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College Algebra Lecture 2: SET OF REAL NUMBERS REAL NUMBERS

RATIONAL NUMBERS

IRRATIONAL NUMBERS

PROPERTIES OF EQUALITY or EQUIVALENCE RELATION If a is a real number, then a = a. EQUALITY is REFLEXIVE Example: 3 = 3 and 4 = 4 If a and b are real numbers, then a = b and b=a EQUALITY is SYMMETRIC Example: If A = bh, then bh = A If a, b, c are real numbers, and if a = b, and b = c, then a = c EQUALITY is TRANSITIVE Example: If x = y, and y = 3 then x = 3 If a and b are real numbers such that a = b, then a + c = b + c. ADDITION LAW of EQUALITY Example: If c = 3, and since a + c = b + c, then, a+3=b+3 a=b If a and b are real numbers such that a = b then ac = bc for any number of c. If both sides of the equation are multiplied by the same number, the equivalence relation is retained. Example: If c = 4, and since ac = bc, then, a4=b4 a=b

PROPERTIES OF REAL NUMBERS UNDER ADDITION AND MULTIPLICATION CLOSURE AXIOM For real numbers a and b, there if a unique sum a + b, and a unique product a b, both of which are real numbers: Addition If a and b are real numbers, then (a + b) is a real number. Example: 2 + 3 = 5 If a and b are real numbers, then ab is a real number Example: 2 3 = 6 COMMUTATIVE RULE The sum or product of any two real numbers a and b is not affected by the order in which these numbers are added or multiplied. The same sum or product is obtained even if the order of addition or multiplication is reversed. Addition a+b=b+a Example: 2 + 3 = 3 + 2 5=5 ab=ba Example: 2 3 = 3 2 6=6

Multiplication

Integers

Fractions

Negative Zero Positive

Common Fraction Decimal Fractions

Rational Number Irrational Numbers

Set of real numbers which can be expressed as a ratio or quotient of two integers. Consists of real numbers which cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers like, and

Multiplication

MULTIPLICATION LAW of EQUALITY

ASSOCIATIVE RULE The sum or product of any triple real numbers a, b and c is not affected by the manner in which the numbers are grouped for addition or multiplication. (a + b) + c = a + (b + c) Example: (4 + 5) + 6 = 4 + (5 + 6) 9 + 6 = 4 + 11 15 = 15

Addition

Lecture 1: SETS of REAL NUMBERS

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(a b) c = a (b c) Multiplication Example: (2 3) 4 = 2 (3 4) 6 4 = 2 12 24 = 24 Addition DISTRIBUTIVE RULE Multiplication is distributive over addition. This axiom changes the product of two factors into a sum of two terms. a (b + c) = ab + ac Example: 2 (4 + 6) = (2)(4) + (2)(6) = 8 + 12 = 20 IDENTITY PROPERTY a+0=0+a=a By the definition of the identity element, the real number, 0, is the additive identity element of the set of real numbers. Example: 3 + 0 = 0 + 3 = 3 Multiplication

INVERSE PROPERTY a + (-a) = (-a) + a = 0 The number a is called the additive inverse or the negative of a. Example: 2 + (-2) = (-2) + 2 = 0

The number

is called the

multiplicative inverse or the reciprocal of a. Example: [ ] [ ]

Addition

a1=1a=a The real number, 1, is the multiplicative identity element of the set of real numbers. Example: 3 1 = 1 3 = 3

Multiplication

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