Advanced algebra

Count the squares and rectangles in this 2 by 2 grid. You should be able to find nine.
Now count the number of squares and rectangles in these grids. Try to work
systematically.
It is suggested that the number of squares or rectangles contained within a grid
measuring m by n is given by an expression of the form:

m(m1
k
)n(n 1)

where k is a fixed number.

Assuming this expression is correct, use your results to work out the value of k.
Now try to prove that this expression is correct, using algebra.
CHAPTER 26
In this chapter you will learn how to:
manipulate and simplify surds
add and subtract algebraic fractions, and solve equations
containing them
simplify algebraic fractions by cancelling common factors
solve simultaneously one linear and one quadratic equation
change the subject of an equation when the symbol occurs twice.
You will also be challenged to:
investigate well-known mathematical formulae.
Starter: How many shapes?
481
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
482
26.1 Working with surds
Some quantities in mathematics can only be written exactly using a square root
symbol.
For example, if x
2
5, then the exact value of x is 5 (or 5).
Quantities like these, written using roots, are called surds.
Note that 5 5 5.
Some surds can be simplified by writing them in terms of simpler surds. You
should look for roots of perfect squares (4, 9, 16, 25, etc.) to help achieve this.
EXAMPLE
Simplify 48
SOLUTION
Since 48 16 3:
48 16 3
16 3
43
EXAMPLE
Write 48 27 as a single surd term.
SOLUTION
48 27 16 3 9 3
16 3 9 3
43 33
73
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26.1 Working with surds
483
If you need to multiply two surd expressions together, just follow the ordinary
rules for multiplying algebraic expressions.
EXAMPLE
A rectangle has a length of (2 5) cm and a width of (3 5) cm.
a) Show this information on a sketch.
b) Find the perimeter of the rectangle.
c) Find the area of the rectangle.
SOLUTION
a)
b) Perimeter (2 5) (3 5) (2 5) (3 5)
10 cm
c) Area (2 5)(3 5)
2 3 2 5 5 3 5 5
6 25 35 5
1 5 cm
2
Sometimes you might meet a fraction with a single surd in the denominator
(bottom). It is usually a good idea to multiply the top and the bottom of the
fraction by this surd, so that the bottom becomes a simple whole number
instead. This process is called rationalising the denominator.
EXAMPLE
Write
3
2
22
in a form that does not have surds in the denominator.
SOLUTION

3
2
22

(3
2
22)

2
2

32

2
2
2
22

32
2
4

(2 5)
(3 5)
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
484
When you solve a quadratic equation by using the formula, your result will
contain a square root sign. Instead of using a calculator to work out the answer
to 3 or 4 significant figures, you could instead be asked to give an exact answer
using surds.
EXAMPLE
Solve the equation x
2
10x 3 0 using the quadratic equation formula.
Leave your answer in surd form.
SOLUTION
For the equation x
2
10x 3 0 we have a 1, b 10, c 3.
x
b
2
b
a
2
4 ac

10 1
2
00 12

10
2
88

10
2
222
5 22
EXERCISE 26.1
Simplify the following surds.
1 18 2 32 3 50 4 45 5 150 6 24 7 99 8 108
Write each of these as a single surd term.
9 48 12 10 8 50 11 75 12
12 18 32 13 11 99 14 98 18
15 Simplify 3(4 212 ) 16 Simplify (6 2)(1 2) 17 Simplify (5 3)(5 3)
18 Simplify (4 5)(3 25) 19 Simplify
3
5
25

20 A rectangle measures 4 28 cm long by 5 7 cm wide.

a) Write the length of the rectangle in its simplest form.
b) Work out the perimeter of the rectangle. Give your answer as an exact surd, in its simplest form.
c) Work out the area of the rectangle. Give your answer as an exact surd, in its simplest form.
Solve each of the following quadratic equations, using the quadratic formula.
Leave your answers in surd form.
21 x
2
4x 7 0 22 x
2
x 1 0 23 x
2
3x 1 0
24 2x
2
8x 3 0 25 x
2
5x 2 0
(10) (10)
2
4 1 3

2 1
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26.2 Algebraic fractions
485
26.2 Algebraic fractions
Algebraic fractions should be treated in just the same way as numerical
fractions. In order to add (or subtract) two fractions, you need to write them
with the same denominator.
EXAMPLE
Write as a single fraction:

x
4
1

3x
6
2

SOLUTION
The fractions have denominators of 4 and 6. These can be written with a
common denominator of 12:

x
4
1

3x
6
2

3
3
(

x
4
1)

2
2
(3

x
6
2)

3x
1

2
3

6x
1

2
4

3x 3
1

2
6x 4

9x
1

2
7

EXAMPLE
Write as a single fraction
x
3
1

x
2
5

SOLUTION
The fractions have denominators of (x 1) and (x 5). These can be written with
a common denominator of (x 1)(x 5). The top and bottom of the first fraction
must be multiplied by (x 5), and similarly (x 1) for the second fraction:

x
3
1

x
2
5

(x
3
1)

(
(
x
x

5
5
)
)

(x
2
5)

(
(
x
x

1
1
)
)

(x
3(x
1)

(x
5

)
5)

(x
2(x
1)

(x
1

)
5)

3x
(x

15
1)

(x
2

x
5

)
2

(x
x
1

)(x
13
5)

3(x 5) 2(x 1)

(x 1)(x 5)
Note carefully how the subtraction affects
the signs with the second bracket here.
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
486
Sometimes you may meet an equation containing algebraic fractions. You could
simplify the equation to end up with a single fraction on each side, and then
cross-multiply.
An alternative method is to multiply both sides by a factor large enough to clear
the fractions away. The next example shows you both approaches.
EXAMPLE
Solve the equation:

5x
3
9

2x
1

2
1

3
4

SOLUTION
Method 1

5x
3
9

2x
1

2
1

3
4

4
4
(5

x
3
9)

2x
1

2
1

3
4

20x
1

2
36

2x
1

2
1

3
4

3
4

22x
1

2
35

3
4

4 (22x 35) 3 12
4(22x 35) 36
22x 35 9
22x 9 35
22x 44
x 2
Method 2

5x
3
9

2x
1

2
1

3
4

12 (
3
5x 9)

12 (
1
2
2
x 1)

12
4
3

12 (
3
5x 9)

12 (
1
2
2
x 1)

12
4
3

4(5x 9) (2x 1) 3 3
20x 36 2x 1 9
22x 35 9
22x 44
x 2
20x 36 12 2x 1

12
Cross-multiply at this stage.
Express the two fractions on the left-hand
side so that they both have denominator 12.
Then you can add them together.
Here, all three fractions are made 12 times larger.
This clears the fractions away entirely.
4 3
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26.3 Cancelling common factors in rational expressions
487
EXERCISE 26.2
Express these as a single fraction.
1
3
x

x
5
1
2
x
8
2

x
6
1
3
x
5
1

1
3
0
x

4
3x
2
2

2x
3
3
5
4
x

2x
5
1
6
3
4
x

x
6
1

7
5
x

x
3
1
8
x
2
1

x
3
2
9
x
2
3

2x
1
1

10
x
2
4

x
1
3
11
x
3
2

x
2
5
12
(x 1)
5
(x 2)

x
4
2

Solve these equations involving algebraic fractions.

13
x
5
2

1
x
0

1
2
14
x
8
2

x
4
1

3
4
15
x
1

0
2

2
x
0

1
4

16
x
5
3

x
1

5
4

1
3
17
1
1
2

x
6
1

4
x
18
1
x

3
2
x

1
3

19
x
1
2

1
x

3
4
20
1
x

2x
1
1

1
7
0

26.3 Cancelling common factors in rational expressions

Some algebraic fractions can be simplified by factorising the top and/or the
bottom. You can then cancel any common factors.
EXAMPLE
Simplify the expression:

8
6
x
x

4
4

SOLUTION

8
6
x
x

4
4

4
2
(
(
2
3
x
x

1
2
)
)

4
2
(
(
2
3
x
x

1
2
)
)

2(
3
2
x
x

2
1)

2
1
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
488
EXAMPLE
Simplify the expression:

x
2

2x
8x

SOLUTION

x
2

2x
8x

x(x
2

x
8)

x (x
2

x
8)

(x
2
8)

x
2
8

You may be asked to simplify a fraction where both the top and the bottom are
quadratic expressions. In such cases, factorise the quadratics first. Then look to
see if there is a common factor on the top and bottom that can be cancelled out.
EXAMPLE
Simplify the expression:

x
2
x
2

7x
x

1
2
0

SOLUTION

x
2
x
2

7x
x

1
2
0

(
(
x
x

5
2
)
)
(
(
x
x

2
1
)
)

(
(
x
x

5
2
)
)
(
(
x
x

2
1
)
)

x
x

5
1

1
1
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26.3 Cancelling common factors in rational expressions
489
You might have more than one factor available for cancelling, as in the next
example.
EXAMPLE
Simplify the expression:

8
4
(
(
x
x

3
3
)
)
5
2

SOLUTION

8
4
(
(
x
x

3
3
)
)
5
2

8
4
2
1
(
(
x
x

3
3
)
)
5
2

2(x
1
3)
3

2(x 3)
3
EXERCISE 26.3
Simplify these algebraic fractions.
1
2
4
x
x

6
2
2
12
8
x
x

2
4
0
3
20x
1

5
30

4
2x
2
4

x
10
5
5x
5

x
10
6
1
3
5
(
(
x
x

3
3
)
)
2
6

7
x
2

5x
10x
8
9x
3

x
6
9
x
2

x
2
5x

10
2
6
4
(
(
2
2
x
x

1
1
)
)
5
3
11
x
2
2

x
8x
12
2
x
x
2

5
1
x
0

Simplify these expressions fully.

13
x
2

x
2
3

x
x
2
14
x
2
x
2

4
x
x

6
21
15
x
x
2
2

3
5
x
x

2
4

16
x
x
2
2

7
5
x
x

1
6
0
17
x
x
2
2

7
6
x
x

1
9
2
18
x
x
2
2

3
x
x

2
4

19
x
x
2
2

5
3
x
x
20
x
x
2

1
4
6

3
0
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490
26.4 Simultaneous equations, one linear and one quadratic
In Chapter 8 you solved simultaneous equations using the elimination method.
This approach can also be used when one of the equations is quadratic. Since
quadratics often have two solutions, you should be prepared to find two
different solutions to the simultaneous equations.
EXAMPLE
Solve the equations:
y x 1
y x
2
1
SOLUTION
Since both equations are of the form y ..., then the two right-hand sides must
be equal.
x
2
1 x 1
x
2
x 2 0
(x 2)(x 1) 0
x 2 or x 1
If x 2: If x 1:
y x 1 y x 1
2 1 1 1
3 0
Thus the solutions are x 2, y 3 or x 1, y 0
If both x and y appear in square form in the second equation, the elimination is
done by substituting.
EXAMPLE
Solve the equations:
y x 5
x
2
y
2
17
SOLUTION
y x 5
x
2
y
2
17
Replace y with x 5 in the second equation:
x
2
(x 5)
2
17
x
2
x
2
10x 25 17
2x
2
10x 25 17
2x
2
10x 8 0
x
2
5x 4 0
(x 4)(x 1) 0
Check: If x 2 and y 3,
then y x 1 3 2 1
Check: If x 1 and y 0,
then y x 1 0 1 1
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26.4 Simultaneous equations, one linear and one quadratic
491
Thus x 4 or x 1.
If x 4, then y x 5 4 5 1.
If x 1, then y x 5 1 5 4.
Thus the solutions are x 4, y 1 or x 1, y 4
EXERCISE 26.4
Solve these simultaneous equations.
1 y x 2 y x 7 3 y 4x 7
y x
2
2 y x
2
1 y 2x
2
1
4 y 11x 2 5 x
2
y 1 6 x y 2
y 5x
2
y 4x 1 y x
2
4
Solve these simultaneous equations.
7 y x 2 8 y 2x 2 9 x y 4
x
2
y
2
10 x
2
y
2
8 x
2
y
2
10
10 y 7 x
x
2
y
2
37
Solve these simultaneous equations.
11 y 2x 3 12 x y 5 13 y 2x
y x
2
12 y x
2
35 y x
2
x 2
14 y x
2
3x 1 15 y 2x 7 16 y x 1
y 2x 7 x
2
y
2
34 x
2
y
2
5
Check: If x 4 and y = 1, then
y x 5 1 4 5
x
2
y
2
17 (4)
2
(1)
2
17
Check: if x 1 and y 4,
then y x 5 4 1 5
x
2
y
2
17 (1)
2
(4)
2
17
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492
26.5 Changing the subject of an equation where the
symbol occurs twice
Sometimes you need to change the subject of an equation where the required symbol
appears twice. It is necessary to collect all the terms containing that symbol on to
one side of the equation, and then take the symbol out as a common factor.
EXAMPLE
Make x the subject of the equation 3x 5 y ax
SOLUTION
3x 5 y ax
3x 5 axy
3x ax y 5
x(3 a) y 5
x
3
y

5
a

Sometimes you might need to clear away a fraction first.

EXAMPLE
Make x the subject of the equation:
10
a
b
x
x

1
1
2

SOLUTION
10
a
b
x
x

1
1
2

10(bx 1) ax 12
10bx 10 ax 12
10bx ax 12 10
x(10b a) 2
x
10b
2
a

EXERCISE 26.5
1 Make x the subject of the equation 2 Make x the subject of the equation
3x 5 mx ax b cx d
3 Make x the subject of the equation 4 Make y the subject of the equation
2x k(2 x)
d
y
y

1
2

5 Make t the subject of the equation 6 Make x the subject of the equation

t
t

a
b
c
3x n kx 2
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Review exercise 26
493
7 Make x the subject of the equation 8 Make x the subject of the equation
5x a
b
x

ax
x
3
2
9 Make x the subject of the equation 10 Make u the subject of the equation
k
x
x
a

1
u

1
v

1
f

[Hint: Multiply through by uvf first.]

REVIEW EXERCISE 26
1 a) Find the value of 5 20
5 20 k5, where k is an integer.
b) Find the value of k.
c) Find the value of
5

20
45
[Edexcel]
2 Work out
(5 3

)
2
(
2
5 3)
. Give your answer in its simplest form. [Edexcel]
3 a) Find the value of:
(i) m when 128 2
m
(ii) n when (8 2)
2
2
n
A rectangle has a length of 2
t
cm and a width of (8 2) cm.
The area of the rectangle is 128 cm
2
.
b) Find t. [Edexcel]
4 a) Find the value of 16 .
b) Given that 40 k10 , find the value of k.
A large rectangular piece of card is (5 20 ) cm long and 8 cm wide.
A small rectangle 2 cm long and 5 cm wide is cut out of the piece of card.
c) Express the area of the card that is left as a percentage of the area of the large rectangle. [Edexcel]
5 a) Express
x
1
2

x
2
4
as a single algebraic fraction.
b) Hence, or otherwise, solve
x
1
2

x
2
4

1
3
[Edexcel]
6 Solve
2
x

2
3
x

1
3
[Edexcel]
1
2
( 5 20)
2
8 5
Diagram not
accurately drawn
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
494
7 a) Factorise 2x
2
7x 5
b) Write as a single fraction in its simplest form:
x
3
1

2x
2

5
7
x
x 5
[Edexcel]
8 Simplify fully:
a) 2(3x 4) 3(4x 5)
b) (2xy
3
)
5
c)
n
n
2

1
1

n
2
2
[Edexcel]
You may use a calculator in the remaining questions.
9 a) Solve
40
3
x
4 x b) Simplify fully
4
4
x
x
2
2

6
9
x
[Edexcel]
10 Rearrange 4y k(2 3y) to write y in terms of k. [Edexcel]
11 Make x the subject of the formula y
a
x
x
[Edexcel]
12 Solve the simultaneous equations:
y 3x 1
x
2
y
2
29
13 Bill said that the line y 6 cuts the curve x
2
y
2
25 at two points.
a) By eliminating y, show that Bill is incorrect.
b) By eliminating y, find the solutions to the simultaneous equations:
x
2
y
2
25
y 2x 2 [Edexcel]
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Key points
495
Key points
1 A surd is an expression containing a root, like 45 . You can often simplify a surd
without using a calculator, by looking for a perfect square inside the root;
for example:
45 9 5 9 5 35
2 You can rationalise a fraction like
6
3
3
to clear the surd from the bottom;
for example:

6
3
3

(6
3

3)

3
3

63
3
3
23 1
3 Algebraic fractions can be added or subtracted to ordinary numerical fractions in a
similar way. You must rewrite the fractions to have the same bottom (common
denominator) first.
4 Algebraic fractions involving quadratic expressions can sometimes be simplified by
cancelling common factors. You may need to factorise the top and bottom
separately first.
5 Some IGCSE problems on simultaneous equations may give you one linear and one
quadratic equation. Use an elimination method to obtain a quadratic equation, and
remember to look for both solutions to the quadratic. Give each pair of answers at
the end, e.g.
x 2 and y 3 or x 1 and y 0
6 Some IGCSE problems on changing the subject of an equation will have the new
symbol occurring twice. You must isolate the terms containing this symbol on one
side of the equation, then extract the symbol as a common factor.
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Chapter 26: Advanced algebra
496
Internet Challenge 26
Famous formulae
Here are some famous mathematical formulae. Use the internet to help you find out what each one
represents. You should know some of them already.
1 c
2
a
2
b
2
2 C2r 3 A
(a
2
b)h

4 V IR 5 V

1
3

r
2
h 6 x
b
2
b
a
2
4 ac

7 E mc
2
8 A 4r
2
9 s ut

1
2

at
2
10 T 2

g
l

11 F E V 1 12 C

5
9

(F 32)
13 E

1
2

mv
2
14 E = mgh 15
1
u

1
v

1
f

16
R
1

R
1
1

R
1
2
17 I
P
1
R
00
T
18 A

1
2

ab sin C
19 F
Gm
d
1
2
m
2
20 W = Fd
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