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A4 Topic Overview
This topic covers formulae and functions involving terms which can be manipulated using the basic algebraic techniques covered in Topics A1 - A3. The methods described in this topic form the basis for working with particular types of formulae and functions in Algebra Topics A5 - A7.
LESSON PLAN
Lesson No. 1 2 3 4
Appendix
LESSON TITLE A4.1 A4.2 A4.3 A4.4 A4.5 Evaluation of Formulae Transposition of Formulae Further Manipulation of Formulae Functions Solutions to the Self-Assessment Questions
Page 1
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
A4.1 EVALUATION OF FORMULAE The formula V = r2h expresses the volume V of a cylinder in terms of its radius r and height h. This means that if the radius and length of a cylinder are known, then the volume of the cylinder can be calculated. The subject of a formula is the single term on the left-hand side of the formula, eg. V is the subject formula V = r2h Evaluation is the process of calculating the value of the subject of a formula for given values of the symbols on the right-hand side. When evaluating formulae, you should work to the full precision of your calculator and finally state your answer correct to the required number of decimal places or significant figures. EXAMPLE 4.1 The volume V of a cylinder is given by the formula: V = r2h Evaluate the volume V when the radius r = 10 cm and the height h = 5 cm. Solution: Substitute the given values for the symbols into the formula.
V is the subject
The mathematical constant occurs frequently in formulae. Most scientific calculators have a specific key which gives = 3.141592654... To maintain maximum precision in your calculations, use this key to obtain the value of at the final stage in the evaluation.
(ii) If units are given for the values of the symbols in formulae, then take care that you use the appropriate values when substituting in the formulae. Remember also to include the correct units and numerical accuracy with your final answer.
Page 2
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
EXAMPLE 4.2 The current I amps of a number of cells connected together is given by the formula:
I=
nE R + nr
Evaluate the current I, when n = 30, E = 1.6 volts, R = 5.5 ohms, r = 1.1 ohms.
Solution: I is the subject
I =
SAQ A4.1
V2 R
(b) The distance s, travelled in time t, by an object moving at constant acceleration a, is given by the formula s = ut + 1 at2 where u is the initial velocity.
2
Calculate the distance s metres travelled by the object, when u = 0.78 m/s, a = 0.03 m/s2 and t = 45 seconds. (c) The time T, of oscillation of a single pendulum is given by T = 2
L G Evaluate the time of oscillation T seconds, when L = 0.6 m and G = 9.81 m/s2.
Page 3
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
When the value of a symbol other than the subject of the formula is required, the formula needs to be re-arranged. This process is called transposing the formula to make a new subject appear on the left-hand side. This process is also referred to as changing the subject or expressing one symbol in terms of the other symbols in the formula.
EXAMPLE 4.3
The area A of a circle is related to the radius r by the formula: A = r2 Change the subject of the formula to r.
Solution:
Re-arrange Divide both sides by Take square roots of both sides
A = r2
r2 = A
A
r2 =
r =
EXAMPLE 4.4
In space technology the force F, between two bodies of masses m1 and m2, separated by a distance r, is calculated using the gravitational constant G, by
F=G
m1m 2 d2
F =G
Multiply both sides by d2 Re-arrange Divide both sides by m1m2
m1m 2 d2
Fd 2 m1m 2
Page 4
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
EXAMPLE 4.5
L = 1 (8h - c) 3
Re-arrange
Divide both sides by 8
3L + c 8
Note: Be careful, in writing, that the division line is long enough. 3L Careless writing could give h= +c which is wrong! 8
EXAMPLE 4.6
a=
n+k n 1
a2
n+k n 1 n+k = n 1
Multiply both sides by (n 1) Multiply out the bracket on LHS Gather terms in n on LHS Take n out as factor on LHS Divide both sides by (a2 1)
k + a2 a2 1
SAQ A4.2 Change the subject of the formula to the variable named:
to d to r
(b) a2 = b2 + c2 (d) x =
h 1 h
to c to h
to x
(e) w =
k+ r
4g 3
to g
Page 5
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
h=
2w + 1 7
Find h when w = h + 1.
h =
h = h = h =
7h =
2w + 1 7 2(h + 1) + 1 7 2h + 2 + 1 7 2h + 3 7 2h + 3
7h 2h = 3 5h = 3
h =
3 = 0 .6 5
y=
V 2 Rx 2 x2
V 2 Rx 2 x2
y2 =
V 2 Rx 2 x2
[Add Rx2 to both sides]
V2 y2 + R
V2 y +R
2
x =
V y2 + R
Page 6
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
V y2 + R
220 156.25
= 17.6
EXAMPLE 4.9
Express r1 in terms of R and r2 and evaluate r1 when R = 0.8 ohms and r2 = 1.5 ohms.
Solution:
1 1 1 + = R r1 r2
Rr1r2 Rr1r2 Rr1r2 + = R r1 r2
Multiply both sides by Rr1r2 Cancel the common factors in each fraction Gather r1 terms together on the LHS by subtracting Rr1 from both sides Take r1 out as a common factor on RHS Divide both sides by (r2 R)
Rr2 r2 R
Page 7
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
SAQ A4.3
(a) Given the formula 25 2P Find K when P = 2 K. K= (where K < 0)
(b)
The formula for the total surface area of a cylinder with radius r and height h, is A = 2r(r + h). Change the subject of the formula to h and calculate h, (correct to 2 decimal places) when A = 160 cm2 and r = 2 cm.
(c)
(d)
(e)
1 1 1 1 = + + R r1 r2 r3
Transpose the formula to make R the subject and calculate R, when r1= 15 ohms, r2= 30 ohms, r3= 40 ohms.
Page 8
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FUNCTIONS
A4.4 Functions
A4.4 FUNCTIONS
A function describes the relationship between two variables, where the value of one quantity depends on the value of another quantity. For example, in the formula C = 2r for calculating the circumference of a circle, the value of the circumference C depends on the value of the radius r. The formula describes the circumference C as a function of the radius r of the circle. This relationship is written as
[ f(r) is read as f of r ]
The function f(r) describes the calculation required to obtain the value of C for a given value of r. In this case, r can take any positive value and is said to be independent, whereas the value of C depends on r and so is said to be dependent on r. In general, a function of the form y = f(x) describes the relationship between the variables x and y, where x is the independent variable, able to take any allowable value and y is the dependent variable. In many cases, the relation between the two quantities is defined by a mathematical formula. For example, if x and y are related by the equation y = x2 + 3 then the relation can be written in the form y = f(x) where f(x) = x2 + 3
EXAMPLE 4.10
Solution:
When x = 2 When x = 1 When x = 3.4 f(2) = (2)2 + 3 = 4 + 3 = 7 f(1) = (1)2 + 3 = 1 + 3 = 4 f(3.4) = (3.4)2 + 3 = 11.6 + 3 = 14.6
Using the notation f(x) = x2 + 3 also has the advantage that x can be replaced by another variable quantity or by an algebraic expression. In the above example, where f(x) = x2 + 3 then Replacing x by a gives Replacing x by 3x gives f(a) = a2 + 3 f(3x) = (3x)2 + 3 = 9x2 + 3 f(2a 1) = (2a 1)2 + 3 = (4a2 4a + 1) + 3 = 4a2 4a + 4
Replacing x by 2a 1 gives
Page 9
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FUNCTIONS
A4.4 Functions
SAQ A4.4
(a) Given the function f(x) = x2 3x (i) Evaluate f(2), f(3), f(5)
(ii) Find, in their simplest forms, expressions for f(3a), f(a 4), f(2a + 3) (b) If f(x) =
2x + 1 3x + 1
find f
1 x 1
Page 10
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
A4.5 APPENDIX
Evaluation
(b) s = ut +
at2 = (0.78)(45) +
1 2
(c) T = 2
SAQ A4.2
(a)
Re-arrange
d =
n 2a 3
(b)
Re-arrange Subtract b2 from both sides Take square roots
a2 = b2 + c 2 b2 + c 2 = a2 c 2 = a2 b2
c =
(a 2 b 2
(c)
Multiply both sides by 3
V = 1 r 2 h 3V = r2h
3
r2h = 3V
r2
3V h
r =
3V h
h 1 h h h h + xh h(1 + x) x x 1+ x
(d)
Multiply both sides by (1h) Multiply out the brackets
x = x(1 h) x xh x x h(1 + x) = = = = =
h =
Page 11
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
A4.5 APPENDIX
(e)
Multiply both sides by (2 + x) Multiply out the brackets Gather x terms on RHS Take out as common factors Divide both sides by (y + 1)
y = (2 + x)y 2y + xy xy + x x(y + 1) = = = =
2x 2+x 2x 2x 2 2y 2(1 y)
2(1 y ) ( y + 1)
x =
(f)
w =
k+ r
k+ r
4g 3
Square both sides Multiply both sides by r Subtract k from both sides Re-arrange
3 4
4g 3
4g 3
rw2 = k + rw2 k =
4g 3
4g = rw2 k 3
g =
3(rw 2 k ) 4
SAQ A4.3
(a)
Further Manipulation
K= 25 25 = 2P 2 (2 K ) 25 = 22+K 25 K = K K2 = 25
Substitution:
K =5
(b) Transposition:
A =r+h 2 r
(K < 0)
A = 2r(r + h)
r+h =
Evaluation:
A 2 r A h = r 2 r 160 h = 2 = 10.73 cm 2 ( 2 )
Page 12
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
A4.5 APPENDIX
(c)
Transposition:
R = kL d2 Rd2 = kt d2 =
kt R kt d = R
Evaluation:
d =
(7.5)(3) = 9 = 3 2.5
(d)
Transposition:
Evaluation:
(e)
Transpostion:
Multiply both sides by Rr1r2r3 Cancel the common factors in each fraction Take R out as a common factors on RHS Re-arrange Divide both sides by (r2r3 + r1r3 + r1r2)
Evaluation:
R = =
Page 13
Topic A4
ALGEBRA: FORMULAE
A4.5 APPENDIX
SAQ A4.4
(a)
Functions
(i) f(2) = 22 3(2) = 4 6 = 2 =99 = 0 f(3) = 32 3(3) f(5) = (5)2 3(5) = 25 +15 = 40 (ii) f(3a) = (3a)2 3(3a) = 9a2 9a f(a 4) = (a 4)2 3(a 4) 2 = a 8a + 16 3a + 12 2 = a 11a + 28 f(2a + 3) = (2a + 3) 3(2a + 3) = 4a2 + 12a + 9 6a 9 2 = 4a + 6a
2
(b)
2x + 1 3x + 1 2 +1 1 = x 1 f 3 x 1 +1 x 1 2 + ( x 1) = 3 + ( x 1) x +1 = x+2 f (x) =
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Topic A4