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Algebra Cheat Sheet: Basic Properties & Facts
Algebra Cheat Sheet: Basic Properties & Facts
(a ) n m
= a nm a 0 = 1, a 0 d ( P1 , P2 ) = ( x2 - x1 )
2
+ ( y2 - y1 )
2
x3 - a 3 = ( x - a ) ( x2 + ax + a 2 ) Absolute Value Equations/Inequalities
x 2 n - a 2 n = ( x n - a n )( x n + a n ) If b is a positive number
n n
a a
( ab )
n
=a b n n
= n Complex Numbers p =b p = - b or p = b
b b If n is odd then,
a -n 1
= n
1
=a n x n - a n = ( x - a ) ( x n-1 + ax n -2 + L + a n -1 ) p <b -b < p < b
i = -1 i = -1
2
-a = i a, a 0
a a-n p >b p < - b or p>b
-n n ( a + bi ) + ( c + di ) = a + c + ( b + d ) i xn + an
a b bn
( ) = (a )
n 1
= ( x + a)( x )
n 1
= = n a = a n
-L + a
m
n -1 n -2 2 n -3 n -1
( a + bi ) - ( c + di ) = a - c + ( b - d ) i - ax +a x
m m
b a a
( a + bi )( c + di ) = ac - bd + ( ad + bc ) i Completing the Square
Properties of Radicals Solve 2 x 2 - 6 x - 10 = 0 (4) Factor the left side
( a + bi )( a - bi ) = a 2 + b2 3 29
2
n
a =a
1
n
ab = a b
n n
a + bi = a + b 2 2
Complex Modulus (1) Divide by the coefficient of the x 2 x- =
n
2 4
x 2 - 3x - 5 = 0 (5) Use Square Root Property
m n
a = nm a n
a na
= ( a + bi ) = a - bi Complex Conjugate (2) Move the constant to the other side.
b nb 3 29 29
( a + bi )( a + bi ) = a + bi
2
x 2 - 3x = 5 x- = =
2 4 2
n
a n = a , if n is odd (3) Take half the coefficient of x, square
(6) Solve for x
it and add it to both sides
n
a n = a , if n is even 2 2 3 29
3 3 9 29 x=
x 2 - 3x + - = 5 + - = 5 + = 2 2
2 2 4 4
For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. 2005 Paul Dawkins For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. 2005 Paul Dawkins
Functions and Graphs Common Algebraic Errors
Constant Function Parabola/Quadratic Function Error Reason/Correct/Justification/Example
y = a or f ( x) = a x = ay2 + by + c g ( y ) = ay2 + by + c 2 2
0 and 2 Division by zero is undefined!
Graph is a horizontal line passing 0 0
through the point ( 0, a ) . ( -3)
2
The graph is a parabola that opens right -32 9 -32 = -9 , = 9 Watch parenthesis!
if a > 0 or left if a < 0 and has a vertex
Line/Linear Function b b (x )
2 3
x5 (x )
2 3
= x2 x2 x 2 = x6
at g - , - .
y = mx + b or f ( x ) = mx + b 2a 2a a a a
+
1
=
1 1 1
+ =2
b+c b c 2 1+ 1 1 1
Graph is a line with point ( 0,b ) and
Circle 1 A more complex version of the previous
slope m. x -2 + x-3
( x - h) + ( y - k ) = r2 x2 + x3 error.
2 2
The graph is a parabola that opens up if that pass through center with slope .
b - x2 + a2 = ( - x2 + a2 )2
a - x2 + a2 - x2 + a2
a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex Now see the previous error.
Hyperbola
at ( h, k ) . a
(y -k) ( x - h) = 1
2 2
a ab 1
- a a c ac
b2 a2 b c = = =
Parabola/Quadratic Function c b b 1 b b
y = ax 2 + bx + c f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c Graph is a hyperbola that opens up and
c c
down, has a center at ( h, k ) , vertices b
a a
The graph is a parabola that opens up if units up/down from the center and a
asymptotes that pass through center with ac b = b = a 1 = a
a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex b
b c c b c bc
b b slope . c b
at - , f - . a
1
2a 2a
For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. 2005 Paul Dawkins For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. 2005 Paul Dawkins