Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Pure Mathematics 3
Algebra and Functions

Chpt 1: pg 2- 17
You will need to be familiar with the following terms and notation:

ℕ is the set of natural numbers, {1, 2, 3, ... }

ℤ is the set of integers, {0, ±1, ± 2, ± 3, ... }
ℚ is the set of rational numbers,
ℝ is the set of real numbers and includes rational and irrational
numbers

ℤ
ℕ
Basic algebraic skills such as collecting like terms, expanding brackets
and factorising (opposite of expanding brackets) are essential for the
course.
 Pg 6

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e.g. plot the graph of y = |x – 1| e.g. plot the graph of y = |x| – 1

x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 y 3 2 1 0 -1 0 1 2

y y

x x

note that for x – 1 < 0 the graph note that for x < 0 the graph is
is reflected in the x axis reflected in the y axis
 e.g. sketch the graphs of y = ǀ2x – 6ǀ and y = ǀ½xǀ and hence solve the
equation ǀ2x – 6ǀ = ǀ½xǀ
y y = ǀ2x – 6ǀ
6 y = ǀ½xǀ
B× ×A
x
0 3
 to solve we need to consider the location of each solution
solution A lies on the un-reflected solution B lies on the reflected part
part of y = ǀ2x – 6ǀ and the un- of y = ǀ2x – 6ǀ and the un-reflected
reflected part of y = ǀ½xǀ part of y = ǀ½xǀ

2x – 6 = ½x -(2x – 6) = ½x
4x – 12 = x -4x + 12 = x
3x = 12 5x = 12
x = 4 and y = 2 x = and y =
 To sketch the graph of y = |f(x)|
• sketch the graph of y = f(x)
• reflect any parts where f(x) < 0 in the x-axis

To sketch the graph of y = f(|x|)

• sketch the graph of y = f(x) where x ≥ 0
• reflect in y-axis
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 We solve a linear inequality in the same way as a linear equation,
however, if we divide or multiply through the inequality by a negative
number then the inequality sign will be reversed.

To solve a quadratic inequality we find the solutions of the quadratic

equation (critical values) and consider which range(s) satisfies the
inequality.
Recap
 e.g. solve the inequalities 2x – 3(x – 1) < 0 and 4x + 1 > x – 2
2x – 3(x – 1) < 0 4x + 1 > x – 2
 expanding brackets  collecting x terms on one side
2x – 3x + 3 < 0 3x + 1 > -2
 simplifying  collecting non x terms on one
-x + 3 < 0 side
care must be taken when dividing 3x > -3
an inequality by a negative number x > -1
3 < x or x > 3

consider the range of values that satisfies both inequalities

-1 3
x>3
 e.g. Solve the inequality x2 – 11x + 24 < 0

 factorise
(x – 8)(x – 3) < 0

 identify critical values

x = 8, x = 3

 identify which range satisfies the inequality by considering a value in

each range or sketching a graph

3<x<8

3 8
 We can find solutions to inequalities by considering their graphs.

• f(x) < g(x) represents the values of x for which the curve y = f(x) is
below y = g(x)
• f(x) > g(x) represents the values of x for which the curve y = f(x) is
above y = g(x)
 We can solve inequalities graphically by shading regions on a graph. If
there are several inequalities we normally shade the regions we do not
want so that the required region will be unshaded.

• if y > f(x) or y < f(x) then the curve y = f(x) is not included in the region
and is represented by a dotted line
• if y ≤ f(x) or y ≥ f(x) then the curve y = f(x) is included in the region
and is represented by a solid line
We can solve modulus problems by using knowledge of transformations
together with |f(x)| and f(|x|) and an understanding of domain and
range.
We can perform transformations of graphs to give the graph of a related
function. Transformations include stretch, translation and reflection.

y = af(x) represents a vertical stretch with scale factor a

y = f(ax) represents a horizontal stretch with scale factor

y = f(x) + a represents a translation

y = f(x + a) represents a translation

y = -f(x) represents a reflection in the x axis

y = f(-x) represents a reflection in the y axis
When simplifying an algebraic fraction try to factorise the numerator
and the denominator and cancel any common factors.
1.4 Division of Polynomials
Example1

Divide x3 + 2x2 – 3x + 7 by x – 2

x2 + 4x + 5
x – 2 x3 + 2x2 – 3x + 7
x3 – 2x2
4x2 – 3x
4x2 – 8x
5x + 7
5x – 10
17
A polynomial is a finite expression with positive whole number indices.

We can use algebraic long division to divide a polynomial by:

• (x ± p), where p is a constant
• (ax ± b), where a and b are constants
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Pg 13-
 1.5 The Factor Theorem

𝑃 (2)

𝑇h𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 ( 𝑥 −2 ) 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑃 ( 𝑥 ) 𝑖 .𝑒
Example1: Use the factor theorem to find a linear factor of P(x) where
P(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1.
Hence express P(x) as a product of three linear factors

 Find a value of x such that P(x) = 0

try x = -1: P(-1) = (-1)3 + 3(-1)2 + 3(1) + 1 = 0
so x + 1 is a factor of P(x)

 divide P(x) by (x + 1)
x2 + 2x + 1
x + 1 x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1
x3 + x2
2x2 + 3x
2x2 + 2x
x+1
x+1
0
P(x) = (x + 1)(x2 + 2x + 1) = (x – 2)(x + 1)(x + 1)
We can factorise a polynomial by using the factor theorem.

• If (x − p) is a factor of f(x) then f(p) = 0

• If (ax – b) is a factor of f(x) then f = 0
 e.g. When the polynomial f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + 3x + 4 is divided by (x + 1)
the remainder is -4. When f(x) is divided by (x – 2) the remainder is 38.
Find the values of a and b.

f(-1) = a(-1)3 + b(-1)2 + 3(-1) + 4 = -4

-a + b + 1 = -4
a + b = -5 (1)

f(2) = a(2)3 + b(2)2 + 3(2) + 4 = 38

8a + 4b + 6 + 4 = 38
8a + 4b = 28 or 2a + b = 7 (2)

(2) – (1) to eliminate b

3a = 12
a=4
substitute a = 4 into (2)
2(4) + b = 7 so b = -1
We can find the remainder of a polynomial by using the remainder
theorem.

• If f(x) is divided by (x − p) then the remainder is f(p)

• If f(x) is divided by (ax – b) then the remainder is f.
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