of the division indicated, ~(8x ~4y/2 becomes ~(44 ~ 2) ‘The original equation is then Tut 3x - By —4r 4+ 2= 24+ 10~3y To solve for x, all x terms are transposed to the left side of the equation. Note that when a term is moved from one side of the equation to the other, the sign must be changed to maintain the equality Int 3r- dx 2e= 10-2 -3y + 3y ‘Then all the terms are combined. 4r=8 0 x=2 In the foregoing equation, the term ~Sr-4 2 must be treated as a single quantity. Therefore, when the divi- sion is made, the term is placed in parentheses to indicate that the negative sign applies to the complete term: ~(4x ~ 2), ‘Whei the parentheses are removed, the 4x fakes a negative sign and the 2 becomes positive. When the value of 2is sub- stituted for x, ~(4x ~ 2) becomes ~(8 ~ 2), or ~6. Remem- ber that whenever a mathematical expression is enclosed in parentheses or brackets, itis treated as a single quantity. If it is preceded by a minus sign, all the terms within the paren- theses or brackets must have their signs changed when the parentheses are removed. Note the following examples at b+0=-a~b- “ar-ytoacrty-z Solution of Problems ‘When an algebraic expression contains only one unknown, quantity, expressed by a letter, it is comparatively simple to find the value of the unknown quantity. In the equation 5: +2 3x = 14 ~ 4r, we can easly find the value of x by transposing and combining, A rule to be remembered at this point is that when a term or quantity is moved from one side ‘of an equation to the opposite side, the sign of the term or ‘quantity must be changed. The solution of the equation just ‘mentioned is as follows: Srt2—30=14~ 4x Sr-3x-+ 4x = 14-2 6r= 12 x22 Note that in this operation the sign of ~4x was changed and the sign of the +2 was changed. This was done because the ~4r and the +2 were transposed, or moved from one side of the equation to the other, When the quantities were combined, 6x was found equal to 12. It is quite apparent then that x is equal to 2. This is also shown by dividing both, sides of the equation by 6. Algebra is particularly useful in solving certain problems which are more difficult to solve by arithmetic or which may not be solved by arithmetic, ‘The following examples 14 Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Mathematics show how some of the less dificult types may be solved by Igebraic methods In te first example, let's say that one number is 3 times another number. The sum of the numbers is 48. If this is tcue, what are the numbers? Let x = the smaller number Then 3x = the larger number xt3r=48 4 = 43 x= 12, the smaller number 3x = 36, the larger number In the next example, one number, increased by 5, is equal to one-half another number. The sum of the numbers is 55 What are the numbers? Let x = the smaller number ‘Then 2(x + 5) = the larger number x= 15, the smaller number 40, the larger number 35 In the final example, a man has five times as many dimes as he has quarters. The total value of his dimes and quarters is $5.25. What number of each does he have? Let x = the number of quarters Then Sx = the number of dimes 25x + LO{Sx) = 525 25x + 50x = 525 T5x = 525 7, the number of quarters Se = 35, the number of dimes Note that x must be multiplied by 25 to find the total umber of cents represented by the quarters. Since x = 7, we find thatthe money represented by quarters is 175 cents, or $1.75, Also, we find that Sx x 10 = 35 X 10, or 350 cents. Then $1.75 + $3.50 = $5.25, ‘There are many types of problems which may be solved with methods similar to those shown for the foregoing prob- lems. You can gain skill in solving such problems through practice. The ability to interpret word problems and reduce them to equation form is the most important requirement. ASS ila ‘The word geometry is derived from geo, a Greek word meaning “earth,” and metria, meaning “measurement.” Geometry can be said (o literally mean the measurement of earth or land, In actuality, geometry deals with the measure- ment of areas, volumes, and distances The proof of geometrical propositions by means of ax ions, postulates, or coratliries constitutes the major portion ‘of most geometry courses. It is expected that you have pre