CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE:
BASIC ALGEBRA REVIEW
Learning objectives
At the completion of this chapter, students should be able to:
1.1 Concept of Algebra.
1.2 Operations on polynomials.
1.3 Factoring polynomials.
1.4 Integer exponents and scientific notation
1.5 Rational exponents and radicals

Introduction
The basic building blocks of mathematics are numbers. Therefore, in this chapter,
students are going to examine the characteristics of each type of number and the
relationship between the sets of numbers. In working with numbers, it would be
convenient to represent them on a number line. Besides, one should know to express a set
of real numbers by using inequality as well as interval notation. To promote a better
understanding of numbers, students are exposed to the operations on sets of numbers and
the operations with real numbers.

1.1 Concept of Algebra

1.1.1 Real numbers
Real number system covers a lot of numbers and sometimes, it would be quite clumsy to
deal with the whole system. As such, the real number system is divided into a few
subsets. There are five major subsets, namely, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers,
rational numbers, and irrational numbers. The notation and definition for each set of
numbers are stated as follow:
Natural numbers = {1, 2, 3, }
Whole numbers W = {0, 1, 2, 3, }
Integers = {, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, }

a
b

Rational numbers Q = x | x , a, b Z, b 0 = {x| x can be written as a terminating or

a repeating decimal}
Irrational numbers
repeating decimal}

a
b

= x | x , a, b Z, b 0 = {x| x is a non-terminating and non

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Set of even numbers = {2, 4, 6, 8, }

Set of odd numbers = {1, 3, 5, 7, }
Set of prime numbers = {x| x is a natural number that is greater than 1 and is divisible
only by itself and 1}
Set of composite numbers = {x| x is a natural number that is greater than 1 and is not
prime}
Real numbers R = {x| x Q or

To have a better understanding about rational and irrational numbers, consider the
numbers below.
The following fractions are rational numbers.
1
3 7
, ,
.
2
5 8

When converting these numbers into decimals, observe that these decimals are
terminating.
i.e.,

1
0.5,
2

3
0.6,
5

7
0.875
8

Thus, the terminating decimals are rational numbers. Next, consider another set of
rational numbers.
1 12 2
,,
.
3
7 9

Convert these fractions into decimals:1

0.333...,
3

12
1.714285 ,
7

2
0.222...
9

Notice that decimals that are non-terminating but repeating are rational numbers too.
To compare between rational numbers and irrational numbers, examine the decimals
below.
2 1.414213562...

3.141592654...

Note that these decimals cannot be written in fraction form, with both numerator and
denominator being integers. Also, they share the same property, that is, the decimals are
non-terminating and non-repeating.

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Real numbers system

Real numbers

Rational numbers
6,0,0.1,2,5,3,60,

Irrational numbers
21
22

Non integer numbers

2, ,

23

Integer numbers

11

,0.2,3.54
2

4,0,3,67

Negative integers

Whole numbers

4,2

0,153,1000

Zero

Natural numbers
(Positive integers)
1,23,800

Even
Numbers
2,4,6

Odd
Numbers
1,3,5

Prime
Numbers
2,3,5,7

Composite
Numbers
(not prime number)
4,6,8,9,10

Question 1
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From the list -5, a.

b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

5,

5
1
, 0, 0.123, 1.56363, and 2 , identify
6
2

the natural numbers.

the whole numbers.
the irrational numbers.
the integers.
the rational numbers.
the real numbers.

Solution
={}
a.
b.
W = {0}
c.
Q = {- 5 , 0.123}
d.
= {-5, 0}
e.
f.

5
1
, 0, 1.56363, 2 }
6
2
5
1
R = {5, - 5 , - , 0, 0.123, 1.56363, 2 }
6
2

Q = {-5, -

Question 2
Given a set of numbers is

20 ,

5 2,

2
1
, ,
3
4

6 ,

0 7 5
, , ,1,
3 0 8

5 ,

16 , 4 , 6

16

List the following sets of numbers:

( a ) natural numbers .
( b ) integers .
( c ) rational numbers .
( d ) irrational numbers .
( e ) composite numbers .
Question 3
Given a set of numbers is

8,

4 2,

4
2
, ,
6
4

8 ,

7
,2
0

25 , 1 ,

27 ,

81 ,

1
, 8

4
121

List the following sets of numbers:

(a) whole numbers.
(b) odd integers .
(c) rational numbers .
(d) irrational numbers .
(e) composite numbers .

1.2 Operations on polynomials

A polynomial in one variable
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Examples: (a) 3 x , the polynomial is called a linear.

(b) 2 x 2 4 x 1 , the polynomial is called a quadratic.
(c) 4 x 3 3x 2 x 1 , the polynomial is called a cubic.
A polynomial in several variables
Examples :(a) 3 x 2 y 5 z (b) 2 xy 5, , (c) x 5 yz 3 5,
Degree and Coefficient of a polynomial
Degree of the term is the sum of the powers of the variables.
Degree of polynomial is the degree of the highest term in the polynomial.
Coefficient is a constant in a term of the polynomial, including the sign that precedes it.
Examples
The expression 3x 2 y 5 z 23x 2 3x is a polynomial of degree 8
The expression x 5 yz 3 3 xy 2 1 is a polynomial of degree 9
The expression 3x 2 y 5 z 23x 2 3x is a polynomial of degree 8
Examples
( a)

In the polynomial x 5 yz 3 3 xy 2 1
The coefficient of x 5 yz 3 is 1 .
The coefficient of 3xy 2 is 3 .

( b)

In the polynomial 3x 2 y 5 z 23x 2 3 x

The coefficient 3 x 2 y 5 z is 3 .
The coefficient 23x 2 is 23 .
The coefficient 3 x is 3 .

Adding and subtracting polynomials

Exercise 1
a) Add (3 x 3 y 5 x 2 2 y ) (2 x 3 y 5 x 2 3 x )
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Ans: 5 x 3 y 2 y 3 x

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CHAPTER ONE
b) Subtract ( 2 x 2 y 3 y 2 ) ( x 2 2 y 2 7)

Ans: x 2 y 5 y 2 7

c) Simplify 7 x (2 y 2 13 x 2 ) 5( xy 2 13 x 3 )

Ans: 9 xy 2 156 x 3

Exercise 2
Perform the operation and simplify.
(a) ( x 3 3 x 2 ) (5 x 3 8 x )
(b) ( 2 x 4 5 x 3 ) (7 x 3 x 4 2 x )
(c) ( y 5 2 y 3 7) ( y 5 2 y 3 7)
(d ) (3t 7 7t 3 3) (7t 7 3t 3 7)
(e) 2( x 2 3x 1) 3( x 2 2 x 4) 4
(f) 5( x 3 8 x 3) 2(3 x 2 5 x) 7
(g) 8(t 2 2t 5) 4(t 2 3t 2) 6(2t 2 8)
(h) 3( x 3 x) 2( x 2 x) 3( x 3 2 x)

Ans: 6 x 3 3 x 2 8 x
Ans: x 4 2 x 3 2 x
Ans: 4 y 3 14
Ans: 4t 7 4t 3 4
Ans: 28t 96
Ans: 5 x 3 6 x 2 30 x 8

Multiplying polynomials
Exercise 1
(a) ( x 4 4 x 1)(2 x 4 x 3 4 x)
Ans: 2 x 8 x 7 4 x 5 2 x 4 x 3 16 x 2 4 x
(b) 3( x 4 4 x 1) 4 x(2 x 4 x 3 4 x)
Ans: 8 x 5 7 x 4 16 x 2 12 x 3
Multiply the expressions
Exercise 1
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)

y ( y 2 1) y 2 ( y 2) y (2 y 2)
Ans: y y 2
4a 2 (a 1) 3a (a 2 4) a(a 2 2)
Ans: 2a 3 ba 2 12a
2
xy ( x 4 y ) y ( x 3 xy ) xy (2 x 3 y )
Ans: 2 x 2 y 4 xy 2
3mn( m 2n)6m(3mn 1) 2n( 4mn 1)
2x2 y3

15a 3b( 2a 2 b 3 )
mn
3m 2 n(2mn 2 )

12
3r 2 s 3
5

2r 2 s

15rs 2

Ans:

m4n4
2

4rs ( r s )

Ans : 4r 3 s 4rs 3

6u 2 v ( 2uv 3 y )
6ab 2 c (2ac 3bc 2 4ab 2 c )

Ans : 12a 2 b 2 c 2 18ab 3 c 3 24a 2 b 4 c 2

mn 2
4mn 6m 2 8
2

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CHAPTER ONE
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
21)
22)
23)
24)

2 y 4 x 3 y 2 x
2 x 3 y 3x y

Ans : 6 y 2 16 xy 8 x 2

9x y x 2 3y
8a 2 b a 2b
5 z 2t z 2 t

y 2 x x

Ans : 9 x 3 27 xy yx 2 3 y 2
Ans : 5 z 3 5tz 2tz 2 2t 2

3y
2 y (3 y y n )
3a n (2a n 3a n 1 )
5 x 2 n y n (2 x 2 n y n 3 x 2 n y n )
2a 3 n b 2 n (5a 3 n b ab 2 n )
xn 3 xn 4
2

5 a

Ans : 6 y 2 n 2
Ans : 10 x 4 n 15 y 2 n
Ans : x 2 n x n 12

1.3 Factoring polynomials.

Special Product Formulas
x y 2 x 2 2 xy y 2
1)
2)

x y 2

3)

x 2 y 2 x y x y

4)

x 3 y 3 x y x 2 xy y 2

x 2 2 xy y 2

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5)

x 3 y 3 x y x 2 xy y 2

Exercise 1
Multiply the expressions and simplify the answers.
a 2 a 2
1)
Ans: a 2 4a 4
y 5 y 5
2)
a 6 2
3)
Ans: a 2 12a 36
t 9 2
4)
x 4 x 4
5)
Ans: x 2 16
z 7 z 7
6)
x 3 x 5
7)
Ans: x 2 2 x 15
z 4 z 6
8)
u 2 3u 2
9)
Ans: 3u 2 4u 4
4 x 1 2 x 3
10)
Factor each of the expression completely.
11)
Ans: 2 x 3 2 x 3
4x 2 9
2
12)
36 z 49
13)
Ans: 2 3r 2 3r
4 9r 2
2
14)
16 49 x
x z 2 25
15)
Ans: x z 5 x z 5
2
x y 9
16)
2
x2 y z
17)
Ans: x y z x y z
2
z 2 y 3
18)
x y 2 x y 2
19)
Ans: 4 xy
2
2
2 a 3 2 a 3
20)
21)
Ans: 3 x 2 x 2
3 x 2 12
3
3 x y 3 xy
22)
18 xy 2 8 x
23)
Ans: 2 x(3 y 2)(3 y 2)
2
24)
27 x 12
25)
36t 2 121
26)
z 4 81
4 x 2 4 xy y 2
27)
28)
m 2 6mn 9n 2
29)
u 2 8uv 16v 2
4 y 2 20 yz 25 z 2
30)
31)
u 2 5uv 6v 2
x 2 2 xy 35 y 2
32)
10 x 2 9 xy 9 y 2
33)
2 x 2 9 xy 35
34)
2 y ( y 3) 5( y 3)
35)
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36)
37)
38)
39)
40)
41)
42)
43)
44)
45)
46)
47)
48)

7t ( s 2 9) 6( s 2 9)
5t (t 2 1) 4(t 2 1)

5 x y x 2 y 2 5 x( x 2 y 2 )

x 3 3x 2 2 x 6
a 3 5a 2 6a 30
x3 2x2 x 2
t 3 11t 2 t 11
a 3 4a 2 2a 8
3 x 3 6 x 2 5 x 10
y 4 3y3 2 y 6

4x4 2x3 6x 3
cd 3c 3d 9
u 2 uv 4v 4v

1.4 Integer exponents and scientific notation.

1.4.1 Integer exponents
Definition: Integer exponents
1 For n a positive integer,

n factors of a

a n a a ... a
54 5 5 5 5

For n 0,

12 0 1

a0 1
a0 0
0 0 is not defined.

For

n a negative integer,

1
a0
a n
[If n is negative, then n is positive.]

a 3

an

1
a3

Note: It can be shown that for all integers n ,

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a n

1
1
a n n
n and
a
a

a5

a0

, a 5

1
a5

Theorem 1: Exponent properties

For

n and m integers and a and

b real numbers,

1. a m a n a m n
m
2. a n a mn
3. ab m a m b m
a

4.
5.

2 3

ab

am
bm

am
1
a m n nm
n
a
a

a 8 a 3 a 8 3 a 5

a

b

a 3 2 a 6

a 2 b 2
a5
b5

a 3
1
1
7 3 10
7
a
a
a

a0

Exercise 1
Write each number or expression without using exponents.
a) 132
Ans: 169
2
b) 5
Ans: 25
3
c) 4x
Ans: 4 x x x
4
d) 5x
Ans: 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x
3
e) 10
f) 5 2
g) 4x 3
h) 6x 2
Exercise 2
Write each expression using exponents.
a) 7 xxx
Ans: 7 x 3
b) x x
Ans: x 2
c) 3t 3t 3t
Ans: 27t 3
d) xxxyy
Ans: x 3 y 2
e) 8 yyy
f) 2a 2a 2a
g) 2b 2b 2b 2b
h) aaabbbb
Exercise 3
Simplify each expression. Write all answers without using negative exponents. Assume
that all variables are restricted to those numbers for which the expression is defined.
a) x 2 x 3
Ans: x 5
b) y 3 y 4
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CHAPTER ONE
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)

z
t
y y
2 3

Ans: z 6

6 7

2 3

a a a
3

Ans: y 21
4

z z
t t
a a
a a
2 3

3 4

4 5

5 2

2 3

4 2

2 4

3 3

3x 3
2 y 4
4x 0
2x

Ans: 27 x 3
Ans: 1
Ans:

1
z4

Ans:

1
y5

1
t 2

q) v 2 y 3
r) m 2 m 3
2
s) x 3 x 4
4
t) y 2 y 3
x7
u)
x3
r5
v) 2
r
a 21
w) 17
a
t 13
x)
t4
2
x2
y)
x2 x

z)

Ans: a14

o) z 4
p)

Ans: z 26

Ans: x 2
Ans: x 4

Ans: a 4

Ans: x

s9s3

2 2

Exercise 4
Simplify each expression. Write all answers without using negative exponents. Assume
that all variables are restricted to those numbers for which the expression is defined.
a 3
m9
a) 1
Ans: 6
n
b
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2

t 4
b) 3
t

c)
d)

3 2

aa

1
a9

Ans:

a12
b4

Ans:

1
r4

r 9 r 3

2 3

a 3

e) 1
b
f)

Ans:

t 4
3
t

r r 6
4

g) 3 3
r r
h)

x x
x x

i)

x 5 y 2
3 2
x y

j)

x y
7 4
x y

2 2

5 3
4

Exercise 5
Simplify each expression
a)

5[6 2 9 5 ]
4(2 3)

Ans: 50

6[3 4 7 ]
5(2 4 2 )
2

b)

Exercise 6
Let x 2, y 0 and z 3 and evaluate each expression.
a) x 2
Ans: 4
2
b) x
c) x 3
Ans: 8
3
d) x
e) xz 3
Ans: 216
3
f) xz
x2 z3
g)
Ans: 12
z2 y2
h)

z2 x2 y2
x3 z

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CHAPTER ONE
Exercise 7
Perform each division and write all answers without using negative exponents.
36a 2 b 3
a)
Ans: 12
18ab 6
45r 2 s 5 t 3
b)
27 r 6 s 2 t 8
c)

16 x 6 y 4 z 9
24 x 9 y 6 z 0

d)

32m 6 n 4 p 2
26m 6 n 7 p 2

e)

5 x 3 y 2 15 x 3 y 4
10 x 2 y 3

f)

9 m 4 n 9 6m 3 n 9
12m 3 n 3

Ans:

2z 9
3x 3 y 2

3 xy

Ans: 2 y 2

1.4.2 Scientific notation

A science notation has the form C x 10n
.
Where 1 C 10, and n is an integer.
Example: 506.1 5.061 10 2
Exercise 1
Write each number in scientific notation
1. 82,300,000,000
2. 5,380,000
3. 0.783
4. 0.019
5. 0.000034
6. 0.000,000,007,832
Exercise 2
Convert each number to scientific notation and simplify. Express the answer in both
scientific notation and in standard decimal form.
1.
2.
3.
4.

9,600,000,000
1,600,000 0.00,000,025
60,000 0.000,003
0.00041,500,000

1,250,000 0.00038
0.0152
0.00000082 230,000
625,000 0.0082

1.5 Rational exponents and radicals.

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Definition: Rational exponents

If n and m are natural numbers without common prime factors, b is a real numbers, and
b is nonnegative when n is even, then

m
n

1
n

And b

m
n

or
m

m 1
n mn n m

b { b b

,b 0

m
n

Exercise 1
Simplify each and express answers using positive exponents only. If rational exponents
appear in final answers, convert to radical form.

1
1

3x 3 2 x 2

1.

2.

2x 3 y

4. 4 x1
x2

2
3

5
3

3.

1
2

Surd is a kind of radical expression. A surd is denoted as 2 a , where is the radical sign
(or called a root), a is the radicand and 2 is the index (or the order) of the surd. Do not
write the index for a surd; that is 2 a = a . This is also called a square root of a.
Definition of surds:
For a 0; a is a non-negative number such that ( a ) 2 = a. Note that if a < 0, then
a is not a real number.
Example 1
Evaluate the followings.
a.
4
81
b.
Solution
a.
4 = 2 (Because 2 2 = 4)
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b.
1.5.1

81

is not a real number because no real number gives a square of -81.

Basic rules of surds

There are two basic rules to govern the multiplication and division of surds.
i.
Multiplication of surds
a x b axb .
In words, the product of two surds is the surd of their product.
ii.
Division of surds
a b

a
,b 0.
b

In words, the division of two surds is the surd of their quotient.

Be cautious that these rules are only applicable for the product or the quotient of the surd
of two numbers. There is no such property for sums or differences of the surds. That is
a b ab .
Example 2
Evaluate the followings.
2 x 8
a.
b.
72 2
75 3
c.
Solution
a.
4
b.
6
c.
5
1.5.2

Simplifying surd terms

To simplify a surd term, remove the largest perfect power factor of the radicand. This can
be done by applying the multiplicative rule as being discussed in section 7.1.1.
Example 3
Simplify the surd terms.
a.
8x 3
81x 4 y 2
b.
c.

27 x 7 y 5
z4

Solution
a.
2x 2 x
b.
9x2y
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Example 4
Simplify the following.
a.
3 25 2
54 24
b.
c.
2 50 3 32
Solution
a.
8 2
1.5.3

Rationalizing denominators

If a fraction has a surd in its denominator, we must eliminate the surd in the denominator
and leave the fraction with a rational number (or a factor without surd) in its denominator.
This process of removing the surd is called rationalizing the denominator.
Example 5
Rationalize each denominator and simplify.
3

a.

4x
3y

b.

Solution
a.

3 2
2

b.

2 3 xy
3y

In the case when the denominator is in the form of binomial terms, for example m n
, we need to multiply a factor of one in terms of the conjugate surd; that is, m n to
the fraction. This is done because the product of conjugate surds is always a rational
number. For example,
( m n )( m n ) = ( m ) 2 mn mn ( n ) 2
= ( m )2 ( n )2
= m - n (A rational number without surd)
Example 6
Rationalize the denominator and simplify.
a.

2
2 1

b.

1
3 2

2
2 3

Solution
a.
2 2 2
1.5.4

Solving surd equations

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To solve a surd equation, firstly, we have to remove the radical and turn the equation into
a polynomial equation. A check on the results obtained from the polynomial equation is
essential to determine whether they satisfy the surd equation.
Example 7
Solve the surd equations.
a.
x = 4 b.
2x 1 = 7

c.

+1=t

3t 7

Solution
a.
x=4

Exercise 2
Evaluate the following without calculator.
(a)

( g ) 8

1
3

100
( b )

( h ) 0.64

1
2

1
2

( c ) 18 2 ( d )
1
2

(i)

1
2

8 32

1
2

5
2

1
( f ) 33 2 0 4 2
4 2

(e)

1
3

1
3

64 4

1
4

( m ) 27 3
125

(n)

27

125

27

(o)

1
3

(p)

9 3 27 2
1
6

121

3
2

3 3

2
3

( q ) 64 3 ( r )

2
3

( s ) 8 3 16 4 4 2
1
3

2
3

(l)

1
1
4

3
2

( j ) 5 25 25 ( k )
0

1
3

12 6 81
5

( t ) 3 4 3 8 243 8

( u ) 32 4 8 4 128 2

(v)

1
6

( w ) 9 2 32

( x ) 625 3 3 5

(y)

8 2 4 32

(z)

1
32
8

Answers :
1
16
1
5
( e ) 16 ( f )
(g)
(h)
( i ) 8 ( j ) 5 ( k )27
32
27
2
4
9
3
4
1
1
( l ) 1331( m ) 1 ( n )
(o)
( p ) 1 ( q ) 16 ( r )
(s)
(t)3(u)
(v)2
4
5
25
16
8
3
( w )27 ( x ) 5 ( y ) 1 ( z )
16

(a)3(b)1(c)6(d)

Exercise 3
Simplify each of the following.
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( a ) 6 2 m 12 m1 27 2 m 32 2 m ( b ) 2 3 n 1 2 3n 8
3n

( d ) 7 3 49 2 n 1 7 4 n1

( e ) 4 n 1 2 n 16 4

( g ) 33n 1 9 27 n1

(h)

1
3

2
3

x y

1
4 6

Answers :

( a ) 12 ( b ) 16 ( c ) 9 ( d ) 1 ( e ) 4 ( f )

(i)

( c ) 31n 27 n1 9 n1
75 p 2
33 p 15 2 p 1 5 2

(f)

33 n 3 2 n
34 32 n 1

5
1
(g)1 (h)1(i)
(j)
9
27

Exercise 4
Simplify each of the following , giving your answers in positive indices
(Or exponents) only.

2n
2
( a ) 34 3n 3n 2 ( b ) 16 2 n 2 2 n 83 ( c ) a 2 2a 3 2 2 a ( d ) x 6

( e ) b 3 b 2 b 5 ( f ) x 6 a 2 x 9 2 a 3 ( g ) b 4 c 6 d 2
( i ) a 2 a 3n
n

( m ) 27 p 2 q 3
(p)

6m

2x2
( t )
3 y

1
2

4 pqr 16q r
( q ) xy x y
3
2

3 n

9y2

3
4x

1
2 2 2

1
2

7
2 4

3x 2

( h ) 64 p 6 q 12

( j ) 4 2 n 1 2 23n ( k ) 3 n 3 32 n1
2
3

2
3

( l ) 8x 2 y 3

( n ) 4 x 2x3 ( o )
2

( r ) 2 n 1 4 n 8 3 n ( s )

1
6

18x y
1
2

3
2 2

9 x 4 27 x 3

x 1

s y2
t 3s3y

Answers :
( a ) 38 n 2 ( b ) 2 6 n 9 ( c )
a

n 3

(q)

( j )2

7n

(k) 3

3n 2

a3
x2
(d)
( e ) 17 ( f ) a
8
3
b 30
x 18
1

(g)

11

2p
b2d
(h) 2 (i)
3
q
c

a 2n
9 p 6 ( n ) 5 2 ( o ) 16
(l)
(
m
)
(
p
)
22 x
27 x 7 y 3
an
2 qr
3 3 x10

x5
y2

( r ) 2 n 1 ( s ) t 3 x s 6 ( t )

9y2
4

Exercise 5
Rationalize the denominator of the following expressions.
MAT1215 FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS

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CHAPTER ONE

3
2

(1)

(5)

(2)

10

(6)

(9)

( 15 )

( 18 )

( 21 )

( 24 )

24

(3)

(7)

( 10 )

2 3

( 12 )

5
3

( 13 )

( 16 )

2 5 3

( 19 )

3 57
5 2 2
2 5

( 22 )

50

27

( 17 )

3 1
3 1

7 32 5
3 52 3

( 23 )

4
5

45
8

2
5 7
6

2 2 1
4 2 3
3 2 2 3

( 20 )

2 3 1

(8)

( 14 )

3 3

(4)

( 11 )

3 5

2
6

3 22 3
3 22 3
3 2 2 3

5 5 3 7
4 7 3 5

Ans :
3 2
5 3
6
14
(2)
(3)
(4)
( 5 ) 2 35
(6)
2
3
3
2
6
3 10
3 5
5 7
(7)
(8)
( 9 ) 2 3
( 10 )
( 11 )
3
5
4
9
6 3
13 2 2
( 12 )
( 13 ) 3 2 2
( 14 )
( 15 ) 17 8 5
11
23

(1)

( 16 )
6

( 21 )

( 17 )

2 10
6

30
4

19 10 2
23 5 51
73 3
( 18 )
( 19 )
( 20 ) 5-2
23
4
11
72 25 15
159 29 35
( 22 )
( 23 ) 5 2 6
( 24 )
33
67

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CHAPTER ONE

Self-Guided exercise
A. Multiple choice questions
1.

The number 2 is an element of the following sets EXCEPT

a.
whole numbers
b.
real numbers
c.
irrational numbers
d.
integers

2.

Which of the following is an irrational number?

a.
-3
b.
-2.563
c.
d.

3.

3
15
2
2

The following statements are true EXCEPT

a.
b.
c.
d.

4.
a
b
c

W Q=Q

QQ=R

Which of the following is equal to the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}?

a.
{x| x 5, x }
b.
{x| x < 6, x }
c.
{x| x 5, x W}
d.
[1, 5]

5.

The set {1, 2, 3} is a subset to the following sets EXCEPT

a.
{x| 1 x 3, x Q }
b.
{x| x 4, x }
c.
{x| -2 < x 4, x Q}
d.
(- , )

6.

Find the solution set of [-2,

a.
(- , )
b.
(- , -2]
c.
(2, )

) (- , 2)

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CHAPTER ONE
d.

[-2, 2)

7. Given the number line

Figure 2-11
Which of the following sets describe A?
a.
{x| -2 x < 3, x R}
b.
{x| x < -2 or x 3, x R}
c.
(- , -2] (3, )
d.
(- , -2) [3, )
8.

Simplify the expression

a.
b.
c.
d.

9.

6x 3
4
18 x 3
4
3x 3
4

3x - 3

Which of the following is true?

a.
A = {x| x is a prime number}; therefore 1 A.
b.
B = {x| x is an even number}; therefore B W.
c.
C = {x| x is a composite number}; therefore C Q = C.
d.

10.

2x 3
+ 4x
4

D = {x| x is an integer}; therefore

D.

Which of the following is the same as the expression

a.
b.
c.

2
(5x - 10y)?
25

2
(x - 10y)
5
4
(x - 2y)
5
4
(x - y)
5

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CHAPTER ONE

d.

2
(x - 2y)
5

B. Structured questions
1.

Write the following sets in roster form:

a.
A = {x| -2 < x 3, x }
b.
B = {x| x 3, x W}
c.
C = {x| x > 2, x N}

2.

From the list -3, -

following.
a.
the natural numbers.
b.
the integers.
c.
the irrational numbers.
d.
the real numbers.

3
1
, 0, 2, 3 , 1.2154and
4
2

, identify each of the

3.

List the elements of the following sets.

a.
A = {x| x is a prime number, x < 20}
b.
B = {x| x is an odd number, 3 < x < 20}
c.
C = {x| x is an integer that is less than 5, x W}

4.

Given that A = {x| x is a prime number, 5 < x < 17}

B = { x| x is an odd number, 3 < x < 13}.
Find A B.

5.

Represent the following by using interval notation and graph the set on a real
number line.
a.
{x| -5 < x 4}
b.
{x| x 3}

6.

Given that A = {-2 < x 3, x Q} and B = {x| x 4 , x }. Find

a.
A B
b.
A B'

7.

Given that X = (-2, 5] an d Y = [-1, 8). Find

a.
X Y
b.
X Y'

8.

Given that A = [-1, 4), B = (-2, 3] and C = (-3, 1). Find

a.
A B C
b.
A' B C'

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CHAPTER ONE
9.
10.

11.

Given that A = [-2, 5] and B = {x| -2 < x < 6, x Q}. Find

a.
A B
b.
A B'
Given that A = (-3, 2], B = {x| x < 4, x W} and C = {x| x 3, x Q}. Find
a.
A B C
b.
A' B C
c.
A B' C'
Evaluate the following.
a.
-3 + [4(2 - 5) -3]
b.

12.

Simplify the following.

a.
b.

13.

1
3
(2x + 1) (3x - 1)
3
4
3(5 x 1) 2(5 x 1)
2
3

Simplify the following.

a.
b.

14.

4 2
2
2

3
5

2x 3 4x - 3
5
4
3 x 2x

- 4x
5
3

Perform the operation and simplify

4 x 3 2x - 2

x 1
5-x

15.

Simplify the complex fraction

2x y
2
3y 6x
4

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CHAPTER ONE

Further reading
1. R.D. Gustafson & P.D. Frisk. College Algebra. 7 th ed., Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove,
2001.
2. R.D. Gustafson & P.D. Frisk. Intermediate Algebra. 5 th ed., Brooks/Cole, Pacific
Grove, 1999.
3. L. Hirsch & A. Goodman. Understanding Algebra for College Students. 2 nd ed.,
Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, 1998.
4.
R. Blitzer. College Algebra. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1998.
Answer (Self-Guided exercise)
A. Multiple choice questions
1. c
2. d
3. d
7. c
8. b
9. b
10. d
B. Structured questions
1. A = {-1, 0, 1, 2, 3}
2. a. {2}
d. {-3, -

4. b

B = {0, 1, 2, 3}
b. {-3, 0, 2}

3
1
, 0, 2, 3 , 1.2154,
4
2

5. a

6. d

C = {3, 4, 5, }
c. {- 5 , 1.2154,

3. a. {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19}

b. {5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19}
1, 2, 3, 4}
4. A = {7, 11, 13}
b = {5, 7, 9, 11}
A B = {7, 11}
5. a. (-5, 4]

c.

b. [3, )
6. a. {1, 2, 3}
b. {x| -2 < x < 3, x Q} \ {1, 2}
7. a. [-1, 5]
b. (- , 5] [8, )
8. a. [-1, 1)
b. (- , -3] (-2, -1) [1, )
9. a. {x| -2 < x 5, x Q}
b. (- , 5] [6, ) {x| 5 < x < 6, x Q }
10. a. {0, 1, 2}
b. {x| x -3 or 2 x 3, x Q} {0, 1}
c. {x| x < 3, x Q } (3, )
11. a. -18

b. -

8
15

MAT1215 FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS

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{0,

CHAPTER ONE
13 19 x
12
27 12 x
13. a.
20
8x 6
14.
5x

12. a.

15. -

5
(5x + 1)
6
41
b. x
15

b.

2
3

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