Contents

Inequalities..................................................................................................................................... 2
Rules for Solving an Inequality .................................................................................................. 2
Solving Linear Inequalities ......................................................................................................... 3
Solving Non-linear Inequalities .................................................................................................. 4
Absolute Value Inequalities ........................................................................................................ 8
Exponential Functions and Their Properties ........................................................................... 11
Exponential Functions .............................................................................................................. 11
Graphs of Exponential Functions.............................................................................................. 12
Compound Interest .................................................................................................................... 16
Linear Equations in Two Variables .......................................................................................... 17
System of Linear Equation........................................................................................................ 17
Solutions of Linear Equations ................................................................................................... 17
Substitution Method .............................................................................................................. 17
Elimination Method .............................................................................................................. 18
Graphical Method ................................................................................................................. 19
Number of Solutions in Linear System of Two equations ........................................................ 22
Binomial Theorem ...................................................................................................................... 28
Expanding ( a + b )n .................................................................................................................. 28

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Inequalities
Inequalities are a relation in which two unequal terms or variables are compared with one
another. They are similar to equations with the difference being the = sign is replaced with
inequality symbols i.e >, <, ≥, ≤

For Example:

4𝓍 + 23 ≤ 15

23𝓍2 – 8 > 66

Rules for Solving an Inequality

To solve an inequality that contains a variable means finding all the possible variables of that
will make the variable true because unlike an equation, inequalities have many solutions. These
solutions form a union or an interval on the number line.

We use the following rules for solving inequalities, isolating the variable on one side. Here the
letter A, B and C stand for the real numbers or algebraic expressions.

The rules though given for only ≥ it applies to all four symbols of equality. The symbol ⇔ stands
to tell that the two equations are equivalent.

Rule 1: A ≥ B ⇔ A + C ≥ B + C

By adding the same quantity to each side of an inequality gives an equivalent inequality.

Rule 2: A ≥ B ⇔ A – C ≥ B – C

By subtracting the same quantity from each side of an inequality gives an equivalent inequality

Rule 3: If C > 0 then A ≥ B ⇔ AC ≥ BC

By multiplying each side of an inequality by the same positive quantity gives an equivalent
inequality.

Rule 4: If C < 0 then A ≥ B ⇔ AC ≤ BC

By multiplying each side of an inequality by the same negative quantity reverses the direction of
the inequality

1 1
Rule 5: If A < 0 and B < 0 then A ≥ B ⇔ A ≤ B

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By taking reciprocals of each side of an inequality involving positive quantities reverses the
direction of the inequality.

Rule 6: A ≥ B and C ≥ D, then A + C ≥ B + D

Inequalities can be added.

Rule 7: A ≥ B and B ≥ C, then A ≥ C

Inequality is transitive.

Solving Linear Inequalities

A linear inequality has each term as a constant or a multiple of the variable itself. To solve such
an inequality we isolate the variable on one side of the inequality.

For Example:

I. Solve the inequality 3𝓍 + 24 > 33𝓍 – 6

3𝓍 + 24 > 33𝓍 – 6

3𝓍 – 33𝓍 + 24 > 33𝓍 – 33𝓍 – 6

– 30𝓍 + 24 – 24 > – 6 – 24

– 30𝓍 > – 30

𝓍<1

In the last step Rule 4 has been used, as we have multiplied the inequality with –1.

The solution set of this equation will equal all numbers less that 1 thus the solution set of
this inequality will be (–∞, 1).

II. Solve the inequality 20 > 2𝓍 + 5 > 10

20 > 2𝑥 + 5 > 10

20 − 5 > 2𝑥 + 5 − 5 > 10 − 5

15 > 2𝑥 > 5

15 2𝑥 5
> >
2 2 2
15 5
Therefore the solution set of this inequality is ( 2 ,2 )

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III. Solve the inequality 40 – 4𝓍 ≤ 6𝓍 < 50

40 − 4𝑥 ≤ 6𝑥 ≤ 50

40 ≤ 6𝑥 + 4𝑥 ≤ 50

40 ≤ 10𝑥 ≤ 50

40 10𝑥 50
≤ ≤
10 10 10
4≤𝑥≤5

IV. Solve the inequality 3 − 8𝑥 ≥ 23 ≥ 13

3 − 8𝑥 ≥ 23 ≥ 13

3 − 23 ≥ 8𝑥 ≥ 13 − 23

−20 ≥ 8𝑥 ≥ −10

20 8𝑥 10
− ≥ ≥−
8 8 8
5 5
− ≥𝑥≥−
2 4
The solution set of this inequality is [4, 5).

Solving Non-linear Inequalities

An inequality that contains a non-linear expression is known as non-linear inequality. To solve
such inequalities along with factorization we use the following principles.

Value is positive if the number of negative factors of product or quotient is

even.

Value is negative if the number of negative factors of product or a quotient

is odd.

Take for example the equation, 𝓍2 – 5𝓍 + 6

This form of the inequality says that the product (𝓍 + 2)(𝓍 – 3) must be negative or zero, so in
order to solve this inequality given, we need to determine where each factor is going to be
negative or positive (because the sign of a product depends on the sign of the factors).

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 When solving inequalities such as the one shown above, there are a few guidelines that we have
to follow.

Guidelines for Solving Nonlinear Inequalities

1. Move All Terms to One Side. When there is a need, rearrange the inequality so that every
nonzero term appears on one side (preferably the left side) of the inequality sign. If there are
quotients on the non-zero sides and they are on the non-zero side, make them have common
denominator.

If they are already rearranged on one side, this step can be skipped.

2. Factor. The non-zero side of the inequality must be factorized.

3. Find the Intervals. Find the values for which each factor is zero. These values divide the real
line into parts (intervals). Next to do is list these intervals that are determined by these values.

4. Make a Table or Diagram. Using values of our own choices we make a table or diagram of the
signs of each factor on each interval. In the last row determine the sign of the product (quotient) of
these factors.

5. Solve. For finding the intervals, use sign table on which the inequality will be satisfied. Check if
the endpoints of these intervals will satisfy the inequality. (This can happen if the inequality
involves ≥ or ≤.)

Take the following example in which we will solve an inequality (non-linear) using these rules.

Example: 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 >– 5

Move All Terms to One Side:

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5 > 0

Factorize:

To factorize the given inequality we will employ the use of mid-term breaking.

𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1𝑥 + 5 > 0

(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 1) > 0

Find the Interval: The factors are (𝓍 + 5) (𝓍 + 1) and they will be zero when 𝑥 = −5 and 𝓍
= – 1. These values will divide the number line into three intervals. They are

𝑥 < – 5 ⇒ (– ∞, – 5)

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 – 5 > 𝑥 > – 1 ⇒ (– 5, – 1)

𝑥 > – 1 ⇒ (– 1, ∞)

These factors maintain the sign that they have on their main interval.

Make a table or diagram:

To determine the signs of each of the intervals the best course of action can be to make a table
for sign and substitute a value of 𝓍 in accordance with the conditions provided.

For the first interval, let’s substitute – 6 in place of the variable 𝓍. The resulting answer will be
will be negative.
In the third interval we replace the value of 𝓍 to 1 and the resulting value will be positive.

Now to make the table using the values – 6 and 1 we will get the following results.

Interval (– ∞,– 5) (– 5,– 1) (– 1,– ∞)

Sign of (𝓍 + 5) – + +

Sign of (𝓍 + 1) – – +

Sign of (𝓍 + 5) (𝓍 + 1) + – +

The last term is obtained as the third interval is, in fact, a product of the first and second
intervals.

Solve:

From the table we made, we can see that the second interval will give us a negative value.
Therefore, it is not a part of the solution as the solution is to be greater than 0. The solution of
this inequality is ∞

𝑥 >– 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 <– 1

(– ∞ , – 5) ∪ (– 1 , ∞ )

Example: 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 10 ≤ 0

As the terms are already arranged on one side, we will move on to step 2 i.e.

Factorize: To factorize the following term, we will employ the help of mid– term breaking. We
will get

(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 2) ≤ 0

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Find the Interval: The factors are (𝓍 + 5) (𝓍 + 2) and they will be zero when 𝑥 = −5 and 𝓍
= – 2. These values will divide the number line into three intervals. They are

𝑥 ≤ – 5 ⇒ (– ∞, – 5]

– 5 ≥ 𝑥 ≥ – 2 ⇒ [– 5, – 2]

𝑥 ≥ – 2 ⇒ [– 1, ∞)

These factors maintain the sign that they have on their main interval.

Make a table or diagram:

To determine the signs of each of the intervals the best course of action can be to make a table
for sign and substitute a value of 𝓍 in accordance with the conditions provided.

For the first interval, let’s substitute – 6 in place of the variable 𝓍. The resulting answer will be
will be negative.
In the third interval we replace the value of 𝓍 to 3 and the resulting value will be positive.

Now to make the table using the values – 6 and 3 we will get the following results.

Interval (– ∞,– 5) (– 5,– 1) (– 1, ∞)

Sign of (𝓍 + 5) – + +

Sign of (𝓍 + 2) – – +

Sign of (𝓍 + 5) (𝓍 + 2) + – +

The last term is obtained as the third interval is, in fact, a product of the first and second
intervals.

Solve: In this inequality the solution will be only the second interval as the second interval is the
only one satisfying the inequality. Therefore, the solution set of this inequality will be

{𝑥|– 5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤– 2} = [– 5, – 2]

Example: 𝑥(𝑥 – 2)2 (𝑥 – 3) < 0

The terms are already arranged on one side and are factorized as well. Therefore we will proceed
to the third step of solving inequalities.

Finding the Intervals: The factors in this inequality are (𝑥– 2)2 (𝑥– 3) and when 𝓍 = 0, 𝓍 = 2
and 𝓍 = 3, this will make them equal to 0.

These values will divide the number line into three intervals and they are,

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 𝑥 < 2 ⇒ (– ∞, 0)

0 > 𝑥 > 2 ⇒ (0, 2)

2 > 𝑥 > 3 ⇒ (2, 3)

𝑥 > 3 ⇒ (3, ∞)

The factors maintain the sign they have on their main interval.

Make a table or diagram:

To determine the signs of each of the intervals the best course of action can be to make a table
for sign and substitute a value of 𝓍 in accordance with the conditions provided.

For the first interval, let’s substitute – 1 in place of the variable 𝓍. The resulting answer will be
will be negative.
In the third interval we replace the value of 𝓍 to 4 and the resulting value will be positive.

Now to make the table using the values 1 and 4 we will get the following results.

Interval (– ∞, 0) (0, 2) (2, 3) (3, ∞)

Sign of 𝓍 – + + +

Sign of (𝓍 – 2)2 + + + +

Sign of (𝓍 – 3) – – – +

Sign of (𝓍 – 2)2 (𝓍 – 3) + – – +

Solve:

From the table we made, we can see that the second interval will give us a negative value.
Therefore, it is not a part of the solution as the solution is to be greater than 0. The solution of
this inequality is

𝑥 ∈ (0, 2)𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ∈ (2, 3)

Absolute Value Inequalities

An inequality that also contains absolute is known as an absolute inequality. Such as

i. |𝑥 + 4| < 23
ii. |2𝑥– 8| ≥ 6
|4𝑥– 3|
iii. |𝑥|
>6

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 iv. 6– 23𝑥| ≤ 20

Solving an absolute value inequality requires the following rules to given below:

Rules of Solving Absolute Value Inequalities

Inequality Equivalent Form

1. |𝑥| < 𝑐 –c < 𝓍 < 𝑐

2. |𝑥| ≤ 𝑐 – c≤ 𝓍≤ c

3. |𝑥| > 𝑐 𝑥 <– 𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 < 𝑥

4. |𝑥| ≥ 𝑐 𝑥 ≤– 𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 ≤ 𝑥

Example: Solve the inequality |𝑥 + 13| < 6

– 6 < 𝑥 + 13 < 6 Rule 1

– 19 < 𝑥 < – 7 Subtracting 13 on both sides
The solution set will be (– 19, – 7)

Example: Solve the inequality |2𝑥– 20| > 24

By using the third property, this will be equivalent to

2𝑥 − 20 > 24 𝑜𝑟 2𝑥 − 20 < −24 Rule 3

2𝑥 > 54 2𝑥 < −4 Add 20 on both sides

𝑥 > 27 𝑥 < −2 Divide by 2 on both sides

The solution set will be (−∞, −2) ∪ (27, ∞)

Example: Solve the inequality |3𝑥 − 4| + 4 ≤ 44

|3𝑥 − 4| ≤ 40 Subtract 4 on both sides

−40 ≤ 3𝑥 − 4 ≤ 40 Rule 2
−36 ≤ 3𝑥 ≤ 44 Add 4 on both sides
44 Divide by 3 on both sides
−12 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
3

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 44
The solution set will be [−12, 3 ]

Example: Solve the inequality |2𝑥 − 20| ≥ 70

2𝑥 − 20 ≥ 70 𝑜𝑟 2𝑥 − 20 ≤ −70 Rule 3
2𝑥 ≥ 90 2𝑥 ≤ −50 Add 20 on both sides

𝑥 ≥ 45 𝑥 ≤ −25 Divide by 2 on both sides

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Exponential Functions and Their Properties
Exponential Functions
An exponential function is mathematical function denoted as follows

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥

Here the base is 𝓍 of the given function. The variable is in the exponent. When that is the case, a
small change in the exponent can cause a major increase in the value of the function. Take the
following example:

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥

Now we put in values 2, 10 and 20 we will get the following values of 𝑓(𝑥) will be

When 𝓍 = 3 𝑓(𝑥) = 27

When 𝓍 = 10 𝑓(𝑥) = 59,049

When 𝓍 = 20 𝑓(𝑥) = 3,486,784,401

When 𝓍 = 25 𝑓(𝑥) = 847,288,609,443

When the variable is in the exponent a very small change in the variable can cause a massive
change in the value. If the variable was a base say like 𝑡(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 and 𝑥 = 10 would have given
the value of t (𝓍) would have been 100.

An exponential function is used to find the exponential decay or growth, investments and such.
In the form

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥

Where 𝑎 ≠ 1 and 𝑎 > 0

𝓍 is any real number.

𝓍 is the variable that has been established. So what is 𝑎? 𝑎 is the base. It is a constant and the
most common base used is 𝑒 which is approximately equal to 2.71828.

A few more examples of exponential functions is

𝑓(𝑥) = 234

𝑓(𝑥) = 43

𝑓(𝑥) = 76

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To evaluate expressions such as these we use a calculator.

Graphs of Exponential Functions

TO graph exponential functions, we will be using a table and plot points.

1 𝑥
Example: We have the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = (4)

Plot a graph for the following and make a table to show points as well.

The first step would be to select values for the variable and using the values we will get them
after putting them in 𝑓(𝑥)𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) will be used to plot points on the graph.

𝓍 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟒𝒙 𝟏 𝒙
𝒈(𝒙) = (𝟒)
–3 1 64
64
–2 1 16
16
–1 1 4
4
0 1 1

1 4 1
4
2 16 1
16
3 64 1
64
Graph of 𝒇(𝒙)𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈(𝒙)

If you take note of the table you will see that

1 𝑥 1
𝑔(𝑥) = ( ) = ( 𝑥 ) = 4– 𝑥 = 𝑓(– 𝑥)
4 4
Basically, to obtain the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) (in this case) we could have gotten it from 𝑓(𝑥) if we
simple reflect it in the y-axis.

Now take the graph below into consideration.

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 Graphs of Families of Exponential Functions

In this graph, the family of exponential function is shown. The base 𝑎 has been replaced with
constants and the resulting graph has been constructed. It can be noted that all lines intersect at
point (0, 1).

This is simply because of the simple rule that 𝑎0 = 1 and 𝑎 ≠ 0. Therefore all exponential
functions intersect at one point. Exponential functions are of two types that is 0 < 𝑥 < 1. It can
also be noted that exponential functions decrease rapidly if 𝑎 > 0 and increase rapidly when 𝑎 <
0.

The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 > 1 has domain ℝ and range (0, ∞). The graphs
have the following shape

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 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 > 1 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑎 < 1

Transformations of Exponential Functions:

Take the example of the graph of 3𝑥 and draw the following graphs

i. 𝑡(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1

The following graph shown above is a graph of the equations 3𝑥 and 3𝑥 − 1. The line in red is
the former and we drew that to determine how 3𝑥 − 1 will be made. Once we have a rough idea
of what 3𝑥 looks like, the second line (blue) is moved one unit down to adjust the – 1 in the
equation. We can also tell by looking at the graph that the domain of the given equation is ℝ and
the range is (– 1, ∞).

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 ii. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥

The graph above is the solution to −3𝑥 . It has, much like it’s previous one, been compared to
3𝑥 and in this case the graph has been fully reflected upon the 𝓍-axis. From this graph we can
clearly determine that the domain of −3𝑥 is ℝ i.e it is all real numbers and the range of this
would be (−∞, 0)

iii. 𝑘(𝑥) = 3𝑥−1

In the following graph, much like the previous ones, the first step was to draw the graph of 3𝑥 is
made. When we take this and shift it one unit to the right we get the graph of 3𝑥−1 and this graph
is the resulting image. The domain of this graph is ℝ while the range is (0, ∞).

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Compound Interest
What exactly would be the use of exponential functions? It is known that they are used to
calculate exponential growth and decay but where exactly is that applied? An application of
exponential functions is compound interest. An amount of money 𝑃 knows as the principal is
invested in 𝑖, the interest rate. After some time, the amount of money equals 𝐴 and the interest
rate equals 𝑃𝑖.

𝐴 = 𝑃 + 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)

Also, if there is a reinvestment the then amount after a given time and the amount now becomes

𝐴 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖)

𝐴 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)^2

And after the third time it will become

𝐴 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖)

𝐴 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)3

So after an 𝑛 number of times the amount will simply become

𝐴 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑖)𝑛

Compound interest is to be calculated using the following formula

𝑛𝑡
r
𝐴(𝑡) = (𝑃 + n )

Where,

𝐴(𝑡) = amount after 𝑡 years

𝑃 = principal

𝑟 = interest rate per year

𝑛 = number of times interest is compounded per year

𝑡 = number of years

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Linear Equations in Two Variables
System of Linear Equation
A system of linear equations will be defined as at least two or more than two linear equations
having variables that are same. In system of two variables, as the name suggests, there are only
two variables.

A system of linear equations is a mathematical statement that shows that two mathematical
expressions are equal and are represented as such

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
𝑑𝑥 + 𝑒𝑦 = 𝑓

There two types of linear equations

Homogenous Equations:

These equations are all equal to zero, no matter how many equations are present. Simply
speaking, the values of 𝑐 and 𝑓 are zero.

For Example:

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 0
4𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 0

Non– homogeneous Equations:

These equations have a non– zero element in at least one equation. This mean that 𝑐, 𝑓, or both
are non– zero and this will result in a non– homogeneous equation.

Example:

3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 0
15𝑥 − 20𝑦 = 20

Solutions of Linear Equations

There are three ways to solve a linear equation of two variables.

Substitution Method
In this method, we isolate a single variable from one equation first and substitute it in another
equation. The steps are as follows

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 1. Solving for a Single variable: In this we choose an equation and solve it for a
variable of our choice. It will be solved to have the other variable as its term

2. Substituting: Once we get a solution in Step 1. We substitute it in place of the

variable in the second equation. This way we get a single variable in the equation and
we solve for it.

3. Back– substitution: In this step we put the value that we found in Step 2 into the
solution we had derived from Step 1 and solve it to get the answer/value of the first
variable.

For Example: Solve the following using substitution method

𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 23 Equation 1
2𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 4 Equation 2

Solve for One Variable: Using the first equation, we solve for 𝑥

𝑥 = 23 − 2𝑦 Equation 3 (Solve for 𝓍 in Eq 1)

Substitute: Now, we simply substitute the value of 𝓍 derived from equation1 into eq 2

2(23– 2𝑦) + 6𝑦 = 4 Substitute 𝑥 = 23 − 2𝑦 in Eq 2

46– 4𝑦 + 6𝑦 = 4 Expand
46 + 2𝑦 = 4 Simplify
2𝑦 = −42 Subtract 46
𝑦 = −21 Solve for 𝑦

Back Substitute: Now we just substitute the value of 𝑦 into eq 3 and get the answer for the
value of 𝓍

𝑥 = 23 − 2(−21) Back– substitute

Therefore the value of 𝑥 = 65 and 𝑦 = −21 and they can also be written as (65, −21)

In a graph, these two points would intersect with each other.

Elimination Method
In this method we use addition and subtraction, combining the two equations so we may get
answers in the end.

The steps are as follows:

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 1. Adjusting Coefficient: The first step would be to multiply one or both equations with a
number such that one of the variables becomes the negative of the other equation’s variable
and get cancelled.

2. Add the Equation: By the adding the two equations we will successfully reduce the
equations to one variable, which we can solve and get an answer for that variable.

3. Back– substitution: By putting the value found in Step 2 in the original equations, we
can easily find the value of the other variables with ease.

For Example: Solve the following equation using elimination method

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −6 Equation 1
3𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 4 Equation 2

The coefficients are already same so we will subtract equation 1 from equation 2. This will give
us the following

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −6
−3𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −4 System

−𝑥 = −10 Subtract
𝑥 = 10 Multiply with – 1

The next step will be substituting the value of 𝓍 into any one of the equations of our choosing.
We will choose equation 2 to put in value of 𝓍

3(10) + 3𝑦 = 4 Substituting value of 𝓍

30 + 3𝑦 = 4
3𝑦 = −26 Subtracting 30 on both sides
26
𝑦=− Dividing by 3 on both sides
3
– 26
Thus the solution set of this equation is (10, )
3

Graphical Method
For the solving of two variable equations, the steps are as follows,

1. Graph Each Equation: We will solve each of the equations in terms of 𝓍 and let the
equations be equal to 𝑦 so that this form is more suited for a graphing calculator.

2. Finding Intersection Points: The point where the 𝓍-coordinates and the 𝑦-coordinates
intersect each other will be the solution of this system of equations.
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For Example:

Example: Solve the following using graphical representation

𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 6 Equation 1
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2 Equation 2

To solve such an equation using graphical method, we simply have to solve both equations for 𝑦
in terms of 𝓍. Thus the equations will become

𝑦 = 3 − 0.5𝑥 Equation 1
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 2 Equation 2

Now that it has been rearranged to be representing y values we can make the graph as shown
below. The point of intersection of the lines will be the answer of this equation. The graph is
given below

This gives us the solution set to these equations and it is (2, 2).

Example: Solve the following equation with all three methods i.e elimination, substitution and
graphical method.

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 5 Equation 1
𝑥+𝑦 =1 Equation 2

Substitution:

Solve for One Variable: Using the second equation, we solve for 𝑥

𝑥 =1−𝑦 Equation 3 (Solve for 𝓍 in Eq 2)

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Substitute: Now, we simply substitute the value of 𝓍 derived from equation 2 into equation 1

3(1 − 𝑦) + 2𝑦 = 5 Substitute 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑦 in Eq 2
3 − 3𝑦 + 2𝑦 = 5 Expand
3−𝑦 =5 Simplify
−𝑦 = 2 Subtract 3
𝑦 = −2 Solve for 𝑦

Back Substitute: Now we just substitute the value of 𝑦 into eq 3 and get the answer for the
value of 𝓍

𝑥 = 1 − 2(−2) Back– substitute

Therefore the value of 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑦 = −2 and they can also be written as (3, −2)

Now we will use the elimination method to solve the same equation.

Adjusting the coefficient: The first step will be multiplying 2 with equation. We will get

2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2

Now we will subtract equation 1 from equation 2

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 5
−2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −2

𝑥=3

The next step will be substituting the value of 𝓍 into any one of the equations of our choosing.
We will choose equation 1 to put in value of 𝓍

3(3) + 2𝑦 = 5 Substituting value of 𝓍

9 + 2𝑦 = 5
2𝑦 = −4 Subtracting 9 on both sides
𝑦 = −2
Dividing by 2 on both sides
Thus the solution set of this equation is (3, – 2)

The answer is the same with elimination method just as it was with substitution method.

Next let’s try the graphical method. We will write both equations in terms of 𝓍. Therefore they
will become as follows

5 3
𝑦= − 𝑥
2 2
𝑦 = 1−𝑥

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The graph of these equations is

As is shown, the graph intersects exactly at the coordinates (3, – 2)

Therefore all three methods give the same answer.

Number of Solutions in Linear System of Two equations

When we are solving a linear system of equations there are three outcomes that can come from
this. The lines on a graph can intersect at one point, they can be parallel to each other or they
can coincide i.e overlap each other.

Thus three solutions arise from two variable system of equations.

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 Number of Solutions in a Two Variable System

One of the following situations will be true for two variable equation systems.

1. There will be exactly one solution for the system (unique solution)

2. There will be no solution for the system (no solution)

3. There will be infinite number of solutions for the system (infinite solution)

In a two variable system, both equations are linear equations and will give a straight line.
Therefore the equation

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
𝑑𝑥 + 𝑒𝑦 = 𝑓

Can also be written as

𝑦 = 𝑚1 𝑥 + 𝑐1 Equation i
𝑦 = 𝑚2 𝑥 + 𝑐2 Equation ii

Unique Solution: Has only one solution. This will be the point where the two lines intersect on
a graph.

It can also be said that in a unique solution 𝑚1 = 𝑚2

Example:

2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 Equation 1
3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3 Equation 2

They can be rewritten as

𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 4
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 3
In this we can see clearly when comparing it to equation i and equation ii that 𝑚1 = −2 and
𝑚2 = 3

Now we will first put 𝑥 = 0 in equation 1 which will give us 𝑦 = 4 then put in 𝑦 = 0 which will
give us 𝑥 = 2

These are coordinated on a graph (0, 4) and (2, 0)

Doing the same with equation 2 we get the coordinates (0, – 3) and (1, 0)

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This means that the equation given has a unique solution. To verify we will make a table

𝓍 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

– 2𝓍 + 4 2 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.4 0

3𝓍 + 3 0 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 3

The points 𝓍 = 1.2 and𝑦 = 1.4 will be substituted into the two equations. They are the solutions
of the equations. We will get the following

2(1.4) + 1.2 = 4 ; 3(1.4) − 1.2 = 3

2.8 + 1.2 = 4 ; 4.2 − 1.2 = 3

4 =4; 3=3

Another way to verify would be to make a graph. It will also give us the answer of the equations.
The following graph has lines intersecting at a single point. Thus it is the graph of a unique
solution.

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Infinite Solution:

In an infinite solution, there are infinite number of solutions as the names suggests. This happens
as the two equations overlap with each other. When a graph is formed, the two lines will fall on
one another.

The conditions that are to be satisfied in unique solution are

(i) 𝑚1 = 𝑚2
(ii) 𝑐1 = 𝑐2

Example:

𝑥+𝑦 =3 Equation 1
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 6 Equation 2

Rearranging this in terms of 𝑦, we will get the following

𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3

Here we can see that 𝑚1 = 𝑚2 and 𝑐1 = 𝑐2

This proves that this is an infinite solution.

Now we will first put 𝑥 = 0 in equation 1 which will give us 𝑦 = 3 then put in 𝑦 = 0 which will
give us 𝑥 = 3

These are coordinated on a graph (0, 3) and (3, 0)

Doing the same with equation 2 we get the coordinates (0, 3) when 𝑥 = 0 and (3, 0) when 𝑦 = 0

To verify we will simply put the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 into both equation 1 and equation 2

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3 ; 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 6

3 + 0 = 3 ; 2(3) − 0 = 6

3 =3; 6=6

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No Solution:

In a system of equations, there can be equations that have no solutions. These kinds of solutions
appear as a two parallel lines on a graph and will never intersect each other.

The conditions to be met for an equation to have no solutions are

(i) 𝑚1 = 𝑚2
(ii) 𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐2

Example:

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3

This can be written as

𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 6
𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 3

The conditions 𝑚1 = 𝑚2 and 𝑐1 ≠ 𝑐2 are being satisfied thus this equation has no solution.

Now we will first put 𝑥 = 0 in equation 1 which will give us 𝑦 = 6 then put in 𝑦 = 0 which will
give us 𝑥 = 2

These are coordinated on a graph (0, 6) and (2, 0)

Doing the same with equation 2 we get the coordinates (0, 3) when 𝑥 = 0 and (1, 0) when 𝑦 = 0

The graph will be as follows

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As you can see the graph above is not intersecting at any point thus it does not have any
solutions.

The three types of solutions discussed were all solutions of non-homogenous equations.

Homogenous equations also have two types of solutions and they always have at least one
solution.

(i) Trivial Solution:

A solution that is easy and obvious to find will be called a trivial solution. Naturally a trivial
solution can be ignored.

(ii) Non-trivial Solution:

A non– trivial solution is a solution that is not so easily found. Any non– zero solution can be
called a non-trivial solution.

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Binomial Theorem
Expanding ( a + b )n
For finding a pattern in the expansion of (𝑎 + 𝑏)n we will look at the following examples first.

(𝑎 + 𝑏)1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
(𝑎 + 𝑏)3 = 𝑎3 + 3𝑎2 𝑏 + 3𝑎𝑏 2 + 𝑏 3
(𝑎 + 𝑏)5 = a5 + 5a4 b + 10𝑎^3𝑏 2 + 10𝑎2 𝑏 3 + 5𝑎𝑏 4 + 𝑏 5

From the following examples we can conclude three things and make ourselves a pattern

1. The first term is an and last term is bn, thus making n + 1 terms
2. There is a visible decrease in the exponents of a by 1 and increase in the exponents of b
by one.
3. If we add the exponents of both a and b we will get n.
For example: In the expansion of (𝑎 + 𝑏)5 in the term 10𝑎3 𝑏 2 the exponents of a = 3
and b = 2 give us a total of 5.

Through the pattern that has emerged we can now determine what the exponents of the given
variables will be. In the case of (𝑎 + 𝑏)5 , the power of a decreased and the power of b
increased.

The next problem in this expansion will be the coefficients of the variables. To determine the
unknown coefficient’s we use what is simple called a Pascal’s Triangle. The values of first five
expansions are written in a triangular array to determine the pattern.
(𝑎 + 𝑏)0
1
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 1
1 1
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 2
1 2 1
(𝑎 + 𝑏)3 1 3 3 1
(𝑎 + 𝑏)4 1 4 6 4 1
(𝑎 + 𝑏)5 1 5 10 10 5 1

The first row i.e (𝑎 + 𝑏)0 is known as the zeroeth row and is added in the triangle to show the
symmetry of the triangle. A main point when it concerns the Pascal’s triangle is as follows

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 Every entry (other than a 1) is the sum of the two entries diagonally above it

In the above triangle, we have highlighted 6, 4 and 10. In this scenario the property is highlighted
clearly. 6 is added with 4 to give us 10. With this property it is easy to find any row of Pascal’s
triangle from the row above it.

Example:

Expand (𝑎 + 𝑏)7 using Pascal’s triangle.

The first term in the expansion is 𝑎7 , and the last term is 𝑏 7 . Using the rule we have observed
that the exponent of 𝑎 decreases by 1 from term to term and that of 𝑏 increases by 1 from term to
term, we have

(𝑎 + 𝑏)7 = 𝑎7 +? 𝑎6 𝑏+? 𝑎5 𝑏 2 +? 𝑎4 𝑏 3 +? 𝑎3 𝑏 4 +? 𝑎2 𝑏 5 +? 𝑎𝑏 6 + 𝑏 7

The coefficient’s will appear in the seventh row of Pascal’s triangle. Therefore

(𝑎 + 𝑏)7 = 𝑎7 + 7𝑎6 𝑏 + 21𝑎5 𝑏 2 + 35𝑎4 𝑏 3 + 35𝑎3 𝑏 4 + 21𝑎2 𝑏 5 + 7𝑎𝑏 6 + 𝑏 7

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