Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and GRADE Mathematics Grade 10

TERM 1 Week 4: Exponents, Equations and Inequalities
TOPIC Number systems and Exponents
AIMS OF LESSON To expose learners to the Real number system and introduce Exponents
RESOURCES Paper based resources
Please refer to the chapter in your textbook on Number Systems and then on Exponents
INTRODUCTION In this lesson we will start to look at the Real number system in order to classify numbers and then move on to work with
Exponents.
CONCEPTS/ SKILLS 1. Real numbers, Rational and Irrational numbers
2. Exponent laws and rules
3. Simplifying exponential expressions
4. Solving Exponential equations
Lesson 1 + 2 The Real number system
The set of Real Numbers, ℝ Example 1: Write 0, 2̇ as a fraction.
The set is infinite and contains both Rational and Irrational Numbers.
Note: 10 =
10
which is ℚ 0, 2̇ = 0,22222222 …
Every Real Number can be represented as a point on the number line. 1
0,745 =
745
which is ℚ Let 𝑥𝑥 = 0,2222222 … (1)
1000
1 × 10: ∴10𝑥𝑥 = 2,22222222 … (2)
The Set of Rational Numbers, ℚ 0, 1̇ = which is ℚ
0
9
(2) − (1): 10𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥 = 2,2222222 … − 0,22222222 …
𝑎𝑎 0 = which is ℚ
This is an infinite set of numbers that can be written in the form , where 1 ∴ 9𝑥𝑥 = 2
𝑏𝑏 𝑎𝑎
is UNDEFINED.
both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are integers (ℤ) and 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0 0
∴ 𝑥𝑥 =
2
2 45 We can NEVER divide by 0. 9
• e.g.: −2 ; ; 0,132; −12; 1; √16; √64 ; 2,12̇ 3;̇ etc.
3
3 32
ℚ is closed under addition, multiplication and subtraction (if you ×, +, or − ℚ numbers, your answer will Example 2: Show that 1, 1̇ 2̇ is a ℚ number.
be a ℚ number). This not true for division (𝑎𝑎0 is UNDEFINED) 1, 1̇ 2̇ = 1,1212121212 …
• All Terminating decimals (0,745) and Recurring numbers (0, 1̇ ) are Rational numbers. Let 𝑥𝑥 = 1,1212121212 … (1)
22
• NOTE: 𝜋𝜋 is not ℚ, although and 3,14 are ℚ approximated values that we use. × 100: ∴100𝑥𝑥 = 112,12121212… (2)
7
(2) − (1): 100𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥 = 112,12121212 … −
1,12121212 …
The Set of Irrational Numbers, ℚ′ ∴ 99𝑥𝑥 = 111
𝑎𝑎
This is an infinite set of numbers that cannot be written in the form , where both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are integers 111
𝑏𝑏 ∴ 𝑥𝑥 = which is ℚ
3 99
• E.g. √2; √4; 𝝅𝝅; 0,123 … Look for a perfect square
• Square roots of numbers that are not perfect squares that is just smaller than 21 Example 3: Between which two integers (ℤ) do √21 lie?
• Cube roots of numbers that are not perfect cubes, etc. and the one just bigger than 16 < 21 < 25
21, which is 16 and 25
• 𝜋𝜋 ∴ √16 < √21 < √25
∴ 4 < √21 < 5 ⇒ √21 lie between 4 and 5
The Set of Integers, ℤ Example 4: Round the following off to the nearest
This infinite set contains a negative number, −𝑛𝑛, to match every Natural Number, 𝑛𝑛. decimal indicated:
• ℤ = {....; -5; -4; -3; -2; -1; 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; ….} 1. 0,154 to 2 decimals ⇒ 0,15
• This Set is closed under +, − and × To round off to 𝑛𝑛 decimal places: 2. 2,376621 to 3 decimals ⇒ 2,377
Look at the digit to the right of
this digit. 3. 5,764703 to 1 decimal ⇒ 5,8
The Set of Whole Numbers (Counting numbers), ℕ𝟎𝟎 • If it is < 5 then the digit in
CAN YOU?
This is an infinite set of numbers. the 𝑛𝑛 −th place remains the
same and the digits to the
• ℕ𝟎𝟎 = {0;1; 2; 3; 4; 5; ….} right falls away.
1. Classify the following numbers:
• Closed under + and ×. If 𝑛𝑛 𝜖𝜖 ℕ𝟎𝟎 then 𝑛𝑛 × 0 = 0 and 𝑛𝑛 + 0 = 𝑛𝑛 • If it is 5 or > 5 then the digit # ℝ ℝ′ ℚ ℚ′ ℤ ℕ𝟎𝟎 ℕ undef
in the 𝑛𝑛 −th place is
e.g.√36     
increased by 1 and the digits
The Set of Natural Numbers, ℕ to the right falls away. 2𝜋𝜋
This is an infinite set of numbers.
• ℕ = {1; 2; 3; 4; 5; ….} 3
√−36
• This Set is closed under + and ×. 21,34 …
• The set can be divided into Prime and Composite Numbers.
• Prime Numbers have only two factors 1 and itself. E.g. 2,3,5,7,11 and 13 �4
49

• Composite Numbers have more than two factors

7
−
9

The Set of Non- Real Numbers, ℝ′ 3,17̇ 8̇ 2̇

This is an infinite set of numbers.
6 7,85
• E.g. √−2; √−20, etc.
• All even roots of negative numbers 67

√−16
3
√−8
25
0

Answers:
19 2. Write 2, 1̇ as a fraction
2.
9 3. Between which two integers do √71 lie?
3. 8 and 9 4. Round off to the nearest decimal indicated:
4. a. 2,44 (a) 2,43576 to 2 decimals
b. 0,0030 (b) 0,00293019 to 4 decimals
c. 43,701 (c) 43,700951 to 3 decimals
d. 1,0 (d) 1,049 to 1 decimal
e. 24,9 (e) 24,876 to the nearest tenth
f. 6040600 (f) 6040599,87654 to the nearest whole number
Lesson 3 Exponents: Revision from Gr 9
NOTE:
power
• −𝑎𝑎2 = −(𝑎𝑎2 ) and (−𝑎𝑎)2 = (−𝑎𝑎) × (−𝑎𝑎) = 𝑎𝑎2 ⇒ −𝑎𝑎2 ≠ (−𝑎𝑎)2
𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 exponent • −3. 22 = −3 × 4 = −12 and not (−6)2 = 36
• (2𝑎𝑎)2 = 4𝑎𝑎2 ≠ 2𝑎𝑎2
base • (−2𝑥𝑥 2 )3 = −8𝑥𝑥 6 and not −6𝑥𝑥 5
Definition: 𝑎𝑎 = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑎𝑎 × … for 𝑛𝑛 terms
𝑛𝑛 • (7 − 2)2 = 52 = 25 and not 72 − 22 = 49 − 4 = 45
Exponential laws are
𝑎𝑎1 = 𝑎𝑎 only applicable if we
CAN YOU?
have ONE TERM
Exponential laws: if 𝑚𝑚, 𝑛𝑛 𝜖𝜖 ℚ: Note: only one Simplify the following expressions, without a calculator:
base in answer
1. 52 × 53 . 5
1. 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 × 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛+𝑚𝑚 if we multiply 2 powers and their bases are the same,
53
we add their exponents 2.
1 1 5−2
Examples: 23 × 24 = 23+4 = 27 ; 𝑥𝑥 5 . 𝑥𝑥 4 = 𝑥𝑥 9 ; 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑎2 = 𝑎𝑎1 = 𝑎𝑎
3. 4(5𝑎𝑎0 )2 Answers:
Test: 8 × 16 = 128 = 27
4. 3. 2−2
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 1. 56
2. = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−𝑚𝑚 if 𝑛𝑛 > 𝑚𝑚 If we divide 2 powers with the same base, subtract 5. (3.2)−2
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 2. 55
the exponent of denominator from that of numerator 2𝑎𝑎 2𝑚𝑚2𝑝𝑝 3. 100
=
1
if 𝑚𝑚 > 𝑛𝑛 6. 3
2
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚−𝑛𝑛 4.
4
𝑎𝑎10 𝑏𝑏 3
34 𝑎𝑎6 𝑏𝑏 7 𝑏𝑏 7−5 𝑏𝑏 2
7. 5.
1
𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏
Examples: = 34−1 = 33 = 27 ; = = 36
31 𝑎𝑎7 𝑏𝑏 5 𝑎𝑎7−6 𝑎𝑎 6. 2𝑎𝑎+𝑚𝑚+𝑝𝑝−1
8. [(−2)3 ]2
1 1 7. 𝑎𝑎7 𝑏𝑏 2
3. (𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 )𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 E.g. (23 )2 = 26 = 64 ; (𝑥𝑥 3 )4 = 𝑥𝑥 12 ; (𝑎𝑎4 )2 = 𝑎𝑎4×2 = 𝑎𝑎2 9. (4𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 2 )3
8. 64
1
10. 6𝑎𝑎 −2 𝑏𝑏 3 × (2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)3 9. 64𝑥𝑥 9 𝑦𝑦 6
4. 𝑛𝑛
(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) = 𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛
E.g. (32 𝑎𝑎3 𝑏𝑏 2 )2 = 3 𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 = 81𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 ; (2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥) = 2 𝑥𝑥 𝑦𝑦 = 8𝑥𝑥 𝑦𝑦
4 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3
−4𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 7 𝑐𝑐 0 10. 48𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 6
11. 𝑏𝑏 5 𝑐𝑐 2
8𝑎𝑎4 𝑏𝑏 2 𝑐𝑐 −2 11. −
4
𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 23 2 3 𝑎𝑎2 𝑎𝑎8 2𝑎𝑎3
5. � � = E.g. =� � ; � � = 1
(2𝑥𝑥 7 𝑦𝑦 2 )2 12. 2𝑥𝑥 13
𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛 33 3 𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 4
12.
2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎6
13.
Other deductions: 4 𝑏𝑏 2
�𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 −1 �
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 13. 14. 𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏
• = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚−𝑚𝑚 = 𝑎𝑎0 = 1 E.g. 20 =1 ; (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)0 = 1 ; 4𝑎𝑎0 = 4(1) = 4 (𝑎𝑎−1 𝑏𝑏 −1 )2
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚
𝑎𝑎 −1 +𝑏𝑏 −1
1 1 1 1 1 14.
• 𝑎𝑎 −𝑛𝑛
= and = 𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛
E.g. 3 −2
= = ; = 𝑥𝑥 4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)−1
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎 −𝑛𝑛 32 9 𝑥𝑥 −4
Lesson 4 Simplifying Exponential Expressions
Simplify the following expressions: CAN YOU?
3 Write 81 as the product
Example 1: 814 Simplify the following expressions:
3 of its PRIME factors.
4 4
= (3 ) 2
3
=3 4×
4 = 33 = 27 1. 643
Write each composite base as the Answers:
1
2𝑥𝑥 .3𝑥𝑥−2 .6𝑥𝑥 product of its PRIME factors. 2. of 250
Example 2: 2
4 𝑥𝑥−1 .9𝑥𝑥+1 Note the use of brackets to 1. 16
ensure that ALL factors remain (23 .32 )2 2. 249
3.
2𝑥𝑥 .3𝑥𝑥−2 .(2.3)𝑥𝑥 under the influence of the 22 .33 3. 24 . 3 = 48
Solution: = (22)𝑥𝑥−1
.(32 )𝑥𝑥+1 1 1
(125𝑥𝑥 3 )3 4.
5
2𝑥𝑥 .3𝑥𝑥−2 .2𝒙𝒙 .3𝒙𝒙
Apply exponential laws 3 and 4 as 4. 1 5. 8
= well as the rules for multiplying a (5𝑥𝑥 2 )2 1
2𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐−𝟐𝟐 .3𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐+𝟐𝟐 6.
monomial with a polynomial 2𝑥𝑥 .4𝑥𝑥+1 .33𝑥𝑥−1 9

=2 𝑥𝑥+𝒙𝒙−(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐−𝟐𝟐)
.3 𝑥𝑥−2+𝒙𝒙−(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐+𝟐𝟐) (remember?) 5. 7.
28
63𝑥𝑥−1 3
18𝑥𝑥+1 8. 1
= 2𝑥𝑥+𝒙𝒙−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐+𝟐𝟐 . 3𝑥𝑥−2+𝒙𝒙−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐−𝟐𝟐 Now apply laws 1 and 2 on the 6. 2
2𝑥𝑥+1 .9𝑥𝑥+2 9.
powers with the same bases. Note 5
how we write this using ONLY 9𝑛𝑛+1 +32𝑛𝑛−1 10. 8
= 22 . 3−4 7.
the 2 bases and the use of 9𝑛𝑛 11. 2𝑥𝑥 − 5
brackets again. Then simplify 2𝑥𝑥
22 4 3𝑛𝑛+4 −6.3𝑛𝑛+1 12. = 2𝑥𝑥−1
= = 8. 2
34 81 7.3𝑛𝑛+2 13. 3 − 3
𝑥𝑥

Note: we cannot apply the 2𝑥𝑥+2 −2𝑥𝑥+1

3𝑥𝑥+1 +3𝑥𝑥−1 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙 .31 +𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙 .3−1
Example 2: = exponential laws since the numerator 9. 2𝑥𝑥 +2𝑥𝑥+2
3𝑥𝑥+2 −3𝑥𝑥 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙 .32 −𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙
and denominator is not ONE TERM
– so we must FACTORISE. Apply 5.2𝑥𝑥 −4.2𝑥𝑥−2
=
𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙 (31 +3−1 ) 10. 2𝑥𝑥 −2𝑥𝑥−1
𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙 (32 −𝟏𝟏) law 1 backwards and we have 3 𝑥𝑥 as
CF 4𝑥𝑥 −25
10 11.
31 +3−1 10 1 5 2𝑥𝑥 +5
= = 3
= × =
32 −𝟏𝟏 8 3 8 12 4𝑥𝑥 −2𝑥𝑥
12. 2𝑥𝑥+1 −2
4𝑥𝑥 −1
Example 3: 9𝑥𝑥 −3𝑥𝑥 −6
2𝑥𝑥 −1 22𝑥𝑥 − 1 = (2 𝑥𝑥 )2 − 1
13. *
leading to the difference 3𝑥𝑥 +2
22𝑥𝑥 −1 (2𝑥𝑥 )2 −1
= of 2 squares to factorise!
2𝑥𝑥 −1 2𝑥𝑥 −1

(2𝑥𝑥 −1)(2𝑥𝑥 +1)

= = 2𝑥𝑥 + 1
(2𝑥𝑥 −1)
Lesson 5 Solving Exponential equations
Exponential equations where the unknown is in the exponent Equations where the unknown is in the base
1 Get the power alone on
Example 5: 4𝑥𝑥 4 = 16 1 side
Rule: If 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎𝑘𝑘 ⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘 for equal powers: if the bases are the same, then the 1

exponents are the same as well ∴ 𝑥𝑥 4 = 4

× the exponents both sides
4 with the reciprocal of the
Solve for 𝑥𝑥: Make the bases the same; 1 1
∴ �𝑥𝑥 � = (4)4 exponent of 𝑥𝑥 to solve
usually prime numbers as base 4

Example 1: 3𝑥𝑥+2 = 27 ∴ 𝑥𝑥 = 256

Solution: 3𝑥𝑥+2 = 33 Since bases are the same;
exponents must be equal CAN YOU?
∴ 𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 3
∴ 𝑥𝑥 = 1 Solve for 𝑥𝑥 in the following equations:
Make bases the same. Note the
use of brackets. 1. 2𝑥𝑥−4 = 32 Answers:
Example 2: 4𝑥𝑥+1 . 8𝑥𝑥 = 32. 23𝑥𝑥−1
1
∴ (22 ) 𝑥𝑥+1 . (23 ) 𝑥𝑥 = 25 . 23𝑥𝑥−1 2. 3𝑥𝑥−2 . 9𝑥𝑥 = 1. 9
Apply Law 1 to get one power 27

both sides and apply Rule

3. 2. 3𝑥𝑥+1 = 162 2. −
1
∴ 22𝑥𝑥+2 . 23𝑥𝑥 = 25 . 23𝑥𝑥−1 4. 3𝑥𝑥+1 − 3𝑥𝑥−1 = 24 3
23 3. 3
5. 3. 5𝑥𝑥−1 + 4. 5𝑥𝑥 = 4. 2
∴ 25𝑥𝑥+2 = 23𝑥𝑥+4 5
25
5. −1
∴ 5𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 3𝑥𝑥 + 4 6. 𝑥𝑥 3 = 32
∴ 2𝑥𝑥 = 2 3 6. 8
LHS is not ONE TERM ⇒ 7. 2𝑥𝑥 4 + 3 = 57 7. 81
∴ 𝑥𝑥 = 1 1 −𝑥𝑥−3
FACTORISE. 8. 3𝑥𝑥+1 − � � = −11 + 3𝑥𝑥+2 8. −1
3
3 9. 2 or 0
Example 3: 2𝑥𝑥+2 − 2𝑥𝑥 = 9. (3 − 9)(3 − 1) = 0
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥
4 10. 1
3 10. 4 × 32𝑥𝑥 = 9 × 22𝑥𝑥
∴ 2𝑥𝑥 . 22 − 2𝑥𝑥 =
4
3
∴ 2𝑥𝑥 (22 − 1) =
4
3
∴ 2𝑥𝑥 (3) =
4
3 1
∴ 2𝑥𝑥 = ×
4 3
1
∴ 𝟐𝟐𝒙𝒙 = = 𝟐𝟐−𝟐𝟐
4
∴ 𝑥𝑥 = −2
 ACTIVITIES Consider other exercises from your Mathematics Textbook
CONSOLIDATION power
𝑥𝑥
𝑎𝑎 exponent

base

Exponential laws:

1. 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 × 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛+𝑚𝑚

𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛
2. 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚
= 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−𝑚𝑚
3. (𝑎𝑎 ) = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚 𝑛𝑛

4. (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛
𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛
5. � � =
𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛
6. 0
𝑎𝑎 = 1
1 1
7. 𝑎𝑎−𝑛𝑛 = 𝑛𝑛 and
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎−𝑛𝑛
= 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛

Exponential equations:

If 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎𝑘𝑘 ⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘

VALUES Dear learner. MATHEMATICS can OPEN DOORS for you, but only if you work hard at it. You will however, close that door
on yourself through your unwillingness to practice every day. Keep up the good work!