MAT1103

CHAPTER 1: A REVIEW of BASIC ALGEBRA

1.1

Integer Exponents

1.1.1

Define Natural-Number Exponents

For any natural number n,
xn = (x x x x x.. x)
n factors of x
where x = base, n = exponent/power, expression xn read as nth power of x.

Example 1: Write each expression without using exponents:

(a) 42 =

(-4)2 =

(b)
3x4 =

(c)

(3x)4 =

(d)

Note:
(a)

-xn = -(x x x . x)

(-xn) = (-x)(-x)..(-x)

(b)

1.1.2 Rules of Exponents

(a)

Product Rule:

Example 2:

(b)

a)

xm xn = xm+n

x5 x3 =

b)

r2s

Power Rules:

(xm)n = xmn
(xy)n = xn yn
x

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xn
yn

, (y 0).

r5s2 =

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Example 3:
a)

(x3)2 =

(c)

3a 3 b 2

3
c

(b)
3

33 a 3 b 2
3

3 3

(a2b4)3 = a2x3b4x3 = a6b12

Note:
If the exponent is 1, then x1 = x.
Zero exponent:

x0 = 1, (x 0)

Negative exponent:

x-n =

1
xn

and

1
x n , where x 0.
n
x

Example 4:
Simplify and write all answers without using any NEGATIVE exponents.
a) 7a0 =
b) 3a-2 =
c) (a3a-7)3 =

(c)

Quotient Rule:

xm xn = xm-n
xm
x m n , x 0.
n
x

Example 5:
Simplify and write all answers only in POSITIVE exponents.
a)

x 6

x2

x 3 y 2
b) 2 3
x y

(d)

Fraction to a Negative Power:

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x

y

(x0, y0)

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Example 6:
8a

a)

4x

b)

1.1.3 Multiple Operations

Simplify each expression and give your answer only in POSITIVE exponents.
a)

b)

( 3-2s3 )4( 9s-3 )-2

6ab

2 2

3ab

1.2

Rational Exponents and Radicals

1.2.1

Define Rational Exponents Whose Numerator Are 1

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Definition:
If a 0 and n is a natural number, then

(read as the nth root of a) is

the nonnegative real number b such that bn = a.

a1/2 = Principal square root of a.

a1/3 = cube root of a.
a1/4 = principal fourth root of a.

Summary of the possibilities concerning

as follows:

If n is a natural number and a is a real number in the expression

If a 0 , then
If a 0

1
a n , then

is the nonnegative real number b such that bn = a.

and n is odd, then

and n is even,

is the real number b such that bn = a.

is not a real number.

Or
Simplifying Expressions of the Form
a = real number
a=0

n = natural number

Examples

=0

a0

n = natural number

= nonnegative

16

1
2
0 2 0 because 0 =

1
2
16 2 4 b'cox 4 =

real number

a0

n = odd natural number

= real number

(32)

because
( 2)5 32

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a0

n = even natural number

real number

(9)

real

number
1.2.2

Define Rational Exponents Whose Numerators Are Not 1

Definition:
If m and n are positive integers, the fraction

m
is in lowest terms and
n

1
a n is a real

number, then

Example 7:
i)
ii)

m/n

Rule for Rational Exponents:

Negative Rational Exponents:

a-m/n =

an

1
a

m/n

= ( am )1/n =
, ( a 0 ).

(-64)2/3 = ((-64)1/3)2 = (-4)2 = 16

642/3 = -[(64)1/3]2 = -[4]2 = -16

Example 8 :
Perform the operations and simplify. Express your answer with positive exponents only.
a)

x1/2x2/3x3/4 =

b)

x 1 / 2 y 1 / 4

x1 / 4

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1.2.3

Define Radical Expressions

Radical signs can be used to express roots of numbers.
Definition of

1
n

a a

a:
1

, if n is greater than 1 and a n is a real number.

Symbols:
nth Root of a Nonnegative Number
If n is a natural number greater than 1 and a 0 , then
nonnegative number whose nth power is a.

a
n

Summary of possibilities concerning

a is the

a as follows:

If n is a natural number greater than 1 and a is a real number, then

If a 0 , then
If a 0

a is the nonnegative real number b such that

a
n

and n is odd, then n a is the real number b such that

and n is even, n a is not a real number.

a.

a
n

a.

Or,
Simplifying Expressions of the Form
a = real number

Examples

a=0

n = natural number

0 =0

0 = 0 because 05 = 0

a0

n = natural number

a = nonnegative

27 3 b'cox 33 = 27

real number
a0

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n = odd natural number

a = real number

32 2 because
( 2)5 32

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a0

n = even natural number

real number

81

real number

Rules:
(i)

a a
n

Example 9:

1
m n

a
n

(ii)

a) x5/8 =

x5

an

or

b)

(iii)

y2 2

am

y2

1.2.4 Simplify and Combine Radicals

Properties: If

a and

b are real numbers, then

1.

ab

2.

3.

np

an b

a mp

, ( b0 )
am , ( a 0 )

An expression is in simplest radical form if

1.
2.
3.
4.

All factors of the radicand have exponents less than the index.
There are no fractions under the radicals.
There are no radicals in the denominator of a fraction.
The greatest common factor of the index and the exponents are all the
radicand factors is 1.

Example 10:
Express each of the following in the simplest radical form.
a)

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25 x 8 y 6

b)

64a11c 24

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Example 11:
Perform the operation and simplify the radicals expression
3a 2b 6ab 3

(a)

(b)

32 s 9

4 s 17

1.2.5 Rationalize the Denominator

Example 12:
Perform the operation and simplify the following.
a)

b)

c)

f)

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2 5

5 5

2.5

a b

a b
8 3
7

21
3

10
5

a
b

a b

a b

6
2

ab ab b a 2 ab b

ab
ab

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(a)

Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions.

Example 13: Simplify

(b)

1.

3 4 3 6 3 7 4 6 3 9 3

2.

xy

Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions

Example 14: Perform the indicated operations

1.

3 5 2 2 3

2.

x 3 y 2 x 3 y

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1.3

Polynomials

1.3.1 Definitions
A monomial is an algebraic expression that is either a constant or a product of a
constant and one or more variables raised to whole number powers. The number is
called the coefficient of the variables
E.g.

3x2y, 5xy4,

1
x,
4

7 .

(Coefficients are 3, 5, , and 7 respectively).

The degree of a monomial is the sum of the exponents of its variables

4 - 0 degree
3x4 - 4 degree
5x3y6 - 9 degree
-3x2y3z - 6 degree
A polynomial is a finite sum of monomials. Each monomial in that sum is called
a term of the polynomial.
Monomials
3x2
abc3

Binomials
2a + 3b
-2x3 4y2

Trinomials
x2 + 7x - 4
12x3y2 8xy - 24

The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of any monomial in it.

(a)
(b)

3x5 + 2x3 + 6
7x2y4 3x7y5z2

- a trinomials of 5th degree.

- a binomials of degree 14.

1.3.2 A polynomial in one variable

General form:
a n xn + a n 1 xn-1 + a n 2 xn-2 + + a 2 x2 + a 1 x + a 0
(a0)
a i real numbers ; x = variable ;

n = non negative integer

1.3.3 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Example 15: Perform the given operations and simplify.
(3a2 6ab + 16b2) + (3ab 6b2) (5a2 + 3ab)
= 3a2 6ab + 16b2 + 3ab 6b2 5a2 3ab
= 3a2 5a2 6ab + 3ab 3ab + 16b2 6b2

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= -2a2 6ab +10b2

1.3.4 Multiplying Polynomials
Products of Polynomials
1.

a(b+c) = a.b + a.c

and

(b+c)a = b.a + c.a

Example 16:
Perform the operations for each of the following
(a)

5a2b(4ab + 3ab2) = (5a2b)(4ab) + (5a2b)(3ab2)

= 20a3b2 + 15a3b3

(b)

3x3y2 (2x2 7y3) = 3x3y2 (2x2) 3x3y2(7y3)

= 6x5y2 21x3y5

2.

(a+b) (c+d) = a.c + a.d + b.c + b.d

Example 17:
Multiply the following
(a)

(3x 2)(2x + 5) = 3x(2x) + 3x(5) 2(2x) 2(5)

= 6x2 + 15x 4x 10
= 6x2 + 11x 10

(b)

(2y2 + 3y + 1)(y - 5) = 2y2(y-5) + 3y(y-5) + 1(y-5)

= 2y3 10y2 + 3y2 15y + y 5
= 2y3 7y2 14y 5

(c)

(3x 5)2 =
=
=
=

(3x 5)(3x 5)
3x (3x 5) 5(3x 5)
9x2 15x 15x + 25
9x2 30x + 25

General Forms:
1.

(x + a)(x + b) = x2 + (a + b)x + ab

2.

(ax + b)(cx + d) = acx2 + (ad + bc)x + bd

which is,
(ax + b)(cx + d) = ax (cx + d) + b (cx + d)
= acx2 + adx + bcx + bd

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= acx2 + (ad + bc)x + bd

Example 18:
(a)

(x + 3)(x + 5)
= x2 + (3 + 5)x + 3(5)
= x2 + 8x + 15

(b)

(5x 4)(2x + 1) =

Special Products Formulas:

(a + b)(a b) = a2 b2

(a b)2 = a2 2ab + b2

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

Example 19:
(a)

(3x + 5)2 = (3x)2 + 2(3x)(5) + 52 = 9x2 + 30x + 25

(b)

(2a 7b)(2a + 7b) = (2a)2 (7b)2 = 4a2 49b2

(c)

(2a 7b)2 = (2a)2 2(2a)(7b) + (7b)2 = 4a2 28ab + 49b2

Multiple Operations:
Example 20:
(a)

2x - 7 2 x x(4 + x)

(b)

(x 2y)(2x + 3y) (2x + y)2

(c)

(2m + 3n)3

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1.3.5 Dividing Polynomials

To divide monomials, write the quotient as a fraction and simplify by using the
rules of exponents.

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, write the quotient as a fraction, write the

fraction as a sum of separate fractions, and simplify each one.

To divide two polynomials, use the long division. When the degree of the
remainder is less than the degree of divisor, the division process stop. Express the
result in quotient

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remainder
form.
divisor

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Example 21
Find the quotient (final answer) for 8 x 5 y 4 12 x 2 y 5 16 x 2 6 x 2 y 4 .

Example 22
(a)

Divide 5 x 2 13x 6 by 5x 3 using long division.

(b)

3a

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a 5 a 2 3a 7 a 3 a 1 .

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1.4

Factoring Polynomials

1.4.1 Factoring Out a Common Monomial (greatest common factor)

Multiplying

(a + b).c = a.c + b.c

Factoring

Example 23:
Factor the following as completely as possible.
(a)

3x2 + 2x3 4x5 =

(b)

2x3y 8x2y2 6xy3 =

(c)

2x (3x 2) 7(3x 2) =

(d)

(x + 2)2 + (x + 2) =

(e)

x 2 y 2 z 2 xyz =

1.4.2 Factoring by Grouping

ax + ay + bx + by = (ax + ay) + (bx + by)

= a(x + y) + b(x + y)
= (x + y)(a + b)
Example 24:
(a)

3ac + bd - 3ad bc

(b)

1.4.3 Factoring the difference of Two Squares

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x3 + x2 + x +1

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a2 b 2 = (a + b) (a b)
Example 25:
(a)

4x2 25y2 = (2x)2 (5y)2 = (2x + 5y) (2x 5y)

(b)

x4 y4 =

1.4.4 Factoring Trinomials

Trinomials that are squares of binomials can be factored by using the following
formulas:
Factoring Trinomials Squares

1.
2.

x 2 2 xy y 2 x y x y x y

x 2 2 xy y 2 x y x y x y

Factoring trinomials that are not squares of binomials often requires some
guesswork.
Example 26:
(a)

x2 4x 12 =

(b)

2x2 + 3x 2 =

(c)

6x2 + 5xy 4y2 =

(d)

3y3 6y2 105y =

1.4.5 Factoring the Sum and difference of Two Cubes

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Formula:

a 3 b 3 = ( a b )( a 2 + ab + b 2 )
a 3 + b 3 = ( a + b)( a 2 ab + b 2 )

Example 27:
(a)

27x3

y3

(3x )3 ( y )3 (3 x y )[(3 x ) 2 (3x 0( y ) ( y ) 2 ] (3 x y )(9 x 2 3 xy y 2 )

(b)

8m3 1

(c)

x3 + y3z3 = x3 + (yz)3 = (x + yz)(x2 x(yz) + (yz)2) = (x + yz)(x2 xyz + y2z2)

1.4.6 Miscellaneous Factoring

Example 28:
Factor each of the following by using the different techniques.
(a)

18x3 8x =

(b)

x2 6x + 9 y2 =

(c)

2t4 16t =

(d)

2y4 5y2 12 =

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1.5

Rational Expressions

1.5.1 Define Rational Expressions

Fraction is any number that can be written as

a
, (b 0) where a (numerator)
b

and b (denominator) are real numbers.

Signs of Fractions:
(i)
(ii)

a
a
a
a
= =
b
b
b
b

(iii)

a
a
1

a
a
a
a
=
=
= b
b
b
b

(iv)

a
1
a

Algebraic fractions are quotients of algebraic expressions.

If the expressions are polynomials, the fraction is called rational expression.
A rational expression is in lowest terms if all factors common to the numerator
and the denominator have been removed.

1.5.2

Simplify Rational Expressions ~ to write it in lowest terms.

Example 29:
Express the following in simplest form:
(a)

33 x 4 y 2
15 xy 5

(b)

x 8
x8
1
=
=
( x 3)( x 8)
x 3
x 5 x 24

(c)

16 x 2
=
x 2 x 12

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1.5.1

Multiply and Divide Rational Expressions

Multiplication:
a c

b d

a.c
b.d

where

( b, d 0 )

Example 30:
Perform the operations. Express your answer in simplest form.
(a)

24 x 2 y 26ab

3 xy 2
13a 3 b 2

(b)

x2 x x 2
2

x x2
x 1 x 2

Division:

If

(i)

a
c

b
d

(ii)

a
a
=
1
b
b

x 0, the reciprocal of x is

a
d

b
c

a
k

b
k

where
=

a.k
b.k

1
.
x

Example 31:
Perform the operations. Express your answer in simplest form.
(a)

16 x 3
32 x 6

9y4
27 y 3

(b)

x y
3 x 2 5 xy 2 y 2
x 2 xy
2
2
2 x 3 xy y

1.5.3 Add and Subtract Rational Expressions

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Properties:
a b
ab
1
1
1
a b a b
c c
c
c
c
c

a b ab

c c
c

Example 32:
Perform the operations:

and

3x 2 x 7
4 x 2 33 x
2x 6
2

2
x x2 x x2
x2 x 2

1.5.3 Least Common Denominator (LCD)

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a b ab

c c
c

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Procedure for finding the LCD:

1.
2.

Factor each denominator completely.

The LCD consists of the product of each distinct factor the max. number
of times it appears in any one denominator.

Example 33:
Find the LCD of :

1.5.4
1.
2.
3.
4.

3
5
1
,
,
14 x 3 21x 2 y 4 12 x 4 y 3

How to Combine Fractions with Different Denominators

Find the LCD.
Build each fraction to higher terms with the LCD in each denominator.
Combine as with fractions with common denominators.
Simplify if possible.

Example 34:
Perform the indicated operations.
(a)

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3
2

x
2
5x y
3 xy 2

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(b)

3x
5
3
x 9 2x 6x 2

(c )

5 x 10 3x 2

x4
4 x

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1.5.5 Simplify Complex Fractions (Mixed Operations)

Examples 35:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify.
(a)

x 6 4
x 2 16

x 2 x
x2 4

(b)

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3a 2 b

3
2 xy
9ab 2

2
8x y

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1.6

The Remainder and Factor Theorems

1.6.1 Zeros of a Polynomial

A zero of the polynomial P(x) is any number a for which P(a) = 0.
P( x) x 3 3 x 2 2 x
Let,
Consider the following:

When x = 0, P(0) (0)3 3(0) 2 2(0) 0 ,

When x = 1, P(1) (1)3 3(1) 2 2(1) 0 ,
When x =2, P( 2) (2)3 3(2) 2 2(2) 0 .
Thus, 0, 1 and 2 are zeros of the polynomial, P(x).

1.6.2 The Remainder Theorem

If polynomial P(x) divide by (x a), a is any number, then the remainder is P(a).

Example 36:
When 2x3 7x2 + 11x 7 divide by (x - 2), result is 2x2 3x + 5 with remainder 3.
Same as,
2 x 3 7 x 2 11x 7
x2

2x2 3x + 5 +

From,
P( x)
xa

Q (x) +

R
x a

Thus,
P(x) Q(x) (x - a) + R

Example 37:
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3
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Find the remainder for polynomial P(x) = 2x3 + 7x2 - 5x - 4 divide by (x + 3).

1.6.3 The Factor Theorem

If P(x) is a polynomial, a is any number, then (x-a) is a factor for P(x) if and
only if P(a) = 0.

Example 38:
Determine whether x + 1 is a factor of P(x) = x 3 - 7x 6. If so, find the other factor by long
division.

Example 39:

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Factorize the polynomial P(x) = 6x3 + 13x2 4.

The end !!!

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