Factors and Multiples

The factors of 𝑥 are those positive integers which divide into 𝑥 exactly (that is,
without remainder).
Example: State the factors of 16 – {1,2, 4,8,16}

Highest Common Factor (HCF) – the highest factor that is common to the
numbers in that set.
Example: State the factors of 10,12,14. Hence, state the HCF of 10, 12, 14.
10 – {1,2,5,10}
12 – {1,2,3,4,6,12}
14 – { 1,2,7,14}
Hence, 2 is the HCF.

Multiples of 𝑥 (positive integer) form the infinite set of numbers.

Example: Multiples of 12 – {12, 24, 36, 48, … }

Lowest Common Multiple – smallest positive integer that is a multiple of each

number of the set.
Example: Find the LCM of 10, 15 𝑎𝑛𝑑 30.
10 – {10,20,30, … }
15 – {15,30, 45, … }
30 – {30,60, 90, … }
Fractions
𝒑
𝒒
p is the numerator, while q is the denominator.
Proper fraction: 𝑝 < 𝑞
Improper fraction: 𝑝 > 𝑞

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

When the denominators are the same, you add (subtract) the numerators.
6 1 7
Example: + =
8 8 8

When the denominators are different, find the LCD and rewrite the fractions.
2 5 8 15 23
Example: + = + =
3 4 12 12 12

Multiplication and Division of Fractions

Multiplication is straightforward. You can multiply the numerators and multiply
the denominators.
4 13 42 3
Example: × = =
26 7 182 13

When dividing fractions, the second fraction is inverted and then you multiply the
fractions.
2 3 2 5 10
Example: ÷ = × =
11 5 11 3 33
Absolute Value

𝑎 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 ≥ 0
|𝑎| =
−𝑎 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 < 0

 𝑎 ≤ |𝑎| 𝐸𝑔. 3 = |3|, −4 < |−4|

 |𝑎| = |−𝑎| = √𝑎2 𝐸𝑔. |4| = |−4| = √16 = 4

 |𝑎𝑏| = |𝑎||𝑏|
𝐸𝑔. |−3 × 4| = |−12| = |12|, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 |−3 × 4| = |−3| × |4| = 3 × 4 = 12

𝑎 |𝑎| 3 3 3 3 |3| 3
 | | = |𝑏| : 𝑏 ≠ 0 𝐸𝑔. | | = |− | = , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 | | = |−9| =
𝑏 −9 9 9 −9 9

Simplify the following:

 |5 − 8| = |−3| = 3

 9𝑥 − |5𝑥 − 8|, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = −3

𝐼𝑓 𝑥 = −3,
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 9𝑥 − |5𝑥 − 8|
= 9(−3) − |5(−3) − 8|
= −27 − |−28|
= −27 − 23
= −50

 −|−10 + 12|2 + |6 − 7| − (−2)

= −|2|2 + |−1| + 2
= −4 + 1 + 2
= −1