Top Careers & You

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7 A L G E B R A

Indices
When a quantity is multiplied by itself a certain number of times, the product thus
obtained is called a power of that quantity.

m
Thus a means ‘a’ raised to m powers and m is called the exponent or index.

The base is the number / letter at the bottom.

The exponent is the number/ letter in the upper-right corner.

In x2, x is the base; 2 is the exponent.

Laws of Indices
1. A base to the zero power is equal to one.
a0 = 1 provided a ≠ 0

2. To multiply like bases, add the exponents.

am × an = am + n

3. To divide like bases, subtract the exponents.

am
= am – n
an
4. Multiply the exponents of a base inside and outside the parenthesis.
(am)n = amn

5. A base to a negative exponent is the reciprocal of the exponent

Do you know?
1 n
am ≠ (am)n. For
–n
a = n
a 3
example 33 ≠ 39
So if you see a term like this 2-3, you can write it as 1/23
or 327 ≠ 39.
–2 1 1
Similarly, – 3 = – = – ; don’t write – 3–2 = 32 = 9.
32 9
Lastly note that – 361/2 = – (36)1/2 = – 6 but (–36)1/2 is not defined for real
numbers.

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Toolkit

The followings are self-explanatory:

m 1
⎛a⎞ am
(i) (ab)m = am bm (ii) ⎜ ⎟ = (iii) a n = n
a
⎝b⎠ bm
q
(iv) ap / q = a p where p and q are real numbers and q ≠ o
(v) If am = an and a ≠ –1, 0, 1, then m = n.

Surds or Radicals

Ist Law: For any positive integer ‘n’ and a positive rational number ‘a’
n
( n a )n = a n = a.

In this section, we shall introduce concept of a surd and its order. But, let us first
th
introduce the concept of positive n root of a real number.

Positive nth Root of a real number:

Let ‘a’ be a real number and n be a positive integer. Then a number which when
raised to the power n gives ‘a’ is called the nth root of ‘a’ and it is written as n
a or
It is clear from 1/n
a .
the definition
that every surd
is an irrational Thus nth root of a real number ‘a’ is a real number ‘b’ such that bn = a. The real
number but number ‘b’ is denoted by a1/n or n
a.
every irrational
number is not a
The cube root of 2 is the real number whose cube is 2. The cube root of 2 is
surd.
If n is a positive denoted by the symbol 21/3 or 3
2 . The fourth root of 81 is the real number 3,
integer and a is a 4
because 3 = 81. The fourth root of 81 is denoted by 4
81 .
real number,
n
then a is not a Surds or Radicals:
surd if a is If a is a rational number and n is a positive integer such that the nth root of a i.e. a1/n
n
irrational or a n 1/n
or a is an irrational number, then a is called a surd or radical of order n and a
is rational.
is called the radicand.

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Examples:
1/2
1. Consider the real number 5 . It may also be written as 5 . Since 5 is a

rational number and 2 is a positive integer such that 51/2 or 5 is an Do you know?
Since 2 + 3 is
irrational number. Therefore 5 is a surd.
not a rational
number, therefore
3
2. Consider the real number 8 . Since 8 is a rational number, 3 is a positive
2+ 3 is not a
3 3
integer but 8 = 2 is not an irrational number. Therefore 8 is not a surd.
surd.

3. We have 7 + 4 3 = 4 + 3 + 4 3 = 22 + ( 3 )2 + 2 × 2 3

= (2 + 3 ) 2 = 2 + 3 . Clearly 7 + 4 3 = 2+ 3 is an irrational number

but it is not a surd, because 7 + 4 3 is an irrational number.

Law of Radicals
As we have seen that surds can be expressed with fractional exponents (indices),
the laws of indices are therefore applicable to surds also. The laws of radicals are
very useful to simplify a given radical or to reduce two given radicals to the same
form.

Ex. Find the value of x in each of the following:

(i) 3
4x − 7 – 5 = 0 (ii) 4
3x + 1 = 2

Sol. (i) 3
4x − 7 – 5 = 0
⇒ 3
4x − 7 = 5
⇒ ( 3 4 x − 7 )3 = 53
⇒ 4x – 7 = 125 [Q ( n a )n = a]
⇒ 4x = 132
⇒ x = 33

(ii) 4
3x + 1 = 2

⇒ ( 4 3 x + 1 )4 = 24

⇒ 3x + 1 = 16 [Q ( n a )n = a]
⇒ 3x = 15
⇒ x = 5.

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IInd Law: If n is a positive integer and a, b are rational numbers, then

n n n
a b= ab

Ex. Simplify each of the following:

(i) 3
3× 3
4 (ii) 3
128

Sol. (i) 3
3 × 3
4 = 3
3×4 [Using IInd Law]
3
= 12
(ii) 3
128 = 3
64 × 2 = 3
64 3
2 [Using IInd Law]
3
= 43 × 3
2
3
=4×
st
3
2 [Using I , 4 3 = 4]

IIIrd Law: If n is a positive integer and a, b are rational numbers, then

n
a a
= n
n b
b

Ex. Simplify each of the following:

4
8 3888
(i) 3 (ii)
27 4
48
3
8 8
Sol. (i) 3 = [Using IIIrd Law]
27 3
27
3
23 2
= = [Using Ist Law]
3
3 3 3
4
3888 3888
(ii) 4
= 4 [Using IIIrd Law]
48 48
4
= 4
81 = 34 = 3 [Using Ist Law]

IVth Law: If m, n are positive integers and a is a positive rational number,

then
mn mn n m
a = a = a

Ex. Simplify each of the following:

43 2 3
(i) 3 (ii) 5

Sol. (i) 43
3 = 12
3 [Using IVth Law]

(ii) 23
5 = 6
5 [Using IVth Law]

th
V Law: If m, n are positive integers and a is a positive rational number,
then
n mn
n m
(a p ) m = ap = a pm

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Ex. Simplify: 5 4
(23 )4

5
Sol. Using the above property, we have 5 4
(23 )4 = 23 = 5
8

SURDS IN SIMPLEST FORM:

A surd is said to be in its simplest form if it has
(i) no fraction under the radical sign.
(ii) no factor which is nth power of a rational number under the radical sign of
index n.
(iii) the smallest possible index of this radical i.e., the order of the surd is the
smallest possible.

Ex. The surd 3

2 × 3 3 is not in simplest form, because the number under
3
the radical sign has factor 3 such that its exponent is equal to the
order of the surd. The surd in simplest form can be written as

2 × 33 = 2 ×
3 3
3
33 [Using IInd Law]

= ( 3 2 ) (3) [Using Ist Law]

= 3 ( 3 2 ).

Pure and Mixed Surds

PURE SURD:
A surd, which has unity only as rational factor, the other factor being irrational, is
called a pure surd.
5 4
Example: 3, 2, 3 are pure surds.

MIXED SURD:
A surd, which has a rational factor other than unity, the other factor being irrational,
is called a mixed surd.

Example: 2 3 , 5 3 12 , 2 4 5 are mixed surds.

We have defined the pure and mixed surds. The two terms pure and mixed are not
mutually exclusive terms with reference to surds. A pure surd can be expressed as
mixed surd and vice-versa.
2
Ex. Express × 3
108 as pure surd.
3
1/ 3
2 2 ⎡⎛ 2 ⎞ 3 ⎤
Sol. (i) × 3 108 = × (108)1/3 = ⎢⎜ ⎟ ⎥ × (108)1/3
3 3 ⎢⎣⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎥⎦
1/ 3 1/ 3
⎛ 8 ⎞ ⎛ 8 ⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ × (108)1/3 = ⎜ × 108 ⎟
⎝ 27 ⎠ ⎝ 27 ⎠

= (8 × 4)
1/3 1/3
= (32) = 3 32 .

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4
Ex. Express 1280 as mixed surd in its simplest form.

Sol. 4
1280 = 4
256 × 5 = 4
256 × 5 = 4
256 × 4
5
4
= 44 × 4
5 = 44 5 .

Ex. Arrange the following surds in ascending order of magnitude:

4 3 3 6
(i) 6, 2, 4 (ii) 5, 9, 105
4 3
Sol. (i) The given surds are 6 , 2, 4 . The orders of these surds are 4,
2, and 3 respectively. LCM of 4, 2 and 3 is 12. So, we convert each
surd into a surd of order 12.
12
Now, 4
6 = 63 = 12
216
12
2 = 26 = 12
64
12
and, 3
4 = 44 = 12
256
Since 64 < 216 < 256
∴ 12
64 < 12
216 < 12
256 ⇒ 2 < 4
6 < 3
4.
3 6
(ii) The given surds are 5, 9, 105 . The orders of these surds are 2,
3, 6 respectively. LCM of 2, 3, 6, is 6. So, we convert each surd into a
surd of order 6.
6
Now, 5 = 53 = 6
125 ,
6
3
9 = 92 = 6
81 ,
6
and, 105 is a surd of order 6.
Since 81 < 105 < 125
∴ 6
81 < 6
105 < 6
125 ⇒ 3
9 < 6
105 < 5.

Rationalising Factor
If the product of two surds is a rational number, then each one of them is called the
Rationalising rationalising factor (R.F) of the other.
factors of a
± b and Examples:
a ± b 1. 5 is a rationalising factor of 3 5 , because 3 5 × 5 = 3 × 5 = 15 which is
are a m b
a rational number. Also, 2 5 is a rationalising factor of 5 , because 5 ×
and a m
b resp.
2 5 = 2 × 5 = 10, which is a rational number. In fact, k 5 is a rationalising

factor of 5 , where k is any non-zero rational number.

2. Since ( 3 + 2 ) ( 3 – 2 ) = ( 3 )2 – ( 2 )2 = 3 – 2 = 1, therefore 3 – 2

is a R.F. of 3 + 2 and vice-versa.

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Ex. Find the rationalising factor of 3 + 5+2 6

Sol. 3 + 5 + 2 6 = 3 + ( 3 )2 + ( 2 )2 + 2 3 × 2

= 3 + 3+ 2 =2 3 + 2

Now, (2 3 + 2 ) (2 3 – 2 ) = (2 3 )2 – ( 2 )2 = 12 – 2 = 10, which is a

rational number.

Hence, 2 3 – 2 is a rationalising factor of 3+ 5+2 6 .

Conjugate Surds:
Two binomial surds, which differ only in sign (+ or –) between the terms connecting
them, are called conjugate surds. e.g. 2 + 3 and 2 – 3 are conjugate surds.

Examples:

a± b and
1. Simplify the following:
a m b
6 6 4 3
+ – are
2 3− 6 3+ 2 6− 2
conjugate
Sol. Rational the denominator of each term, we have
binomial
6 6 4 3
+ – surds.
2 3− 6 3+ 2 6− 2
6( 2 3 + 6 ) 6 ( 3 − 2)
= +
(2 3 − 6 ) (2 3 + 6 ) ( 3 + 2) ( 3 − 2)
Do you know?
4 3 ( 6 + 2) The simplest
–
( 6 − 2)( 6 + 2) rationalising
6( 2 3 + 6 ) 6 ( 3 − 2) 4 3 ( 6 + 2) factor of a
=[ + –
(2 3 ) − ( 6 )
2 2
( 3) − ( 2)
2 2
( 6) − ( 2)
2 2
binomial quadratic
surd is its
12 3 + 6 6 6× 3− 2× 6 4 3× 6+4 3× 2
= + –
12 − 6 3−2 6−2 conjugate surd.

12 3 + 6 6 6×3 − 2×6 4 3×6 + 4 3×2

= + –
6 1 4

=2 3 + 6 + 32 × 2 – 22 × 3 – 32 × 2 – 6

=2 3 + 6 +3 2 –2 3–3 2 – 6 = 0.

1
2. If x = , find the value of x3 – 2x2 – 7x + 5.
2− 3
1 1 2+ 3 2+ 3
Sol. We have, x = = × =
2− 3 2− 3 2+ 3 2 − ( 3 )2
2

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2+ 3
= =2+ 3
4−3
Now, x = 2 + 3 ⇒x–2= 3

⇒ (x – 2)2 = ( 3 )2
⇒ x2 – 4x + 4 = 3 ⇒ x2 – 4x + 1 = 0 ……(i)
3 2 2 2
Now, x – 2x – 7x + 5 = x (x – 4x + 1) + 2 (x – 4x + 1) + 3
=x×0+2×0+3 [Using (i)]
= 3.

Toolkit

USE OF FORMULAE IN MULTIPLICATION:

The following formulae are very handy tools while solving any type of
mathematical problems.
Memorise each by heart.
1. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
2. (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
3. (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab (a + b)
4. (a – b)3 = a3 − 3a2b + 3ab2 − b3 = a3 − b3 − 3ab (a – b)
5. a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)
6. a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2)
7. a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)
8. (a + b)2 − (a – b)2 = 4ab
9. (a + b)2 + (a – b)2 = 2(a2 + b2 )
10. (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)
11. a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca )
= (a + b+ c) [(a + b + c)2 – 3(ab + bc + ca)]
⇒ If (a + b + c) = 0 then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc.

BODMAS
What on earth is BODMAS?
Bod is a little person who first appeared on UK Children's TV many years ago. Is
BODMAS something to do with Bod and his mothers (Ma's)? - Not really, though it
may be a good way to remember BODMAS. It's actually an Acronym (word for
letters used to shorten a collection of words to make them more "snappy", for
example - did you know that NUT stands for the National Union of Teachers - which
may explain why most teachers are NUTs!)

BODMAS is the secret code, which enables us to know exactly the right sequence
of doing things mathematically.

Brackets Order Division Multiplication Addition Subtraction

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Here's an example to show how to use all the features of BODMAS:

Explain the answer that a calculator would give to the calculation Do you know?
In BODMAS ‘O’
4 + 70/10 x (1 + 2)2 – 1 according to the BODMAS rules.
stands for "Order".
Brackets gives 4 + 70/10 x (3)2 – 1.
Order gives 4 + 70/10 x 9 – 1. Order is actually a

Division gives 4 + 7 x 9 – 1. poor word to use here

Multiplication gives 4 + 63 – 1. "Power" would be
Addition gives 67 – 1. much better though
Subtraction gives 66. BPDMAS doesn't
quite have the same
ring to it!

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