2

Algebra and Surds

TERMINOLOGY
Binomial: A mathematical expression consisting of two terms such as x + 3 or 3x - 1 Binomial product: The product of two binomial expressions such as (x + 3) (2x - 4) Expression: A mathematical statement involving numbers, pronumerals and symbols e.g. 2x - 3 Factorise: The process of writing an expression as a product of its factors. It is the reverse operation of expanding brackets i.e. take out the highest common factor in an expression and place the rest in brackets e.g. 2y - 8 = 2 (y - 4) Pronumeral: A letter or symbol that stands for a number Rationalising the denominator: A process for replacing a surd in the denominator by a rational number without altering its value Surd: From absurd. The root of a number that has an irrational value e.g. 3 . It cannot be expressed as a rational number Term: An element of an expression containing pronumerals and/or numbers separated by an operation such as + , - , # or ' e.g. 2x, - 3 Trinomial: An expression with three terms such as 3x 2 - 2x + 1

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INTRODUCTION
THIS CHAPTER REVIEWS ALGEBRA skills, including simplifying expressions, removing grouping symbols, factorising, completing the square and simplifying algebraic fractions. Operations with surds, including rationalising the denominator, are also studied in this chapter.

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the earliest mathematicians to use algebra was Diophantus of Alexandria. It is not known when he lived, but it is thought this may have been around 250 AD. In Baghdad around 700800 AD a mathematician named Mohammed Un-Musa Al-Khowarezmi wrote books on algebra and Hindu numerals. One of his books was named Al-Jabr wal Migabaloh, and the word algebra comes from the first word in this title.

Simplifying Expressions
Addition and subtraction

EXAMPLES DID YOU KNOW?

Simplify 7x Box 1. text... -x
Here x is called a pronumeral.

Solution
7x - x = 7x - 1 x = 6x 2. 4x 2 - 3x 2 + 6x 2

Solution
4x 2 - 3x 2 + 6x 2 = x 2 + 6 x 2 = 7x 2

CONTINUED

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3. x 3 - 3x - 5x + 4
Only add or subtract like terms. These have the same pronumeral (for example, 3x and 5x).

Solution
x 3 - 3 x - 5x + 4 = x 3 - 8 x + 4 4. 3a - 4b - 5a - b

Solution
3a - 4b - 5a - b = 3a - 5a - 4b - b = - 2a - 5b

2.1 Exercises
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 2x + 5x 9a - 6a 5z - 4z 5a + a 4b - b 2r - 5r - 4y + 3y - 2x - 3x 2a - 2a 16. 7b + b - 3b 17. 3b - 5b + 4b + 9b 18. - 5x + 3x - x - 7x 19. 6x - 5y - y 20. 8a + b - 4b - 7a 21. xy + 2y + 3xy 22. 2ab 2 - 5ab 2 - 3ab 2 23. m 2 - 5m - m + 12 24. p 2 - 7p + 5p - 6 25. 3x + 7y + 5x - 4y 26. ab + 2b - 3ab + 8b 27. ab + bc - ab - ac + bc 28. a 5 - 7x 3 + a 5 - 2x 3 + 1 29. x 3 - 3xy 2 + 4x 2 y - x 2 y + xy 2 + 2y 3 30. 3x 3 - 4x 2 - 3x + 5x 2 - 4x - 6

10. - 4k + 7k 11. 3t + 4t + 2t 12. 8w - w + 3w 13. 4m - 3m - 2m 14. x + 3x - 5x 15. 8h - h - 7h

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Multiplication
EXAMPLES
Simplify 1. - 5x # 3y # 2x

Solution
- 5x # 3y # 2x = - 30xyx = - 30x 2 y 2. - 3x 3 y 2 # - 4xy 5

Solution
- 3x 3 y 2 # - 4xy 5 = 12x 4 y 7

Use index laws to simplify this question.

2.2 Exercises
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 5 # 2b 2x # 4y 5p # 2p - 3z # 2w - 5a # - 3b x # 2y # 7z 8ab # 6c 4d # 3d 3a # 4a # a
5 11. ^ 2x 2h

12. 2ab 3 # 3a 13. 5a 2 b # - 2ab 14. 7pq 2 # 3p 2 q 2 15. 5ab # a 2 b 2 16. 4h 3 # - 2h 7 17. k 3 p # p 2
4 18. ^ - 3t 3 h

19. 7m 6 # - 2m 5 20. - 2x 2 # 3x 3 y # - 4xy 2

10. ^ - 3y h3

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Division
Use cancelling or index laws to simplify divisions.

EXAMPLES
Simplify 1. 6v 2 y ' 2vy

Solution
By cancelling, 6v 2 y ' 2vy = = 6v 2 y 2vy 63 # v # v1 # y1 21 # v # y1

= 3v Using index laws, 6v 2 y ' 2vy = 3v 2 - 1 y 1 - 1 = 3v 1 y 0 = 3v 2. 5a 3 b 15ab 2

Solution
5a 3 b = 1 a3 -1 b1- 2 3 15ab 2 = 1 a 2 b -1 3 a2 = 3b

2.3 Exercises
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 30x ' 5 2y ' y 7. 8a 2
2

6.

xy 2x 12p 3 ' 4p 2 3a 2 b 2 6ab 20x 15xy - 9x 7 3x 4

8.

8a 2 a 8a 2 2a

9. 10.

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11. -15ab ' - 5b 12. 2ab 6a 2 b 3 - 8p 4pqs

16.

42p 5 q 4 7pq 3

17. 5a 9 b 4 c - 2 ' 20a 5 b -3 c -1 18. 2 ^ a -5 h b 4

2

13.

4a - 9 ^ b 2 h

-1

14. 14cd 2 ' 21c 3 d 3 15. 2xy 2 z 3 4x 3 y 2 z

19. - 5x 4 y 7 z ' 15xy 8 z - 2 20. - 9 ^ a 4 b -1 h ' -18a -1 b 3

3

Removing grouping symbols

The distributive law of numbers is given by

a ] b + c g = ab + ac

EXAMPLE
7 # (9 + 11) = 7 # 20 = 140 Using the distributive law, 7 # (9 + 11) = 7 # 9 + 7 # 11 = 63 + 77 = 140

This rule is used in algebra to help remove grouping symbols.

EXAMPLES
Expand and simplify. 1. 2 ] a + 3 g

Solution
2 (a + 3) = 2 # a + 2 # 3 = 2a + 6

CONTINUED

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2. - ] 2x - 5 g

Solution
-(2x - 5) = -1 (2x - 5) = -1 # 2x - 1 # - 5 = - 2x + 5 3. 5a 2]4 + 3ab - c g

Solution
5a 2 (4 + 3ab - c) = 5a 2 # 4 + 5a 2 # 3ab - 5a 2 # c = 20a 2 + 15a 3 b - 5a 2 c 4. 5 - 2 ^ y + 3 h

Solution
5 - 2 (y + 3 ) = 5 - 2 # y - 2 # 3 = 5 - 2y - 6 = - 2y - 1 5. 2 ] b - 5 g - ] b + 1 g

Solution
2 (b - 5) - (b + 1) = 2 # b + 2 # - 5 - 1 # b -1 # 1 = 2b - 10 - b - 1 = b - 11

2.4 Exercises
Expand and simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 2]x - 4 g 3 ] 2h + 3 g -5 ] a - 2 g x ^ 2y + 3 h x]x - 2 g 2a ] 3a - 8 b g 7. 8. 9. ab ] 2a + b g 5n ] n - 4 g 3x 2 y _ xy + 2y 2 i

10. 3 + 4 ] k + 1 g 11. 2 ] t - 7 g - 3 12. y ^ 4y + 3 h + 8y

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13. 9 - 5 ] b + 3 g 14. 3 - ] 2x - 5 g 15. 5] 3 - 2m g + 7 ] m - 2 g 16. 2 ] h + 4 g + 3 ] 2h - 9 g 17. 3 ] 2d - 3 g - ] 5d - 3 g 18. a ] 2a + 1 g - ^ a 2 + 3a - 4 h 19. x ] 3x - 4 g - 5 ] x + 1 g

20. 2ab ] 3 - a g - b ] 4a - 1 g 21. 5x - ] x - 2 g - 3 22. 8 - 4 ^ 2y + 1 h + y 23. ] a + b g - ] a - b g 24. 2 ] 3t - 4 g - ] t + 1 g + 3 25. 4 + 3 ] a + 5 g - ] a - 7 g

Binomial Products
A binomial expression consists of two numbers, for example x + 3. A set of two binomial expressions multiplied together is called a binomial product. Example: ] x + 3 g ] x - 2 g. Each term in the rst bracket is multiplied by each term in the second bracket.

] a + b g ^ x + y h = ax + ay + bx + by

Proof
]a + bg]c + d g = a ]c + d g + b ]c + d g
= ac + ad + bc + bd

EXAMPLES
Expand and simplify 1. ^ p + 3h^ q - 4h

Solution
^ p + 3 h ^ q - 4 h = pq - 4p + 3q - 12
2. ]a + 5g2

Solution
] a + 5 g2 = (a + 5)(a + 5) = a 2 + 5a + 5a + 25 = a 2 + 10a + 25

Can you see a quick way of doing this?

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The rule below is not a binomial product (one expression is a trinomial), but it works the same way.

] a + b g ^ x + y + z h = ax + ay + az + bx + by + bz

EXAMPLE
Expand and simplify ] x + 4 g ^ 2x - 3y - 1 h .

Solution
(x + 4) (2x - 3y - 1) = 2x 2 - 3xy - x + 8x - 12y - 4 = 2x 2 - 3xy + 7x - 12y - 4

2.5 Exercises
Expand and simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

]a + 5g]a + 2g
]x + 3g]x - 1g

17. ]a + 2bg]a - 2bg 18. ^ 3x - 4y h^ 3x + 4y h 19. ]x + 3g]x - 3g 20. ^ y - 6h^ y + 6h 21. ] 3a + 1 g ] 3a - 1 g 22. ]2z - 7g]2z + 7g 23. ]x + 9g^ x - 2y + 2h 24. ] b - 3 g ] 2a + 2b - 1 g 25. ]x + 2g^ x 2 - 2x + 4h 26. ]a - 3g^ a 2 + 3a + 9h 27. ]a + 9g2 28. ]k - 4g2 29. ]x + 2g2 30. ^ y - 7h2 31. ]2x + 3g2 32. ]2t - 1g2

^ 2y - 3h^ y + 5h
]m - 4g]m - 2g ]x + 4g]x + 3g

^ y + 2h^ y - 5h
]2x - 3g]x + 2g
]h - 7g]h - 3g ]x + 5g]x - 5g

10. ] 5a - 4 g ] 3a - 1 g 11. ^ 2y + 3h^ 4y - 3h 12. ]x - 4g^ y + 7h 13. ^ x 2 + 3h]x - 2g 14. ]n + 2g]n - 2g 15. ]2x + 3g]2x - 3g 16. ^ 4 - 7y h^ 4 + 7y h

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53

33. ]3a + 4bg2 34. ^ x - 5y h2 35. ]2a + bg2 36. ] a - b g ] a + b g

37. ] a + b g2 38. ] a - b g2 39. ] a + b g ^ a 2 - ab + b 2 h 40. ] a - b g ^ a 2 + ab + b 2 h

Some binomial products have special results and can be simplified quickly using their special properties. Binomial products involving perfect squares and the difference of two squares occur in many topics in mathematics. Their expansions are given below.

Difference of 2 squares
] a + b g ] a - b g = a2 - b2

Proof
(a + b) (a - b) = a 2 - ab + ab - b 2 = a2 - b2

Perfect squares

] a + b g2 = a 2 + 2ab + b 2

Proof
] a + b g2 = (a + b) (a + b)
= a 2 + ab + ab + b 2 = a 2 + 2ab + b 2

]a - bg2 = a 2 - 2ab + b 2

Proof
] a - b g2 = (a - b) (a - b)
= a 2 - ab - ab + b 2 = a 2 - 2ab + b 2

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EXAMPLES
Expand and simplify 1. ]2x - 3g2

Solution
] 2x - 3 g2 = ] 2x g2 - 2 (2x) 3 + 3 2 = 4x 2 - 12x + 9
2. ^ 3y - 4h^ 3y + 4h

Solution
(3y - 4) (3y + 4) = ^ 3y h2 - 4 2 = 9y 2 - 16

2.6 Exercises
Expand and simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

]t + 4g2 ]z - 6g2
] x - 1 g2

16. ^ p + 1 h ^ p - 1 h 17. ]r + 6g]r - 6g 18. ] x - 10 g ] x + 10 g 19. ]2a + 3g]2a - 3g 20. ^ x - 5y h^ x + 5y h 21. ] 4a + 1 g ] 4a - 1 g 22. ]7 - 3xg]7 + 3xg 23. ^ x 2 + 2h^ x 2 - 2h
2 24. ^ x 2 + 5h

^ y + 8h2
^ q + 3h2
]k - 7g2
] n + 1 g2

]2b + 5g2

]3 - xg2

10. ^ 3y - 1 h2 11. ^ x + y h2 12. ] 3a - b g2 13. ]4d + 5eg2 14. ]t + 4g]t - 4g 15. ] x - 3 g ] x + 3 g

25. ]3ab - 4cg]3ab + 4c g 2 2 26. b x + x l 1 1 27. b a - a lb a + a l 28. _ x + 6 y - 2 @ i _ x - 6 y - 2 @ i 29. 6]a + bg + c @2

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

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30. 7 ] x + 1 g - y A

36. ] x - 4 g3 1 2 1 2 37. b x - x l - b x l + 2 38. _ x 2 + y 2 i - 4x 2 y 2 39. ]2a + 5g3 40. ] 2x - 1 g ] 2x + 1 g ] x + 2 g2

2

Expand (x - 4) (x - 4) 2 .

31. ] a + 3 g2 - ] a - 3 g2 32. 16 - ]z - 4g]z + 4g 33. 2x + ]3x + 1g2 - 4 34. ^ x + y h2 - x ^ 2 - y h 35. ] 4n - 3 g ] 4n + 3 g - 2n 2 + 5

PROBLEM
Find values of all pronumerals that make this true. a b d f e i i i h i i c c c e b g b #

Try c = 9.

Factorisation
Simple factors
Factors are numbers that exactly divide or go into an equal or larger number, without leaving a remainder.

EXAMPLES
The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 are all the factors of 24. Factors of 5x are 1, 5, x and 5x.

To factorise an expression, we use the distributive law.

ax + bx = x ] a + b g

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EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. 3x + 12

Solution
Divide each term by 3 to find the terms inside the brackets.

The highest common factor is 3. 3x + 12 = 3 ] x + 4 g 2. y 2 - 2y

Solution
Check answers by expanding brackets.

The highest common factor is y. y 2 - 2y = y ^ y - 2 h 3. x 3 - 2x 2

Solution
x and x2 are both common factors. We take out the highest common factor which is x2. x 3 - 2x 2 = x 2 ] x - 2 g 4. 5] x + 3 g + 2y ] x + 3 g

Solution
The highest common factor is x + 3. 5 ] x + 3 g + 2y ] x + 3 g = ] x + 3 g ^ 5 + 2 y h 5. 8a 3 b 2 - 2ab 3

Solution
There are several common factors here. The highest common factor is 2ab2. 8a 3 b 2 - 2ab 3 = 2ab 2 ^ 4a 2 - bh

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2.7 Exercises
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 2y + 6 5x - 10 3m - 9 8x + 2 24 - 18y x 2 + 2x m 2 - 3m 2y 2 + 4y 15a - 3a 2 19. x ] m + 5 g + 7 ] m + 5 g 20. 2 ^ y - 1 h - y ^ y - 1 h 21. 4^ 7 + y h - 3x ^ 7 + y h 22. 6x ]a - 2g + 5]a - 2g 23. x ] 2t + 1 g - y ] 2t + 1 g 24. a ] 3x - 2 g + 2b ] 3x - 2 g - 3c ] 3x - 2 g 25. 6x 3 + 9x 2 26. 3pq 5 - 6q 3 27. 15a 4 b 3 + 3ab 28. 4x 3 - 24x 2 29. 35m 3 n 4 - 25m 2 n 30. 24a 2 b 5 + 16ab 2
2

10. ab 2 + ab 11. 4x 2 y - 2xy 12. 3mn 3 + 9mn 13. 8x 2 z - 2xz 2 14. 6ab + 3a - 2a 15. 5x 2 - 2x + xy 16. 3q 5 - 2q 2 17. 5b 3 + 15b 2 18. 6a 2 b 3 - 3a 3 b 2

31. 2rr 2 + 2rrh 32. ]x - 3g2 + 5]x - 3g 33. y 2 ]x + 4g + 2]x + 4g 34. a ] a + 1 g - ] a + 1 g2 35. 4ab ^ a 2 + 1 h - 3 ^ a 2 + 1 h

Grouping in pairs
If an expression has 4 terms, it may be factorised in pairs.

ax + bx + ay + by = x(a + b) + y (a + b) = ( a + b) ( x + y)

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EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. x 2 - 2x + 3x - 6

Solution
x 2 - 2x + 3x - 6 = x (x - 2) + 3 (x - 2) = (x - 2) (x + 3) 2. 2x - 4 + 6y - 3xy

Solution
2x - 4 + 6y - 3xy = 2 (x - 2) + 3y (2 - x) = 2 ( x - 2) - 3y ( x - 2 ) = (x - 2) (2 - 3y) or 2x - 4 + 6y - 3xy = 2 (x - 2) - 3y (- 2 + x) = 2 ( x - 2) - 3y ( x - 2 ) = (x - 2) (2 - 3y)

2.8 Exercises
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 2x + 8 + bx + 4b ay - 3a + by - 3b x 2 + 5x + 2x + 10 m 2 - 2m + 3m - 6 ad - ac + bd - bc x 3 + x 2 + 3x + 3 5ab - 3b + 10a - 6 2xy - x 2 + 2y 2 - xy ay + a + y + 1 12. m - 2 + 4y - 2my 13. 2x 2 + 10xy - 3xy - 15y 2 14. a 2 b + ab 3 - 4a - 4b 2 15. 5x - x 2 - 3x + 15 16. x 4 + 7x 3 - 4x - 28 17. 7x - 21 - xy + 3y 18. 4d + 12 - de - 3e 19. 3x - 12 + xy - 4y 20. 2a + 6 - ab - 3b 21. x 3 - 3x 2 + 6x - 18 22. pq - 3p + q 2 - 3q

10. x 2 + 5x - x - 5 11. y + 3 + ay + 3a

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23. 3x 3 - 6x 2 - 5x + 10 24. 4a - 12b + ac - 3bc 25. xy + 7x - 4y - 28 26. x 4 - 4x 3 - 5x + 20

27. 4x 3 - 6x 2 + 8x - 12 28. 3a 2 + 9a + 6ab + 18b 29. 5y - 15 + 10xy - 30x 30. rr 2 + 2rr - 3r - 6

Trinomials
A trinomial is an expression with three terms, for example x 2 - 4x + 3. Factorising a trinomial usually gives a binomial product. x 2 + ] a + b g x + ab = ] x + a g ] x + b g

Proof
x 2 + (a + b) x + ab = x 2 + ax + bx + ab = x(x + a) + b(x + a) = (x + a) (x + b)

EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. m 2 - 5m + 6

Solution
a + b = - 5 and ab = + 6 -2 +6 ' -3 -5 Numbers with sum - 5 and product + 6 are - 2 and - 3. ` m 2 - 5m + 6 = [m + ] - 2 g] [m + ] - 3 g] = ]m - 2g]m - 3g 2. y 2 + y - 2

Guess and check by trying - 2 and - 3 or -1 and - 6.

Solution
a + b = + 1 and ab = - 2 +2 -2 ' -1 +1 Two numbers with sum + 1 and product - 2 are + 2 and -1. ` y2 + y - 2 = ^ y + 2 h ^ y - 1 h

Guess and check by trying 2 and -1 or - 2 and 1.

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2.9 Exercises
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. x 2 + 4x + 3 y 2 + 7y + 12 m 2 + 2m + 1 t 2 + 8t + 16 z2 + z - 6 x 2 - 5x - 6 v 2 - 8v + 15 t 2 - 6t + 9 x 2 + 9x - 10 14. a 2 - 4a + 4 15. x 2 + 14x - 32 16. y 2 - 5y - 36 17. n 2 - 10n + 24 18. x 2 - 10x + 25 19. p 2 + 8p - 9 20. k 2 - 7k + 10 21. x 2 + x - 12 22. m 2 - 6m - 7 23. q 2 + 12q + 20 24. d 2 - 4d - 5 25. l 2 - 11l + 18

10. y 2 - 10y + 21 11. m 2 - 9m + 18 12. y 2 + 9y - 36 13. x 2 - 5x - 24

The result x 2 + ] a + b g x + ab = ] x + a g ] x + b g only works when the coefficient of x 2 (the number in front of x 2) is 1. When the coefficient of x 2 is not 1, for example in the expression 5x 2 - 2x + 4, we need to use a different method to factorise the trinomial. There are different ways of factorising these trinomials. One method is the cross method. Another is called the PSF method. Or you can simply guess and check.

EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. 5y 2 - 13y + 6

Solutionguess and check

For 5y2, one bracket will have 5y and the other y: ^ 5y h ^ y h . Now look at the constant (term without y in it): + 6.

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The two numbers inside the brackets must multiply to give + 6. To get a positive answer, they must both have the same signs. But there is a negative sign in front of 13y so the numbers cannot be both positive. They must both be negative. ^ 5y - h ^ y - h To get a product of 6, the numbers must be 2 and 3 or 1 and 6. Guess 2 and 3 and check: ^ 5y - 2 h ^ y - 3 h = 5y 2 - 15y - 2y + 6 = 5y 2 - 17y + 6 This is not correct. Notice that we are mainly interested in checking the middle two terms, -15y and - 2y. Try 2 and 3 the other way around: ^ 5y - 3 h ^ y - 2 h . Checking the middle terms: -10y - 3y = -13y This is correct, so the answer is ^ 5y - 3 h ^ y - 2 h . Note: If this did not check out, do the same with 1 and 6.

Solutioncross method
Factors of 5y 2 are 5y and y. Factors of 6 are -1 and - 6 or - 2 and - 3. Possible combinations that give a middle term of -13y are 5y y 5y y -2 -3 -3 -2 5y y -3 -2 5y y -1 -6 5y y -6 -1

By guessing and checking, we choose the correct combination. 5y # - 2 = -10y y # - 3 = - 3y -13y

` 5y 2 - 13y + 6 = ^ 5y - 3 h ^ y - 2 h

SolutionPSF method
P: Product of first and last terms S: Sum or middle term F: Factors of P that give S - 3y 30y 2 ) -10y -13y 30y 2 -13y - 3y, -10y

` 5y 2 - 13y + 6 = 5y 2 - 3y - 10y + 6 = y ^ 5y - 3 h - 2 ^ 5 y - 3 h = ^ 5y - 3 h ^ y - 2 h

CONTINUED

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2. 4y 2 + 4y - 3

Solutionguess and check

For 4y2, both brackets will have 2y or one bracket will have 4y and the other y. Try 2y in each bracket: ^ 2y h ^ 2y h . Now look at the constant: - 3. The two numbers inside the brackets must multiply to give - 3. To get a negative answer, they must have different signs. ^ 2y - h ^ 2y + h To get a product of 3, the numbers must be 1 and 3. Guess and check: ^ 2y - 3 h ^ 2 y + 1 h Checking the middle terms: 2y - 6y = - 4y This is almost correct, as the sign is wrong but the coefcient is right (the number in front of y). Swap the signs around: ^ 2y - 1 h ^ 2 y + 3 h = 4y 2 + 6 y - 2 y - 3 = 4y 2 + 4y - 3 This is correct, so the answer is ^ 2y - 1 h ^ 2y + 3 h .

Solutioncross method
Factors of 4y 2 are 4y and y or 2y and 2y. Factors of 3 are -1 and 3 or - 3 and 1. Trying combinations of these factors gives 3 2y 2y # - 1 = - 2y 2y # 3 = 6y 4y ` 4y 2 + 4y - 3 = ^ 2 y + 3 h ^ 2 y - 1 h 2y -1

SolutionPSF method
P: Product of rst and last terms -12y 2 S: Sum or middle term 4y F: Factors of P that give S + 6y, - 2y 2 + 6y -12y ) -2y + 4y ` 4y 2 + 4y - 3 = 4 y 2 + 6 y - 2 y - 3 = 2y ^ 2y + 3 h - 1 ^ 2 y + 3 h = ^ 2y + 3 h ^ 2y - 1 h

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2.10
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercises

2a 2 + 11a + 5 5y 2 + 7y + 2 3x 2 + 10x + 7 3x 2 + 8x + 4 2b 2 - 5b + 3 7x 2 - 9x + 2 3y 2 + 5y - 2 2x 2 + 11x + 12 5p 2 + 13p - 6

16. 4n 2 - 11n + 6 17. 8t 2 + 18t - 5 18. 12q 2 + 23q + 10 19. 8r 2 + 22r - 6 20. 4x 2 - 4x - 15 21. 6y 2 - 13y + 2 22. 6p 2 - 5p - 6 23. 8x 2 + 31x + 21 24. 12b 2 - 43b + 36 25. 6x 2 - 53x - 9 26. 9x 2 + 30x + 25 27. 16y 2 + 24y + 9 28. 25k 2 - 20k + 4 29. 36a 2 - 12a + 1 30. 49m 2 + 84m + 36

10. 6x 2 + 13x + 5 11. 2y 2 - 11y - 6 12. 10x 2 + 3x - 1 13. 8t 2 - 14t + 3 14. 6x 2 - x - 12 15. 6y 2 + 47y - 8

Perfect squares
You have looked at some special binomial products, including ]a + bg2 = a 2 + 2ab + b 2 and ]a - bg2 = a 2 - 2ab + b 2 . When factorising, use these results the other way around.

a 2 + 2ab + b 2 = ] a + b g2 a 2 - 2ab + b 2 = ] a - b g2

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EXAMPLES
In a perfect square, the constant term is always a square number.

Factorise 1. x 2 - 8x + 16

Solution
x 2 - 8x + 16 = x 2 - 2 (4) x + 4 2 = ] x - 4 g2 2. 4a 2 + 20a + 25

Solution
4a 2 + 20a + 25 = ] 2a g2 + 2 (2a) (5) + 5 2 = ] 2a + 5 g2

2.11
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercises

y 2 - 2y + 1 x 2 + 6x + 9 m 2 + 10m + 25 t 2 - 4t + 4 x 2 - 12x + 36 4x 2 + 12x + 9 16b 2 - 8b + 1 9a 2 + 12a + 4 25x 2 - 40x + 16

12. 16k 2 - 24k + 9 13. 25x 2 + 10x + 1 14. 81a 2 - 36a + 4 15. 49m 2 + 84m + 36 16. t 2 + t + 17. x 2 1 4

4x 4 + 3 9 6y 1 18. 9y 2 + + 5 25 19. x 2 + 2 + 1 x2 4 k2

10. 49y 2 + 14y + 1 11. 9y 2 - 30y + 25

20. 25k 2 - 20 +

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

65

Difference of 2 squares
A special case of binomial products is ] a + b g ] a - b g = a 2 - b 2. a2 - b2 = ] a + b g ] a - b g

EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. d 2 - 36

Solution
d 2 - 36 = d 2 - 6 2 = ]d + 6 g]d - 6 g 2. 9b 2 - 1

Solution
9b 2 - 1 = ] 3b g2 - 1 2 = ( 3 b + 1) ( 3 b - 1 ) 3. (a + 3) 2 - (b - 1) 2

Solution
] a + 3 g2 - ] b - 1 g2 = [(a + 3) + (b - 1)] [(a + 3) - (b - 1)] = (a + 3 + b - 1) ( a + 3 - b + 1)

= ( a + b + 2 ) (a - b + 4 )

2.12
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. a2 - 4 x2 - 9 y2 - 1

Exercises

7. 8. 9.

1 - 4z 2 25t 2 - 1 9t 2 - 4

x 2 - 25 4x 2 - 49 16y 2 - 9

10. 9 - 16x 2 11. x 2 - 4y 2 12. 36x 2 - y 2

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13. 4a 2 - 9b 2 14. x 2 - 100y 2 15. 4a - 81b

2 2

20.

y2 -1 9

21. ] x + 2 g2 - ^ 2y + 1 h2 22. x 4 - 1
2

16. ]x + 2g2 - y 2 17. ] a - 1 g - ] b - 2 g

2

23. 9x 6 - 4y 2 24. x 4 - 16y 4 25. a 8 - 1

18. z - ] 1 + w g
2

19. x 2 -

1 4

Sums and differences of 2 cubes

a 3 + b 3 = ] a + b g ^ a 2 - ab + b 2 h

Proof
(a + b) (a 2 - ab + b 2) = a 3 - a 2 b + ab 2 + a 2 b - ab 2 + b 3 = a3 + b3 a 3 - b 3 = ] a - b g ^ a 2 + ab + b 2 h

Proof
(a - b) (a 2 + ab + b 2) = a 3 + a 2 b + ab 2 - a 2 b - ab 2 - b 3 = a3 - b3

EXAMPLES
Factorise 1. 8x 3 + 1

Solution
8x 3 + 1 = ] 2x g3 + 1 3 = (2x + 1) [] 2x g2 - (2x) (1) + 1 2] = (2x + 1 ) (4 x 2 - 2 x + 1 )

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

67

2. 27a 3 - 64b 3

Solution
27a 3 - 64b 3 = ] 3a g3 - ] 4b g3 = (3a - 4b) [] 3a g2 + (3a) (4b) + ] 4b g2] = (3a - 4b) (9a 2 + 12ab + 16b 2)

2.13
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. b3 - 8

Exercises

12. 13.

x 3 + 27 t3 + 1 a 3 - 64 1 - x3 8 + 27y 3 y 3 + 8z 3 x 3 - 125y 3 8x 3 + 27y 3

x3 - 27 8 1000 1 + 3 3 a b

14. ] x + 1 g3 - y 3 15. 125x 3 y 3 + 216z 3 16. ]a - 2g3 - ]a + 1g3 17. 1 x3 27

18. y 3 + ]3 + xg3 19. ] x + 1 g3 + ^ y - 2 h3 20. 8]a + 3g3 - b 3

10. a 3 b 3 - 1 11. 1000 + 8t 3

Mixed factors
Sometimes more than one method of factorising is needed to completely factorise an expression.

EXAMPLE
Factorise 5x 2 - 45.

Solution
5x 2 - 45 = 5 (x 2 - 9) = 5 (x + 3) (x - 3) (using simple factors) (the difference of two squares)

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2.14
Factorise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercises

2x 2 - 18 3p 2 - 3p - 36 5y 3 - 5 4a 3 b + 8a 2 b 2 - 4ab 2 - 2a 2 b 5a 2 - 10a + 5 - 2x 2 + 11x - 12 3z 3 + 27z 2 + 60z 9ab - 4a 3 b 3 x3 - x

16. x 3 - 3x 2 - 10x 17. x 3 - 3x 2 - 9x + 27 18. 4x 2 y 3 - y 19. 24 - 3b 3 20. 18x 2 + 33x - 30 21. 3x 2 - 6x + 3 22. x 3 + 2x 2 - 25x - 50 23. z 3 + 6z 2 + 9z 24. 4x 4 - 13x 2 + 9 25. 2x 5 + 2x 2 y 3 - 8x 3 - 8y 3 26. 4a 3 - 36a 27. 40x - 5x 4 28. a 4 - 13a 2 + 36 29. 4k 3 + 40k 2 + 100k 30. 3x 3 + 9x 2 - 3x - 9

10. 6x 2 + 8x - 8 11. 3m - 15 - 5n + mn 12. ] x - 3 g2 - ] x + 4 g2 13. y 2 ^ y + 5 h - 16 ^ y + 5 h 14. x 4 - x 3 + 8x - 8 15. x 6 - 1

DID YOU KNOW?

Long division can be used to find factors of an expression. For example, x - 1 is a factor of x 3 + 4x - 5. We can find the other factor by dividing x 3 + 4x - 5 by x - 1. x2 + x + 5 x - 1 x3 + 4x - 5

x3

x2 x 2 + 4x x2

x 5x - 5 5x - 5

0 So the other factor of x 3 + 4x - 5 is x 2 + x + 5 ` x 3 + 4x - 5 = (x - 1) (x 2 + x + 5)

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

69

Completing the Square

Factorising a perfect square uses the results a 2 ! 2ab + b 2 = ] a ! b g2

EXAMPLES
1. Complete the square on x 2 + 6x.

Solution
Using a 2 + 2ab + b 2: a=x 2ab = 6x Substituting a = x: 2xb = 6x b=3 To complete the square: a 2 + 2ab + b 2 = ] a + b g2 2 x + 2x ] 3 g + 3 2 = ] x + 3 g2 x 2 + 6x + 9 = ] x + 3 g2 2. Complete the square on n 2 - 10n.
Notice that 3 is half of 6.

Solution
Using a 2 - 2ab + b 2: a=n 2ab = 10x Substituting a = n: 2nb = 10n b=5 To complete the square: a 2 - 2ab + b 2 = ] a - b g2 n 2 - 2n ] 5 g + 5 2 = ] n - 5 g2 n 2 - 10n + 25 = ] n - 5 g2

Notice that 5 is half of 10.

To complete the square on a 2 + pa, divide p by 2 and square it. p 2 p 2 a 2 + pa + d n = d a + n 2 2

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EXAMPLES
1. Complete the square on x 2 + 12x.

Solution
Divide 12 by 2 and square it: x 2 + 12x + c 12 2 m = x 2 + 12x + 6 2 2 = x 2 + 12x + 36 = ]x + 6g2

2. Complete the square on y 2 - 2y.

Solution
Divide 2 by 2 and square it: 2 2 y 2 - 2y + c m = y 2 - 2 y + 1 2 2 = y 2 - 2y + 1 = ^ y - 1 h2

2.15

Exercises

Complete the square on 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. x 2 + 4x b 2 - 6b x 2 - 10x y 2 + 8y m 2 - 14m q 2 + 18q x 2 + 2x t 2 - 16t x 2 - 20x 17. k 2 12. y 2 + 3y 13. x 2 - 7x 14. a 2 + a 15. x 2 + 9x 16. y 2 5y 2 11k 2

18. x 2 + 6xy 19. a 2 - 4ab 20. p 2 - 8pq

10. w 2 + 44w 11. x 2 - 32x

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

71

Algebraic Fractions
Simplifying fractions
EXAMPLES
Simplify 1. 4x + 2 2

Solution
2 ] 2x + 1 g 4x + 2 = 2 2 = 2x + 1 2. 2x 2 - 3x - 2 x3 - 8
Factorise first, then cancel.

Solution
] 2x + 1 g ] x - 2 g 2x 2 - 3x - 2 = 3 ] x - 2 g ^ x 2 + 2x + 4 h x -8 2x + 1 = 2 x + 2x + 4

2.16
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Exercises
b3 - 1 b2 - 1 2p 2 + 7p - 15 6p - 9 a2 - 1 a + 2a - 3
2

5a + 10 5 6t - 3 3 8y + 2 6 8 4d - 2 x 5x 2 - 2x y-4 y - 8y + 16
2 2

9.

10.

11.

12.

3 ]x - 2g + y ]x - 2g x3 - 8 x 3 + 3x 2 - 9x - 27 x 2 + 6x + 9 2p 2 - 3p - 2 8p 3 + 1 ay - ax + by - bx 2ay - by - 2ax + bx

13.

6.

7. 8.

2ab - 4a 2 a 2 - 3a s2 + s - 2 s 2 + 5s + 6

14.

15.

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Operations with algebraic fractions

EXAMPLES
Simplify 1. x+3 x-1 5 4

Solution
Do algebraic fractions the same way as ordinary fractions.

4 ]x - 1 g - 5 ]x + 3 g x -1 x +3 = 5 4 20 4x - 4 - 5x - 15 = 20 - x - 19 = 20 2a 2 b + 10ab a 2 - 25 ' 3 4b + 12 b + 27

2.

Solution
2a 2 b + 10ab a 2 - 25 2a 2 b + 10ab 4b + 12 ' = # 2 4b + 12 b 3 + 27 b 3 + 27 a - 25 2ab ] a + 5 g 4 ]b + 3 g = # 2 ] a + 5 g]a - 5 g ] b + 3 g ^ b - 3b + 9 h 8ab = ] a - 5 g ^ b 2 - 3b + 9 h 2 1 + x-5 x+2

3.

Solution
2 ]x + 2g + 1 ]x - 5g 2 1 + = x-5 x+2 ]x - 5g]x + 2g 2x + 4 + x - 5 = ]x - 5g]x + 2g 3x - 1 = ]x - 5g]x + 2g

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

73

2.17
1.

Exercises
(f) (g) (h) (i) (j) 4. 1 1 + x+1 x-3 3 2 x 2 + x -4
2

Simplify x 3x (a) + 4 2 y + 1 2y (b) + 5 3 a+2 a (c) 4 3 p-3 p+2 (d) + 6 2 x-5 x-1 (e) 2 3 Simplify 3 b 2 + 2b # (a) b + 2 6a - 3 q3 + 1 (b) 2 # q + 2q + 1 p + 2 3ab 2 12ab - 6a (c) ' 2 5xy x y + 2xy 2 (d) ax - ay + bx - by x2 - y2 # x3 + y3 ab 2 + a 2 b p2 - 4

1 1 + a 2 + 2a + 1 a + 1 5 2 1 + y+2 y+3 y-1 2 7 x 2 - 16 x 2 - x - 12 y2 - 9 3x 2 x 2 - 2x - 8 # # 4y - 12 6x - 24 y 3 + 27

2 a 2 - 5a 3a - 15 y - y - 2 ' # 5ay y 2 - 4y + 4 y2 - 4

2.

Simplify (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

3 x 2 + 3x 2x + 8 + 2 # x-3 4x - 16 x -9 5b b2 b ' 2 2b + 6 b 1 + b +b-6 x 2 - 8x + 15 x 2 - 9 x 2 + 5x + 6 ' # 2 2x - 10 5x + 10x 10x 2

x 2 - 6x + 9 x 2 - 5x + 6 (e) ' x 2 - 25 x 2 + 4x - 5 3. Simplify 2 3 (a) x + x (b) 1 2 x-1 x 3 a+b x2 x+2 1 p+q 5.

Simplify (a) (b) (c) (d) 1 2 4 + x 2 - 7x + 10 x 2 - 2x - 15 x 2 + x - 6 3 5 2 + 2 2 x x x -4

2

(c) 1 + (d) x -

3 2 + p 2 + pq pq - q 2 a b 1 + a + b a - b a2 - b2

(e) p - q +

x+y y x (e) x - y + y - x - 2 y - x2

Substitution
Algebra is used in writing general formulae or rules. For example, the formula A = lb is used to find the area of a rectangle with length l and breadth b. We can substitute any values for l and b to find the area of different rectangles.

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EXAMPLES
1. P = 2l + 2b is the formula for finding the perimeter of a rectangle with length l and breadth b. Find P when l = 1.3 and b = 3.2.

Solution
P = 2 l + 2b = 2 ] 1 . 3 g + 2 ] 3 .2 g = 2 .6 + 6 . 4 =9 2. V = rr 2 h is the formula for finding the volume of a cylinder with radius r and height h. Find V (correct to 1 decimal place) when r = 2.1 and h = 8.7.

Solution
V = rr 2 h = r ] 2.1 g2 (8.7) = 120.5 correct to 1 decimal place

9C + 32 is the formula for changing degrees Celsius ] C g into 5 degrees Fahrenheit ] F g find F when C = 25. 3. If F =

Solution
9C + 32 5 9 ] 25 g = + 32 5 225 = + 32 5 225 + 160 = 5 385 = 5 = 77 This means that 25C is the same as 77F. F=

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

75

2.18
1.

Exercises
10. Given V = 1 lbh is the volume 3 formula for a rectangular pyramid, find V if l = 4.7, b = 5.1 and h = 6.5. 11. The gradient of a straight line is y2 - y1 given by m = x - x . Find m 2 1 if x 1 = 3, x 2 = -1, y 1 = - 2 and y 2 = 5. 12. If A = 1 h ] a + b g gives the area 2 of a trapezium, find A when h = 7, a = 2.5 and b = 3.9. 13. Find V if V = 4 rr 3 is the volume 3 formula for a sphere with radius r and r = 7.6, to 1 decimal place.

Given a = 3.1 and b = - 2.3 find, correct to 1 decimal place. (a) ab (b) 3b (c) 5a 2 (d) ab 3 (e) ]a + bg2 (f) a-b (g) - b 2

2.

T = a + ] n - 1 g d is the formula for finding the term of an arithmetic series. Find T when a = - 4, n = 18 and d = 3. Given y = mx + b, the equation of a straight line, find y if m = 3, x = - 2 and b = - 1. If h = 100t - 5t 2 is the height of a particle at time t, find h when t = 5. Given vertical velocity v = - gt, find v when g = 9.8 and t = 20. If y = 2 x + 3 is the equation of a function, find y when x = 1.3, correct to 1 decimal place. S = 2r r ] r + h g is the formula for the surface area of a cylinder. Find S when r = 5 and h = 7, correct to the nearest whole number. A = rr 2 is the area of a circle with radius r. Find A when r = 9.5, correct to 3 significant figures. Given u n = ar is the nth term of a geometric series, find u n if a = 5, r = - 2 and n = 4.
n-1

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

14. The velocity of an object at a certain time t is given by the formula v = u + at. Find v when u = 1 , a = 3 and t = 5 . 4 5 6 a 15. Given S = , find S if a = 5 1-r and r = 2 . S is the sum to infinity 3 of a geometric series. 16. c = a 2 + b 2 , according to Pythagoras theorem. Find the value of c if a = 6 and b = 8. 17. Given y = 16 - x 2 is the equation of a semicircle, find the exact value of y when x = 2.

8.

9.

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18. Find the value of E in the energy equation E = mc 2 if m = 8.3 and c = 1.7. 19. A = P c 1 + r n m is the formula 100

20. If S =

a ^rn - 1h is the sum of r -1

a geometric series, find S if a = 3, r = 2 and n = 5. 21. Find the value of a3 b2 if c2

for finding compound interest. Find A when P = 200, r = 12 and n = 5, correct to 2 decimal places.

2 3 1 4 a = c 3 m , b = c 2 m and c = c m . 4 3 2

Surds
An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as a ratio or fraction (rational). Surds are special types of irrational numbers, such as 2, 3 and 5 . Some surds give rational values: for example, 9 = 3. Others, like 2 , do not have an exact decimal value. If a question involving surds asks for an exact answer, then leave it as a surd rather than giving a decimal approximation.

Simplifying surds

Class Investigations
1. Is there an exact decimal equivalent for 2 ? 2. Can you draw a line of length exactly 2 ? 3. Do these calculations give the same results? (a) 9 # 4 and 9 # 4 (b) (c) (d) 4 9 9 + 4 and and 4 9 9 + 9 4 4

9 - 4 and

Here are some basic properties of surds.

a# b = a' b =

ab a b = a b

^ x h2 =

x2 = x

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

77

EXAMPLES
1. Express in simplest surd form 45 .
45 also equals 3 # 15 but this will not simplify. We look for a number that is a perfect square.

Solution
45 = 9 # 5 = 9 # 5 =3# 5 =3 5 2. Simplify 3 40 .

Solution
3 40 = 3 4 # 10 = 3 # 4 # 10 = 3 # 2 # 10 = 6 10 3. Write 5 2 as a single surd.

Find a factor of 40 that is a perfect square.

Solution
5 2 = = 25 # 2 50

2.19
1.

Exercises
(k) (l) (n) (o) (p) (q) (r) 2. 112 300 243 245 108 99 125

Express these surds in simplest surd form. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) 12 63 24 50 72 200 48 75 32 54

(m) 128

Simplify (a) 2 27 (b) 5 80

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(c) 4 98 (d) 2 28 (e) 8 20 (f) 4 56 (g) 8 405 (h) 15 8 (i) 7 40 (j) 8 45 3. Write as a single surd. (a) 3 2 (b) 2 5 (c) 4 11 (d) 8 2 (e) 5 3 (f) 4 10 4.

(g) 3 13 (h) 7 2 (i) 11 3 (j) 12 7 Evaluate x if (a) x =3 5 x x x x x x (b) 2 3 = (c) 3 7 = (d) 5 2 = (e) 2 11 = (f) (h) (j) x =7 3 x = 6 23 x = 8 15 (g) 4 19 = (i) 5 31 =

Addition and subtraction

Calculations with surds are similar to calculations in algebra. We can only add or subtract like terms with algebraic expressions. This is the same with surds.

EXAMPLES
1. Simplify 3 2 + 4 2 .

Solution
3 2+4 2 =7 2 2. Simplify 3 - 12 .

Solution
First, change into like surds. 3 - 12 = 3 - 4 # 3 = 3 -2 3 =- 3 3. Simplify 2 2 - 2 + 3 .

Solution
2 2- 2+ 3= 2+ 3

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

79

2.20
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Exercises

5 +2 5 3 2 -2 2 3 +5 3 7 3 -4 3 5 -4 5 4 6 6

14. 15.

50 28 +

32 63 18

16. 2 8 -

17. 3 54 + 2 24 18. 90 - 5 40 - 2 10

19. 4 48 + 3 147 + 5 12 20. 3 2 + 8 - 12 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 63 - 28 - 50 12 - 45 - 48 - 5 150 + 45 + 24 32 - 243 - 50 + 147 80 - 3 245 + 2 50

2 -8 2 5 +4 5 +3 5 2 -2 2 -3 2 5 + 8 3 + 12 45 2 48 27

Multiplication and division

a # b = ab a b # c d = ac bd a# a = a2 = a
To get a b # c d = ac bd , multiply surds with surds and rationals with rationals.

a b

a b

EXAMPLES
Simplify 1. 2 2 # - 5 7

Solution
2 2 # - 5 7 = -10 14

CONTINUED

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2. 4 2 # 5 18

Solution
4 2 # 5 18 = 20 36 = 20 # 6 = 120 2 14 4 2

3.

Solution
2 14 4 2 = = 2 2 # 4 2 7 2 7

4.

3 10 15 2

Solution
3 10 15 2 = 3# 5 # 2 15 2

5 = 5 10 n 3
2

5. d

Solution
d
2 ^ 10 h 10 n = 3 ^ 3 h2 10 = 3 =31 3 2

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

81

2.21
Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 7 #

Exercises

23.

5 8 10 2 16 2 2 12 10 30 5 10 2 2 6 20 4 2 8 10 3 3 15 2 8 3 15 6 10 5 12 5 8 15 18 10 10 15 2 6 2n 3 5n 7
2

3# 5 2 #3 3 5 7 #2 2 -3 3 #2 2 5 3 #2 3 - 4 5 # 3 11 2 7# 7 2 3 # 5 12 6# 2 8 #2 6 28. 27. 25. 24.

26.

29.

12. 3 2 # 5 14 13. 10 # 2 2 30.

14. 2 6 # -7 6 15. ^ 2 h
2

31.

2 16. ^ 2 7 h

32.

17.

3# 5# 2 33.

18. 2 3 # 7 # - 5 19. 2 # 6 #3 3

34. d 35. d

20. 2 5 # - 3 2 # - 5 5 21. 4 12 2 2 12 18 3 6

22.

Expanding brackets
The same rules for expanding brackets and binomial products that you use in algebra also apply to surds.

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Simplifying surds by removing grouping symbols uses these general rules.

a^ b + ch=

ab + ac

Proof
a^ b + ch = = a# b + ab + ac a# c

Binomial product:

^ a + b h^ c + d h =

ac +

ad +

bc +

bd

Proof
^ a + b h^ c + d h = a # c + a # d + b # c + b # d = ac + ad + bc + bd
Perfect squares:

^ a + b h2 = a + 2 ab + b

Proof
^ a + b h2 = ^ a + b h ^ a + b h = a 2 + ab + ab + b 2 = a + 2 ab + b ^ a - b h2 = a - 2 ab + b

Proof
^ a - b h2 = ^ a - b h ^ a - b h = a 2 - ab - ab + b 2 = a - 2 ab + b
Difference of two squares:

^ a + b h^ a - b h = a - b

Proof
^ a + b h ^ a - b h = a 2 - ab + ab - b 2 =a-b

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

83

EXAMPLES
Expand and simplify 1. 2 ^ 5 + 2 h

Solution
2( 5 + 2) = = = 2# 5 + 10 + 4 10 + 2 2# 2

2. 3 7 ^ 2 3 - 3 2 h

Solution
3 7 (2 3 - 3 2 ) = 3 7 # 2 3 - 3 7 # 3 2 = 6 21 - 9 14 3. ^ 2 + 3 5 h ^ 3 2h

Solution
( 2 + 3 5)( 3 2) = = 2# 3 - 2# 2 +3 5# 3 -3 5# 2 6 - 2 + 3 15 - 3 10

4. ^ 5 + 2 3 h ^ 5 - 2 3 h

Solution
( 5 + 2 3 ) ( 5 - 2 3 ) = 5 # 5 - 5 #2 3 + 2 3 # 5 - 2 3 #2 3 = 5 - 2 15 + 2 15 - 4#3 = 5 - 12 = -7 Another way to do this question is by using the difference of two squares.
2 2 ( 5 + 2 3)( 5 - 2 3) = ^ 5 h - ^2 3 h = 5 - 4#3 = -7

Notice that using the difference of two squares gives a rational answer.

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2.22
1.

Exercises
2^ 5 + 3h 3 ^2 2 - 5 h 7 ^5 2 - 2 3 h 3 ^ 5 11 + 3 7 h 5^ 5 - 5 3h 3 ^ 12 + 10 h (m)^ 2 11 + 5 2 h^ 2 11 - 5 2 h (n) ^ 5 + 2 h
2 2 (o) ^ 2 2 - 3 h 2 (p) ^ 3 2 + 7 h 2 (q) ^ 2 3 + 3 5 h 2 (r) ^ 7 - 2 5 h 2 (s) ^ 2 8 - 3 5 h 2 (t) ^ 3 5 + 2 2 h

Expand and simplify (a) (b) (d) (f) (h) (i)

(c) 4 3 ^ 3 + 2 5 h (e) - 3 ^ 2 - 4 6 h (g) - 3 2 ^ 2 + 4 3 h 3.

(j) 2 3 ^ 18 + 3 h (k) - 4 2 ^ 2 - 3 6 h (l) - 7 5 ^ - 3 20 + 2 3 h (m) 10 3 ^ 2 - 2 12 h (n) - 2 ^ 5 + 2 h (o) 2 3 ^ 2 - 12 h 2. Expand and simplify (a) ^ 2 + 3h^ 5 + 3 3 h (b) ^ 5 - 2 h^ 2 - 7 h (c) ^ 2 + 5 3 h^ 2 5 - 3 2 h (d) ^ 3 10 - 2 5 h^ 4 2 + 6 6 h (e) ^ 2 5 - 7 2 h^ 5 - 3 2 h (f) ^ 5 + 6 2 h^ 3 5 - 3 h (g) ^ 7 + 3 h^ 7 - 3 h (h) ^ 2 - 3 h^ 2 + 3 h (i) ^ 6 + 3 2 h^ 6 - 3 2 h (j) ^ 3 5 + 2 h^ 3 5 - 2 h (k) ^ 8 - 5 h^ 8 + 5 h (l) ^ 2 + 9 3 h^ 2 - 9 3 h 9. 6. 5. 4.

If a = 3 2 , simplify (a) a2 (b) 2a3 (c) (2a)3 (d) ]a + 1g2 (e) ] a + 3 g ] a 3 g Evaluate a and b if 2 (a) ^ 2 5 + 1h = a + b (b) ^ 2 2 - 5 h ^ 2 - 3 5 h = a + b 10 Expand and simplify (a) ^ a + 3 - 2 h ^ a + 3 + 2 h 2 (b) _ p - 1 - p i Evaluate k if ^ 2 7 - 3 h ^ 2 7 + 3 h = k. Simplify _ 2 x + y i _ x - 3 y i . If ^ 2 3 - 5 h = a - b , evaluate a and b.
2

7. 8.

Evaluate a and b if ^ 7 2 - 3 h2 = a + b 2 .

10. A rectangle has sides 5 + 1 and 2 5 - 1. Find its exact area.

Rationalising the denominator

Rationalising the denominator of a fractional surd means writing it with a rational number (not a surd) in the denominator. For example, after 3 5 3 rationalising the denominator, becomes . 5 5

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

85

DID YOU KNOW?

A major reason for rationalising the denominator used to be to make it easier to evaluate the fraction (before calculators were available). It is easier to divide by a rational number than an irrational one; for example, 3 = 3 ' 2.236 5 3 5 5 = 3 # 2.236 ' 5

This is hard to do without a calculator.

This is easier to calculate.

Squaring a surd in the denominator will rationalise it since ^ x h = x.

2

Multiplying by

b a b a # = b b b

b is the same as multiplying by 1.

Proof
b a b a # = b b b2 a b = b

EXAMPLES
1. Rationalise the denominator of 3 . 5

Solution
5 3 5 3 # = 5 5 5 2. Rationalise the denominator of

2 5 3

.
Dont multiply by

Solution
2 5 3 # 3 3 = 2 3

5 9 2 3 = 5# 3 2 3 = 15

as it takes 5 3 longer to simplify.

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When there is a binomial denominator, we use the difference of two squares to rationalise it, as the result is always a rational number.

To rationalise the denominator of

a+ b c+ d

, multiply by

c- d c- d

Proof
a+ b c+ d #

^ a + b h^ c - d h c- d ^ c + d h^ c - d h ^ a + b h^ c - d h = ^ c h2 - ^ d h2 ^ a + b h^ c - d h = c-d
c- d =

EXAMPLES
1. Write with a rational denominator 5 2 -3
Multiply by the conjugate surd 2 + 3.

Solution
5 2 -3 # 2 +3 2 +3 = 5 ^ 2 + 3h

^ 2 h2 - 3 2 10 + 3 5 = 2-9 10 + 3 5 = -7 10 + 3 5 =7

2. Write with a rational denominator 2 3+ 5 3+4 2 .

Solution
2 3 + 5 # 3 -4 2 3 -4 2 =

^2 3 + 5 h^ 3 - 4 2 h

3 +4 2

^ 3 h2 - ^ 4 2 h2 2 # 3 - 8 6 + 15 - 4 10 = 3 - 16 # 2

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

87

6 - 8 6 + 15 - 4 10 - 29 - 6 + 8 6 - 15 + 4 10 = 29 = 3 3 3- 2 = a + b.

3. Evaluate a and b if

Solution
3 3 3- 2 # 3+ 2 3+ 2

^ 3 - 2 h^ 3 + 2 h 3 9+3 6 = ^ 3 h2 - ^ 2 h2
3#3+3 6 3-2 9+3 6 = 1 =9+3 6 = =9+ 9# 6 = 9 + 54

3 3^ 3 + 2h

So a = 9 and b = 54. 4. Evaluate as a fraction with rational denominator 2 + 3+2 5 3-2 .

Solution
2 + 3+2 5 3 -2 = 2^ 3 - 2h + 5 ^ 3 + 2h

^ 3 + 2h ^ 3 - 2h 2 3 - 4 + 15 + 2 5 = ^ 3 h2 - 2 2
2 3 - 4 + 15 + 2 5 3-4 2 3 - 4 + 15 + 2 5 = -1 = - 2 3 + 4 - 15 - 2 5 =

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2.23
1.

Exercises
3. Express as a single fraction with rational denominator (a) (b) (c) (d) 2 3 6 -5 2 5 +2 2 5 3 2 -4 2 7 8+3 2 4 5 4 3 -2 2 7 5 (k) (l) 2 4. (j) (i) (h) (g) 1 + 2 +1 2 2 1 5 + 2 2 + 3 2 7 3 + # 1 2 -1 3 2 + 3 3 2 2 2 3 + 2 3 5

Express with rational denominator (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) 1 7 3 2 2 2 3 5 6 7 5 2 1+

(e) t +

1 where t = t

3 -2 2 2 6 -1

(f) z 2 -

1 where z = 1 + z2 3 + + 2 2 + 1 3 2 3 2 5 3 2 42+ 3 3 3 +1 2 -1 6 + 3

3 2 +4 6 2 +3 2 3 2 +3 5 6 +2 2 +7 4+ 5 3 3

2.

Express with rational denominator (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 4 3 + 3 2 -7 2 3 5 +2 6 3 -4 3 +4 2 +5 3 3 3 + 2 2

Find a and b if (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 3 2 5 3 4 2 = = a b a 6 b

2 =a+b 5 5 +1 2 7 7 -4 2 +3 2 -1 =a+b 7 =a+ b

2 5 +3 2

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

89

5.

Show that rational.

2 -1 2 +1

4 is 2

7.

Write 5 +1

2 5 +

1 5 -

6.

If x =

3 + 2, simplify 8.

as a single fraction with 3 rational denominator. Show that rational. 8 2 + is 3+2 2 2

1 (a) x + x (b) x 2 + 1 x2
2

1 (c) b x + x l

9.

1 If 2 + x = 3 , where x ! 0, find x as a surd with rational denominator.

10. Rationalise the denominator of b +2 ]b ! 4 g b -2

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Test Yourself 2
1. Simplify (a) 5y - 7y 3a + 12 (b) 3 (c) - 2k 3 # 3k 2 y x (d) + 5 3 (e) 4a - 3b - a - 5b (f) 8 + 32 (g) 3 5 - 20 + 45 Factorise (a) x 2 - 36 (b) a 2 + 2a - 3 (c) 4ab 2 - 8ab (d) 5y - 15 + xy - 3x (e) 4n - 2p + 6 (f) 8 - x 3 Expand and simplify (a) b + 3 ] b - 2 g (b) ] 2x - 1 g ] x + 3 g (c) 5 ] m + 3 g - ] m - 2 g (d) ]4x - 3g2 (e) ^ p - 5h^ p + 5h (f) 7 - 2 ] a + 4 g - 5a (g) 3 ^ 2 2 - 5 h (h) ^ 3 + 7 h^ 3 - 2h Simplify 4a - 12 10b (a) # 3 5b 3 a - 27 (b) 5. 5m + 10 m2 - 4 ' 2 m - m - 2 3m + 3 6. (a) Expand and simplify ^ 2 5 + 3 h ^ 2 5 - 3 h. (b) Rationalise the denominator of 3 3 . 2 5+ 3 Simplify 3 1 2 + - 2 . x-2 x+3 x +x-6

7. 8.

2.

If a = 4, b = - 3 and c = - 2, nd the value of (a) ab 2 (b) a - bc (c) a (d) ]bcg3 (e) c ] 2a + 3b g Simplify 3 12 (a) 6 15 (b) 4 32 2 2

9.

3.

10. The formula for the distance an object falls is given by d = 5t 2 . Find d when t = 1.5. 11. Rationalise the denominator of 2 (a) 5 3 (b) 1+ 3 2

4.

The volume of a cube is V = s 3. Evaluate V when s = 5.4.

12. Expand and simplify (a) ^ 3 2 - 4h^ 3 - 2 h 2 (b) ^ 7 + 2h 13. Factorise fully (a) 3x 2 - 27 (b) 6x 2 - 12x - 18 (c) 5y 3 + 40

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

91

14. Simplify 3x 4 y (a) 9xy 5 (b) 5 15x - 5

15. Simplify 2 (a) ^ 3 11 h 3 (b) ^ 2 3 h 16. Expand and simplify (a) ] a + b g ] a - b g (b) ] a + b g 2 (c) ] a - b g 2 17. Factorise (a) a 2 - 2ab + b 2 (b) a 3 - b 3 1 18. If x = 3 + 1, simplify x + x and give your answer with a rational denominator. 19. Simplify 4 3 (a) a + b (b) x-3 x-2 5 2 2 3 , writing 5+2 2 2-1

22. Expand and simplify (a) 2 2 ^ 3 + 2 h (b) ^ 5 7 - 3 5 h^ 2 2 - 3 h (c) ^ 3 + 2 h^ 3 - 2 h (d) ^ 4 3 - 5 h^ 4 3 + 5 h 2 (e) ^ 3 7 - 2 h 23. Rationalise the denominator of 3 (a) 7 5 3 2 (c) 5 -1 (d) (e) 2 2 3 2+ 3 5+ 2 4 5-3 3 (b) 2

20. Simplify

24. Simplify 3x x-2 (a) 5 2 a+2 2a - 3 (b) + 7 3 1 2 (c) 2 1 x + x -1 4 1 (d) 2 + k + 2k - 3 k + 3 (e) 3 2+ 5 5 3- 2

your answer with a rational denominator. 21. Simplify (a) 3 8 (b) - 2 2 # 4 3 (c) 108 - 48 (d) 8 6 2 18 2m 3 n 6m 2 n 5

25. Evaluate n if (a) 108 - 12 = (b) 112 + 7 = n (c) 2 8 + 200 =

n n

(e) 5a # - 3b # - 2a (f)

(d) 4 147 + 3 75 = n 180 (e) 2 245 + = n 2

(g) 3x - 2y - x - y

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Maths In Focus Mathematics Preliminary Course

26. Evaluate x 2 +

1+2 3 1 if x = 2 x 1-2 3 3

31. Simplify (a) (b) (c) (d)

27. Rationalise the denominator of

2 7 (there may be more than one answer). 21 (a) 28 2 21 (b) 28 21 (c) 14 21 (d) 7 x-3 x +1 . 5 4 -]x + 7 g 20 x+7 20 x + 17 20 - ] x + 17 g 20

3 2 1 + . x-2 x+2 x2 - 4 x+5 ]x + 2g]x - 2g x+1 ]x + 2g]x - 2g x+9 ]x + 2g]x - 2g x-3 ]x + 2g]x - 2g

28. Simplify (a) (b) (c) (d)

32. Simplify 5ab - 2a 2 - 7ab - 3a 2 . (a) 2ab + a 2 (b) - 2ab - 5a 2 (c) - 13a 3 b (d) - 2ab + 5a 2 33. Simplify (a) (b) (c) 4 5 3 3 4 5 9 3 8 5 9 3 8 5 3 3 80 . 27

29. Factorise x 3 - 4x 2 - x + 4 (there may be more than one answer). (a) ^ x 2 - 1 h ] x - 4 g (b) ^ x 2 + 1 h ] x - 4 g (c) x 2 ] x - 4 g (d) ] x - 4 g ] x + 1 g ] x - 1 g 30. Simplify 3 2 + 2 98 . (a) 5 2 (b) 5 10 (c) 17 2 (d) 10 2

(d)

34. Expand and simplify ^ 3x - 2y h2 . (a) 3x 2 - 12xy - 2y 2 (b) 9x 2 - 12xy - 4y 2 (c) 3x 2 - 6xy + 2y 2 (d) 9x 2 - 12xy + 4y 2 35. Complete the square on a 2 - 16a. (a) a 2 - 16a + 16 = ^ a - 4 h2 (b) a 2 - 16a + 64 = ^ a - 8 h2 (c) a 2 - 16a + 8 = ^ a - 4 h2 (d) a 2 - 16a + 4 = ^ a - 2 h2

Chapter 2 Algebra and Surds

93

Challenge Exercise 2
1. Expand and simplify (a) 4ab ] a - 2b g - 2a 2 ] b - 3a g (b) _ y 2 - 2 i_ y 2 + 2 i (c) ] 2x - 5 g3 Find the value of x + y with rational denominator if x = 3 + 1 and 1 y= . 2 5-3 Simplify 2 3 7 6 - 54 . 11. Simplify 2x + y x-y 3x + 2y . + - 2 x-3 x+3 x +x-6

2.

12. (a) Expand ^ 2x - 1 h3. 6x 2 + 5x - 4 (b) Simplify . 8x 3 - 12x 2 + 6x - 1 13. Expand and simplify ] x - 1 g ^ x - 3 h2. 14. Simplify and express with rational denominator 2 + 5 3 +4 5 3 2 -1 .

3.

4. 5.

b Complete the square on x 2 + a x. Factorise (a) (x + 4)2 + 5 (x + 4) (b) x 4 - x 2 y - 6y 2 (c) 125x 3 + 343 (d) a 2 b - 2a 2 - 4b + 8 Complete the square on 4x 2 + 12x. Simplify 2xy + 2x - 6 - 6y 4x 2 - 16x + 12 .

15. Complete the square on x 2 + 2 x. 3 16. If x = , find the value of x when k+l k = 3, l = - 2, x 1 = 5 and x 2 = 4. lx 1 + kx 2

6. 7.

17. Find the exact value with rational 1 denominator of 2x 2 - 3x + x if x = 2 5 . 18. Find the exact value of 1+2 3 1 (a) x 2 + 2 if x = x 1-2 3 (b) a and b if 3 -4 2+3 3 =a+b 3

8.

a2 + b2 the perpendicular distance from a point to a line. Find the exact value of d with a rational denominator if a = 2, b = -1, c = 3, x 1 = - 4 and y 1 = 5. Simplify

d=

| ax 1 + by 1 + c |

is the formula for

19. A = 1 r 2 i is the area of a sector of a 2 circle. Find the value of i when A = 12 and r = 4. 20. If V = rr 2 h is the volume of a cylinder, find the exact value of r when V = 9 and h = 16. 21. If s = u + 1 at 2, find the exact value of s 2 when u = 2, a = 3 and t = 2 3 .

9.

^a + 1h
a3 + 1

10. Factorise

a2 4 - 2. 2 x b