AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Chapter 1: Number
• Notation and definition of real number system.
• Open and closed intervals.
• Positive and negative rational indices.
• Surd.
• Logarithm.
• Laws of indices and logarithm.
• Change of base.

Natural Numbers: counting numbers (also called positive integers).

N = 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , ...

Integers: consist of the natural numbers together with their negatives and zero.
Z = {…-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,…}
Positive integers are defined with the symbol Z+ where negative integers with
the symbol Z-

Rational Numbers are ratios of integers. Any rational number Q can be expressed as
m
Q= , where m and n are integers and n  0. Q+ is the symbol for positive rational
n
numbers and Q- is the symbol for negative rational numbers. Decimal representations
are repeating or terminating.
3 1 2
Eg: 3 = , = 0.5 , 3.67, -0.333…., 5.272727…, 0, -4, etc.
1 2 5

Irrational Numbers, Q :
1. cannot be expressed in ratio of integers.
2. can be represented as non-repeating and non-terminating decimal numbers.

Eg : the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter  =3.141592653…, Euler's

number e=2.71828182…, the golden ratio Φ=1.6180339…, and the square root of two
√2=1.41421356…, 7 , 5 2 etc.

Real Numbers (  ): contain of rational and irrational numbers.

-3 -2 − 2 -1 0 1 2

Real number line

Page 1 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Remark: N is contained in Z is contained in Q is contained in R.

Types of intervals

Closed: a  x  b or [a, b]

Open: a  x  b or (a, b)

Half-open or half-closed: a  x  b or (a, b] ;

a  x  b or [a, b)

Unbounded: x  a ; x  a; xb; xb

Eg: Express the inequality in interval notation, and graph the corresponding interval.

a) -5  x  2 = [-5, 2)
-5 2
b) x  8 = [8, ∞)
8
c) –5 < x <-2 = (-5, -2)
-5 -2

Eg: Express the interval in terms of inequalities and graph the interval.

a. [2,8) = 2  x 8 2 8

b. (2,8] = 2 x8
2 8

−1
− 6  x 
c. [-6,-½] =
2 -6 −1
2

d. (-  ,1) = x 1
1
Page 2 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Surds
Expression like 2 and 3 9 are called surds.

Laws of surds
1. a  b = ab
a
2. a b=
b
3. (a + b )(a − b ) = a 2 − b
x 1 x
4. = x , and its reciprocal =
x x x

Definition of nth Root: If n is any positive, then the principal nth root of a is defined as
follow:
n
a = b  bn = a

Example:
4
16 = 2 because 24= 16 and 2  0
3
− 8 = −2 because (-2)3 = -8

but − 8 , 4 − 8 and 6 − 8 are not defined. (Because the square of every real number is
nonnegative). Odd roots are unique, but even roots are not.

Rationalising the denominator:

To remove the surd from denominator, we multiply both the numerator and the
denominator by the conjugate radical of 1+ 2 , which is 1- 2 for following example,
1 1 1− 2
= 
1+ 2 1+ 2 1− 2
1− 2
= 2
1 − ( 2)2
1− 2 1− 2
= = = 2 −1
1− 2 −1

Examples: Simplify the following:

1.

2
=
2  12 + 11 
 =
(
2 12 + 11 )
12 − 11  12 − 11  12 + 11  ( 12 ) + ( 12 )( 11)− ( 12 )( 11)− ( 11)
2 2

(
= 2 12 + 11 )
Page 3 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

1 1 5 − 11 5 + 11 10 10 5
+ = + = = =
2.
5 + 11 5 − 11 ( )(
5 + 11 5 − 11 ) (
5 − 11 5 + 11 25 − 11 14 7 )( )

3. Rationalise the denominator and simplify.

a)
4−3 2  4 − 3 2  5 + 3 2  20 + 12 2 − 15 2 − 9 2
=   =
( ) 2

=
2−3 2
5 − 3 2  5 − 3 2  5 + 3 2  25 − 9 2
2
( ) 7

b)
2 +3  2 + 3  2 − 1 
=   =
( 2) − 2 + 3 2 −3 = 2
2

2 −1
2 + 1  2 + 1  2 − 1  ( 2 ) −1 2

c)
3 
=
3  13 − 10  3 13 − 10
 = = 13 − 10
( )
13 + 10  13 + 10  13 − 10  13 − 10

5+ 3 3− 5
Simplify the expression − .
5− 3 3+ 5
5+ 3
−
3− 5 ( 5 + 3 )( 3 + 5 ) − ( 3 − 5 )( 5 − 3 )
=
5− 3 3 + 5 ( 5 − 3 )( 3 + 5 ) ( 3 + 5 )( 5 − 3 )
15 + ( 5 ) + ( 3 ) + 15 15 − ( 3 ) − ( 5 ) + 15
2 2 2 2
= −
15 − ( 3 ) + ( 5 ) − 15 15 − ( 3 ) + ( 5 ) − 15
2 2 2 2

5+3+3+5
= =8
5−3
 2 + 1
2
 2 − 1
2  2 2 + 2 2 + 1  2
 −
( ) ( )2
− 2 2 + 1

 −  =
5. Solve and simplify: 

2 − 1   2 + 1   2
2
− 2 2 + 1   2 ( ) ( )2
+ 2 2 + 1
3 + 2 2  3 − 2 2  3 + 2 2 3 + 2 2  3 − 2 2 3 − 2 2 
= − =  −  
 3 − 2 2   3 + 2 2   3 − 2 2  3 + 2 2  3 + 2 2 3 − 2 2 

=
9 + 12 2 + 4 2( ) 2
−
( )
9 − 12 2 + 4 2
2

9 − 4( 2 ) 9 − 4( 2 )
2 2

24 2
= = 24 2
9−8
Another method a 2 − b 2 = (a − b)(a + b)

Page 4 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

2 2
 2 + 1  2 − 1  2 +1 2 − 1  2 + 1 2 − 1
  −  = −  + 
 2 − 1  2 + 1  2 −1 2 + 1  2 − 1 2 + 1

=
( )
 2 + 2 2 +1− 2 − 2 2 +1  2 + 2 2 +1+ 2 − 2 2 +1 

( ) ( )
 = 4 2 (6) = 24 2
 2 −1  2 −1 

Laws of exponents

1. a m  a n = a m+n

2. a m a n = a m−n

1
3. a −m =
am

4. (a m ) = a mn = a nm
n

1
5. a m = m a
m 1 1

6. a = (a ) = (a ) m m n
n n

7. (ab)m = a m b m

m
am
8.   = m
a
b b

9. a 0 = 1

Examples:
2
1. Simplify 27 3
Sol: 27 = 3  3  3 = 33
2 2
Therefore 27 3 = 3 3
(3 ) = 32 = 9

2. Solve 5 −2  5 2
Sol: 5 −2  5 2 = 5 −2 + 2 = 50 = 1
Page 5 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

3. Evaluate 2 3  2 4  2 2
Sol: 23+4+2 = 29 = 512

1 1
2 −2
(1 + x 2 ) 2 −x 2
(1 + x )
4. Simplify
1+ x2
−1
(1 + x 2
) 2 [(1 + x2 ) − x2 ]
Sol: step 1: see if you can factorize it.
1+ x2
step 2: use the laws of exponents where necessary
−1 −3
−1
(1 + x2 ) 2 1 = (1 + x 2
)2 =
1
(1 + x 2 )3

6. Evaluate 5 −3
1 1
Sol: 5 −3 = 3
=
5 125

27  9 x −1
7. Simplify the following :
81
Sol: Step1: notice that 27 = 33 , 9 =32 and 81 = 34 , therefore we get;
33  (3 2 ) x−1
34
Step 2: Using the appropriate laws, simplify the equation.
33 + 2 x − 2
4
= 31+2 x−4 = 32 x−3
3

Eg: Simplify the following expressions and give your answer in

positive indices and without brackets. Assume all variables represent positive
real numbers.
x y x2 − y 2
−
y x xy x2 − y 2 x2 y 2 (x − y )(x + y )  xy − xy( y − x )
a) = 2 =  = =
1
−
1 y −x 2
xy y −x
2 2
1 ( y − x )( y + x ) ( y − x)
x2 y 2 2
x y 2

= − xy

Page 6 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

6
 12 13   1 14 34 
4

b)  2 x y    x y  = 26 x3 y 2  2−4 xy3 = 26+(−4) x 3+1 y 2+3 = 4 x4 y5

  2 
1  3

( )
− −  −  − 1 − 1 1 − (−1)
c) (2 x y ) ( )
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 5
− − −
−1 − 4 2 −2
2 −1
 8x y =2 4 x 2 y4  23 2 x 2 y −1 = 2 4  2 x 2 2 y4 = 2 4 x −1 y 4
5 5
24 y 4
=
x

(3 x )  (2
1 1
81x 8 y 4
)
1
4
1 27  3
4 8 4 4
3x 2 y
 2 −1 y 9 = 31−(−1) x 2−(−2 ) y  2−1 y 9
y −3
d)  y  = y 27 3 = −1 − 2
(9 x ) 8 
(3 x )
1 1
4 −2 2 4 −2 3 x

9 x 4 y10
=
2

Logarithms
Given any two positive numbers a and b, there exists a third number such as that a c = b .
The number c is said to be the logarithm of b to the base a and we write log a b = c .
Thus ac = b  log a b = c

Common logarithm
The logarithm with base 10 is called common logarithm and is denoted by omitting the
base: log x = log10 x

Natural logarithm
The logarithm with base e is called natural logarithm or also known as Naperian
logarithms, and is denoted by ln.
ln x = log e x
Remark: y = e x  x = ln y ln e = 1 ln e x = x ln e = x

Laws of logarithms
1. log a xy = log a x + log a y

 
2. log a  x  = log a x − log a y
 y

3. loga x n = n log a x

Page 7 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

4. log a a = 1

Note: log a x 2 = 2 log a x  (log a x )2 = (log a x )  (log a x )

Example 1: Find x if log x 125 = 3

Sol: Using the basic definition, we get x 3 = 125
x 3 = 53 => x=5

Example 2: Evaluate log 3 81 = x

Sol: 3 x = 81 => 3 x = 34 => x = 4

Example 3: Evaluate log 4 2 + log 4 32

Sol: Using the law, we get log 4 (2)(32)
= log 4 64
= log 4 4 3
= 3 log 4 4
=3

Eg: Solve log2 x4 + log2 4 x = 12 .

212
log2 4 x = 12
5
=> 4x = 2
5 12
=> x = 2
5
2
=> x 5 = (2 2 )
5
 x 5 = 210 => x = 4

Example 4: Evaluate ln e8
Sol: Using the law of logarithm, we get
ln e8 = 8 ln e
= 8 log e e
=8

Example 5: Evaluate ln5

Sol: by using a calculator, we get ln 5=1.6094(4 decimal places.)

Page 8 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

1
Example 6: Evaluate ln  2
e 
Sol:
ln e−2 = -2ln e = -2

Change of base
It is possible to express the logarithm of a to the base b in terms of logarithms to some
other base c.
y = log b a
a = by
Suppose:
log c a = log c b y

= y log c b
log c a
y=
log c b

Example 7: Use the change of base formula and common or natural logarithm to
evaluate each logarithm, correct to five decimal places
a. b. log 9 20
log 10 5
log 8 5 =
log 10 8 log 20
log 9 20 =
0.69897 log 9
=
0.90309 ln 20
= = 1.36342
= 0.77398 ln 9

Eg: Solve the following equations:

a. log 5 x + log x 25 = 3 b. 3 log 8 x = 2 log x 8 + 5
log 5 25 2 log 8 8
log 5 x + =3 3 log 8 x = +5
log 5 x log 8 x
Multiply equation with log 5 x : Multiply equation with log 8 x :
(log 5 x )2 + log 5 5 2 = 3 log 5 x 3(log 8 x )2 = 2 + 5 log 8 x
(log 5 x )2 − 3 log 5 x + 2 = 0 3(log 8 x ) − 5 log 8 x − 2 = 0
2

Let y = log 5 x Let m = log 8 x

y2 − 3 y + 2 = 0 3m 2 − 5m − 2 = 0
( y − 1)( y − 2) = 0 (3m + 1)(m − 2) = 0
−1
y =1 or y=2 m= or m=2
3

Page 9 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Replace y = log 5 x Replace m = log 8 x

−1
log 5 x = 1 or log 5 x = 2 log 8 x = or log 8 x = 2
3
−1
1 1
x=5 or x = 5 = 25
2
x= 83 = 3
= or x = 8 2 = 64
8 2

Example 8: Find the solution of the equation 3x + 2 = 7 , correct to six decimal places.

Sol Method 1: Use law of indices 3 x • 3 2 = 7

7
3x =
9
7
log 3 x = log  
9
7
x log 3 = log  
9
7 7
log   log  
x log 3
= 9 x= 9
➔ = −0.228756
log 3 log 3 log 3

Sol Method 2: Step1: Remember we are looking for x and to find that we have to
bring x + 2 (the exponent) below. How do we do that? We have to put log both side of
the equations and then look at the laws of logarithm and see if there’s any law that you
can use log 3 x+2 = log 7
Step 2: Using law 3, we get ( x + 2) log 3 = log 7
Step 3: simplify the equation.
log 7
( x + 2) =
log 3
log 7
x= −2
log 3
x = − 0.228756

Page 10 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Eg: Solve the equation 2 • 4 x = 5 • 3 x −1 .

5 • 3x
2 • 4x =
3
x
4 5
  =
3 3• 2
x
4  5 
log   = log  
3  3• 2
 5 
log  
 3• 2
x=
4
log  
3
x = −0.633761

Eg : Solve the equation e3− 2 x = 4

Sol: Since the base is in terms of exponential, then we use ln instead of log
Step 1: ln e 3−2 x = ln 4
Step2: (3 − 2 x) ln e = ln 4
ln 4
Step3. (3 − 2 x) =
ln e
(3 − 2 x) = ln 4
− 2 x = ln 4 − 3
ln 4 − 3
x =
−2
= 0.80685

Eg : Solve the equation e2 x − e x − 6 = 0 .

Sol: Step1: Notice that the equation is in power two , see if can factorize it.
Substitute e x as u .
Step2: Then, we get u 2 − u − 6 = 0 , which can factorized as
(u + 2)(u − 3) = 0
u = −2 and u = 3
Step 3: e x = −2 and ex = 3
x ln e = ln( −2) x ln e = ln 3
ln or log negative not defined x = ln 3

Page 11 of 12
AAMS1613 PRE CALCULUS Chapter 1: Number

Eg: Solve the equation log( x + 2) + log( x − 1) = 1 .

Sol: Step1: since the base is the same, we can use the law 1
log( x + 2)( x − 1) = 1
Step2: Eliminate the log
( x + 2)( x − 1) = 101
x 2 + x − 2 − 10 = 0
x 2 + x − 12 = 0
( x − 3)( x + 4) = 0
x=3
Test: If x = −4 the equation becomes log( −4 + 2) + log( −4 − 1) = 1 , which is not defined.

Eg: Solve 4 x − 6(2 x ) − 7 = 0 .

(2 )
2 x
− 6(2 x ) − 7 = 0
(2 )
x 2
− 6(2 x ) − 7 = 0

Let m = 2 x
m 2 − 6m − 7 = 0
(m + 1)(m − 7 ) = 0
m = −1 or m = 7

Replace m = 2 x
2 x = −1 or 2x = 7
log 2 x = log(−1) or log 2 x = log 7
log 7
[Rejected because log(−1) undefined] x= = 2.807354922
log 2
= 2.8074 (4 d.p.)

Page 12 of 12