GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

GE4- MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

(MODULE 8)

NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE

San Nicolas, Candon City, Ilocos Sur

JOHN ANTONIO G ENCARNACION II, PhD

 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

OVERVIEW
This module provides the link between real world problems and abstract
mathematical problem solving. Physical quantities are represented as variables, and
relationships between these quantities are translated into mathematical expressions. Either
the equalities or inequalities of these relationships are further transformed into mathematical
sentences called mathematical equations or inequalities. Once written in mathematical
forms, the physical quantities or real world problems can be set aside for a while and these
mathematical forms can then be manipulated without reference to the original world
problems they represented. To arrive at a successful conclusion, all operations should be
based on applying the properties of real numbers and their operations such as, but not
limited to, laws of exponents, special products, factoring, transposition, or cross-
multiplication.

Learning Objectives
At the end of the module, and having completed the essential reading and activities, students should be
able to:
1. Represent physical quantities in real world problems as mathematical variables
2. Translate relationships between these variables as mathematical expressions
3. Transform equalities or inequalities between these relationships into mathematical
equations
4. Manipulate mathematical expressions by applying the different properties of real numbers
5. Solve mathematical equations (and inequalities) with the aim of giving a meaningful
interpretation of the real world problems formulated as mathematical equations (and
inequalities).
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

Module 7 – ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

STARTING AGAIN WITH REAL WORLD PROBLEMS

You arrive in school and your pay the tricycle driver your fare. You hand him a paper bill.
Without hesitation, he gives you the change. You received your change and you also know
right away that the change was correct. The above transaction can be translated as a
mathematical problem. But how do we work on mathematical problems? We have to dissect
first the parts that make up a mathematical expression, then a mathematical equation, then
the mathematical solution, then finally the physical interpretation of the mathematical
solution.

ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

When solving equations, we are actually aiming to find the value of the variable that would
satisfy the given mathematical equation so that it will be true. This is also termed as finding
the zeroes or roots of the equations.

LINEAR EQUATIONS

General Form: ax + b = 0, a ≠ 0. Our task is to find the value of x that will make the
equation true. We make use of the different properties of equality and that of the real
numbers to solve for x:

1. Addition Property of Equality – whatever is added to one side of the equation should
also be added to the other side of the equation
2. Multiplication Property of Equality – whatever is multiplied to one side of the equation
(except 1/0) should also be multiplied to the other side of the equation
3. Additive Property of Identity
4. Additive Property of Inverses
5. Closure Property
6. Multiplicative Property of Identity
7. Multiplicative Property of Inverses
8. Cancellation Laws

Example: Find the value of x in order for 2x + 3 = 2 to be true.

2x + 3 – 3 = 2 – 3 Since we added -3 to the left side, we also need to add -3 to

the right side. Can we add any other number aside from -3. Of course we can, but -3 is the
only number that can eliminate the constant 3 on the left side. Take note that our objective
is to find the value of x, so we want to x to be left alone on the left side of the equation. Let
us continue solving the equation.

2x + 0 = -1 On the left side, we used the property of inverses (or cancellation

law of addition) while on the right side, we used the closure property. Continuing, we have

2x = -1 On the left side, we used the property of additive identity to combine the
terms. For the final answer, we used the multiplication property of equality by multiplying
both sides by 1/2. Take note we satisfied the condition that the number we used is not zero.

(2x = -1)
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

= On the left side, we use the multiplicative property of inverses (or

cancellation law of multiplication) to finally obtain the value of x

x = -1/2 FINAL ANSWER

We now introduce two more rules (actually theorems) to fast track our computational
solution.

1. Transposition – when a term is transferred to the other side of the equation, the sign
of the term is changed. We use the word "transferred" here but the more
appropriate word would be "transposed".
2. Cross-Multiplication - the numerator when "cross multiplied" will become the
denominator on the other side of the equation. Likewise, the denominator when
"cross multiplied" will become the numerator on the other side of the equation.

Let us go back to the problem we have previously solved:

2x + 3 = 2

2x = 2 – 3 = -1 We transposed 3 to the other side and you might have

noticed that its sign is changed. We further simplified the right side using our closure
property

x = -1/2. We simply cross multiplied the numerator 2 to become the

denominator on the other side of the equation.

In our first solution, we needed 7 steps (writing the problem included) while in our first
solution, we only needed 3 steps (writing the problem included). In short transposition is
another rule that combined addition property of equality and addition property of inverses or
cancellation law of addition. Cross multiplication is another rule that combined multiplication
property of equality and multiplication property of inverses of cancellation of multiplication.

SOLVED PROBLEMS (Solve for x)

1. 5x + 2 = 3x - 4

2. + =x+1

3. 3x – 2 = 5x – 3

SOLUTIONS:

1. 5x + 2 = 3x – 4

5x – 3x = -4 – 2

2x = -6

X = -3
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

2. + = 2x + 1

4( + = x + 1) It is recommended, though not necessary, that the fractions be

cleared first. Alternate solutions can exist.

2x + 3 = 4x + 4

2x – 4x = 4 – 3

-2x = 1

X = -1/2

3. 3x – 2 = 5x -3

3x – 5x = -3 + 2

-2x = -1

X = 1/2

SELF- TEST. Solve for x.

1. 5x – 4 = 6

2. 2x + 3 = 5x – 6

3. + = -

4. 3x + 2 = 3x – 2

5. =

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

General Form: ax2 + bx + c = 0, a≠ 0. Our task is essentially the same – to find the value of
x that would satisfy the equation. This time, however, there might be more than one value
of x that can satisfy the equation. Since we have already covered complex numbers, we
can always have two possible roots as we shall see later. Since we have not covered
factoring, we go directly to the quadratic formula (without proof) to solve these types of
equations.
QUADRATIC FORMULA

√
x=
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

. EXAMPLES OF SOLVED QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

1. x2 + 3x -18 = 0

Here, a = 1, b = 3, and c = 18. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

√
=

There are two possible answers, = = 3, and = = 6

2. 6x2 - 5x - 6 = 0

Here, a = 6, b = -5, and c = -6. Please take note, we are considering the signs of the
terms. Proceeding to the solution, we have

√
x=

√
=

√
=

Again, we have two possible answers, = = , and = =

 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

3. x2 - 8x = 0

Here, a = 1, b = -8, and c = 0. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

We still come up with two possible answers, = 0, and = =8

4. x2 – 25 = 0

Here, a = 1, b = 0, and c = -25. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

So far, we are getting two possible answers, = 5, and = 5

5. 4x2 - 12x + 9 = 0

Here, a = 4, b = -12, and c = 9. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

√
=

There are two possible answers, = , and =

Well, you might remark that the two are equal. That is correct! Can we say we have only
one value of x that can satisfy the equation? That is also correct, but it would be technically
wrong there is only one root – there are still two roots, but the two roots are equal!

6. x2 - 3x -1 = 0

Here, a = 1, b = -3, and c = -1. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

√
=

This time, the number inside the radical sign is not a perfect square, so we will leave it as is.

√ √
The two roots are then , and

7. x2 + 3x +5 = 0

Here, a = 1, b = 3, and c = 1. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

√
=

Notice that aside from not being a perfect square, the number inside the radical sign is
negative. From our module on complex numbers, we recall that √
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

√ √
The two roots are then , and

8. x2 + 4 = 0

Here, a = 1, b = 0, and c = 4. Applying the formula, we have

√
x=

√
=

There are two possible answers, = 2i, and = 2i. Problems 7 and 8 do not have
real roots, but they have complex roots or imaginary roots
SELF – TEST. Solve for the roots of the following quadratic equations.
1. 3x2 - 4x + 1 = 0
2. x2 - 6x + 9 = 0
3. x2 - 5x - 14 = 0
4. 6x2 - x = 0
5. x2 - 8 = 0
6. x2 + 8 = 0
7. x2 - x + 2 = 0

REFERENCES

Reyes, Juan Apolinario. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Intramuros, Manila:
MSA Unlimited Books Library Publishing, Inc.
3G E-Learning. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. . New York: 3-G E Learning
LLC, USA
 GE4- Mathematics in the Modern World

www.3ge-learning.com