8y3 + 27z3 – 18xyz) using standard algebraic identities.

Solution: (x3 + 8y3 + 27z3 – 18xyz)is of the form Identity VIII where a = x, b = 2y and c = 3z. So we have,

(x3 + 8y3 + 27z3 – 18xyz) = (x)3 + (2y)3 + (3z)3 – 3(x)(2y)(3z)= (x + 2y + 3z)(x2 + 4y2 + 9z2 – 2xy – 6yz – 3zx)