Chapter 1 MATF104

MATF 104 College Algebra- Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF ALGEBRA

1. 1 Real Number System
Set Number Description
Natural Numbers (N) The counting number: {1, 2, 3, ..}
Whole Numbers (W) {0, 1, 2, 3, }
Integer Numbers (J)
or (Z) or (I)
{..3, -2, -1, 0, 1, , .}
Rational Numbers
(Q)
Can be expressed in the form of :
'
0 and , ; b J b a
b
a
,
for example :
7
10
,
4
5
,
2
1
, 5, -4, .
Irrational Number (
Q)
Cannot be expressed as the ratio of
two integer, for example:
5 , 2 , , e ,
Real Number (R) Consists of all rational and
irrational numbers.
The Real Number Line:

-

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Origin

The properties of real numbers

For any real numbers a, b, c :
Property Illustration
1
Closure properties a + b and ab are real numbers
Commutative properties a + b = b + a,
ab = ba
Associative properti es a+b+c = a + (b+c)
= (a+b)+c
Distributive properti es a(b+c) = ab + ac
Identity properti es 0 + a = a
1 a = a
Multiplication by zero
a 0 = 0
Zero-Product Property ab = 0, then
a = 0 or b = 0
Inverse properties a + (-a) = 0
(additive inverse)
1
1

a
a (multiplicative
inverse) - reciprocal
Properties of Negatives
Property Example
a a ) ( -(-3) = 3
) ( ) ( ) ( b a ab b a (-2)(3) = 2(-3) = -6
ab b a ) )( ( (-2)(-3) = 6
a a ) 1 ( (-1)(3) = -3
Properties of Quotients
Property Example
bc ad
d
c
b
a
if 6 5 15 2
15
6
5
2

b
a
bd
ad
3
2
3
3
3
2

b
a
b
a
b
a

5
2
5
2
5
2

b
c a
b
c
b
a +
+
5
11
5
9 2
5
9
5
2
+
+
2
bd
bc ad
d
c
b
a +
+
15
26
15
) 5 ( 4 ) 3 ( 2
3
4
5
2
+
+
bd
ac
d
c
b
a

15
14
3
7
5
2

bc
ad
c
d
b
a
d
c
b
a

35
6
7
3
5
2
3
7
5
2

Ordering
Notation Definition Terminology
b a > a b is positive a is greater than b
b a < a b is negative a is less than b
b a a b is negative or 0 a is less or equal than b
Absolute Value
For any real number a, the absolute value of a is:
0 a if
0 a if

,
,
<
'
a
a
a
eg:
3 ) 3 ( 3
---- use first formula.
3 ) 3 ( 3
--- use second formula.
The properties of absolute value
For all real numbers a and b,
1.
0 a
2.
a a
3.
b a ab
4.
0 , b
b
a
b
a
Order of Operations
When evaluating expressions involving real numbers, it is important to
know the correct order of operations. For example, how to evaluate 3+25?
3
Do we multiply first and then add, or add first and then multiply? The
correct order of operations is given by acronym PEMDAS.
Do things in Parentheses First. Example:
6 (5 + 3) = 6 8 = 48
6 (5 + 3) = 30 + 3 = 33 (wrong)
Exponent (Powers, Roots) before Multiply, Divide, Add or Subtract. Example:
5 2
2
= 5 4 = 20
5 2
2
= 10
2
= 100 (wrong)
Multiply or Divide before you Add or Subtract. Example:
2 + 5 3 = 2 + 15 = 17
2 + 5 3 = 7 3 = 21 (wrong)
Otherwise just go left to right. Example:
30 5 3 = 6 3 = 18
30 5 3 = 30 15 = 2 (wrong)
Order of operations - PEMDAS
P Parentheses first
E Exponents (ie Powers and Square Roots, etc.)
MD Multiplication and Division (left-to-right)
AS Addition and Subtraction (left-to-right)
Divide and Multiply rank equally (and go left to right).
Add and Subtract rank equally (and go left to right)
4

After you have done "P" and "E", just go
from left to right doing any "M" or "D"
as you find them.
Then go from left to right doing any "A"
or "S" as you find them.
Warning: Calculate them in the wrong order, and you will get a wrong answer!
Example 1: Evaluate each expression using the rules for order of operations.
Solution:
Order of Operations
Expression Evaluation Operation
6 + 7 x 8 = 6 + 7 x 8 Multiplication
= 6 + 56 Addition
= 62
16 8 - 2 = 16 8 - 2 Division
= 2 - 2 Subtraction
= 0
(25 - 11) x 3 = (25 - 11) x 3 Parentheses
= 14 x 3 Multiplication
= 42
Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) 3 7
Solution:
Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) 3 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 3 7
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 3 7 = 3 + 54 3 7
Step 3: 3 + 54 3 7 = 3 + 18 7
Step 4: 3 + 18 7 = 21 - 7
Step 5: 21 7 = 14
Example 3: Evaluate 2(7 3)
2
8 + 9
Solution:
5
2(7 3)
2
8 + 9 = 2(4)
2
8 + 9
2(4)
2
8 + 9 = 2(16) 8 + 9
2(16) 8 + 9 = 32 8 + 9
32 8 + 9 = 4 + 9 = 13
Evaluate:
i) 9 - 5 (8 - 3) x 2 + 6
ii) 150 (6 + 3 x 8) - 5
Note: If a problem includes a fraction bar, perform all calculations above and below the
fraction bar before dividing the numerator by the denominator.
1. 2 Polynomials
Definition:
A polynomial in one variable, x , is defined as:

0 1
2
2
1
1
...... a x a x a x a x a
n
n
n
n
+ + + + +

where :
0 1 2 1
, , ,....., , a a a a a
n n
are real numbers, n is positive integer exponent and
0
n
a
is the leading coefficient.
0 1
2
2
1
1
a x a x a x a x a
n
n
n
n
+ + + + +

......

Terms of polynomial
a
0
is called a constant term
A polynomial with one term is called a monomial .
A polynomial with two terms is called binomial .
A polynomial with three terms is called trinomial .
6
Degree of polynomials.
The highest power (n), of the variable in the polynomial.
Degree
(n)
Types of polynomial
0 constant
1 linear
2 quadratic
3 cubic
Examples of polynomials:
Polynomial Degree
(n)
Special Name Leading coeff.
(a
n
)
4 0 Constant, monomial 4
2
2x
2 quadratic, monomial 2
1 + x 1 Linear, binomial 1
1 5 3
3 2
+ + x x
3 Cubic, trinomial 5
2 / 1 2
2x x +
- Not a polynomial -
Operations on polynomials.
A) Addition and substraction of polynomials.
Adding or substracting the like terms.
Example :
Find :
a)
) 9 3 8 ( ) 5 3 (
3 3
+ + + x x x x
solution:
By adding or substracting the like terms:
7

) ( ) ( 9 3 8 5 3
3 3
+ + + x x x x
) ( ) ( ) ( 9 5 3 8 3
3 3
+ + + x x x x
4 2 5
3
+ x x
b)
) 1 4 3 ( ) 5 (
2 2
x x x x
solution:
) 1 4 3 ( ) 5 (
2 2
x x x x
1 4 3 5
2 2
+ + x x x x
1 ) 4 5 ( ) 3 (
2 2
+ + + x x x x

1 2
2
+ x x
B) Multiplication of polynomials.
Example :
Find the product of :
a)
) 3 2 ( 3 x x
solution:
By using distributive property:

) ( ) ( ) ( 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 x x x x x
x x 9 6
2
+
b)
) 3 2 )( 5 ( + x x
solution:
By using distributive property:
) 3 2 ( 5 ) 3 2 ( ) 3 2 )( 5 ( + + x x x x x

15 10 3 2
2
+ x x x

15 7 2
2
+ x x
or using FOIL method:
8

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

FOIL method :

bd bc ad ac d c b a + + + + + ) )( (

F O I L
Special Products.
Special product Example
2 2 2
2 ) ( b ab a b a + + +
Perfect square
2
) 2 ( + x
=
2 2
2 ) 2 )( ( 2 + + x x
4 4
2
+ + x x
2 2 2
2 ) ( b ab a b a +
Perfect square
2
) 2 ( x
=
2 2
2 ) 2 )( ( 2 + x x
4 4
2
+ x x
2 2
) )( ( b a b a b a +
Difference of two squares
) 5 )( 5 ( + x x
25
5
2
2 2

x
x
Examples:
Find each product using special product:
(x 5)(x + 5) = x
2
25
use:
2 2
) )( ( b a b a b a +
9
(2x 1)
2
= (2x)
2
2(2x)(1) + 1
2
= 4x
2
4x + 1
use:
2 2 2
2 ) ( b ab a b a +
(3 + 2y)
2
= 3
2
+ 2(3)(2y) + (2y)
2
= 9 + 12y + 4y
2
use:
2 2 2
2 ) ( b ab a b a + + +
2 3
) 2 ( x

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

4 4
3 6
+ x x
1. 3 Factoring Polynomials
Greatest common factor (gcf)
A monomial that can be factored out by applying the distributive
property in reverse:
ab + ac = a(b + c)
Example 1:
Factor: a)
4 5
18 6 x x
b)
x x 4 12
3

c)
2 3 4 5
12 8 10 6 x x x x +
solution:
gcf = 6x
4
factor out the gcf:

) 3 ( 6 18 6
4 4 5
x x x x
gcf = 4x
factor out the gcf:

) 1 3 ( 4 4 12
2 3
x x x x
Factor out the greatest common factor:
10

) 6 4 5 3 ( 2
12 8 10 6
2 3 2
2 3 4 5
+
+
x x x x
x x x x
Factoring by using special formulas
If there is no common factor, then we look for special polynomial forms:
a
2
b
2
= (a + b)(a b)
a
2
+ 2ab + b
2
= (a + b)
2
a
2
- 2ab + b
2
= (a - b)
2
a
3
+ b
3
= (a + b)( a
2
- ab + b
2
)
a
3
- b
3
= (a - b)( a
2
+ ab + b
2
)
Example 2: Factor
x
2
9 = x
2
3
2
= (x + 3)(x 3)
use formula: a
2
b
2
= (a + b)(a b)
4x
2
25 = (2x)
2
5
2
= (2x + 5)(2x 5)
use formula: a
2
b
2
= (a + b)(a b)
x
4
16 = (x
2
)
2
- 4
2

= (x
2
4)(x
2
+ 4)
= (x + 2)(x 2)(x
2
+ 4)
use formula: a
2
b
2
= (a + b)(a b)
x
2
+ 6x + 9 = x
2
+ 2(3)(x) + 3
2
= (x + 3)
2
use formula: a
2
+ 2ab + b
2
= (a + b)
2
x
2
- 10x + 25 = x
2
- 2(5)(x) + 5
2
= (x - 5)
2
use formula: a
2
- 2ab + b
2
= (a - b)
2
11
x
3
+ 27 = x
3
+ 3
3
( a = x, b = 3)
use: a
3
+ b
3
= (a + b)( a
2
- ab + b
2
)
= (x + 3)(x
2
- 3x + 9)
x
3
- 125 = x
3
- 5
3
( a = x, b = 5)
use: a
3
+ b
3
= (a + b)( a
2
- ab + b
2
)
= (x - 5)(x
2
+ 5x + 25)
Factoring trinomials as a product of two binomials
Example 3: Factor
i. x
2
+ 10x + 9 = (x + 9)(x + 1)
ii. x
2
3x 28 = (x 7)(x + 4)
iii. 5x
2
+ 9x 2 = (5x 2)(x + 2)
iv. 15x
2
x 6 = (5x + 3)(3x 2)
Factoring by grouping
Some four-term polynomials can be factored by grouping the terms in pairs and factoring
out the greatest common factor from each pair of terms.
Example 4: Factor
i. x
3
x
2
+ 2x 2
=(x
3
x
2
) + (2x 2)
= x
2
(x 1) + 2(x 1)
= (x 1)(x
2
+ 2)
ii. 2x
2
+ 2x x 1
= (2x
2
+ 2x) (x + 1)
12
= 2x(x + 1) 1(x + 1)
= (x + 1)(2x 1)
Strategy for factoring polynomials
Factor out the gcf (if any)
Identify any special polynomial form and apply special formulas.
Factor trinomials into a product of two binomials (ax + b)(cx + d) if
possible.
Factor by grouping.
Exercise: Factor completely
3x
2
6x + 3
solution:

2
2
) 1 ( 3
) 1 2 ( 3

+
x
x x
-4x
3
+ 2x
2
+ 6x
solution:

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

x x x
x x x
15x
2
+ 7x 2
solution:

) 2 3 )( 1 5 ( + x x
x
3
x + 2x
2
2
solution:
13

) 2 )( 1 )( 1 (
) 2 )( 1 (
) 1 ( 2 ) 1 (
) 2 2 ( ) (
2
2 2
2 3
+ +
+
+
+
x x x
x x
x x x
x x x
or
x
3
x + 2x
2
2

) 2 )( 1 )( 1 (
) 2 )( 1 (
) 2 ( 1 ) 2 (
) 2 ( ) 2 (
2
2
2 3
+ +
+
+ +
+ +
x x x
x x
x x x
x x x
1. 4 Rational Expressions
Definition
A rational expression is an expression that can be written as the quotient of
two polynomials, such as

1
5
,
1
2
,
3
2
2

+
x
x
x
x
x
, etc
The denominators of rational expressions are never equal to zero. Any
values of variable that make the denominator equal to zero is called the
restriction. Examples:

n restrictio no ,
1
5
1 ,
1
2
0 ,
3
2
2
2
+
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Simplifying Rational Expressions
Factor the numerator and denominator completely.
14
State any restrictions.
Cancel (divide out) the common factors in the numerator and
denominator.
Example 1: Simplify and state any restriction.
2 2
2
2
+

x
x x
b)
x
x x +
2
c)
x
x
2
4
2
d)
2
6
2
2
+

x x
x x
Solution:
Given:
2 2
2
2
+

x
x x
factor completely each numerator and denominator.

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

x
x x
x
x x
Divide out the common factor:
=
2
) 2 ( x
(no restriction)
1
) 1 (
2
+
+
+
x
x
x x
x
x x
(no restriction)
) 2 (
) 2 (
) 2 )( 2 (
2
4
2
+

+
x
x
x x
x
x

(no restriction)
15
1
3
) 1 )( 2 (
) 2 )( 3 (
2
6
2
2
+
+
+

x
x
x x
x x
x x
x x
(restriction: x 1)
You can only cancel factors, not terms!
Examples:
Is 66/63 equal to 2? of course NOT!. So if the above "cancellation" is not valid.
Adding and substracting rational expressions
Property Operations
b
c a
b
c
b
a +
+
Combine both numerators when the
denominators are the same.
bd
bc ad
d
c
b
a +
+
Find the LCD for the denominators.
LCD = least common denominator
(The smallest number that can be divisible by all the denominators)
Example:
9
4
6
1
3
2
+
To find the lcd for 3,6 and 9, factor each into prime factors:
3 = 3
6 = 32
9 = 33
323 = 18 (lcd)
Therefore:
16
18
7
18
8 3 12
9
4
6
1
3
2
+
+
Example 2: Perform the indicated operation and simplify whenever
possible.
a)
x x 5
2 3
b)
x x
3
7
5
+ c)
3
1
7
+
x
d)
1 2
9 2
1 2
7 6
+
x
x
x
x
e)
1
2 1
2
+
x
x
Solutions:
x x 5
2 3
lcd = 5x

x
x
5
13
5
2 ) 5 ( 3
(restriction: x 0)
exercise.
3
1
7
+
x
(lcd = x 3)

3
20 7
3
1 21 7
3
1 ) 3 ( 7
x
x
x
x
x
x
1 2
) 9 2 ( 7 6
1 2
9 2
1 2
7 6
+ +
+
x
x x
x
x
x
x
17

2
1 2
) 1 2 ( 2
1 2
2 4
1 2
9 2 7 6
x
x
x
x
x
x x
exercise.
Multiplying and dividing rational expressions
Property Operations
b
a
bd
ad
Divide out the common term.

bd
ac
d
c
b
a

Multiply numerators and
denominators.
bc
ad
c
d
b
a
d
c
b
a

Multiply by a reciprocal
Example 3: Perform the indicated operation and simplify if possible.
2
5 3
1
2
x
x
x
x

1
5 3
+
+
x
x
1
10
5 5
2
2
x
x x
x
x

+
+
) 1 )( 1 (
) 1 (
10
) 1 ( 5
x x
x x
x
x
18
3 2
10 5
x x

10
5
3
2
x
x
1
5
1
1
2

x
x

5
1
1
1
2
x
x
1
4 2
1
2
2
+
+
p
p
p
p
1.5 Exponents and Radicals
Exponential Notation:
General Case
(n is any positive integer)
Special Case

of factors a n
a ........ a a a a a
n

a = the base
n = exponent or power
a a a a a a a
a a a
a a

6
2
1
The notation of
n
ca
, c is a constant (real number)
Examples:
i)
40 8 5 2 2 2 5 2 5
3

ii)
24 8 3 2 2 2 3 2 3
3
) ( ) ( ) (
Zero and negative Exponents ( 0 a , 0 b )
Definition Example
1
0
a
3
0
= 1
n
n
a
a
1
3
5
1
3
5
2
2
1
2
2
19
m
n
n
m
a
b
b
a
5
1
1
5
x
y
y
x
n n
a
b
b
a
,
_

,
_

3
2
2
3
2
2
,
_
,
_
u
v
v
u
Evaluating the exponential expressions
Example 1:
a)
4
3) (
= 81 3 3 3 3
b)
2
3
2
1
1 2 2
1 0
+ +

c) 8 2
1
2
2
1
2
1
3
3 3
3

,
_

,
_
d)
16
9
4
3
4
3
3
4
2
2
2 2

,
_

,
_

e)
( )
24
1
2 3
1
2
3
1
2
3
3 3 3
1
Law of Exponents
Law Example
1) a
m
a
n
= a
m+n
2
3
2
4
= 2
3+4
= 2
7
2) (a
m
)
n
= a
mn
(2
3
)
4
= 2
12
3) (ab)
n
= a
n
b
n
(20)
3
= (2 10)
3
= 2
3
10
3
4)
n
b
n
a
n
b
a

,
_
125
8
5
2
5
2
3
3
3

,
_
5)
n m
a
n
a
m
a

4 2 2
2
2
2 3 5
3
5

20
Simplifying the exponent expressions.
An exponential expression is simplified when:
All exponents are positive.
All parentheses have been eliminated.
No powers are raised to other powers.
A base appears only once.
Example 2:
Simplify the expressions below:
a)
3 5
x x
soln:
2 3 5 3 5
x x x x
) (

+
x-term appear only once, positive exponent.
b)
5 1 10 /
) x (
soln :
2 5 1 10 5 1 10
x x ) x (
) / ( /

x-term appear only once, positive exponent.
c)
3
2
x
x
soln:
5
5 3 2
3
2
1
x
x x
x
x

x-term appear only once ,no negative exponent.
d)
2 4 2
x y x
soln:
4 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 2
y x y ) x x ( x y x

21

4 4 0
y y x
x and y appears only once ,no negative exponent.
e)
2 3 4
) t s (
soln:
2 3 2 4 2 3 4
) t ( ) s ( ) t s (

6
8
6
8 6 8
1
t
s
t
s t s
,
_

f)
3 1 6 3 /
) y x (
soln:
3 1 6 3 1 3 3 1 6 3 / / /
) y ( ) x ( ) y x (
2
xy
g)
4 1 8 4
16
/
) y x (
soln:
4 1 8 4 1 4 4 1 4 1 8 4
16 16
/ / / /
) y ( ) x ( ) ( ) y x (

2 4 1 4
2 xy ) (
/

2
2xy
h)
) b a )( b a (
5 3 4 7
3 6
soln:
) b b )( a a )( ( ) b a )( b a (
5 4 3 7 5 3 4 7
3 6 3 6

5 4 3 7
18
+ +
b a
22

9 10
18 b a
i)
) c b a )( c b a (
3 3 2 2 1 3
(Answer:
3
5
b
ac
)
j)
3
1 1
3

pq
q p
soln:
) (
q p
pq
q p
3 1 1 1
3
1 1
3
1
3

2 2
3
1
q p

2
2
2
2
3
1
3
1
p
q
q
p

k)
3
2 2
5 3
6
3
,
_
b a
b a
soln:
3
2
5
2
3
3
2 2
5 3
6
3
6
3
,
_
,
_
b
b
a
a
b a
b a

3
3 5
2
1
,
_

b a

3
3
5
1
2
1
,
_

b
a
( )
3
3
3
5
3
1
2
1
,
_
,
_

b
a

9
15
1
8
1
b
a
23

9
15
8b
a

l)
3
3 2 4
1 2

,
_
r q p
q p
(Answer
3
9 6
q
r p
)
m)
) y )( y (
/ / 2 1 3 1
2 3
soln:
6 5 2 1 3 1
2 3 2 3
/ / /
y ) )( ( ) y )( y (

6 5
6
/
y
n)
6
2 3
1 3 1

,
_
/
/
b
b a
soln:
6
1 3 1
2 3
6
2 3
1 3 1
,
_
,
_
b a
b
b
b a
/
/
/
/

6
3 1
2 5
6
3 1
1 2 3
,
_
,
_

/
/
/
) ( /
a
b
a
b

2
15
6 3 1
6 2 5
a
b
) a (
) b (
/
/

Radicals
Definition 1: (nth roots)
If n is a positive integer and a
n
= b then a is called an nth root of b.
a
n
= b
n
b a
If n = 2
2
b a
or b (square root of b)
If n = 3
3
b a
(cube root of b)
24
Definition 2:
If n is a positive integer, then nth root of a is denoted by
n
n
a a
1
If n is even root then

n
a
1
is called principal nth root of a.
If n is odd root then
n
a
1
is called real nth root of a.
Example: (Evaluating radicals)
a)
2 4 4
2
1

square root of 4.
b)
2 8 8
3
3
1

cube root of 8.
c)
4
16
= 2 fourth root of 16.
d)
4
81
= 3 fourth root of 81.
Definition 3:
If m and n are positive integers then
( )
m
n
m
n n
m
a a a
,
_
1
Example:
i)
4 2 8 8 8
2 2 3 2 3 1 3 2
) ( ) (
/ /
ii)
2 3 2 3 1 3 2
125 125 125

) ( ) (
/ /
25
1
5
2

Hint: To evaluate
n / m
a
:
Find the nth root of a.
Raise to the power of m.
25
Exercise:
Evaluate:
a)
4 3
16
/
b)
3 2
8
/
) (
c)
3 1
27
/
) (

Answers:
a) 8 b) 4 c) 1/3
Radical Notation:
The sign
n
is called radical sign and use to indicate nth root.
n
a
= nth root of a
where :
a = a radicand
n = the index of the radical
The rules for radicals.
For any positive integer n and real numbers a, b 0.
Property Example
n n n
b a ab 3 2 3 2 6
( ) a ) a ( a
n n /
n
n

1
( ) 2 2
2
n
n
n
b
a
b
a
3
2
3
2
The perfect nth power

Definition:
An expression that is the nth power of an expression free of radicals is called a perfect nth
power.
Examples:
3 is a perfect cube of 27
2 is a perfect square of 4
8 is a perfect square of 64
Simplifying expression containing radicals
A radical of index n in simplified form has:
no perfect nth power as factors of the radicand.
26
no fractions inside the radical.
no radicals in a denominator.
Example:
Simplify :
a) 200
Factor out the largest perfect square
2 100 200 2 10 2 100
b)
3
320
Factor out the largest perfect cube
3 3
5 64 320
3 3 3
5 4 5 64 ) (
c)
3 6
125a
Factor out the largest perfect cube
2 6 3 1 3
3 6 3
3 6
5 125 125 125 a ) a ( ) a ( a
/

d)
9 8
24 y x
Factor out the largest perfect square
y y x y x
8 8 9 8
6 4 24

y y x 6 4
8 8

y y x 6 2
4 4
e)
7
7
(radical in the denominator)
Rationalize the denominator.
27
7
7
7 7
7 7
7 7
7
7

f)
20
3y
(fraction in the radical)
Apply quotient rule :
20
3
20
3 y y
rationalize the denominator :

2
20
20 3
20
20
20
3
20
3
) (
) ( y y y

10
15
20
15 2
20
15 4
20
60 y y y y

f)
4 21 12
48 b a
factor out the perfect fourth powers.
4 20 12 4 21 12
3 16 48 b b a b a

4
4 20 12
3 16 b b a

) b ( b a
4 5 3
3 2
g)
4
2
8
3
x
soln:
4 2
4
4
2
8
3
8
3
x
x

to rationalize the denominator, find a perfect fourth power in the denominator.
28

4 2
4 2
4 2
4
2
2
8
3
x
x
x

x
x
x
) x (
2
6
16
2 3
4 2
4 4
4 2

h)
3
25
3x
soln:
3
3
3
25
3
25
3 x x
find a perfect cube in the denominator :

3
3
3
3
5
5
25
3

x

5
15
125
5 3
3
3
3
x ) ( x

Operations with radicals.
We can add or substract the radical expressions if the radical terms are like terms.
Example:
a) 7 7 7 5 2 7 5 7 2 + + ) (
adding the like terms.
b) y ) x x ( y x y x 5 7 3 5 7 5 3 y x 5 4
substracting the like terms.
c) 5 3 +
cannot write in single radical because the terms are not like terms.
Example:
Perform each operation and simplify if possible.
a)
2 5 8 2 3 +
29
solution:
8 2 2 8 2 5 3 2 5 8 2 3 + + + ) (
b) 75 12 50 18 +
solution:
first, simplify each term :
75 12 50 18 +
3 25 3 4 2 25 2 9 +
3 5 3 2 2 5 2 3 +
3 3 2 2
c)
3 4 3 4
54 16 a a +
solution :
simplify each term:
3 3 3 3 3 4 3 4
2 27 2 8 54 16 a a a a a a + +
) a ( a ) a ( a
3
3 3 3
3 3
2 27 2 8 +
) a ( a ) a )( a a (
3 3
2 5 2 3 2 +
d)
2 7
3 21 x x
solution:
2
7
2
7
2 7
3
21
3
21
3 21
x
x
x
x
x x
x x x x x 7 7 7
2 4 5

Example :
30
Write each expression in a single radical sign.
a)
2 3
3

solution:
2 1 3 1 3
2 3 2 3
/ /

6 3 6 2
2 3
/ /

write the exponent with lcd.
6 3 2
2 3
simplify :
6
72
b)
a a 2 2
3

solution:
2 1 3 1 3
2 2 2 2
/ /
) a ( ) a ( a a

6 3 6 2
2 2
/ /
) a ( ) a (

6 3 2
2 2 ) a ( ) a (

6 5
2 ) a (
31
32

Chapter 1 MATF104

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Chapter 1 MATF104

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MATF 104 College Algebra- Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF ALGEBRA

The properties of real numbers

Divide out the common term.

If n is even root then

The perfect nth power

rationalize the denominator :

find a perfect cube in the denominator :

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