Algebra 1: Properties

and Operations
Module 1

1
Course Contents

1. Algebraic Properties and Operations

2. Index Laws and Radicals
3. Factorization and Simplification
4. Equations and Functions

2
Lecture 1: Algebraic Properties and
Operations
 ILO 1: By the end of the learning experience, students must be able to:

✓ Perform algebraic operations using basic

properties and laws

3
 REVIEW: In order to understand basic algebraic operations and processes, let
us familiarize ourselves with the structure of the real number system.

Type of Real Numbers:

✓ Natural numbers are counting numbers

✓ Integers consist of the natural numbers
together with their negatives and 0
✓ Rational Numbers are fractions and mixed
numbers where numerator and denominator
are integers other than zero
✓ Irrational numbers are real numbers that
cannot be written as ratio of two integers
with decimal representation of non-
repeating and non-terminating.
4
Example: Classifying Real Numbers

 Determine the type of real numbers of the following:

a. 999 - is a positive whole number, so it is a natural number
6
b. −
5
- is a ratio of two integers, so it is a rational number
6
c. −3 - equals -2, so it is an integer

d. 25 - equals to 5, so it a natural number

e. 3 - is a nonrepeating decimal (approximately 1.7320508075689), so it is
irrational

5
Properties and Operations of Real Numbers

Commutative Properties
Addition Multiplication
Commutative property
𝑎+𝑏=𝑏+𝑎 𝑎∙𝑏 =𝑏∙𝑎
✓ Changing the order of the numbers in
addition or multiplication will not
Example: change the result
1 1 1 1
+ 3=3+2 ∙3=3∙
2
2 2

Associative Properties Associative property

Addition Multiplication ✓ Changing the group of the numbers in
addition or multiplication will not
𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑐 = 𝑎 ∙ (𝑏 ∙ 𝑐) change the result

Example:
3 3 2 3 3 2 −2.5 ∙ −1.2 ∙ 10 6
+ + 5 = 4 + (5 + 5)
4 5
= −2.5 ∙ [(−1.2) ∙ 10}
 Identity Properties Identity property
✓ Adding zero a number does not
Addition Multiplication
change its value
𝑎 + 0 = (0 + 𝑎) 𝑎 ∙ 1 = (1 ∙ 𝑎) ✓ Multiplying a number by 1 does
not change the value of the
Example: number
100 + 0 = 0 + 100 100 ∙ 1 = 1 ∙ 100

Distributive Property Distributive Property

Multiplication ✓ In multiplying a number by the
sum of two numbers gives the
𝑎 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑏 + 𝑐 𝑎 = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐
same result when multiplying a
number by each of the terms and
Example: then adding the result
2∙ 3+5 = 2∙3+2∙5 3+5 ∙2=2∙3+2∙5

7
 Properties of Fractions
Property Example
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐 2 5 2 ∙ 5 10 ✓ When multiplying fractions, multiply
1. 𝑏
∙ =
𝑑 𝑏𝑑 ∙ = = numerators and denominators
5 7 5 ∙ 7 35 ✓ When dividing fractions, invert the
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑑 2 5 2 7 14 divisor and multiply
2. ÷𝑑 = 𝑏∙𝑐 ÷ = ∙ =
𝑏 ✓ When adding fractions with the same
3 7 3 5 15
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎+𝑏 2 7 2+7 9 denominator, add the numerators
3. 𝑐
+ =
𝑐 𝑐 + = = ✓ When adding fractions with different
5 5 5 5
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑑+𝑏𝑐 2 3 2 ∙ 7 + 3 ∙ 5 29 denominators, find a common
4. 𝑏
+ =
𝑑 𝑏𝑑 + = = denominator. Then add the
5 7 35 35
numerator
𝑎𝑐 𝑎 2∙5 2 ✓ Cancel numbers that are common
5. 𝑏𝑐
=
𝑏 = factors in the numerator and
3∙5 3 denominator
𝑎 𝑐 2 6
6. 𝐼𝑓 𝑏
= 𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑑 = 𝑏𝑐 = 𝑠𝑜 2 ∙ 9 = 3 ∙ 6 = 18 ✓ Cross-multiply
3 9

8
 Properties of Absolute Value
Property Example
1. 𝑎 ≥ 0 −3 = 3 ≥ 0 ✓ The absolute value of a number is always
positive
2. 𝑎 = −𝑎 5 = −5 ✓ A number and its negative have the same
absolute value
3. 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏 −2 ∙ 5 = −2 5
✓ The absolute value of a product is the product
of the absolute values
4.
𝑎
=
𝑎 12 12 ✓ The absolute value of a quotient is the
𝑏 𝑏 = quotient of the absolute values
−3 −3

9
 Properties and Laws of Exponents
Exponential Notation Example
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ 𝑎 (−3)4 = (−3) ∙ (−3) ∙ −3 ∙ −3 = 81 ✓ The exponent tells us how many times the
base base b is used as a factor
Product Property of Exponents

✓ To multiply two powers with the same

𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 =𝑎𝑚+𝑛 32 ∙ 35 = 32+5 = 37 = 2187
base, add the exponents then simplify
Power Property of exponent Example
✓ To raise power to a new power, multiply
(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚∙𝑛 (32 )5 = 32∙5 = 310 = 59049 the exponents then simplify
1 1
−4𝑥 3 ∙ 𝑥 2 = (−4 ∙ )(𝑥 3 ∙ 𝑥 2) - commutative and associative property
2 2
= −2 𝑥 3+2 - product property
5
= −2𝑥 - result

(𝑝3 )2 ∙ (𝑝4 )2 = 𝑝6 ∙ 𝑝8 - power property

= 𝑝6+8 - product property
= 𝑝14 - result

10
 Properties of Exponents
Product to a Power Property Example
✓ To raise a product to a power, raise each
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 2 2 2
(𝑎𝑏) = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 (3 ∙ 4) =(3) ∙ 4 = 9 ∙ 16 = 144 factor to the power then simplify
✓ To raise a product to a new power, multiply
(𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑛 )𝑝 = 𝑎𝑚𝑝 ∙ 𝑏 𝑛𝑝 (−3𝑎)2 =(−3)2 ∙ (𝑎1 )2 = 9𝑎2
the exponents of each base then simplify
e.g.(2𝑎3 𝑏 2 )(3𝑎𝑏 4 )3 = (2𝑎3 𝑏 2 )[33 𝑎 3 (𝑏 4 )3 ] - product to power property

= (2𝑎3 𝑏 2 )(27𝑎3 𝑏12 ) – power property

= (2 ∙ 27)(𝑎3+3 )(𝑏 2+12 ) - commutative, associative and product property

= 54 𝑎6 𝑏14 - result

Quotient to a power exponent Example

✓ To raise a quotient to a power, raised both
2
𝑎 𝑛 𝑎𝑛 3 32 9 numerator and denominator to the power
= 𝑛 = =
𝑏 𝑏 4 42 16 then simplify

2
✓ To raise a quotient to a power to a new
𝑎𝑚 𝑝
𝑎𝑚𝑝 −5𝑎3 −52 𝑎3∙2 25𝑎6 power, multiply the exponents of each
𝑏𝑛
=
𝑏 𝑛𝑝 = =
2𝑏 22 𝑏 2 4𝑏 2 base of the numerator
11 and denominator
then simplify
 Properties of Exponents
Quotient Property of Exponents Example
𝑎𝑚 𝑎3 ✓ The quotient of a fraction with the same
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 , 𝑎 ≠ 0 = 𝑎 3−3 = 𝑎0 = 1
𝑎 𝑛
𝑎3 base, subtract the exponent in the
𝑎3 1 denominator from the exponent of the
3−5 −2
=𝑎 =𝑎 = 2 numerator.
𝑎5 𝑎
Property of Negative Exponents
𝑎−𝑛 1 1 𝑏𝑛 1 1 ✓ Take the reciprocal to any number raised
= 𝑛 ∶ = 3−2 = =
1 𝑎 𝑎−𝑛 1 32 9 to negative exponent
−𝑛 𝑛 −2 2
𝑎 𝑏 2𝑎3 𝑏2
= =
𝑏 𝑎 𝑏2 2𝑎3
𝑏2 2
= 2 3 2
2 𝑎
𝑏4
= 6
4𝑎

12
 Simplifying Expressions with Negative Exponents
Examples
1. 3ℎ𝑘 −2 3
6ℎ−2 𝑘 −3 −2
= 33 ℎ3 𝑘 −6 6−2 ℎ4 𝑘 6
To Simply an Expression
= 33 ∙ 6−2 ∙ ℎ3+4 𝑘 −6+6 1. Eliminate parenthesis by applying
27ℎ7 𝑘 0 the distributive property (mentally
= 36 change to algebraic addition if you
3ℎ 7
= find it helpful)
4 2. Use the commutative and
0
2. 3𝑥 + 3𝑥 0 + 3−2 = 1 + 3 1 + 32
1 associative properties to group like
1 terms
= 1+3+9 3. Simplify using the distributive
1 37 property to combine like terms.
= 49 = 9
6𝑠𝑡 −4 6𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑠 3
3. 2𝑠 −2 𝑡 2
= 2 4 = 6
2𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
2
𝑦 −2 3𝑧 3 9𝑧 6
4. 3𝑧 3
= = 2
𝑦 𝑦
13
Lecture 2:Index Laws and Radicals

 ILO 2: By the end of the learning experience, students must be able to:

✓ Simplify/rationalize expressions with exponents

and radicals

14
Review: Radicals
1
𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥
𝑎 = 𝑎 𝑛
✓ To give meaning to a
𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑 power whose
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙ed the radical exponent is a rational
number (fraction), we
2
𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ∶ 𝑤𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎 need to discuss about
radicals
𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 (𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑) 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑎
3
𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒 (𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑) 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑎
4
𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑎
5
𝑎 𝑓𝑖𝑓𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑎

15
 Properties of the nth Roots
Product Property of Radicals Example
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 3 3 3
1. 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎∙ 𝑏 a. −8 ∙ 27 = −8 ∙ 27
= −2 3 = −6
3 3
b. 5 125𝑥 4 = 5 ∙ 125 ∙ 𝑥 4
3 3 ✓ Not all radicands are
= 5 ∙ 125 ∙ 𝑥 3 ∙ 3 𝑥 perfect squares. To
= 5∙5∙𝑥∙ 3 𝑥 simplify an expression
with radicals the
= 25𝑥 3 𝑥 simplified
3 3 expression/answers
c. 1.2 16𝑛4 ∙ 4𝑛5 should be:
3
= 1.2 ∙ 64𝑛9 1. A radical, unless
3 3 the radical
= 1.2 ∙ 64 ∙ 𝑛9 reduces to an
integer
= 1.2 ∙ 8 ∙ 𝑛3 2. A radicand, with
= 4.8 𝑛3 no factors
containing
𝑚 𝑛 𝑚𝑛 3 6 perfect squares
2. 𝑎= 𝑎 729 = 729 = 3 3. No decimals
16
 Quotient Property of Radicals Example
𝑛 4
𝑛 𝑎 𝑎 4 16 16 2
3. 𝑏
= 𝑛
𝑏
a. = 4 =3
81 81

18𝑎5 18𝑎5
b. = = 9𝑎4 = 3𝑎2
2𝑎 2𝑎
3 3 3
3 81 81 27∙3 3 3
c. 125𝑥 3
= 3 = =
125𝑥 3 5𝑥 5𝑥

𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 Example

𝑛 3
4. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑 a. (−5)3 = −5
5
b. 25 =2
𝑛 4
5. −𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 a. (−3)4 = −3 =3
b. −4 2 = −4 =4

17
Simplifying Expressions Involving nth Roots
Exercises:
3 3
1. 𝑥4 = 𝑥 3𝑥 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒
3 3 3 3
= 𝑥3 3 𝑥 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 1: 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏
3
= 𝑥3 𝑥 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 4: 𝑎3 = a
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
2. 81𝑥 8 𝑦 4 = 81 ∙ 𝑥 8 ∙ 𝑦4 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 1: 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 𝑎∙ 𝑏∙4 𝑐
4 4
=3 𝑥2 4 𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 5: 𝑎4 = 𝑎

= 3𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 5:
4
𝑎4 = 𝑎 , 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2
4 4 4 4 4 4
3. 16𝑥 8 = 16 ∙ 𝑥 8 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 1: 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 𝑎∙ 𝑏∙4 𝑐
4 4 4
= 2 4 ∙ 𝑥2 4 = 2𝑥 2 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 5: 𝑎4 = 𝑎
3 3 3
4. 𝑥 3𝑦 = 𝑥3 ∙ 3 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 4: 𝑎3 = a

18
Rational Exponents/ Fractional Exponents
1 𝑛 1 1
𝑛 𝑎 =𝑛
1. 𝑎 𝑛 =𝑎 𝑛 = 𝑎1 =𝑎 𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒: 𝑛 𝑎
𝑚 𝑚 𝑛
2. 𝑎 = 𝑛
𝑛
𝑎 𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 > 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑎 ≥ 0

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠: ✓ The properties of

exponents can be
1
= 4 =2 applied for rational
a. 4 2
exponents
2 3 2
b. 8 3 = 8 = 22 =4
3 3
= 82 = 64 = 4
1 1 1 1
−3 = = =5
c. 125 1 3
125
1253

1 1 4
d. 3 = = 𝑥 −3
𝑥4 4
𝑥3

19
Simplifying by Writing Radicals as Rational Exponents
Exercises
1 1 1 2 5
1. 2 𝑥 33 𝑥
= 2𝑥 2 3𝑥 3 = 6𝑥 2+3 = 6𝑥 6
1 1
2. 𝑥 𝑥 1 2 3 2 3
= 𝑥𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 =𝑥 4

3. 53 𝑥 24 𝑥 1 1 1 1
+
7 ✓ For simplifying
= 5𝑥 3 2𝑥 4 = 10𝑥 3 4 = 10𝑥 12 radicals to rational
1 1 1 exponents, use the
16𝑢3 𝑣 3−1 1−5 properties of
4. = 162 𝑢 2 𝑣 2
𝑢𝑣 5 exponents
1 1
4𝑢
=4 𝑢2 2 𝑣 −4 2 = 𝑣2
𝑥𝑦 1 1
−
5. 4
16𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥𝑦 2 16𝑥𝑦 4

1 1 1
− −
= 𝑥𝑦 2 16 4 𝑥𝑦 4
1 1 1
−1 − −1
= 2 𝑥𝑦 2 4 = 2 𝑥𝑦 4

1 1
𝑥 4𝑦4
=
2 20
Rationalizing the denominator

1 𝑇𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟,

𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑎 𝑏𝑦 𝒂
1 1 𝑎 𝑎
= ∙1= ∙ ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ∶=
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝑎
1 𝑇𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟,
𝑛 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑎𝑚 𝑛
𝑏𝑦 𝑎 𝑛−𝑚
1
= 𝑛 ∙1 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 < 𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 > 0
𝑎 𝑚

𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
1 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 𝑎𝑛−𝑚
= 𝑛 ∙𝑛 = 𝑛 = 𝑛 =
𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 𝑎𝑚+𝑛−𝑚 𝑎𝑛 𝑎

21
Rationalizing Example
Denominator
2 2 3 2 3
1. 3 = ∙ =
3 3 3
1 1
3
52
3
52
3
25
3
25
2. 3 = ∙3 = = =
5 3 3 3
5
5 52 53 125
1 1
5
𝑥3
5
𝑥3 𝑥3
5
3. 5 = ∙5 = =
𝑥2 5
𝑥2 𝑥3
5
𝑥5 𝑥
1 1
7
𝑥4
7
𝑥4 𝑥4
7
4. 7 = ∙7 = =
𝑥3 7
𝑥3 𝑥4
7
𝑥7 𝑥
8 8
5
24
5
8 16
5
8 16
5. 5 = ∙5 = =
5
= 4 16
2 5
2 24
5
25 2

22
Lecture 3: Factorization and
Simplification
 ILO 3: By the end of the learning experience, students must be able to:

✓ Perform factorization and simplification of

expressions

23
Review: Algebraic Expression
−𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠
Monomial - 𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝒂𝒙𝒌
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 and
k is a nonnegative integer
Binomial − 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠
Trinomial − 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙, 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔
𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒
𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑓:
𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏−𝟏
. + ⋯ + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝟎
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 … 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠
n is a nonnegative integer
𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝒏

24
Review: Rules of Signed Numbers/Integers/algebraic expressions
Operations Rule Example
Same sign. Add and keep the sign 7𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 10𝑥
Different signs. Subtract and keep the
7𝑥 − 3𝑥 = 5𝑥
Addition and sign of the larger absolute value
✓ In operations of
Subtraction Different signs. Subtract and keep the polynomials:
−7𝑥 + 3𝑥 = −5𝑥
sign of the larger absolute value.
1. combine like
Same signs. Add keep the sign −7𝑥 − 3𝑥 = −10𝑥 terms
2. apply
Same signs. The sign is positive (4𝑥)(5𝑥) = 20𝑥 2 properties of
Same signs. The sign is positive (−4𝑥)(−5𝑥) = 20𝑥 2 fractions and
laws of
Multiplication −15𝑥 exponents if
and Division Different signs. The sign is negative = −3 applicable
3𝑥
3. simplify using
Same signs. The sign is positive 15𝑥 rules of
=3 signed
3𝑥
numbers

25
 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
−𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦
𝑎 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐
𝑖𝑓 𝑎 = −1, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 − 𝑏 + 𝑐 = −𝑏 − 𝑐
Examples:
1. (𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 4) + (𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥)
= (𝑥 3 +𝑥 3 ) + (−6𝑥 2 +5𝑥 2 ) + 2𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 4 Group like terms
= 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4 Combine like terms and simplify
2. (𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 4) − (𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥)
= 𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 4 − 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 Distributive property
= (𝑥 3 −𝑥 3 ) + (−6𝑥 2 −5𝑥 2 ) + 2𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 4 Group like terms
= −11𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 4 Combine like terms and simplify

Example: Compute the difference of ✓ It is also

helpful to use
𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 + 9 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 𝑥 3 + 0𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 9 𝑥 3 + 0𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 9 vertical
format in
− (𝑥 3 +3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8) −𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 8 product of
26
two
−3𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 17 polynomials
Multiplying Algebraic Expressions
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑦𝑚 𝑭𝑶𝑰𝑳 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑠 𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠
𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔,
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑐 + 𝑑 = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑

F O I L
1. 2𝑧 + 1 (𝑧 − 2) = 2𝑧 2 −4𝑧 + 𝑧 − 2 Distributive Property

F O I L

= 2𝑧 2 − 3𝑧 − 2 Combine like terms and simplify

2. (2𝑥 + 1)(3𝑥 − 5) = 6𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 5 Distributive Property

= 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 5 Combine like terms and simplify

27
Product of Two Polynomials
= 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑏𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠, 𝑤𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦
Example
1. (2𝑣 − 3)(4𝑣 2 + 6𝑣 + 9) = 2𝑣 4𝑣 2 + 6𝑣 + 9 − 3(4𝑣 2 + 6𝑣 + 9) Distributive Property

= 8𝑣 3 + 12𝑣 2 + 18𝑣 − 12𝑣 2 − 18𝑣 − 27 Simplify

= 8𝑣 3 −27 Result

2. (2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4) = 2𝑥(𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4) + 3(𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4) Distributive Property

= (2𝑥 3 −10𝑥 2 + 8𝑥) + (3𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 12) Simplify

= 5𝑥 3 −7𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 Result

3. −2𝑎2 (𝑎2 − 2𝑎 + 1) = −2𝑎2 𝑎2 −2𝑎2 (−2𝑎) −2𝑎2 (1) Distribute and Simplify

= −2𝑎4 +4𝑎3 −2𝑎2 Result

28
 Factoring
Polynomials

GCF

✓ To factor an
expression means
to rewrite the
Number of Terms expression as an
equivalent
product.

✓ Polynomials
that cannot
Two Three Four be factored
are said to be
Prime

Difference Difference Trinomials Trinomials Advance

Sum of
of Squares of Cubes (a=1) (a≠1) Grouping Method
Cubes

29
Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
−𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙
Example GCF Result
a. 12𝑥 2 + 18𝑥𝑦 − 30𝑦 =6 = 6(2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 − 5𝑦)
b. 8𝑥 4 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 3 𝑦 3 − 2𝑥𝑦 4 = 2𝑥𝑦 2 = 2𝑥𝑦 2 (4𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 2 )
Common Binomial Factor
a. 𝑥 + 3 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 3 5 = (𝑥 + 3) = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 2 + 5)
b. 𝑥 2 𝑥 − 2 − 3(𝑥 − 2) = (𝑥 − 2) = (𝑥 2 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
c. 2𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 3 − 5(𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 3) = 2𝑥 + 4 − 5 𝑥 − 3 = (2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3)

Simplify

30
 Factoring by Grouping
1. 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝐺𝐶𝐹
2. 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑠𝑏𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
3. 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝐶𝐹 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑠
4. 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙
5. 𝐷𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
Examples
a. 3𝑡 3 + 15𝑡 2 − 6𝑡 − 30 = 3(𝑡 3 +5𝑡 2 − 2𝑡 − 10) 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 3

= 3(𝑡 3 +5𝑡 2 − 2𝑡 − 10) 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠

= 3[𝑡 2 𝑡 + 5 − 2 𝑡 + 5 ] 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙

= 3(𝑡 + 5)(𝑡 2 − 2) 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡

b. 9𝑞3 +6𝑞2 +15𝑞 + 10 = 9𝑞3 +6𝑞2 + 15𝑞 + 10 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 1𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠

= 3𝑞2 3𝑞 + 2 + 5(3𝑞 + 2) 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙

= (3𝑞2 + 5) (3𝑞 + 2) 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡

31
Factoring by Trial and Error
𝑇𝑜 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 ≠ 1
factors of c look for factors 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = (𝑝𝑥 + 𝑟)(𝑞𝑥 + 𝑠) 𝑝𝑞 = 𝑎,
𝑟𝑠 = 𝑐
Example: factors of a
1. 6𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5 Factors of 6 6 ∙ 1 𝑜𝑟 3 ∙ 2
✓ simplify
Factors of 5 −5 ∙ 1 𝑜𝑟 5 ∙ −1 using rules
10𝑥 -3𝑥 of signed
numbers
(3𝑥 + 5)(2𝑥 − 1) (3𝑥 + 5)(2𝑥 − 1) 10𝑥 − 3𝑥 = 7𝑥

6𝑥 2 −5
2. 2𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 + 15 Factors of 2 2∙1
Factors of 15 −3 ∙ −5 𝑜𝑟 5 ∙ 3
−10𝑥 − 3𝑥 = −13𝑥
(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 5) 32
Special Product of Polynomials and Factoring
𝐼𝑓 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑔𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
1. (𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐴 − 𝐵) = 𝐴2 − 𝐵2 Difference of Two Perfect Squares
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠: 1. 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝐺𝐶𝐹
2. 𝐷𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑠.
3. 𝐷𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
Example
a. 4𝑥 2 − 25 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = 4𝑥 & B = 5 = 2𝑥 2
− 5 2
= 2𝑥 + 5 (2𝑥 − 5)
2
b. 𝑥+𝑦 − 𝑧2 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 & B = z = 𝑥+𝑦 2
− 𝑧2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)(𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧)
1 1 2 1 1
c. 𝑧 4 − 81 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = 𝑧 2 & B = 1 = (𝑧 2 + )(𝑧 2 − )
9 = 𝑧2 2
− 9 9
9
d. −3𝑛2 + 48 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 3 = −3(𝑛2 − 16)
𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = n & B = 4 = −3 𝑛 2 − (4)2 = −3(𝑛 + 4)(𝑛 − 4)
33
Special Product of Polynomials and Factoring
2
2. 𝐴−𝐵 = 𝐴2 − 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2 Difference of Perfect Square Trinomials
2
3. 𝐴+𝐵 = 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2 Sum of Perfect Square Trinomials
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 1. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠
Example 2. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙′𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠
a. 12𝑚3 − 12𝑚2 + 3𝑚 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 3𝑚 = 3𝑚(4𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 1)
𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = 2m & B = 1 = (2𝑚)2 & (1)2 ✓ 1𝑠𝑡 & 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠

𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑜 2𝐴B = 2 ∙ 2𝑚 ∙ 1 = 4𝑚 ✓ 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙′ 𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑

𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠
4𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 1 = (2𝑚 − 1)2 ✓ 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒

= 3𝑚(2𝑚 − 1)2 RESULT

b. 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐴 = x & B = 3 = (𝑥)2 & (3)2 ✓ 1𝑠𝑡 & 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠

𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑜 2𝐴B = 2 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 3 = 6𝑥 ✓ 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙′ 𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑

𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠
= (𝑥 + 3)2 RESULT
34
Special Product of Polynomials and Factoring
4. 𝐴+𝐵 3 = (𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐴2 − 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2 ) Sum of Two Perfect Cubes
5. 𝐴−𝐵 3
= (A − B)(𝐴2 + 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2 ) Difference of Two Perfect Cubes
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠: 1. 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝐺𝐶𝐹
2. 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒.
3. 𝐼𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠.
4. 𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
Example 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑏𝑒𝑟: 𝑆. 𝑂. 𝐴. 𝑃. (𝑺𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛, 𝑶𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛, 𝑨𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑷𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒)
a. 𝑥 3 + 8𝑦 3 = 𝑥 3
+ 2𝑦 3
𝐴 = 𝑥, 𝐵 = 2𝑦, 𝐴2 = 𝑥 2 , 𝐴𝐵 = 2𝑥𝑦, 𝐵2 = (2𝑦)2 = 4𝑦 2
= (𝑥 + 2𝑦)(𝑥 2 − 2xy + 4𝑦 2 )

same opposite positive

b. −5𝑚3 𝑛 + 40𝑛4 = −5𝑛(𝑚3 − 8𝑛3 ) = (𝑚)3 −(2𝑛)3 𝐴 = 𝑚, 𝐵 = 2𝑛, 𝐴2 = 𝑚2 , 𝐴𝐵 = 2𝑚𝑛, 𝐵 2 = (2𝑛)2 = 4𝑛2

= −5𝑛(𝑚 − 2𝑛)(𝑚2 + 2𝑚𝑛 + 4𝑛2 )

35
Lecture 4: Equations and Functions

 ILO 1: By the end of the learning experience, students must be able to:

✓ Explain the meaning of equations and functions

36
Equations
− 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠
3+5= 6+2
𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑠
𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
• For an Algebraic Equation, our goal is usually to figure out what value of the
variable will make a true equation
Solutions or Root of the equation
• The values of the unknown that make the equation
Example:

4𝑥 + 7 = 19 Where 𝑥 =: 𝑢𝑛𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑥 = 3 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒

4 3 + 7 = 19
19 = 19

37
Linear Equation
𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0
wℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑎 & 𝑏 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
Solving Roots of Linear Equations Solving for x
a. 7𝑥 − 4 = 3𝑥 + 8 7𝑥 − 3𝑥 = 8 + 4 4𝑥 = 12 𝒙=𝟑
𝑥 2 3 𝑥 2 3
b. + = 𝑥 2𝑥 + 8 = 9𝑥 7𝑥 = 8
6 3 4 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝐶𝐷 12 ∙ + = 12 ∙ 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝟖
6 3 4 𝒙=
9𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 8 𝟕
1 1 𝑥+3 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥+1 𝑥−2
1
+
1
= (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑥+3
c. 𝑥+1
+ 𝑥−2
= 𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝐶𝐷 𝑥+1 𝑥−2 𝑥 2 −𝑥−2

𝑥−2 + 𝑥+1 =𝑥+3 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 + 3 𝒙=𝟒

38
Review: Translating Written or Verbal
Information into Mathematical Model

- The key to solving word problems is finding mathematical model or algebraic

expression that accurately model the situation.
Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Equals

and from of into is

plus subtract times over equals

more less product divided by same as

added to fewer by quotient of makes

together with minus percent of ratio of leaves

sum difference multiplied by a is to b yields

total take away per equivalent

increased by decreased by results in

twice – 2 times doubled – 2 times tripled – 3 times

39
Example: Writing algebraic expression
1. Twice a number increased by five
2. Six less than three times the width
3. Ten less than triple the payment
4. Two hundred fifty feet more than double the length
5. The difference of negative ten and a number, a number subtracted
from negative ten, some number less than negative ten, some number
less than negative ten, negative ten decreased by a number.
6. The quotient of negative twelve and a number, negative twelve
divided by a number, the ratio of negative twelve and a number, a
number divided into negative twelve
7. The cost for a rental car is $35 plus 15 cents per mile. Express the
cost of renting in a car in terms of the number of miles driven.

40
Solutions:
1. Let 𝑁 represent the number. Then 2𝑁 represent twice the number, hence: 𝟐𝑵 + 𝟓
represents twice a number increased by five
2. Let W represent the width. Then 3W represents three times the width, hence:
𝟑𝑾 − 𝟔 represents six less than three times the width
3. Let P represent the payment. Then 3P represents a triple payment, hence: 𝟑𝐏 − 𝟏𝟎
represents ten less than triple the payment.
4. Let 𝐿 represent the length. Then 2𝐿 represents double the length, hence: 𝟐𝑳 + 𝟐𝟓𝟎
represents 250 more than double the length
5. Let 𝑛 represent the unknown number: hence: −𝟏𝟎 − 𝒏
−𝟏𝟐
6. Let 𝑥 represent the unknown number: hence: −𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝒙 𝒐𝒓 𝒙

7. Let 𝑚 represent the number of miles driven. The 0.15𝑚 represents the cost for
each mile. Thus: 𝐶 = 35 + 0.15 𝑚 represents the total cost for renting the car.

41
Modelling with Equations
Guidelines 1. Identify the variable – introduce notation for the variable (call it
x or other letter)
2. Translate words to Algebra – draw a diagram or make a table
3. Set a model – set up an equation that express the relationship
4. Solve the equation and check your answer
Example:
a. A car rental company charges $30 a day and 15 cents a mile for renting a car.
Helen rents a car for two days, and her bill comes to $108. How many miles did
she drive?

42
Sample Problem
b. A rental company charges $30 a day and 15 cents a mile for renting a truck. Helen
rented a truck for 2 days, and her bill came to $108. How many miles did she
drive?
Solution: Identify the variable Let x = number of miles driven
In words: In algebra
Mileage cost (at $0.15 per mile) 0.15x
Daily cost (at $30 per day) 2(30)
Set up the model:
mileage cost + daily cost = total cost
0.15x + 2(30) = 108
Solving for x:
0.15x = 48 x = 320 miles

43
Sample Problem
b. A rental company charges $65 a day and 20 cents a mile for renting a truck.
Michael rented a truck for 3 days, and his bill came to $275. How many miles did
he drive?
Solution: Identify the variable Let x = number of miles driven
In words: In algebra
Mileage cost (at $0.20 per mile) 0.20x
Daily cost (at $65 per day) 3(65)
Set up the model:
mileage cost + daily cost = total cost
0.20x + 3(65) = 275
Solving for x:
0.20x = 80 x = 400 miles

44
Problems on Interest
Simple Interest Formula 𝐼 = 𝑃𝑟𝑡
𝐼 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑
𝑃 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑛
𝑟 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦
(remember to 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑙)
𝑡 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑛
Sample Problem:

Mary inherits $100,000 and invests it in two certificates of deposit. One certificate
1
Pays 6% and the other pays 4 2 % simple interest annually. If Mary’s total interest is $5025 per year, how
much money is invested at each rate?

45
Sample Problem

A. Mary inherits $100,000 and invests it in two certificates of deposit. One certificate
1
Pays 6% and the other pays 4 2 % simple interest annually. If Mary’s total interest is $5025 per year,
how much money is invested at each rate?

Solution: Identify the variable: The problem asks for the amount she invested at each rate.

In words In algebra
the amount invested at 6% x
1
amount invested at 4 2 % 100,000-x
interest earned at 6% 0.06x
1
interest earned at 4 2 % 0.045(100,000-x)

Set up the model. We use the fact that Mary’s total interest is $5025 to set up the model

1
Interest at 6% + Interest at 4 2 % = Total Interest
0.06x + 0.045 (100,000-x) = 5025
0.06x +4500-0.045x = 5025
0.015x +4500 = 5025 0.015x = 5025 x = 35000
1
Hence: Mary invested $35,000 at 6% and 65,000 at 4 2 %
1
✓ Total Interest = 6% of $35,000 + 4 2 % of 65,000 : $2100 + $2925 = $5025

46
Sample Problem

B. Phyllis invested $12,000, a portion earning a simple interest rate of 41/2% per year and the
rest earning a rate of 4% per year. After 1 year the total interest earned on these investments
was $525. How much money did she invest at each rate?

Solution: Identify the variable: The problem asks for the annual interest rate

In words In algebra
1
the amount invested at 4 % x
2
amount invested at 4 % 12,000-x
1
interest earned at 42% 0.045x
interest earned at 4% 0.04(12,000-x)

Set up the model. We use the fact that Mary’s total interest is $525 to set up the model

1
Interest at 42% + Interest at 4% = Total Interest
0.045x + 0.04 (12,000-x) = 525
0.045x +480-0.04x = 525
0.005x +480 = 525 0.005x = 45 x = 9000
1
Hence: Mary invested $9,000 at 4 2 % and 3,000 at 4%
1
✓ Total Interest = 42%% of $9,000 + 4% of 3,000 : $405 + $120 = $525

47
Problems about Concentrations
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:

𝑥 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

C= =
𝑉 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

e.g 10g of sugar is dissolved in 5 L of water, then the concentration is

𝑥 10𝑔
C= = = 2𝑔/𝐿
𝑉 5𝐿

Problems about Mixture

Mixture problems have three amounts (expressed in volume). Two of them are the amounts being
mixed, and the third is the resulting mixture amount. Each amount has its own % strength.
Mixture Problems:
% 1st strength solution + % 2nd strength solution = Final % strength of the mixture
volume 1 of the 1st solution + volume 2 of the 2nd solution = Total volume of the mixture

Solution Problems:
(% 1 strength sol’n) (vol 1) + (% 2 strength sol’n)(vol 2)= (final % strength)(total vol)

48
Sample of Mixture Problem
1. Two galloons of 20% salt solution is mixed with 4 galloons of 50% salt solution. Determine the
percentage of salt solution in the new mixture.
20% + 50% = x %
2 gal + 4 gal = 6 gal
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 2(.2) + 4(0.5) = 6x 2.4 = 6x x = 0.40
Hence: The percentage of salt solution to the new mixture is 40%

2. A manufacturer of soft drinks advertises its orange soda as “naturally flavoured,” although it
contain only 5% orange juice. A new federal regulation stipulates that to be called “natural”, a
drink must contain at least 10% fruit juice. How much pure orange must this manufacturer to add
900 gal of orange soda to conform to the new regulation?
Solution: 5% juice + 100% juice = 10% juice
900 gal + x gal = (900 + x)
0.05(900) + 1(x) = .10 (900+x)
45 + x = 90 + 0.10x
0.9x = 45 x = 50 gal

Hence: The manufacturer should add 50 gal of pure orange to the soda to comply with the regulation
Amount of juice before mixing = 5% of 900 + 50 gal of pure juice
45 gal + 50 gal = 95 gal
Amount of juice after mixing = 10% of 950 gal = 95 gal
✓ Amounts are equal
49
Sample of Mixture Problem
2. A bottle contains 750 mL of fruit punch with a concentration of 50% pure fruit juice. Jill drinks
100 mL of the punch and then refills the bottle with an equal amount of a cheaper brand of
punch. If the concentration of juice in the bottle is now reduced to 48%, what was the
concentration in the punch that Jill added?
Solution: Original Fruit Punch + Cheaper Fruit Punch = Mixture
650 ml + 100 ml = 750 ml
50% + C = 48%

0.50(650) + C(100) = 0.48 (750)

325 + 100C = 360
100C = 360 – 325
C= 35/100
C = 0.35

Hence: The cheaper brand is only 35% fruit juice.

50
Problems about the Time Needed to Do a Job
Steps:
1 1 1
A problem involving work can be solved using the formula Work Formula +𝑡 =𝑡
𝑡𝐴 𝐵 𝑇
where 𝑡𝑇 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟,
𝑡𝐴 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐴 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒,
𝑡𝐵 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐵 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒
Example:
1. Because of an anticipated heavy rainstorm, the water level in a reservoir must be lowered by 1
ft. Opening a spillway A lowers the level by this amount in 4 hours, whereas opening the smaller
spillway B does the job in 6 hours. How long will it take to lower the water level by 1 ft if both
spillways are opened?

51
Sample Problem
Example:
1. Because of an anticipated heavy rainstorm, the water level in a reservoir must be lowered by
1 ft. Opening a spillway A lowers the level by this amount in 4 hours, whereas opening the
smaller spillway B does the job in 6 hours. How long will it take to lower the water level by 1
ft if both spillways are opened?

Solution: We are asked to find the time needed to lower the level by 1 ft if both spillways are
open.

Given: 𝑡𝐴 = 4 hrs and 𝑡𝐵 = 6 hrs applying the formula:

1 1 1 2
+ =𝑥 ; solving for x: 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 12 ; 5𝑥 = 12 ∴ 𝑥 = 2 5 ℎ𝑟𝑠 ≈ 2.4 ℎ𝑟𝑠
4 6
2
Hence: It will take 2 5 ℎ𝑟𝑠 or 2 hrs and 24 min, to lower by 1 ft if both spillways are open

52
Sample Problem
Example:
2. Betty and Karen have been hired to paint the houses in a new development. Working together,
the women can paint a house in two-thirds the time that it takes Karen working alone. Betty
takes 6 h to paint a house alone. How long does it take Karen to paint a house working alone?

Solution: We are asked to find the time needed for Karen to paint the house working alone.

Given: 𝑡𝐵 = 6 hrs and 𝑡𝐾 = x hrs applying the formula:

1 1 1 1 1 3
+ =2 ; solving for x: + = 2𝑥 ;
6 𝑥 𝑥 6 𝑥
3
3 1 1 3−2 1 1 1
− = ; = ; = ; 2𝑥 = 6 ∴ 𝑥 = 3 ℎ𝑟𝑠
2𝑥 𝑥 6 2𝑥 6 2𝑥 6
Hence: It would take 3 hrs for Karen to paint the house alone.

53
Problems about the Distance, Rate (Speed) and Time Using
Using the formulas: 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 ∙ 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 Rate = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

1. Read through the problem to get a general idea of what is

happening in the problem.
2. Create a Distance, Rate, and Time chart
Example:
1. Bill left his house at 2:00 pm, and rode his bicycle down Main Street at a speed of 12
mi/h. When his friend Mary arrived at his house at 2:10 pm, Bill’s mother told her the
direction in which Bill had gone, and Mary cycled after him at a speed of 16 mi/hr. At
what time did Mary catch up with Bill?

54
Problems about the Distance, Rate (Speed) and Time Using
Example:
1. Bill left his house at 2:00 pm, and rode his bicycle down Main Street at a speed of 12 mi/h. When his friend
Mary arrived at his house at 2:10 pm, Bill’s mother told her the direction in which Bill had gone, and Mary
cycled after him at a speed of 16 mi/hr. At what time did Mary catch up with Bill?

Solution: We are asked to find the time t it took Mary to catch up with Bill.

Given: Distance Rate Time (h)

(mi) (mi/h)
Use the equation: 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 ∙ 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
Mary 16 t 16 t
1 1
Bill 12 (t+6)
1 12 (t+6)
1 Bill had 10-minute or 6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡 + 6

Distance travelled by Mary = Distance travelled by Bill

1
16𝑡 = 12 𝑡 + 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡
6
16𝑡 = 12𝑡 + 2
4𝑡 = 2
1
𝑡 = hour
2

Hence: Mary caught up with Bill after cycling for half an hour, that is at 2:40 PM

1 1 1 2
Checking: Bill travelled : t+6 = 2 + 6 = 3 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠

1
✓ Distance travelled by Mary = 16(2)= 8 mi
2 55
✓ Distance travelled by Mary = 12(3)= 8 mi ∴Distance are equal
Sample Problem about Distance, Rate and Time
Example:
2. Wendy took a trip from Davenport to Omaha, a distance of 300 mi. She travelled part of the way
by bus, which arrived at the train station just in time for Wendy to complete her journey by train.
1
The bus averaged 40 mi/h and the train averaged 60 mi/h. The entire trip took 52 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠. How
long did Wendy spend on the train?

Solution: Wendy’s time t spend on the train

Distance Rate Time (h)
(mi) (mi/h) 𝐷𝑏𝑢𝑠 + 𝐷𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 300
Bus 𝐷𝑏𝑢𝑠 40 (5.5-t)
40 5.5 − 𝑡 + 60𝑡 = 300
Train 𝐷𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 60 t 220 − 40𝑡 + 60𝑡 = 300 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡
20𝑡 = 80 ∴ t = 4 hrs
Total 300 n/a 5.5
Hence: The total time Wendy spend on the train is 4 hrs

The total time Wendy spend on the Bus is: 5.5 − 4 = 1.5 ℎ𝑟𝑠

𝐷𝑏𝑢𝑠 = 40 ∙ 1.5 = 60 𝑚𝑖
𝐷𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 60 ∙ 4 = 240 𝑚𝑖
𝐷𝑇𝑂𝑇𝐴𝐿 = 60 + 240 = 300 𝑚𝑖

56
Functions 𝒇
−𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑
𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
𝑓 − refers to the function itself
𝑓(𝑥) − refers to the value taken by the function when evaluated at a point .
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 − 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 Input x

Evaluating a Function
1
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓 −2 , 𝑓 0 , 𝑓 4 , 𝑓( )
2
𝑆𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑓 −2 = 3(−2)2 +(−2) − 5 =5
𝑜𝑛 𝑥
𝑓 0 = 3(0)2 +(0) − 5 = −5 𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑓 4 = 3(4)2 +(4) − 5 = 47

1 1 1 15
𝑓 = 3( )2 +( ) − 5 =−
2 2 2 4
Output y
2
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 1 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓 𝑎 , 𝑓 −𝑎 , 𝑓 a + h

𝑓 𝑎 = 2(𝑎)2 +3(𝑎) − 1 𝑓 𝑎 = 2𝑎2 + 3𝑎 − 1

𝑓 −𝑎 = 2(−𝑎)2 +3(−𝑎) − 1 𝑓 𝑎 = 2𝑎2 − 3𝑎 − 1

𝑓 𝑎+ℎ = 2(𝑎2 + 2𝑎ℎ + ℎ2 ) + 3𝑎 + 3ℎ − 1

= 2(𝑎 + ℎ)2 +3(𝑎 + ℎ) − 1
57
𝑓 a+h =2𝑎2 + 4𝑎ℎ + 2ℎ2 + 3𝑎 + 3ℎ − 1
The Domain and Range of a Function
The D𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 of a function 𝑓(𝑥)is the set of all values for which the function
is defined (𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡/𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡), and the R𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 of the function is the set of
all values that f takes (𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡/𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡).

58
Example
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: 0 ≤ 𝑦 < 2

𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: −2 ≤ 𝑥 < 2

59
The Domain of a Function
- When stated explicitly, this is how the function is written:
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 where 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5

- If not stated explicitly, then you have to

find the domains and range of the functions
1
Example: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥

Solution: A rational expression is not defined when

the denominator is 0.

𝑓 𝑥 is not defined when 𝑥 = 0

Thus, the domain of 𝑓 𝑖𝑠 𝑥 ∈ ℝ: 𝑥 ≠ 0

the range of 𝑓 𝑖𝑠 𝑦 ∈ ℝ: 𝑦 ≠ 0 60
Application of Function
1. If an astronaut weighs 130 pounds on the surface of the earth, then her weight when she is h
miles above the earth is given by the function:
2 Note:
3960
𝑤 ℎ = ℎ(ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡) − Domain
3960 + ℎ
𝑤 weight − Range
a. What is her height when she is 100 mi above the earth?

Solution: We want the value of the function w when h =100; that is:

2
3960
𝑤 100 = ≈ 123.67
3960 + 100
Hence: At height of 100 mi, she weighs about 124 lb

b. Construct a table of values for the function w, what gives her weight at height from 0 to 500
mmi. What do you conclude from the table?

Solution: The table gives the astronaut’s weight, rounded to the nearest pound at 100-mile
increments. h w(h)
0 130
100 124 Hence, the higher the astronaut travels, the
200 118
less she weighs.

300 112
400 107
500 102 61
 End of Topic

Thank you
Dr. Maricel G. Dayaday, EcE, ME-EcE, Engr. Jean Martin, MSEnE, Engr. Jay M. Navaluna,MEP-CE
College of Engineering and Information Technology 62