Chapter 0 Assumed Knowledge: Self-Review Solutions

Self-Review 1
Express 2 x 2 − 4 x + 5 in the form a ( x + b ) + c where a, b and c are integers to be determined.
2

Solution: Explanation:
5 2 ( x2 − 2 x ) + 5
2 x 2 − 4 x +=
 
 2 2
 −2   −2 
= 2  x2 − 2 x +   −    + 5
  2   2   .
   
 
2
( )
x −1

= 2 ( x − 1) − 1 + 5
2
 
= 2 ( x − 1) + 3
2

Alternatively,
We can expand the
We write
form required and
do a comparison of
2 x 2 − 4 x + 5= a ( x + b ) + c= a ( x 2 + 2bx + b 2 ) + c= ax 2 + 2abx + ab 2 + c
2
coefficient.
Equating coefficients of x 2 , x and constants, we obtain
a = 2;
2ab =−4 ⇒ b =−1; .
ab 2 + c = 5 ⇒ c = 3
Thus 2 x 2 − 4 x + 5= 2 ( x − 1) + 3 .
2

Self-Review 2
Find the possible values of k ( k ≠ 0 ) for which kx 2 + kx − 1 is never positive for all real values of
x.
Solution: Explanation:
Since kx + kx − 1 is never positive, kx + kx − 1 ≤ 0 for all real values of When kx 2 + kx − 1
2 2

x. Therefore k < 0 . is never positive, it

There are 2 cases to consider: means that the curve
Case 1: If kx + kx − 1 =0 for exactly one real value of x, then
2 either
k − 4k (−1) = 0 ⇒ k ( k + 4 ) = 0 ⇒ k = 0 or − 4 .
2 Case 1: cuts the x-
axis once (1 root) or
Since k ≠ 0 , k = −4 .
Case 2: lies entirely
Case 2: If kx 2 + kx − 1 < 0 for all real values of x, then below the x-axis (0
k 2 − 4k (−1) < 0 ⇒ k ( k + 4 ) < 0 ⇒ −4 < k < 0 . root).

Combining the two cases, we have −4 ≤ k < 0 .

Self-Review 3
Given that the equation ax 2 + bx + c =0 ( a ≠ 0 ) has two distinct roots such that one is twice the
other, prove that 2b = 9ac .
2

Solution:
b c
ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ⇒ x 2 + x+ = 0
a a
Let the two distinct roots be α and 2α . Then
b b b
sum of roots, α + 2α = − ⇒ 3α = − ⇒α = − ---- (1),
a a 3a
c c
product of roots, α × 2α = ⇒ 2α 2 = ---- (2).
a a
2
 b  c 2b 2 c
Substitute (1) into (2) gives 2  −  = ⇒ 2 = ⇒ 2b 2 =9ac .
 3a  a 9a a

Self-Review 4
x2 + 1 c
Express in the form ax + b + where a, b and c are constants to be determined.
x −1 x −1

Solution: Explanation:
Method 1 (Use long division):
x +1
2
x −1 x +1
x2 − x ( −
x +1
x −1 (−
2
x2 + 1 2
By long division, = x +1+ .
x −1 x −1

Method 2 (Use the given form):

x2 + 1 c Combine the terms
= ax + b + using the common
x −1 x −1 denominator.
=
( ax + b )( x − 1) + c Expand the numerator
x −1 and compare the
ax + ( b − a ) x + c − b
2 coefficients.
=
x −1
⇒ x + 1= ax + ( b − a ) x + c − b
2 2

Equating coefficients of
x2 : a = 1
 x : b − a = 0 ⇒ b = a =1
Equating constants: c − b = 1 ⇒ c = b + 1 = 2 .
x2 + 1 2
Thus = x +1+ .
x −1 x −1
Observation skill is
Method 3 (Use observation – clever algebra)
required here.
x 2 + 1 ( x − 1) + 2
2

=
x −1 x −1 Using
2
x −1 2 a 2 − b 2 = ( a + b )( a − b ) ,
= +
x −1 x −1 . We can rewrite x 2 − 1
=
( x + 1)( x − 1) + 2 as ( x + 1)( x − 1) .
x −1 x −1 The x − 1 term cancels
2 with the denominator to
= x +1+
x −1 give the required form.

Self-Review 5
The cubic polynomial x 3 + px 2 + qx − 1 has factor x − 1 and gives a remainder of −4 when
divided by x + 1 . Calculate the numerical values of p and q.

Solution: Explanation
Let f ( x ) = x3 + px 2 + qx − 1 .
Usage of factor
Since x − 1 is a factor, f (1) = 0 ⇒ 1 + p + q − 1 = 0 ⇒ p + q = 0 ---- theorem.
(1)

Since it gives a remainder of -4 when divided by x + 1 , Usage of remainder

f ( −1) =−4 ⇒ −1 + p − q − 1 =−4 ⇒ p − q =−2 ---- (2) theorem.

(1) + (2): 2 p =−2 ⇒ p =−1

From (1), q =− p = 1.
Self-Review 6
x3 + x 2 − 2 x + 3 c d
Express 2
in the form ax + b + + where a, b, c and d are constants to be
x + x−2 x −1 x + 2
determined.

Solution: Explanation:
x3 + x 2 − 2 x + 3 x ( x + x − 2 ) + 3
2 Notice that factoring x
= out will force out the
x2 + x − 2 x2 + x − 2 term x 2 + x − 2 which
3 will cancel out with the
= x+ 2
x + x−2 denominator.
3 Alternatively, you can
= x+ also perform long
( x + 2 )( x − 1)
division.
3 A B
By partial fraction, = +
( x + 2 )( x − 1) x + 2 x − 1
Applying the ‘Cover-Up rule’ to the rational expression gives Note: ‘Cover-Up’ rule
3 3 can only be used if the
A= = −1 and= B = 1. denominator is a
−2 − 1 1+ 2
3 2 product of non-
x + x − 2x + 3 1 1
Hence 2
= x+ − . repeated linear factors.
x + x−2 x −1 x + 2 If there are repeated
linear factors in the
Alternatively, denominator, it works
x3 + x 2 − 2 x + 3 c d only for the non-
= ax + b + +
2
x + x−2 x −1 x + 2 repeated linear factor
( ax + b )( x − 1)( x + 2 ) + c ( x + 2 ) + d ( x − 1) and the highest power
= of the repeated linear
( x − 1)( x + 2 ) factors.
Equating coefficients of x3 , x 2 , x and constants respectively gives
a= 1; a + b =1; − 2a + b + c + d = −2; − 2b + 2c − d = 3
⇒a= 1, b =0, c =1, d =−1
Self-Review 7
Sketch the graph of y = a x when 0 < a < 1 ? What do you notice?

Solution:
y
• The y-intercept is 1.
• The line y = 0 is the horizontal
asymptote.
• The function is decreasing for
(0,1) 0 < a < 1.
• All the y values are strictly positive
for all real values of x as the graph
x lies entirely
b h i

Self-Review 8
1 1
Given that π2 < 10 , show that + > 2.
log 2 π log 5 π

Solution: Explanation:
Since log a x ( a > 0, a ≠ 1 ) is strictly increasing, When a function is increasing, it
means that
π2 < 10
x1 < x2 ⇒ f ( x1 ) < f ( x2 ) .
⇒ log π π2 < log π 10
⇒ 2 < log π 10 − − − (1)
1 1 log 2 2 log 5 5
+ = +
log 2 π log 5 π log 2 π log 5 π log a a = 1
= log π 2 + log π 5 log c b
Changing of base: log a b =
log c a
= log π ( 2 × 5 )
Product law:
= log π 10 > 2 (by (1)) log= log a m + log a n
a mn
Self-Review 9
Given that a > 1 and a ≠ b , solve the simultaneous equations: log b a + log a b 2 = ( )
3; 3a =9 3b

Solution: Explanation:
log b a + log a b 2 =
3
log b b 2 log c b
⇒ log b a + 3
= Changing of base: log a b =
log b a log c a
2 Power law: log a m n = n log a m
⇒ log b a + 3 − − − − (1)
=
log b a
Let x = log b a .
Then (1)⇒
2
x+ = 3
x
⇒ x 2 − 3x + 2 = 0 .
⇒ ( x − 1)( x − 2 ) =
0
1 or 2
⇒x=

If x = 1 , then log b a =1 ⇒ a =b (reject since a ≠ b ). log a a = 1

Thus x = 2 ⇒ log b a = 2 ⇒ a = b 2 ---- (2)
y = ax ⇔ x = log a y
3 = 9 (3 ) ⇒ 3 = 3
a b a b+2
⇒ a = b + 2 ---- (3)

Substitute (2) into (3) gives

b 2= b + 2
⇒ b2 − b − 2 =0
⇒ ( b − 2 )( b + 1) =
0
⇒ b =−1 or 2
a > 1 is given in the question
If b = −1 , then (2) ⇒ a = 1 (reject since a > 1).

Hence b = 2 and a = 4 .
 Self-Review 10
Prove that for all real values of θ, sin
= 3θ 3sin θ − 4sin 3 θ .

Solution: Explanation:
sin
= 3θ sin (θ + 2θ ) Addition formula:
= sin θ cos 2θ + cos θ sin 2θ sin ( A=
± B ) sin A cos B ± cos A sin B

=sin θ (1 − 2sin 2 θ ) + 2sin θ cos 2 θ

Note that there are only sin terms in
=sin θ (1 − 2sin θ ) + 2sin θ (1 − sin θ )
2 2 the final form. Hence, we have to
find a way to change all the cos terms
= 3sin θ − 4sin 3 θ into sin terms.

Double angle formula:

cos 2A = 1 – 2sin2A

Trigonometric identity:
sin2θ + cos2θ = 1

Self-Review 11
Express a cos x + b sin x in the form R cos ( x − α ) .

Solution: Explanation:
a cos x + b sin x = R cos ( x − α ) Addition formula:
cos ( A ± B ) =
cos A cos B  sin A sin B
= R ( cos x cos α + sin x sin α )
Equating corresponding terms,
R cos α = a − − − −(1)
R sin α = b − − − −(2)
(1)2 + (2)2: R 2 ( cos 2 α + sin 2 α ) =
a 2 + b2
⇒ R 2 =a 2 + b 2
∴ R= a 2 + b2
b
(2)÷(1): tan α = .
a
  b 
a cos x + b sin x = a 2 + b 2 cos  x − tan −1    .
  a 
Self-Review 12
Solve the equation 2sin 2 θ − 3sin θ − 2 =0 for − π < θ < 2π .

Solution:
Let x = sin θ .
2sin 2 θ − 3sin θ − 2 =0
2 x 2 − 3x − 2 =0
( 2 x + 1)( x − 2 ) =
0
1
x= − or x = 2
2
1
sin θ = − or= sin θ 2 (N.A.  -1 ≤ sin θ ≤ 1)
2
Since sin θ < 0 , θ lies either in the 3rd or 4th quadrant.
1
To obtain the basic angle, we consider sin θ = .
2
1 π
The basic angle is sin1    .
 2  6
Since − π < θ < 2π ,
π 7π π 11π th
θ π   (3rd quadrant) or θ  2π   (4 quadrant)
6 6 6 6
7π 5π 11π π
θ   2π   θ  2π  
6 6 6 6
π 5π 7π 11π
∴θ =− , − , , .
6 6 6 6