BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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Chapter 1: Basic Algebra

Introduction

Algebra is the branch of mathematics that uses letters in place of some unknown numbers.
Literal numbers (the letters used in algebra) can either stand for variables (where the value
of the letter can change, such as the area of a rectangle and the area of a square) or constants
(where the value does not change), for example e (which has a constant value of 2.781828...).
Algebra is a powerful tool for problem solving in science, engineering, economics, finance,
architecture, ship-building and many other day-to-day tasks. If we did not use letters in place
of numbers (and used words instead), we would be writing many pages for each problem
and it would be much more confusing.

The 'Father of Algebra'
Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

Al-Khwarizmi
Al-Khwarizmi lived in Baghdad, 780 to 850 AD. He was one of the first to write about
algebra (using words, not letters).
Around 825 he wrote Al-jabr wal muq abala, from which we get the word algebra (meaning
'restoration of broken parts'). This book included many word problems, especially to do with
inheritance.
He was also influential in the establishment of Hindu-Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) which
replaced Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV,...). The Hindu-Arabic system was much easier to
use when performing mathematical operations, since it is a base-10 system.
1.1 Simplifying Algebraic Fractions

Algebraic fraction has the same properties as numerical fraction. The only difference being
that the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) are both algebraic expressions. Fractional
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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algebra is a rational number usually stated in the form of
q
p
, where p and q are integers.
Integer 'p' is known as the numerator and integer 'q' as denominator.
Meanwhile, an ordinary fraction is usually use to represent a part of an object or figure. For
example: a cake is cut into 6 equal parts. One part can be represented with fractional
expression of 1/6, similarly if expressed in the fractional algebra. There are some important
terms to be familiarize with before solving fractional algebra.

i. Equivalent fractions are fractions having same value.







2
1
=
4
2
=
8
4


ii. Single fraction is any fractional phrase.
iii. Lowest fractional form is a fraction that cannot be simplified further, or, its
numerator and denominator does not have a common factor.

q
p




Example 1

Complete the equivalent fractions below :
a)
20
6
10 5
2
= = =
b)
20
3 1
2 = = =
c)
AB
C AB BC
A
= =
2

d)
( )
XYZ
XYZ
XZ
XYZ
= =
2




Numerator
Denominator
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Solution:
a)
20
8
15
6
10
4
5
2
= = =
b)
10
20
3
6
1
2
2 = = =
c)
C B
AB
C AB
B A
BC
A
2 2
2
= =
d)
( )
XYZ
Z XY
YZ X
XYZ
XZ
XYZ
2
2 2
2
= =


Example 2
Simplify each of the following fractions:
a)
2
7
2
b
b
b)
2
2
6
3
x
x x +
c) m m m 4 ) 2 ( 6 +
Solution:
(a)
b b b
b
b
b
7
2
7
2
7
2
2
=

=
(b)
x
x
x x
x x
x
x x
6
3
) 6 (
) 3 (
6
3
2
2
+
=
+
=
+

NOTE: The cancellation in (b) is allowed since x is a common factor of the numerator and
the denominator. Sometimes extra work is necessary before an algebraic fraction can be
reduced to a simpler form.
(c) m m m m m m 4 2 6 4 ) 2 ( 6 + + = +
m 12 =
Example 3
Simplify the algebraic fraction:
3 2
1 2
2
2
+
+
x x
x x

Solution
In this case, the numerator and denominator can be factorised into two terms. Thus,
2 2
) 1 ( 1 2 = + x x x and ) 3 )( 1 ( 3 2
2
+ = + x x x x
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So,

) 1 )( 3 (
) 1 )( 1 (
3 2
1 2
2
2
+

=
+
+
x x
x x
x x
x x


3
1
+

=
x
x

Exercise 1
Simplify each of the following algebraic fractions.
(a)
4 5
3 6
14
7
b a
b a

(b)
25
10 7
2
2

+ +
y
y y

Solution
(a) The fraction is
4 5
3 6
14
7
b a
b a
. Instead of expanding the factors, it is easier to use the rule of
indices (powers) :

n m
n
m
a
a
a

=
,
Thus,

4
3
5
6
4 5
3 6
14
7
14
7
b
b
a
a
b a
b a
=

4 3 5 6
2
1

= b a

4 3 5 6
2
1

= b a

b
a
2
=
(b) In this case, initial factorization is needed. So,

) 2 )( 5 ( 10 7
2
+ + = + + y y y y and
) 5 )( 5 ( 25
2
+ = y y y
Thus,
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) 5 )( 5 (
) 2 )( 5 (
25
10 7
2
2
+
+ +
=

+ +
y y
y y
y
y y


5
2

+
=
y
y

Exercise 2
Which of the following is a simplified version of
2 3
4 3
2
2
+
+
t t
t t
?
2
4
) (

t
t
a
2
4
) (
+

t
t
b
2
4
) (

+
t
t
c
2
4
) (
+
+
t
t
d
Solution
Factorize the numerator and denominator is respectively
) 4 )( 1 ( 4 3
2
+ = + t t t t and ) 2 )( 1 ( 2 3
2
= + t t t t
so that,
) 2 )( 1 (
) 4 )( 1 (
2 3
4 3
2
2

+
=
+
+
t t
t t
t t
t t


2
4

+
=
t
t

So far, simplification has been achieved by cancelling common factors from the numerator
and denominator. There are fractions which can be simplified by multiplying the numerator
and denominator by an appropriate common factor, thus obtaining an equivalent, simpler
expression.


Exercise 3
Simplify the following fractions:
a)
2
1
4
1
y +
=
b)
2
1
3
x
x +

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Solution
(a) In this case, multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 4 gives:

2
4 1
)
2
1
( 4
)
4
1
( 4
2
1
4
1
y
y y
+
=
+
=
+

(b) To simplify this expression, multiply the numerator and denominator
by 2 x. Thus

x
x
x
x
x x
x
x
2
1 3
2
)
1
3 (
2
1
3
2
+
=
+
=
+




Exercise 4
Simplify each of the following algebra fractions.
(a)
2
2
3
4 y
(b)
2
1
3
1

z
z

Solution
(a) The fraction is simplified by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by
2.

4
3 8
2 2
)
2
3
4 ( 2
2
2
3
4

=

y
y y


(b) In this case, since the numerator contains the fraction 1/3 and the denominator
contains the fraction 1/2, the common factor needed is 2 3 = 6. Thus
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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3 6
2 6
)
2
1
( 6
)
3
1
( 6
2
1
3
1

z
z
z
z
z
z



Exercise 5:
Which of the following is a simplified version of
1
1
1

x
x
x
?
1
1
) (
2
2
+ +
+
x x
x x
a
1
1
) (
2
2

+
x
x x
b
1
1
) (
2
2


x x
x
c
1
1
) (
2
2

+
x
x
d
Solution:
For
1
1
1

x
x
x
, the common multiplier is ( x + 1). Multiplying the numerator and the
denominator by this gives:
) 1 )( 1 (
)
1
1
)( 1 (
1
1
1
+
+
+
=

x x
x
x x
x
x
x


) 1 (
)
1
1
)( 1 ( ) 1 (
2

+
+ +
=
x
x
x x x


) 1 (
) 1 (
2
2

+
=
x
x x

Exercise 7:
1. Simplified the following.
a) t s r rs
3 2
3 2
b) )
12
5
( 4
2 3 2
x q p q p
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c) ab c ab 6 24
2

d)
h g f
h g f
2 2
2 3
9
36

e)
npq
npq q p
10
15 3
2 2

f) xz xyz z xy 18 12 26
3 2

g)
2 2 2 2 2
3 ) 4 ( 7 rs s r s r
h) 4 5 3 2 6 + + xy mn xy mn
i) ) 3 2 ( 5 by ab +
j) 3 ) 12 15 6 (
2
+ c ab mk
k) ) 4 2 ( ) 3 5 (
2 2
z xy z xy + +
l) ) 3 ( ) 2 3 (
2 2
k p mn rs mn k p
m) ) 4 8 (
2
1
9 n m
n)
2
12 10
) 3 5 ( 2

+
x
x
Answer for Exercise 7:
1. a)
t s r
4 3
6
b)

x q p
3 5
3
5

c) bc 4
d) f 4
e)
2 2
2
9
q p
f)
3
39xyz
g)
2 2 2
3 11 rs s r
h) 4 7 3 + xy mn
i) xy ab 15 10 +
j)
2
4 5 2 c ab mk +

k)
2
7 z xy
l) rs mn k p +
2
4
m) n m 2 4 9 +
n) 12 15 x
2. 12
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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2. Given that a=1, b=-2, x=-1 and y=3,
find the value of
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3.
ax xy b a +
2 2
2
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4.
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1.2 Solving Algebraic Fractions Using Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division


It is make revenue process of finding increase and revenue push of two or more fraction algebra. In
settling these operations there were 3 moves that must be followed.


ADDITION

Example 1:
Calculate

5
1
5
3
+
.
Solution:
Since the denominators are the same, the denominator of the answer will be 5. Adding the
numerators , 3 + 1 = 4. The result will be:
5
4
5
1 3
5
1
5
3
=
+
= +


Example 2:

Calculate
3
1
2
1
+

Solution:
The denominators are different, so you must build each fraction to a form where both have
the same denominator. Since 6 is the common factor for 2 and 3, build both fractions to a
denominator of 6.

6
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
1
= =


and,

6
2
2
2
3
1
1
3
1
= =


Then

= +
3
1
2
1
6
5
6
2 3
6
2
6
3
=
+
= +


SUBTRACTION
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Example 1:
Calculate
5
1
5
3


Solution:
The denominators are the same, so you can skip step 1. The denominator of the answer will
be 5. Subtract the numerators for the numerator in the answer. 3 - 1 = 2. The answer is
5
2
5
1 3
5
1
5
3
=

=


Example 2:
Calculate

3
1
2
1


Solution:

Since the denominators are not the same, you must build each fraction to a form where both
have the same denominator. As 6 is the common factor for 2 and 3, use 6 as the
denominator.

6
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
1
= =

and,
6
2
2
2
3
1
1
3
1
= =
Then,
=
3
1
2
1
6
1
6
2 3
6
2
6
3
=

=



MULTIPLICATION

Example 1:

9
8
4
3

Solution:
Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result. Thus,
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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3
2
36
24
9 4
8 3
= =

Example 2:
15
6
7
2

Solution:
Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result. Thus,
35
4
105
12
15 7
6 2
= =

DIVISION

Example 1:

16
9
4
3

Solution:
Change the division sign to multiplication and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.
9
16
4
3

Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result.
3
4
36
48
9 4
16 3
= =

Example 2:

8
9
40
3

Solution:
Change the division sign to multiplication and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.
9
8
40
3

Multiply the numerators and the denominators, and simplify the result.
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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15
1
360
24
9 40
8 3
9
8
40
3
= =

=

Exercise 1: Simplify
2 3
3 2
10
) 8 )( 5 (
t s
t s st


Solution:
2
2 3
4 3
2 3
3 2
4
10
40
10
) 8 )( 5 (
t
t s
t s
t s
t s st
= =


Exercise 2: Simplify
2 2
2
) 3 (
12
ab
b a


Solution:
3 4 2
2
2 2
2
3
4
9
12
) 3 (
12
b b a
b a
ab
b a
= =



Exercise 3: Simplify
m
mn n m
2
6 2
2

Solution: Form the given fraction into 2 fractions,
both with denominator 2m. Thus,
n mn
m
mn
m
n m
m
mn n m
3
2
6
2
2
2
6 2
2 2
= =

Exercise 4: Simplify
4
5
1
3
+
+
x
x
Solution 1 - Multiplying by the reciprocal
Change the top expression into a single fraction with denominator x.
x
x
x
1 3 1
3
+
= +
Change the below expression into a single fraction with denominator x.
x
x
x
4 5
4
5 +
= +
Thus, the question has become:
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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x
x
x
x
x
x
4 5
1 3
4
5
1
3
+
+
=
+
+

Look at the right hand side expression as a division process. Thus,
x
x
x
x 4 5 1 3 +

+

Instead of division, we can carry out the multiplication by a reciprocal method.
x
x
x
x
x
x
4 5
1 3
4 5
1 3
+
+
=
+

+

The x's cancelled out, and we have our final answer, which is in its simplest form.
Solution 2 - Multiplying top and bottom
Multiply "x" to both the numerator and denominator. So, by just multiplying
the top and bottom part by x, everything will be simplified.
x
x
x
x
x
x
4 5
1 3
) 4
5
(
)
1
3 (
+
+
=
+
+


1.3 Conversion of Formulas.
ADDITION

Example 1:

Given a = b + c, make c as the subject.
Solution
Since: a = b + c,
Subtract b from both sides of the equation,
a b = b + c b
or a b = b b + c
then, a b = c
Therefore: c = a b



SUBTRACTION

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Example 1:

Given a = c d, make d as the subject.
Solution
Since: a = c d,
Add d to both sides of the equation.
Then, a + d = c d + d
a + d = c + d d
a + d = c

Deduct a from both sides of the equation.
We have: a + d = c
Then, a + d a = c a
a a + d = c a
d = c a

Example 2:
Solve the equation
x 6 = 10
Solution:
Add 6 to both sides of the equations.
We have: x 6 = 10
Then, x 6 + 6 = 10 + 6
So, x = 16
Thus, the value of x needs to be 16 to make the equation true.
Check with the given question:
16 6 = 10. It checks out to be correct.

MULTIPLICATION

Example 1:

If V = IR, make I as the subject.
Solution
Given V = IR.
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Divide both sides of the equation with R,

Then:
R
IR
R
V
=



I
R
V
=
or
R
V
I =


Example 2:
Solve: 5x = 35
This time we are asking:
5 ? = 35

Setting x as the subject, divide both sides by 5:
35 5 = x

5
35
5
5
=
x


7 = x
Check: 5 7 = 35. It checks out to be correct.


DIVISION

Example 1:
Make t as the subject for formula
t
s
v = .
Solution
Given
t
s
v = . Find t.
Multiply both equations with t,
t
t
s
vt = , then s vt = .

Divide both sides of the equation with v,
Since:
s vt =
Then,
v
s
v
vt
= or
v
s
t =


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Combination of Arithmatic Operations


Example 1:

Make x as subject for formula c mx y + = .

Solution
Given c mx y + = .
Subtract c from both sides of the equation,
y c = mx + c c
thus, y c = mx.

Divided both sides with m,
y c = mx,
then
m
mx
m
c y
=

x
m
c y
=

Thus,
m
c y
x

=


Example 2

Given V = E Ir, make r as the subject.
Solution:
V = E Ir ,
then V + Ir = E
Ir = E V.

Divide both sides of the equations with I,


I
V E
I
Ir
=

So,
I
V E
r

=


Example 3
Solve 5 (x + 2) = 5x
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Solution
First, we open the bracket:
5 (x + 2) = 5x
5 x 2 = 5x
3 x = 5x
By adding x to both sides of the equation,
We have: 3 = 6x
Now divide both sides by 6 and swap sides:
Thus: x = 0.5
Example 4
Solve 5x 2(x 5) = 4x
Solution:
Expanding the bracket:
5x 2(x 5) = 4x
5x 2x + 10 = 4x
3x + 10 = 4x
Subtracting 3x from both sides gives: x = 10
ARITHMETIC OPERATION WITH PARENTHESIS


Example 1:

Make C as the subject given that
( )
C
D C B
A

=

Solution
Given:
( )
C
D C B
A

=
,

Multiply both sides of the equation with C,

( )
C
C
D C B
AC

=


= BC BD
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Move BC to the left side of the equation,
AC BC = BD

Factorization of C,
C (A B) = BD

B A
BD
C

=


( ) B A
BD
+

=


B A
BD
C
+
=

or
A B
BD
C

=




Exercises

Example 1:

Make d as the subject for
4
2
h d
V

= ,

Solution:

Given
4
2
h d
V

= ,

Multiply both sides of the equation with 4,
4
4
4
2
h d
V

=

4V = d
2
h

Divide both sides with h,

h
h d
h
V

2
4
=


2
4
d
h
V
=

Get the square root of both sides,

2
4
d
h
V
=

BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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d
h
V
=

4



Example 2:

The area of a circle is given by A = r
2
. Find the value of r.
Solution
Making r as the subject, we have,
r
2
= A
Divide both sides with :

A
r =
2

So,

A
r =


Problem Solving

1. A copper wire with a length of = 2 cm, resistance R= 4 and resistivity
= 17.2 x 10
-6
cm. Calculate the cross-section area A, of the wire, by using
the resistivity formula,
A
R

=


Solution

A
R

=


A
) 2 )( 10 2 . 17 (
4
6

=


2 6
10 6 . 8 cm A

=


Exercise 1:

1. Simplify the following:

(a)
bc
a
a 3 2
3

(b)
m m m
2
) 1 (
1
+

BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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(c)
xy
y
x 15
4 5 2

(d)
y x
5
2
3

(e)
2 2
2
2 q p
p pq p

(f)
y xy
2
9
4

(g)
2
3
3
5
10 t
w
z
t

(h)
y x
y x
xy
y x
2 3
2 2
2 2
3
+

2. If F Newton's force, m kg mass and a ms
-2
acceleration are connected with the formula
ma F = , determine the acceleration if a force of 2 kN was imposed on a mass of 1000 kg.

3. Given the kinetic energy as
2
2
1
mv K = , where m is the mass in kg and v is the velocity in
ms
-1
. Determine the mass if it is being hurled vertically up with a velocity of 20 ms
-1
and a
kinetic energy of 1000 Joule.

4. Three resistor R
1
, R
2
and R
3
are connected in parallel in an electrical circuit. Determine the
total resistance R
T,
using the formula below:

3 2 1
1 1 1 1
R R R R
T
+ + =

(a) Calculate R
T,
if R
1
= 5 , R
2
= 10 and R
3
= 30 .
(b) Calculate R
2,
if R
T
= 1 , R
1
= 2 and R
3
= 6 .


Answer for Exercise 1:

1. a)
abc
a bc
6
2 9
2

b)
) 1 (
1 2

m m
m


c)
xy
y
3
1 2

d)
xy 2
15

e)
) ( 2
2
q p
p
+

f)
x 9
2


g)
t
w
6
2

h)
2
6
) (
y
y x x


2. m O = 028 . 0
3.
2
2

= ms a
4. kg m 5 =
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

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5. a) 3
b) 3



1.4 Solve the Quadratic Equations Using Factorization, Formulas And Completing The
Squares.


QUADRATIC EQUATION

A Quadratic equation in a unknown (variable) is one equation have one unknown only and his
unknown's supreme power is 2.


ROOT OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION

Root of a quadratic equation can be found by using three methods:

a) Factorization
b) Quadratic formula
c) Completing the square


a. Factorization

Example:
Solve the quadratic equations below, using factorization method.

a) 2x
2
+ 13x + 10 = 0
b) 6x
2
20 = 2x
c) 3x = - 6x
2


Solution:

a) Given: 0 10 13 2
2
= + + x x
Then: 0 ) 5 )( 3 2 ( = + + x x

0 3 = + x or 0 5 = + x

3 = x or 5 = x

b) Given: x x 2 20 6
2
=
Then: 0 20 2 6
2
= x x

0 ) 4 2 )( 5 3 ( = + x x

0 5 3 = x

or 0 4 2 = + x

3
5
= x or 2 = x

BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

25 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

c) Given:
2
6 3 x x =
Then: 0 3 6
2
= + x x

0 ) 3 6 ( = + x x

0 = x or 3 = x

b. Quadratic formula

If quadratic equation given by form 0
2
= + + c bx ax , then value x can find through quadratic
formula,
a
ac b b
x
2
4
2

=

Example:

Solve quadratic equation using quadratic formula method

a. 0 18 21 9
2
= + x x
b. 35 17 2
2
= x x
c. 0 2 4 5
2
= x x
Solution:

a. 0 18 21 9
2
= + x x

Thus: a = 9, b = 21 and c = -18





18
648 441 21 +
= x


18
1089 21
= x


18
33 21
= x


18
33 21+
= x or
18
33 21



18
12
= x or
18
54

( )( )( )
( ) 9 2
18 9 4 21 21
2

= x
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

26 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng



3
2
= x or 3


b. 35 17 2
2
= x x

then: 0 35 17 2
2
= + x x

So, a=2, b=-17, and c=35

) 2 ( 2
) 35 )( 2 ( 4 17 ) 17 (
2

= x


4
280 289 17
= x


4
9 17
= x


4
3 17
= x


4
3 17 +
= x
or
4
3 17


5 = x or
2
7


c. 0 2 4 5
2
= x x

( )( )
( ) 5 2
2 5 4 4 ) 4 (
2

= x

10
40 16 4 +
= x

10
56 4
= x

10
48 . 7 4
= x

BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

27 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

10
48 . 7 4 +
= x or
10
48 . 7 4


10
48 . 11
= x or
10
48 . 3

148 . 1 = x or 0.348


c) Completing the square

Example
Solve the quadratic equation using completing the square

a) 4x
2
+ 5 = -9x
b) x
2
= 4x + 4
c) 2x
2
+4x 8=0


Solution
a) Given 4x
2
+ 5 = -9x

Step 1: Arrange to the form into c bx ax = +
2

5 9 4
2
= + x x

Step 2: Divide with 4 to make the coefficient of x
2
equal to 1

4
5
4
9
4
4
2
= +
x x

4
5
4
9
2
= +
x
x
Step 3: Add
2 2
)
8
9
( )
2
1
4
9
( = - to both sides

2 2 2
)
8
9
(
4
5
)
8
9
(
4
9
+ = + +
x
x


2 2
)
8
9
(
4
5
)
8
9
( + = + x


64
81 80 +
=


64
1
)
8
9
(
2
= + x
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

28 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng


64
1
)
8
9
( = + x

8
1
=


8
1
8
9
+ = x or
8
1
8
9
= x
8
8
= x or
8
10
= x

1 = x or
4
5
= x


b) Given 4x
2
= 4x + 4

Step 1: Arrange to the form into c bx ax = +
2

4x
2
4x = 4


Step 2: Divided by 4 to make the coefficient of x
2
equal to 1


4
4
4
4
4
4
2
=
x x

x
2
x = 1

Step 3: Add
2 2
)
2
1
( )
2
1
1 ( = - to both sides


2 2 2
)
2
1
( 1 )
2
1
( + = + x x

4
1
1 )
2
1
(
2
+ = x


4
5
=


4
5
2
1
= x

BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

29 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng


4
5
2
1
= x


118 . 1 5 . 0 = x

118 . 1 5 . 0 + = x or 118 . 1 5 . 0 = x


618 . 1 = x or 618 . 0 = x



c) Given 2x
2
+4x-8 =0

Step 1: Arrange to the form into c bx ax = +
2

2x
2
+ 4x = 8

Step 2: Divided by 2 to make the coefficient of x
2
equal to 1

2
8
2
4
2
2
2
= +
x x



4 2
2
= + x x

Step 3: Add
2 2
) 1 ( )
2
1
2 ( = - to both sides

2 2 2
1 4 1 2 + = + + x x

5 ) 1 (
2
= + x
5 1 = + x
5 1 = x
236 . 2 1 = x
236 . 2 1+ = x

or 236 . 2 1 = x
236 . 1 = x or 236 . 3 = x

Exercise:

1. Solve quadratic equation
i. by factoring
(a) 0 8 6
2
= + + x x
(b) 0 5 14 3
2
= + x x
(c) 0 4 13 3
2
= + + x x

ii. by quadratic formula
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

30 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

(a) 0 1 6 2
2
= + x x
(b) 0 9 3 5
2
= + + x x
(c) 10 9
2
1
2
= + x x



iii. by completing the square
(a) 0 7 6
2
= x x
(b) 0 6 2
2
= x x
(c) 0 12 6 3
2
= + x x


Answer:

1. i. By factoring
(a) 4 , 2 = = x x
(b)
5 ,
3
1
= = x x

(c)
4 ,
3
1
= = x x


ii. By quadratic formula

(a) 177 . 0 , 823 . 2 = = x x
(b) 675 . 1 , 075 . 1 = = x x
(c) 05 . 19 , 05 . 1 = = x x


iii. By completing the square

(a) 1 , 7 = = x x
(b) 0 , 3 = = x x
(c) 236 . 3 , 236 . 1 = = x x













BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

31 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng


1.5 To solve Simultaneous Linear Equation with two variables using the Elimination and
Subtitution Methods.

A linear equation is an equation in one or more variables where each term's degree is not
more than 1. That means a variable x may appear, but neither any higher power of x, such as
x
2
, nor any product of variables, such as xy, may appear. It has to be a pretty simple equation
such as ax + by + cz = d ( Example : 3x + 2y - 5z = 8 ). Any other equation in other
degree is known as a non-linear equation.
A system is just a collection of such linear equations, and to solve a system, look for the values
of the variables which make all the equations true simultaneously. For instance, if x and y are
the variables, then an example system of linear equations is
5x - 2y = 4
x + 2y = 8
There are various ways of solving this system, and they lead to the unique solution where x = 2
and y = 3. We'll look next at two common algorithm for solving systems of simultaneous
equations called substitution and elimination.

Substitution method

This method is used when one of the variables is the subject of the equation and the
coefficient of the variables is 1.

Example:

a) n m 2 =

and 9 = + n m

b) 3 2 = + y x and 7 3 2 = y x


Steps for the substitution method:

Step 1: Express one variable in terms of the other variable by rearranging one of the
equations.

Step 2: Substitute the expression into the other equation.


Step 3: Solve the value of the chosen variable from the resulting equation.

Step 4: Find the value of the other variable.






BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

32 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

Example 1

Given a linear equation of : 3x 4y = 24
Use y as subject.

Solution: 3x 4y = 24
4y = 24 3x
y =
4
3 24

x



Example 2
Solve the linear equations below, using the substitution method.




Solution:
Step 1 :
Choose equation (1), and use y as the subject.
2x y = 7
y = 7 2x
y = 7 + 2x (3)
Step 2 :
Substitute equation (3) into equation (2).

3x + 2y = 14
3x + 2 (-7 + 2x) = 14
3x 14 + 4x = 14
7x = 14 + 14
7x = 28
x =
7
28

So, x = 4
Step 3 :
Substitute the value x = 4 from step (2), into equation (3).

y = 7 + 2 (4)
= 7 + 8
y = 1

Thus, x = 4 and y = 1.


2x y = 7 (1)
3x + 2y = 14 (2)
Let the equations to be
equation (1) and (2) for
easy reference.
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

33 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

Example 3
Solve the simultaneous equations below, using the substitution method.

5 2 3 = y x
12 5 2 = + y x

Solution:
Let, 5 2 3 = y x ..(1)
12 5 2 = + y x (2)

Let us choose equation (2 ) and use variable y as the subject.

2x + 5y = 12
5y = 12 2x

5
2 12 x
y

=
..(3)

Substitute
5
2 12 x
y

=

into equation (1) and solve the value of x.


3x 2 5
5
2 12
=
x



25 4 24 15 = + x x
19 x = 25 + 24
= 49
x =
19
49

Then substitute the value of x =
19
49
into equation (3)

y =
5
2 12 x


=
5
19
49
2 12 |
.
|

\
|

=
5
19
98
12

=
5
19
98 228

Multiplies 5 to both sides of the
equation to eliminate the
denominator 5.
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

34 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

=
5
1
19
130

=
95
130

y =
19
26


Therefore, value of x =
19
49
and value of y =
19
26



Elimination method

This method is suitable when the substitution method involves an awkward fraction. To
eliminate, remove one of the variables to give an equation with only one variable.

Example:

5
5 2 +
=
y
x

and 8 2 = + y x


Steps involved in elimination method of solution:

Step 1: If necessary, multiply either one or both equations by a suitable non-zero number to
make the coefficients of one of the variable equal.

Step 2: Add or subtract the equations to eliminate one of the variables.

Step 3: Solve the resulting equation in one unknown.

Step 4: Find the value of the other variable by substitution.


Example 1

Solve the linear equations below:
x y = 2
x + y = 6

Solution
x y = 2 .(1)
x + y = 6 .(2)
Step 1 :

Choose the variable to be eliminated. Multiply the equation with any suitable number, so that
the variables coefficient to be eliminated is the same.
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

35 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng




For this example, variable x is selected to be elimunated. Therefore equation (1) (2):


Equation (1) (2 ): x y = 2
() x + y = 6
_____________
2 y = 4
y =
2
4

y = 2


Step 2 :
Then substitute the value of y = 2 into the equation (1) to obtain of value x.

x 2 = 2
= 2 + 2
x = 4

Therefore, value x = 4 and y = 2



Example 2

Using the Elimination Method, solve the linear equations below:

2x y = 7
3x + 2y = 14

Solution:
2x y = 7..(1)
3x + 2y = 14..(2)


Choose the variable y for elimination. Therefore, equation (1) needs to multiply
with 2.

Equation (1) 2 : 4x 2y = 14..(3)
3x + 2y = 14.(2)
BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

36 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng


Add equation (3) to equation (2) for the elimination of variable y.

Equation (3) + (2 ): 7x = 28
x =
7
28

So, x = 4


Substitute x = 4 into equation (2 ), to obtain the value for y :
Equation (2): 3x + 2y = 14
3(4) + 2y = 14
12 + 2y = 14
2y = 14 12
y =
2
2

y = 1
Exercise

1. Solve the simultaneous linear equations below, using substitution method.

3 = y x and 1 3 2 = + y x

2. Solve the simultaneous linear equations below, using elimination method.

7 3 2 = n m and 9 5 2 = n m

3. Solve the simultaneous linear equations below:
(a) 1 2 = + y x



5 3 2 = x y
(b)

3 2 5 = x y

4 3 2 = + x y
(c) 5 2 = + y x

6 2 = + y x
(d) 9 2 = + y x

4 3 = y x
(e) 4 5 2 = + y x

7 3 = + y x
(f) 4 3 2 = e d

1 2 5 = e d




BASIC ALGEBRA BA101/CHAPTER 1

37 Prepared By : Lim Yeong Chyng

Answer:

1. 1 , 2 = = y x
2. 1 , 2 = = n m
3.
(a) 1 , 1 = = y x
(b)
19
17
,
19
14
= = y x
(c)
3
4
,
3
7
= = y x
(d) 7 , 1 = = y x
(e) 2 , 3 = = y x
(f) 2 , 1 = = e d