Mathematics for Remedial program for social science students 2023

Chapter 1
Solving Equations and Inequalities (12 hrs)
Definition: The mathematical expirations defined with “ = ” are called equations. For instance a
function defined by 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 0 is an example of equation.

Example: a) 2𝑥 + 6 = 0 b) 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5 = 9 c) 81 = d) √𝑥 − 9 − 4 = 0

Definition: The mathematical expirations defined with either " < " or " ≤ " or " > " or " ≥ " are called
inequalities.
Example: a) 𝑥 + 7 > 0 b) 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5 ≤ 9 c) 7𝑥 − 8 ≥ d) √5𝑥 − 1 − 3 < 0

1.1. Solving Equations involving exponents and radicals

There are different types of equations that depend on the variable(s) considered. so, let us consider the
following definitions.
Definition: When the variable in the expression has an exponent other than 1, it is said to be equation
involving exponents. For instance, an exponential equation can be given by:
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑏 , 𝑏 ≠ 1
Hence, “b” is called base and ‘x’ is called exponents.
Example: a) 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 81 − b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 – 16 c) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 9 − 27
Definition: Any mathematical equations contain radical is called mathematical equation involving
radical:

Example: a) 𝑓(𝑥 ) = √𝑥 + 7 b) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = √2 − 36 c) ℎ(𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 1 − 4 d) 𝑘(𝑥 ) =

√5𝑥 − 1 − 3

Note: For a > 0, ax = ay, if and only if x =y.

Note: The solution set of any equation is the values x whose satisfies the properties 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 0
So we want to find the values of x which satisfies the properties.

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Note: Exponential equation are use to solve same application problem like compound interest,
exponential growth and decay problems.

1.2. System of linear equations in two variables

Definition: For 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ and 𝑎 ≠ 0, any equations reduced in the form of 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 fare called of
linear equation in one variable. The number 𝑎 and 𝑏 are called coefficient of equation.

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Note that for 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑦 = 0, then, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 is a particular case of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 . This means, for different
values of y there will be different equations with their own solutions.
Definition: For 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒 ∈ ℝ and 𝑐 ≠ 0, 𝑑 ≠ 0 any equations reduced in the form of 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑒 are
called of linear equation in two variable. An equation in two variables of the form 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑒 can
be reduced to the form y = ax + b.
Example 1
a. Give solutions to 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 where y assumes values 0, 1, 2 and 3.
b. Plot some of the ordered pairs that make 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 true on the 𝑥𝑦-coordinate
𝑥𝑦 system.
Solution:
a. Let us consider 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1.
When 𝑦 = 0,, the equation becomes 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 and its solution is 𝑥 = 1/2.
When 𝑦 = 1,, the equation becomes 2𝑥 + 1 = 1 and its solution is 𝑥 = 0.
When 𝑦 = 2,, the equation becomes 2𝑥 + 1 = 2 and its solution is 𝑥 = 1/2.
When 𝑦 = 3,, the equation becomes 2𝑥 + 1 = 3 and its solution is 𝑥 = 1.
b. Now let us plot these points on the 𝑥𝑦 −coordinate
coordinate system. So, that there is a line that passes
through them. The plot of these ordered pairs makes a straight line.

Note: In general, since 𝑦 can have any value, there are infinite ordered pairs that make the equation
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 true.
Difenation:

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Definitions:

Method For Solving System of Linear Equation

There are different another methods that we use to solve system of linear equation. Some these include
the graphical method, substitution method and elimination method.
a. The Graphical Method
To solve systems of equations or simultaneous equations by the graphical method, we draw the graph
for each of the equation and look for a point of intersection between the two graphs. The coordinates of
the point of intersection would be the solution to the system of equations. When we draw the lines of
each of the component equations in a system of two linear equations, we can observe three possibilities.
1. The two lines intersect at one point, in which case the system has one solution.
2. The two lines are parallel and never intersect. In this case, we say the system does not have
a solution.
3. The two lines coincide (fit one over the other). In this case, there are infinite solutions.

Example:
Using the graphical
phical method, find the solution of the systems of equations
y+x=3
y = 4x - 2

Solution:
Draw the two lines graphically and determine the point of intersection from the graph.
From the graph, the point of intersection is (1, 2)

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b. Substituting Method
One of the methods to solve a system of linear equations in two variables algebraically is the
substitution method. In this method, we find the value of any one of the variables by isolating it on one
side and taking every other term on the other side of the equation. Then we substitute that value in the
second equation.

The steps to apply or use the substitution method to solve a system of equations are given below:

Step 1: Simplify the given equation by expanding the parenthesis if needed.

Step 2: Solve any one of the equations for any one of the variables. You can use any variable based
on the ease of calculation.
Step 3: Substitute the obtained value of x or y in the other equation.
Step 4: Now, simplify the new equation obtained using
us arithmetic operations and solve the equation
for one variable.
Step 5: Now, substitute the value of the variable from Step 4 in any of the given equations to solve
for the other variable.
Example 1:

Solving two equations using the substitution method

𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 8 , 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5.

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Example 2:
Solving two equations using the substitution method

2𝑥 + 3(𝑦 + 5) = 0 , 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 2 = 0.

Solution:

Step 1: So, here we can simplify the first equation to get 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 15 = 0. Now

we have two equations as,

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 15 = 0 (1)

𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 2 = 0 (2)

Step 2: We are solving equation (2) for x. So, we get 𝑥 = −4𝑦 − 2.

Step 3: Substitute the obtained value of x in the equation (1). i.e., we are

substituting 𝑥 = −4𝑦 − 2 in the equation 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 15 = 0, we get, 2(−4𝑦 − 2) + 3𝑦 +

15 = 0.

Step 4: Now, simplify the new equation. We get, −8𝑦 − 4 + 3𝑦 + 15 = 0

−5𝑦 + 11 = 0 ⇒ −5𝑦 = −11 ⇒ 𝑦 = 11/5

Step 5: Now, substitute the value of y in any of the given equations. Let us

Substitute the value of y in equation (2).

𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 + 4 × (11/5) + 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 + 44/5 + 2 = 0

⇒ 𝑥 + 54/5 = 0 ⇒x = -54/5

Therefore, solution set of the given system of equations is (𝑥, 𝑦) = (−54/5, 11/5).

c. Elimination method
The elimination method is one of the techniques to solve the system of linear equations. In this method,
either add or subtract the equations to get the equation in one variable. If the coefficients of one of the
variables are the same, and the sign of the coefficients are opposite, we can add the equation to eliminate
the variable. Similarly, if the coefficients of one of the variables are the same, and the sign of the
coefficients are the same, we can subtract the equation to get the equation in one variable.
In case, if we do not have the equation to directly add or subtract the equations to eliminate the variable,
you can begin by multiplying one or both the equations by a constant value on both sides of an equation

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to obtain the equivalent linear system of equations and then eliminate the variable by simply adding or
subtracting equations. We can follow this step to solve given system of equation by elimination method

Step 1: Firstly, multiply both the given equations by some suitable non-zero constants to make the
coefficients of any one of the variables (either x or y) numerically equal.
Step 2: After that, add or subtract one equation from the other in such a way that one variable gets
eliminated. Now, if you get an equation in one variable, go to Step 3. Else;

 If we obtain a true statement including no variable, then the original pair of equations has
infinitely many solutions.
 If we obtain a false statement including no variable, then the original pair of equations has no
solution, i.e., it is inconsistent.
Step 3: Solve the equation in one variable (x or y) to get its value.
Step 4: Substitute this value in any of the given equations to get the value of another variable
Example 1:
Solve the system of equations: 2𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 10
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6.
Solution:
Consider the equations:
2𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 10…………….. (1)
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6………………… (2)
There can be two ways to solve this problem.
In a first way, multiply equation (1) by 3 and equation (2) by 2, we get,
6𝑥 + 21𝑦 = 30……………..(3)
6𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 12……………….(4)
The coefficients the 𝑥 in equation (3) and equation (4) are the same i.e. 6.
Finally, subtract equation (4) from equation (3). We get-
6𝑥 + 21𝑦 – 6𝑥 – 2𝑦 = 30 – 12 ⇒ 19𝑦 = 18 ⇒ 𝑦 = 18/19
In order to get the value of x, the value of y is substituted in equation (2),
3𝑥 + 18/19 = 6 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 6 – 18/19 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 96/19 ⇒ x = 96/57 = 32/19
Hence, the solution set of given linear system of equation is (𝑥, 𝑦) = (32/19 , 18/19)
Example 2:
The sum of a two-digit number and the number obtained by reversing the digits is 88. If the digits of the
number differ by 2, find the number. How many such numbers are there?
Solution:

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Let the ten’s and the unit’s digits in the first number be x and y, respectively. So, the first number = 10x
+ y .After
After the digits have been reversed, the second number will be = x + 10y
As per the given statement;
(10𝑥 + 𝑦) + (10𝑦
𝑦 + 𝑥) = 88 ⇒ 11𝑥 + 11𝑦 = 88 ⇒ 11(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 88
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8 ……….(1)
Also given, the difference between the two digits is equal to 2. Therefore;
𝑥 – 𝑦 = 2 ………..(2) or 𝑦 – 𝑥 = 2 …………(3)
Note that iff we consider equation 1 and 2, then by elimination method we get, 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑦 = 3
Hence, the number is 53.
Note that if we consider equation 1 and 3, then by elimination method we get, 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑦 = 5.
Hence, the number is 35. Therefore, there are two such numbers, 53 and 35.
Note: The elimination method is preferred over the substitution method when it is easy to multiply the
coefficient and add or subtract the equations to eliminate one of the varia
variables.
bles. The final aim is to form a
linear equation in one variable so that it can be solved easily.
1.3. Equations involving absolute values
Definition:

Example 1:

Example 2 : Evaluate the following given absolute values

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Example 3

Example 4: Determine the values of the variable x in each of the following absolute values equations

Example 5: Solve each of the following equations

Example 6: Solve each of the following equations

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1.4. Inequalities involving absolute values

Note

Example 1: Solve each of the following absolute value equations

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Note

Example 2; Solve
ve each of the following inequality

Solutions:

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1.5. System Of Linear Inequalities In Two Variables

A system of two linear equations in two variables often involves a pair of straight lines in the plane. The
solution set of such a system of equations can be determined from the graph and is the set of all ordered
pairs of coordinates of points which lie on both lines.

Solutions

Solution of this ssystem of equation is apoits lies in the intersection region of 𝑦 ≥ −3𝑥 + 2 and
𝑦 < 𝑥 − 2 . Fisrt we can drow the graph of 𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2, then we can shade their
comman region as follow:

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Solution : Exercise

1.6. Quadratic equations and inequalities

Solving Quadratic Equation
Definition: For real numbers a, b and c, any equation that can be reduced to the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 +
𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎 ≠ 0 is called a quadratic equation. There are three major approaches to solve quadratic
equations, namely, the method of factorization, the method of completing the square, and the general
formula.
Expression
Expressions are combinations of various terms that are represented as a product of variables or numbers
and variables.

Factorizing expressions

Factorizing an expression is expressing it as a product of its simplest factors.

Example 1

Example 2

Factorizing Terminolog

Example 1:

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Example 1

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Solving quadratic equations by completing the square

In many cases, it is not convenient to solve a quadratic equation by factorization method. for that case,
we use another method known as the method of completing the square.
In general, go through the following steps in order to solve a quadratic equation by the method of
completing the square:

Example 1.

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Example 2

Solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula

Viete’s theorem

Example 1: If the sum of the roots of the equation 3𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 1 = 0 is 7, then what is the value of 𝑘?

Solution: Exercise

Example 2: If the product of the roots of the equation kx2 + 8x + 3 = 0 is 1, then what is the value of k?

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Solution: Exercise
Example 2: Determine the value of k so that the equation x2 + kx + k – 1 = 0 has exactly one
real root.

Solution: Exercise

Solving Quadratic Inequality

Definition:

For any real number m and n, the following properties are holds

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Solving Quadratic Inequalities Using the Sign Chart Method

Example 1

Solution

Solution: Exercise

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Note:

Solving Quadratic Inequalities Graphically

In order to use graphs to solve quadratic inequalities, it is necessary to understand the nature of quadratic
functions and their graphs.

To solve quadratic equation by using graphic method, we must be understand the graph of quadratic
equation:

Example 1

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Example 2

Example 3

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1.7. Simplification of Rational Expressions and Solving Rational Equations

Definition

Step to find domain of rational function are:

Example 2

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Definition

To simplify a rational expression,, we use the following steps:

Example 3

Steps to add and subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators

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Example 4 Perform the indicate operation and simplify

Solution:

Multiplication of Rational Expressions

Steps to multiply rational expirations

Example 5: Evaluate and simplify

Solutions

Division of rational Expirations

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Example 6 : Perform the following operation and simplify

Solutions

Decompositions Rational expressions into partial fractions

Definition : The process of finding simple function from rational expression is called decomposition
into partial fraction and obtained simple function is called partial fraction.
Definition

Example 1:

Solution: Using long division

Definition : The polynomial of equal degree are equal each other iff the coefficients of trams of like
degree are equal .

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Example 2: Decompose each retinal function into partial fraction

Solution

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