Mathematic I st

Wahyuni, S.Si.,M.Sc.
Number and Algebra
Wahyuni, S.Si., M.Sc.
 Number
Revision of fractions, decimals and percentages
Bullet ● Revision of fractions, decimals and
point percentages
list. ● Indices, standard form and engineering
notation
● Binary, octal and hexadecimal

● Calculations and evaluation of formulae

 We will talk about Revision
of fractions, decimals and
percentages first.
Fractions; Ratio and proportion; Decimals ; &
Percentages
 Fractions?
2 2
When 2 is divided by 3, it may be written as or 2/3. or 2/3 is called a fraction.
3 3
The number above the line, i.e. 2, is called the numerator and the number below
the line, i.e. 3, is called the denominator.
When the value of the numerator is less than the value of the denominator, the fraction is called
2
a proper fraction; thus is a proper fraction. When the value of the numerator is greater than
3
7
the denominator, the fraction is called an improper fraction. Thus is an improper fraction and
3
can also be expressed as a mixed number, that is, an integer and a proper fraction. Thus the
7 1
improper fraction is equal to the mixed number 2 .
3 3
When a fraction is simplified by dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number,
the process is called cancelling. Cancelling by 0 is not permissible.
The lowest common multiple (i.e. LCM) of the two denominators is 3×7, i.e. 21.
Expressing each fraction so that their denominators are 21, gives:.

Alternatively:
Step 1: the LCM of the two denominators;
1
Step 2: for the fraction 3 , 3 into 21 goes 7 times, 7×the numerator is
7×1;
2
Step 3: for the fraction 7 , 7 into 21 goes 3 times, 3×the numerator is
3×2.
1 2 7+6 13
Thus 3 + 7 = = 21 as obtained previously.
21
One method is to split the mixed
numbers into integers and their
fractional parts. Then Another method is to express the mixed
numbers as improper fractions.
The order of precedence of
operations for problems containing
fractions is the same as that for
integers, i.e. remembered by
BODMAS (Brackets, Of, Division,
Multiplication,Addition and Subtraction).
Thus,
 Ratio and proportion?
The ratio of one quantity to another is a Problem . A piece of timber 273cm long is cut into
fraction, and is the number of times one three pieces in the ratio of 3 to 7 to 11.
quantity is contained in another quantity Determine the lengths of the three pieces?
of the same kind. Answer:
If one quantity is directly proportional to ● The total number of parts is 3+7+11, that is,
another, then as one quantity doubles, 21.Hence 21 parts correspond to 273cm
the other quantity also doubles.
When a quantity is inversely proportional
to another, then as one quantity doubles,
the other quantity is halved.

i.e. the lengths of the three pieces are 39 cm, 91cm and 143cm. (Check: 39+91+143=273)
Problem. A gear wheel having 80 teeth is
in mesh with a 25 tooth gear. What is
the gear ratio?.
 Decimals!
The decimal system of numbers is based on the digits 0 to 9. A number
such as 53.17 is called a decimal fraction, a decimal point separating the
integer part, i.e. 53, from the fractional part, i.e. 0.17.
A number which can be expressed exactly as a decimal fraction is
called a terminating decimal and those which cannot be expressed exactly
as a decimal fraction are called non-terminating decimals.

3 4
Thus, =1.5., is a terminating decimal, but =1.33333. . . is a
2 3
nonterminating decimal. 1.33333. . . can be written as 1.3, called
‘one point-three recurring’.
 Decimals!
The answer to a non-terminating Thus the nonterminating decimal 7.6183. . .
decimal may be expressed in two becomes 7.62, correct to 3 significant figures,
Also 7.6183. . . becomes 7.618, correct to 3
ways, depending on the accuracy
decimal
required: Problem. Evaluate
(i) correct to a number of 37.81÷1.7, correct to
significant figures, that is, (i) 4 significant figures and
(ii) 4 decimal places
figures which signify something, and
Answer:
(ii) correct to a number of decimal (i) 37.81÷1.7=22.24, correct to 4
places, that is, the number of significant figures, and
(ii) 37.81÷1.7=22.2412, correct to
figures after the decimal point. 4 decimal places.
 We will talk about Indices,
standard form and
engineering notation first.
Indices; Worked problems on indices; Further worked problems on indices; Standard
form; Worked problems on standard form; Further worked problems on standard
form; & Engineering notation and common prefixes
 Indices, standard form and
engineering notation
Standard
Indices Engineering
Notation
Form

The lowest factors of 2000 are Engineering notation is similar to

×2×2×2×5×5×5. These factors are Anumberwritten with one digit to scientific notation except that the
written as 24×53, where 2 and 5 are power of ten is always a multiple of
the left of the decimal point and
called bases and the numbers 4 and 3
multiplied by 10 raised to some 3. For example, 0.00035 =
are called indices (squared’ & cubed)
𝟏 power is said to be written in 3.5×10−4 in scientific notation,
Reciprocal = 𝟐−𝟏 = = 𝟎. 𝟓
𝟐 standard form. Thus: 5837 is but 0.00035 = 0.35×10−3 or
𝟏
Square root  when the index is 𝟐, 350×10−6 in engineering
written as 5.837×103 in standard
and the square root of 2 is written as form, and 0.0415 is written as notation.
21 2 or 2., However, (−3)×(−3)=9, 4.15×10−2 in standard form. 3.6 k means 3.6×1000
so 9 = −3 = 3.6×103 = 3600 ohms
 A calculator is needed for many engineering
calculations, and having a calculator which has an
‘EXP’ and ‘ENG’ function is most helpful.

For example,
To calculate: 3×104×0.5×10−6 volts,
Input your calculator in the following order:
(a) Enter ‘3’ (b) Press ‘EXP’ (or×10x) (c) Enter
‘4’ (d) Press ‘×’ (e) Enter ‘0.5’ (f) Press ‘EXP’
(or×10x) (g) Enter ‘−6’ (h) Press ‘=’

7
The answer is 0.015V or Now press the
200
‘ENG’ button, and the answer changes to
5×10−3V.
Table of The eight most common multiples, with their meaning,
 We will talk about Binary,
octal and hexadecimal first.

Introduction; Binary numbers; Octal numbers ; &

Hexadecimal numbers
Binary, octal and hexadecimal
 All data inmodern computers is stored as series of bits, a bit being a binary digit,
and can have one of two values, the numbers 0 and 1. The most basic form of
representing computer data is to represent a piece of data as a string of 1’s and 0’s,
one for each bit. This is called a binary or base-2 number.
 Because binary notation requires so many bits to represent relatively small numbers,
two further compact notations are often used, called octal and hexadecimal.
 Octal notation represents data as base-8 numbers with each digit in an octal
number representing three bits. Similarly, hexadecimal notation uses base-16
numbers, representing four bits with each digit. Octal numbers use only the digits 0–
7, while hexadecimal numbers use all ten base-10 digits (0–9) and the letters A–F
(representing the numbers 10–15).
Binary numbers
(a) Conversion of binary to decimal:
The decimal number 234.5 is equivalent to
2×102+3×101+4×100 +5×10−1

i.e. is the sum of term comprising: (a digit) multiplied by (the base raised to some power).
In the binary system of numbers, the base is 2, so 1101.1 is equivalent to:
1×23 +1×22 +0×21 +1×20 +1×2−1
Thus the decimal number equivalent to the binary number 1101.1 is
𝟏
8+4+0+1+ 𝟐 , that is 13.5

i.e. 1101.12 = 13.510,

the suffixes 2 and 10 denoting binary and decimal systems of number respectively.
(b) Conversion of decimal to binary:
An integer decimal number can be The result is obtained by writing the
converted to a corresponding binary top digit of the remainder as the least
number by repeatedly dividing by 2 significant bit, (a bit is a binary digit
and noting the remainder at each and the least significant bit is the one
stage, as shown below on the right). The bottom bit of the
for 3910 remainder is the most significant bit,
i.e. the bit on the left.

Thus 3910 = 1001112

Octal numbers
For decimal integers containing several An integer decimal number can be
digits, repeatedly dividing by 2 can be a converted to a corresponding octal
lengthy process. In this case, it is usually number by repeatedly dividing by 8
easier to convert a decimal number to a and noting the remainder at each
binary number via the octal system of stage, as shown next for 49310
numbers. This system has a radix of 8,
using the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
The denary number equivalent to the octal
number 43178 is
4×83+3×82+1×81 +7×80
i.e. 4×512+3×64+1×8+7×1 or 225510
Thus 49310 = 7558
The fractional part of a decimal number can be converted to an octal number
by repeatedly multiplying by 8, as shown below for the fraction 0.437510

The natural binary code

for digits 0 to 7 is shown
For fractions, themost significant in Table 3.1, and an octal
number can be converted
bit is the top integer obtained by
to a binary number by
multiplication of the decimal
writing down the three
fraction by 8, thus bits corresponding to the
Thus 0.437510 = 0.348 octal digit.
Thus 4378 = 100 011 1112
and 26.358 = 010 110.011 1012
Hexadecimal numbers
The hexadecimal system is particularly
important in computer programming,
Thus, in the HTML language of the
since four bits (each consisting of a
web, colours are specified using three
one or zero) can be succinctly expressed
pairs of hexadecimal digits RRGGBB,
using a single hexadecimal digit. Two
where RR is the amount of red, GG
hexadecimal digits represent numbers
the amount of green, and BB the
from 0 to 255, a common range used,
amount of blue.
for example, to specify colours.

A hexadecimal numbering system has a radix of 16 and uses the following 16 distinct
digits:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8,9, A, B, C, D, E and F
‘A’ corresponds to 10 in the denary system, B to 11, C to 12, and so on.
(a) Converting from hexadecimal to decimal:
(b) Converting from decimal to hexadecimal:

This is achieved by repeatedly

dividingby 16 and noting
the remainder at each stage,
as shown below for 2610.

Hence 2610=1A16
 We will talk about
Calculations and evaluation of
formulae first.
Errors and approximations; Use of calculator;
Conversion tables and charts; & Evaluation of
formulae
Errors and approximations
An engineer will often need to make a quick
mental approximation for a calculation. For An accurate answer somewhere between
example, 45 and 55 could therefore be expected.
49.1 𝑥 18.4 𝑥 122.1 Certainly an answer around 500 or 5
61.2 𝑥 38.1 would not be expected. Actually, by
may be approximated approximated To calculator
50 𝑥 20 𝑥 120
and then, by cancelling,.
60 𝑥 40

correct to 4 significant figures.

 Use of calculator
The most modern aid to calculations is
the pocket-sized electronic calculator.
With one of these, calculations can be
quickly and accurately performed,
correct to about 9 significant figures.
The scientific type of calculator has
made the use of tables and logarithms
largely redundant.
 Conversion tables and charts
It is often necessary to make calculations from various conversion tables and charts.
Examples include currency exchange rates, imperial to metric unit conversions, train or bus
timetables, production schedules and so on.
Calculate:
(a) how many French euros ￡27.80 will buy
(b) the number of Japanese yen which can be bought for ￡23

(a) ￡1 = 1.46 euros,

hence ￡27.80 = 27.80×1.46 euros = 40.59
euros
(b) ￡1 = 220 yen, hence ￡23 = 23×220 yen =
5060 yen
Evaluation of formulae
The statement v = u +at is said to be a formula for v in terms
of u, a and t .
v, u, a and t are called symbols.

Problem . In an electrical circuit the voltage V is given by Ohm’s law,

i.e. V = IR.
Find, correct to 4 significant figures, the voltage when I = 5.36 A
and R = 14.76.
V = IR = (5.36)(14.76)

Hence, voltage V = 79.11V, correct to 4 significant figures.

Thank you!
Do you have any questions?

Yayu@Com
0812-4180-xxxx
Algebra
Wahyuni, S.Si., M.Sc.
Bullet
point ● Algebra
list. ● Further algebra
● Partial fractions
● Solving simple equations
 We will talk about Algebra
first.

Basic operations ; Laws of indices; Brackets and

factorisation; Fundamental laws and precedence ; &
Direct and inverse proportionality
Basic operations
 Algebra is that part of mathematics in which the relations and
properties of numbers are investigated by means of general symbols.
 For example, the area of a rectangle is found by multiplying the length
by the breadth; this is expressed algebraically as
A=l×b
Where, A represents the area,
l = the length and
b = the breadth.
The basic laws introduced in arithmetic
are generalised in algebra.
Let a, b, c and d represent any Problem . Evaluate: 3ab−2bc+abc
when a=1, b=3 and c=5
four numbers. Then:
(i) a+(b+c) = (a+b)+c Answer:
(ii) a(bc) = (ab)c Replacing a, b and c with their
(iii) a+b = b+a numerical values gives:
(iv) ab = ba
= 3ab−2bc+abc
(v) a(b+c) = ab+ac
a+b a b = 3×1×3−2×3×5+ 1×3×5
(vi) c = c + c
= 9−30+15
(vii) (a+b)(c+d)=ac+ad+bc+bd
= −6
Problem. Subtract 2x+3y−4z from x−2y+5z

x −2y+5z An alternative method of

subtracting algebraic
2x +3y−4z expressions is to ‘change the
Subtracting gives: −x−5y +9z signs of the bottom line and
add’. Hence:
x−2y +5z
Note that −2x −3y +4z
+5z−−4z = +5z+4z = 9z Adding gives: −x −5y +9z
Laws of indices
The laws of indices are:
Problem. Simplify evaluate when p=16, q=9 and
r=4, taking positive roots only

Answer:
Using the second law of indices gives:
Brackets and factorisation
When two ormore terms in an algebraic expression
contain a common factor, then this factor can be shown
outside of a bracket.
For example:
ab+ac = a(b+c)
Which is simply the reverse of law (v) of algebra , and
6px +2py −4pz = 2p(3x + y −2z)
This process is called factorisation.
 Problem . Simplify: (2x−3y)2
Answer:
(2x −3y)2 = (2x −3y)(2x −3y)
= 2x(2x −3y)−3y(2x −3y)
= 4x2 −6xy −6xy +9y2 Alternatively,
= 4x2 −12xy+9y2
Problem. Factorise: 2ax −3ay +2bx −3by
a is a common factor of the first two Alternatively, 2x is a common factor
terms and b a common factor of the of the original first and third terms
last two terms. Thus: and −3y is a common factor of the
2ax −3ay +2bx −3by second and fourth terms. Thus:
= a(2x −3y)+b(2x −3y) 2ax −3ay +2bx −3by
(2x−3y) is now a common factor, thus: = 2x(a +b)−3y(a +b)
a(2x −3y)+b(2x −3y) (a+b) is now a common factor thus:
= (2x−3y)(a+b) 2x(a +b)−3y(a +b) = (a+b)(2x−3y)
as before.
Fundamental laws and precedence

The laws of precedence which Problem.

apply to arithmetic also Simplify:
apply to algebraic 2a+5a×3a−a
expressions. Multiplicationis performed
The order is Brackets, Of, before addition and
Division, Multiplication, subtraction, thus:
Addition and Subtraction 2a +5a ×3a −a = 2a +15a2 −a
(i.e. BODMAS). = a+15a2 or a(1+15a)
Problem. Simplify: (2a −3)÷4a +5×6−3a
The bracket around the (2a−3) shows
that both 2a and −3 have to be
divided by 4a, and to remove the
bracket the expression is written in
fraction form.
Hence,
Direct and inverse proportionality
 An expression such as y=3x contains two variables. For every value of x there is a
corresponding value of y. The variable x is called the independent variable and y
is called the dependent variable.
 When an increase or decrease in an independent variable leads to an increase or
decrease of the same proportion in the dependent variable this is termed direct
proportion. If y=3x then y is directly proportional to x, which may be written as
y α x or y = k x, where k is called the coefficient of proportionality (in this case,
k being equal to 3).
 When an increase in an independent variable leads to a decrease of the same
proportion in the dependent variable (or vice versa) this is termed inverse
proportion. If y is inversely proportional to x then y α 1x or y=k/x.
Problem . If y is directly proportional to x and y=2.48 when x=0.4, determine
(a) the coefficient of proportionality and (b) the value of y when x=0.65ab

Answer:
(a) y α x,
i.e. y=kx. If y=2.48 when x=0.4,
2.48=k(0.4)
Hence the coefficient of proportionality,
(b) y=kx,
hence, when x=0.65, y=(6.2)(0.65)=4.03
 We will talk about Further
algebra

Polynomial division ; The factor theorem ; and The

remainder theorem
Polynomial division
For example, 208 / 16 (1) 16 divided into 2 won’t go
(2) 16 divided into 20 goes 1
(3) Put 1 above the zero
(4) Multiply 16 by 1 giving 16
(5) Subtract 16 from 20 giving 4
(6) Bring down the 8
(7) 16 divided into 48 goes 3 times
(8) Put the 3 above the 8
(9) 3×16 = 48
(10) 48−48 = 0 ; Hence 208/16 = 13 exactly
Problem. Divide 3x3 +x2 +3x +5 by x +1
Answer:
(1) x into 3x3 goes 3x2. Put 3x2 above 3x3
(2) 3x2(x +1) = 3x3 +3x2
(3) Subtract
(4) x into −2x2 goes −2x. Put −2x above the dividend
(5) −2x(x +1)=−2x2 −2x
(6) Subtract
(7) x into 5x goes 5. Put 5 above the dividend
(8) 5(x +1) = 5x +5
(9) Subtract
Thus
 The factor theorem
 There is a simple relationship between the factors of a quadratic expression and the
roots of the equation obtained by equating the expression to zero. For example,
consider the quadratic equation x2 +2x −8 = 0
 To solve this we may factorise the quadratic expression x2 +2x −8 giving (x −2)(x +4)
Hence (x −2)(x +4) = 0
Then, if the product of two number is zero, one or both of those numbers must
equal zero.
Therefore, either (x −2) = 0, from which, x = 2 or (x +4) = 0, from which, x =−4

It is clear then that a factor of (x −2) indicates a root of +2, while a factor of (x +4)
indicates a root of −4. In general, we can therefore say that:
a factor of (x−a) corresponds to a root of x = a
A statement of the factor theorem says:
‘if x = a is a root of the equation f (x) = 0, then (x−a) is a factor of f (x)’
Problem. Factorise: x3 −7x −6 and use it to solve the cubic equation: x3 −7x −6 = 0

Let f (x) = x3 −7x −6 Let us do both ways. Firstly, dividing

If x = 1, then f (1) = 13 −7(1)−6=−12 out gives:
If x = 2, then f (2) = 23−7(2)−6 =−12
If x = 3, then f (3) = 33 −7(3)−6 = 0

If f (3) = 0, then (x −3) is a factor (from the factor

theorem).
We have a choice now. We can divide x3 −7x −6 by
(x −3) or we could continue our ‘trial and error’ by
substituting further values for x in the given
expression (and hope to arrive at f (x) = 0).

i.e. x3 −7x −6 = (x −3)(x2 +3x +2) and x3 +3x +2 factorises ‘on sight’ as (x +1)(x +2)
Therefore: x3 −7x−6 = (x−3)(x+1)(x+2)., from which, x = 3, x=−1 and x=−2
The remainder theorem
Remainder theorem states, i.e.
‘if (ax2 +bx+c) is divided by (x−p), the remainder will be
ap2 +bp+c’
If, in the dividend (ax2 +bx +c), we substitute p for x we get the
remainder ap2+bp +c

The remainder theorem may also be stated for a cubic equation

as:
‘if (ax3 +bx2 +cx+d) is divided by (x−p), the remainder will be
ap3+bp2 +cp+d’
Problem. Use the remainder theorem to determine the
remainder when (3x3 −2x2 +x −5) is divided by (x +2)

Answer:
By the remainder theorem, the remainder is given
by: ap3 +bp2 +cp +d, where a = 3, b=−2, c = 1, d =−5 and p=−2

Hence the remainder is:

3(−2)3 +(−2)(−2)2 +(1)(−2)+(−5)
=−24−8−2−5 = −39
 We will talk about Partial
fractions first.

Introduction to partial fractions ; Worked problems

on partial fractions with linear factors , with
repeated linear factors , and with quadratic factors
Introduction to partial
fractions
 By algebraic addition, The reverse process of moving from
To
is called resolving into partial fractions.

where f (x) is assumed to be of less degree than the relevant denominator and A, B and C are constants to be determined.
Worked problems on partial
fractions with linear factors
Answer:
The numerator is of higher degree than the denominator. Thus dividing out gives:
Equating the numerators gives:
 Worked problems on partial
fractions with repeated linear
factors
 2𝑥+3
Problem. Resolve (𝑥−2)2
into partial fractions

The denominator contains a repeated linear factor, (x−2)2

Since an identity is true for all values of the

unknown, the coefficients of similar terms may
be equated.
Hence, equating the coefficients of x gives: 2 =A
Equating the numerators gives:
[Also, as a check, equating the constant terms
gives: 3=−2A+B. When A=2 and B=7,
RHS=−2(2)+7=3=LHS]
We will talk about Solving
Simple Equations first.
 2𝑥
Problem. Solve: =6
5

The LHS is a fraction and this can be removed by

multiplying both sides of the equation by 5.
2𝑥
Hence, 5 = 5(6)
5

Cancelling gives: 2x = 30
Dividing both sides of the equation by 2 gives:
2𝑥 30
= 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟓
2 2
 We will talk about Solving
simultaneous
equations first.
Equations that have to be solved together to find the unique values
of the unknown quantities, which are true for each of the equations,
are called simultaneous equations.
 Two methods of solving simultaneous equations analytically are:
(a) by substitution, and (b) by elimination
Problem. Solve the following
equations for x and y,
(a) by substitution, and −4 − 8𝑦 − 3𝑦 = 18
(b) by elimination: −11𝑦 = 18 + 4 = 22
22
x +2y =−1 (1) 𝑦= = −2
−11
4x −3y = 18 (2) Substituting y = −2 into equation (1) gives:
Answer:
𝑥 + 2 −2 = −1
(a) By substitution 𝑥 − 4 = −1
From equation (1): x =−1−2y 𝑥 = −1 + 4 = 3
Substituting this expression for x into
equation (2) gives: Thus x = 3 and y = −2 is the solution to the
4(−1−2y)−3y = 18 simultaneous equations. (Check: In equation (2),
This is now a simple equation in y. since x=3 and y=−2,
Removing the bracket gives: LHS=4(3)−3(−2)=12+6=18=RHS.)
 Two methods of solving simultaneous equations analytically are:
(a) by substitution, and (b) by elimination
Problem. Solve the following
equations for x and y, Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2)
(a) by substitution, and gives:
(b) by elimination: 4x −3y = 18 (2)
x +2y =−1 (1) 4x +8y =−4
____________ (3)
4x −3y = 18 (2) 0−11y = 22
____________
Answer:
22
(b) By elimination Hence, 𝑦 = = −2 (Note, in the above
−11
x +2y =−1 (1) subtraction,
4x −3y = 18 (2) 18−(−4)=18+4=22.)
If equation (1) is multiplied throughout Substituting y=−2 into either equation (1) or
by 4 the coefficient of x will be the equation (2) will give x=3 as in method (a). The
same as in equation (2), giving: solution x=3, y=−2 is the only pair of values that
4x +8y =−4 (3) satisfies both of the original equations.
 Transposition of formulae

This rearranging process is called transposing the formula or

transposition. The rules used for transposition of formulae are the
same as those used for the solution of simple equations (see Chapter
8)—basically, that the equality of an equation must be maintained.
Problem. Transpose v= f λ to make λ the subject

Answer:
Rearranging gives: f λ = v
𝑓 𝑣
Dividing both sides by f gives: =
𝑓 𝑓

i.e.
𝑣
=
𝑓
 We Will Talk About Solving
Quadratic Equations First.

Equations that have to be solved together to find the unique values

of the unknown quantities, which are true for each of the equations,
are called simultaneous equations.
A quadratic equation is one in which the highest power of the
unknown quantity is 2.
For example:
x2−3x+1=0  is a quadratic equation.

There are four methods of solving quadratic equations. These

are:
i. by factorisation (where possible)
ii. by ‘completing the square’
iii.by using the ‘quadratic formula’ or
iv.graphically
 Solution of quadratic equations by factorisation

Multiplying out (2x+1)(x−3) gives 2x2−6x +x−3,

i.e. 2x2−5x−3.
The reverse process of moving from 2x2−5x−3 to (2x+1)(x−3) is called factorising.
If the quadratic expression can be factorised this provides the simplest method of
solving a quadratic equation.
For example,
if 2x2 −5x −3 = 0, then, by factorising: (2x +1)(x −3) = 0

−1
Hence either (2x +1) = 0  i.e. 𝑥 = 2
or (x −3) = 0  i.e. x = 3

The technique of factorising is often one of ‘trial and error’.

Solution of quadratic equations by ‘completing the square’

An expression such as x2 or (x+2)2 or (x−3)2 is called a perfect square.

If x2 = 3 then x = ± 3
If (𝑥 + 2)2 = 5 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 + 2 = ± 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = −2 ± 5
If (𝑥 − 3)2 = 8 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 − 3 = ± 8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 3 ± 8
Hence if a quadratic equation can be rearranged so that one side of the equation is a
perfect square and the other side of the equation is a number, then the solution of
the equation is readily obtained by taking the square roots of each side as in the
above examples.
The process of rearranging one side of a quadratic equation into a perfect square
before solving is called ‘completing the square’.

(x +a) 2 = x2 +2ax +a2

Problem. Solve 2x2+5x=3 by ‘completing the square’

1) Rearrange the equations so that all terms are on the same side of the equals
sign (and the coefficient of the x2 term is positive).
Hence 2x2+5x−3=0
2) Make the coefficient of the x2 term unity. In this case this is achieved by
dividing throughout by 2.
2𝑥 2 5𝑥 3
Hence 2
+ 2
− 2
=0
5 3
i.e. 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − =0
2 2
3) Rearrange the equations so that the x2 and x terms are on one side of the equals
sign and the constant is on the other side,
5 3
Hence 𝑥2 + 𝑥 =
2 2
Problem. Solve 2x2+5x=3 by ‘completing the square’
4) Add to both sides of the equation (half the coefficient of x)2. In this case the
5 5 2
coefficient of x is . Half the coefficient squared is therefore . Thus,
2 4

2 5 5 2 3 5 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 + = +
2 4 2 4
5 2 3 5 2
The LHS is now a perfect square, i.e. 𝑥 + = +
4 2 4
5 2 3 25 24+25 49
5) Evaluate the RHS. Thus 𝑥 + 4
= 2
+ 16
= 16
= 16

6) Taking the square root of both sides of the equation (remembering that the
5 49
square root of anumber gives a ± answer). Thus (𝑥 + 4)2 = 16
5 7
i.e. 𝑥 + 4
= ±4
Problem. Solve 2x2+5x=3 by ‘completing the square’

Solve the simple equation. Thus

5 7
𝑥=− ±
4 4
5 7 2 1
i.e. 𝑥=− + = =
4 4 4 2
5 7 12
and 𝑥=− − =− = −3
4 4 4

1
Hence 𝑥 = 2
𝑜𝑟 − 3 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 = 3
 Solution of quadratic equations by formula
Let the general form of a quadratic equation be given by:
ax2 +bx +c = 0
where a, b and c are constants.
−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
i.e. the quadratic formula is: 𝑥 = (This method of
2𝑎
solution is “Completing the Square” )

If ax2 +bx +c = 0
−𝒃 ± 𝒃𝟐 −𝟒𝒂𝒄
Then 𝒙= (Quadratic Formula)
𝟐𝒂
Problem. Solve 4x2+7x+2=0 giving the roots correct to 2 decimal places

Answer:
Comparing 4x2+7x+2=0 with ax2+bx+c=0 gives a = 4, b = 7
and c = 2. Hence,
−7 ± 72 − 4(4)(2)
𝑥=
2(4)
−7 ± 17 −7 ± 4.123
= =
8 8
−7 ± 4.123 −7 − 4.123
= 𝑜𝑟
8 8

Hence, x = -0.36 or -1.39, (correct to 2 decimal places)

 We Will Talk About
Inequalities First.

An inequality is any expression involving one of the symbols

<, > ≤ or ≥
 We Will Talk About Inequalities First.

● p<q means p is less than q

● p>q means p is greater than q
● p≤q means p is less than or equal to q
● p≥q means p is greater than or equal to q
 Problem. Solve the inequality: 3−4t ≤ 8+t

Subtracting 3 from both sides of the inequality: 3−4t≤8+t gives:

−4t ≤ 5+t
Subtracting t from both sides of the inequality: −4t≤5+t gives:
−5t ≤ 5
Dividing both sides of the inequality −5t ≤ 5 by −5 gives:
t ≥−1 (remembering to reverse the inequality)
Hence, all values of t greater than or equal to −1 satisfy the
inequality.
Inequalities involving quotients
 Inequalities involving quotients
Problem

Answer
Inequalities involving quotients
Inequalities involving square functions
 Quadratic inequalities
Inequalities involving quadratic expressions are solved using
either factorisation or ‘completing the square’.
For example,
x2−2x−3 is factorised as (x+1)(x −3)
and 6x2+7x−5 is factorised as (2x−1)(3x+5)
If a quadratic expression does not factorise, then the technique of
‘completing the square’ is used. In general, the procedure for
x2+bx+c Is:
Thank you!
Do you have any questions?

Yayu@Com
0812-4180-xxxx
Logarithms
Yayu@Com
0812-4180-xxxx