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Chapter 4
Algebraic Techniques
This chapter deals with operations involving algebraic terms
including indices.
After completing this chapter you should be able to:
add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic fractions
apply the index laws to simplify algebraic expressions
establish the meaning of the zero index
define indices for square root and cube root
establish the meaning of negative indices
simplify expressions involving fractional and negative indices
remove grouping symbols and simplify by collecting like terms
factorise by determining common factors.
92
Diagnostic Test
6
B -----ab
3b
D -----2a
5xy 3x
--------- ------ =
8
2
5y
A -----12
2
15x y
C --------------16
12
B -----5y
16
D -------------2
15x y
Which of the following does not simplify
to t20?
A t4 t5
B t 30 t 10
C (t 4)5
D t16 t 4
3 4
10
11
12
(a )
---------------- =
4
2
a a
A a2
B a4
A 8a7b 9
B 8a12b 20
C 8ab16
D 8(ab)16
(2m 5)3 =
2m 8 B 8m 8
B 3
17
1
--2
1
--2
D 9
B ( 4y ) C 2y
The meaning of y
1
--3
1
--2
D 4y2
is:
1
D ----3y
Which of the following is equivalent
1
to ----3- ?
1
a
--3
1
A 3a
B -----C a
D a 3
3a
A
16
C 5
15
C 2m15 D 8m15
3k0 + 2 =
A 2
14
D 16
4a 3b 5 2a 4b 4 =
A
13
C a6
1
--3
B 3y
3m 2 is equivalent to:
1
3
A 6m B ----------2- C ------29m
m
1
D -------3m
93
18
8y 5 2y
1
--4
A
19
21
1
--4
C 4y
D 4y
B 3y
C 6y
D 12
2p 2(5p 2 + 3pq) =
A 10p 2 6pq
B 10p 2 6p 3q
C 10p4 + 6p 3q
D 10p4 6p 3q
22
20
B 5m + 2
C 5m 6
D 5m + 4
If you have any difficulty with these questions, refer to the examples and questions in the sections
listed in the table.
Question
18
9, 10
11, 12
13
Section
14, 15 16, 17
E
18
19, 20 21, 22
A. ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS
Example 1
Complete the following equivalent fractions.
2
a --- = -----3 15
3n
b ------ = -----7
14
2ab
---------- = -----5
20
2 5 10
a --- --- = -----3 5 15
3n 2 6n
b ------ --- = -----7
2 14
2ab 4 8ab
---------- --- = ---------5
4
20
Exercise 4A
1
2y
4m
a ------ = -----b -------- = ---c ------ = -----4
20
5
15
3
6
3t
5a
e ------ = -----2
12
Example 2
Reduce to its simplest form:
15
a -----20
c
7a
-----9a
8t
b -----12
6ab
d ---------9a
94
15
15
------ = --------420
20
3
= --4
8t
8 t
------ = --------312
12
2t
= ----3
2 1
7a 7a
------ = --------19a 9a
7
= --9
6ab
6 a b
---------- = -------------3 1
9a
9 a
2b
= -----3
5t
-----20
8x
h --------12x
10y
d --------15
8ab
i ---------4a
9b
e -----12
12pq
j ------------9q
Example 3
Simplify:
7
4
a ------ + -----15 15
5x
4x
b ------ + -----11 11
7
4
7+4
a ------ + ------ = ------------15 15
15
11
= -----15
5x
4x
5x + 4x
b ------ + ------ = ------------------11 11
11
9x
= -----11
Simplify:
3x
4x
a ------ + -----10 10
9m 6m
d -------- -------10
10
7b 8b
b ------ + -----11
11
11k 3k
e ---------- -----12
12
c
c
7a 2a
------ -----10 10
7a 2a 7a 2a
------ ------ = ------------------10 10
10
5a
= -----10
a
= --2
2a 3a
------ + -----15
15
Example 4
Simplify:
3 2
a --- + --4 3
5n 2n
b ------ + -----6
3
3 2
3 3 2 4
a --- + --- = --- --- + --- --4 3
4 3 3 4
9
8
= ------ + -----12 12
17
= -----12
7m m
-------- ---8
3
5n 2n
5n 2n
2
b ------ + ------ = ------ + ------ --6
3
6
3
2
5n 4n
= ------ + -----6
6
9n
= -----6
3n
= -----2
5
= 1 ----12
7m m 7m 3 m 8
-------- ---- = -------- --- ---- --8
3
8
3
3
8
21m 8m
= ----------- -------24
24
13m
= ----------24
Simplify:
2x
a ------ +
3
3t
f ------ +
10
x
--4
2t
----9
5k 3k
b ------ + -----6
4
4w
w
g ------- -----3
12
7b b
------ --8
4
3v 4v
h ------ + -----2
3
c
3a
a
d ------ + -----5
10
11e 3e
i ---------- -----10
5
4z 2z
e ------ -----5
3
5x 3x
j ------ -----6
8
Example 5
Simplify:
2 5
a --- --3 9
2a b
b ------ --3
9
2 5 25
a --- --- = -----------3 9 39
10
= -----27
2a b 2a b
b ------ --- = ---------------3
9
39
2ab
= ---------27
Simplify:
m n
a ---- --3
4
k m
b --- ---5
3
2p q
------ --3
5
c
c
3h
4
------ -------7
5m
3h
4
3h 4
------ -------- = -----------------7
5m 7 5m
12h
= ----------35m
3a
4
d ------ -----5
7b
2b 5d
e ------ -----3c 7e
95
96
Example 6
Simplify:
8 15
a --- -----9 16
8a
15
b ------ ---------9
16b
1
8 15
8
15
a --- ------ = -----3 --------29 16
9
16
5
= --6
4 1
12ab 10
------------- -----5
3a
8a
15
8 a
15
- -----------b ------ ---------- = -------3
2
9
16b
16 b
9
5a
= -----6b
2
12ab 10
12 a b
10
------------- ------ = ----------------- ----------1
1 1
5
3a
3 a
5
8b
= -----1
= 8b
Simplify:
3m 10n
a -------- ---------5
7
5y
9
f ------ -----3
2y
2k 6n
b ------ -----9
5
7
3z
g ------ -----2z 14
4w 9z
------- -----3
8
2ab
6
h ---------- -----3
2b
c
8a
d ------
5
8mn
i -----------9
15b
---------16
15
-------3m
3t 10
e ----- -----5
9u
6pq 25
j ---------- -----5
3q
Example 7
Simplify:
2 5
a --- --3 8
a 5
b --- --4 b
5
b
b The reciprocal of --- is --- , hence
b
5
a 5 a b
--- --- = --- --4 b 4 5
ab
= -----20
1
= 1 ----15
Simplify:
a b
a --- --5 7
w z
b ---- --6 2
p 5
--- --4 q
3
n
d ---- --m 8
a c
e --- --b d
Example 8
Simplify:
2a 6b
a ------ -----3
7
b
1
2a 6b
2 a
7
a ------ ------ = --------- -------3
3
7
3
6 b
7a
= -----9b
8
Simplify:
2x 8y
a ------ -----3
5
16
8
e ------- ------9w 3w
4xy 2x
i --------- -----3
5
3a 6b
b ------ -----2
7
6k 7k
f ------ -----5
2
9
6
j --------------- -------10km 5m
5pq 3p
---------- -----8
2
1
5p 10q
------ ---------3
9
4m 2m
g -------- -------3
5
c
5pq 3p 5p q
2
---------- ------ = ----------- --------14
8
2
3p
8
5q
= -----12
7
3
d ------ --------5v 10v
7
m
h -------- ---2m
8
97
98
Example 1
Show by writing in expanded form that:
a m4 m3 = m7
b m5 m2 = m3
a m4 m3 = (m m m m) (m m m)
=mmmmmmm
= m7
c (m4)3 = m12
1
c (m4)3 = (m m m m) (m m m m) (m m m m)
=mmmmmmmmmmmm
= m12
Exercise 4B
1
(m 2)4 = m8
Example 2
a Use a calculator to evaluate the following expressions when a = 3.
i a4 a3
ii a7
b Does the value of a4 a3 = the value of a7?
a i
a4 a3 = 34 33
= 81 27
m m mmm
b m5 m2 = ----------------------------------------------------1
1
m m
mmm
= -------------------------1
3
=m
ii a7 = 37
= 2187
= 2187
b Yes
2
Example 3
Use the index laws to simplify:
a y7 y3
b y 18 y 17
a y7 y3 = y7 + 3
b y 18 y 17 = y 18
= y 10
c
17
(b5)3
c (b5)3 = b5 x 3
= y1
= b15
=y
c t 10 t 9
d b15 b b 4
e v v5 v7
c w8 w2
d b6 b 5
e z 20 z 19
c (k 8)2
d (z10)6
e (n 2)4
c (b4)6
h (y 5)5
d m 3 m6 m4
i t10 t20 t
e (v 7)10
j a12 a6
Example 4
Explain why the index laws cannot be used to simplify:
a p3 q4
b m6 n4
a p3 q4 = p p p q q q q
= p 3q 4
Since the bases are not the same we cannot simplify further.
mmmmmm
b m6 n4 = -----------------------------------------------------------nnnn
6
m
= ------4n
Again, since the bases are different we cannot simplify further.
99
100
10
b m 5 m 2 = m10
c p 4 p 5 = p 20
d e 6 e10 = e16
e a4 b 5 = ab 9
z10 z 2 = z 8
6
4
p
p
----2- = ----q
q
g p12 p 3 = p4
h t8 t7 = t
k (b7)2 = b14
w15 w 3 = w 5
(n10)3 = n13
5 4
(a )
b ---------------3
2
a a
p p
a ----------------8
p
5 4
54
(a )
a
------------b ---------------=
3
2
3+2
a
a a
5+6
p p
p
a ----------------= ----------8
8
p
p
11
20
p
= ------8
p
= p11 8
a
= ------5
a
= a20 5
= p3
= a15
Exercise 4C
1
Simplify:
5
x x
a ---------------6
x
7
a a
e ---------------8
2
a a
k
-----------------16
5
k k
11
y y
-----------------10
8
y y
(m ) m
30
10
w w
b --------------------8
w
2 3
16
k k
d -----------------8
5
k k
10
16
x
h ---------------3
4
x x
14
z z
g -----------------10
7
z z
4 5
3 4
k (a ) (a )
4
10
a a a
n ------------------------------12
8
a a a
5 5
y )
m (----------20
y
m m
-------------------10
m
20
30
b b b
o -----------------------------------4 5
(b )
Example 2
Simplify:
4
a 5m 3m
2k 4k 3k
5 6
(t )
----------10
t
5m 3m
= 53m m
= 15 m
= 15m
2k 4k 3k
7
= 243k k k
4+6
= 24 k
10
= 24k
7+3+5
15
Simplify:
5
a 4m 3m
d 10a
12
7a
b
4
g 3z 4z 2z
3t 6t
10
5b 6b b
d 6d 3d
5p 2p
e 4w 6w
3
h 2q 5q 8q
4
8
Example 3
Simplify:
8
10
12m
a ------------6
3m
b
8
10
12m
------------6
3m
20a
-------------4
16a
12 m
= ------------------6
3m
20 a
= -------------------4
16 a
10
20 a
= ------ ------16 a 4
10
12 m
= ------ ------63 m
= 4m
= 4m
20a
-------------4
16a
6
5
= --- a
4
5a
= --------4
Simplify:
7
6m
a ----------23m
10
9e
----------66e
12
10a
b -------------7
5a
8
2m
g ----------36m
10
12w
--------------8
4w
12
8z
d ----------86z
15
6a
h -------------10
12a
16k
e -----------312k
13
9t
----------612t
11
15b
-------------6
20b
101
102
Example 4
3 5
Simplify ( 2a )
3 5
( 2a )
3
= 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a
3
= 22222a a a a a
3 5
= 2 (a )
= 32a
15
Simplify:
4 3
b ( 2m )
3 2 5
g (m n )
a ( 3a )
(x y )
3 6
c ( 7p )
5 2
4 6 3
h (p q )
2 4
d ( 10k )
7 3 4
4 10 2
(a b )
Example 5
Simplify:
2 4
10 8
5 8
a 5m n 3m n
2 4
10 8
5 8
5m n 3m n
2
7 12
= 15m n
12
10
y
12 x
= ------ ------6- ----28
x
y
= 53m m n n
= 15 m n
12x y
------------------6 2
8x y
= 5m n 3m n
2
12x y
------------------6 2
8x y
3
--2
x4 y6
4 6
3x y
= -------------2
11 3
e ( 5t )
j
5 2 3
( 2x y )
Simplify:
3 2
5 3
b 5m n 2m n
5 8
6 7
d 10x y 3x y
a 4a b 2a b
c 3p q 4p q
10 12
e 2w z
4 5
6w z
10 9
4 3
5 6
6a b
-------------3 2
4a b
7
15x y
g ------------------6 2
5x y
Remember to add
indices when multiplying
and subtract them
when dividing.
12
2k m
h ------------------3 6
10k m
11 6
6 7
7 8
9a b
----------------8
12a b
12m n
------------------6 8
15m n
Exercise 4D
1
103
104
Example 2
Evaluate:
a x0
b (3x)0
c 3x 0
a x0 = 1
b (3x)0 = 1
c 3x 0 = 3 x 0
=31
=3
Evaluate:
a y0
f (6z)0
k 3m0 + 1
b (3y)0
g (10m)0
l 9e0 3
c 3y 0
h 10m0
m 6p0 + 7
d 4k 0
i 8b0
n 3a0 + 2b0
e 9t 0
j (7q)0
o 6x 0 4y 0
a Show that ( 6 ) = 6.
1
--2 2
6 = 6 .
1
--2
1
--- 2
2
66
= 61
36
=6
( 6 )2 = 6
=6
1
--2
1
--2
6 =6 .
Exercise 4E
1
1
--2
a Show that ( 5 )2 = 5.
5 =5 .
1
--2
a Show that ( a )2 = a.
c Hence show that
a =a .
Example 2
Write in index form:
a
23
23 = 23
1
--2
t =t
1
--2
7t
d 7 t
7t = ( 7t )
1
--2
d 7 t =7
=7 t
= 7t
12
b
f 5 k
x
c
g 6 y
1
--2
1
--2
m
6y
d
h
Example 3
Write down the meaning of:
a 5
1
--2
b ( 7z )
1
--2
a 5 =
1
--2
1
--2
b ( 7z ) =
7z
7z
7z
1
--2
1
--2
=7 z
=7
1
--2
=7 z
1
--2
e ( 3z )
b 13
1
--2
1
--2
( 2m )
c p
1
--2
1
--2
g 5k
d q
1
--2
1
--2
h 4t
1
--2
Example 4
3
a Show that ( 3 5 ) = 5.
1
--3
1
--3
5 =5 .
105
106
1
--- 3
3
555
= 51
125
=5
1
--3
a (3 5) =
b ( 5 )3 = 5
=5
1
--3
1
--3
5 =5 .
1
--3
a Show that ( 3 6 ) = 6.
c Hence show that
6 =6 .
1
--3
a Show that ( 3 a ) = a.
c Hence show that
a =a .
Example 5
Write in index form:
a
=7
1
--3
=e
4z
4z
1
--3
d 43 z
d 43 z = 4
= ( 4z )
1
--3
=4 z
= 4z
z
1
--3
1
--3
5y
53 y
9m
h 93 m
Example 6
Write down the meaning of:
a 8
1
--3
b n
1
--3
( 5x )
1
--3
d 5x
1
--3
a 8
1
--3
b n
1
--3
c
n
( 5x )
=
1
--3
d 5x
1
--3
=5x
=5
5x
1
--3
= 53 x
1
--3
b 35
e ( 6m )
9
c k
1
--3
6m
47
e 5 x
63 x
1
--3
g ( 7v )
d d
1
--3
1
--3
h 7v
1
--3
10
1
--3
1
--3
d 83 p
h 33 r
g 4 x
1
--3
b 6
( 5p )
1
--2
1
--2
( 6r )
c x
1
--3
1
--3
g ( 5xy )
d t
1
--2
h ( 4pq )
F. NEGATIVE INDICES
Example 1
4
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----5- .
a
1
1
c Hence show that a = --- .
a
4
= a1
4
a
b Expand and simplify ----5- .
a
a
a a a a
b ----5- = -------------------------------------------------1
1
1
1
a a a a a
a
1
= --a
a
a ----5- = a4 5
a
a
a
1
1
c Since ----5- = a1 and ----5- = --- then a1 = --- .
a
a
a
a
1
--2
1
--3
107
108
Exercise 4F
3
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----4- .
a
1
c Hence show that a1 = --- .
a
3
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----5- .
a
1
2
c Hence show that a = ----2- .
a
2
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----5- .
a
1
3
---c Hence show that a = 3 .
a
2
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----6- .
a
1
c Hence show that a4 = ----4- .
a
a
a Use the index laws to simplify ----6- .
a
1
c Hence show that a5 = ----5- .
a
a
b Expand and simplify ----4- .
a
3
a
b Expand and simplify ----5- .
a
2
a
b Expand and simplify ----5- .
a
2
a
b Expand and simplify ----6- .
a
a
b Expand and simplify ----6- .
a
Example 2
Write down the meaning of:
a k9
b m15
1
a k9 = ----9k
1
b m15 = -------15
m
c m3
Example 3
Write with a negative index:
1
a ----5a
1
b ----7y
1
a ----5- = a5
a
1
b ----7- = y 7
y
d x 6
e t 10
1
-----11
x
1
d ------14
n
1
e -----20
z
Example 4
Write down the meaning of:
a 3m2
b (3m)2
a 3m2 = 3 m2
1
b (3m)2 = ---------------2
( 3m )
1
= ----------29m
3
1
= --- ------21 m
3
= ------2m
2y 5
(3t)4
c
f
1
--2
1
--2
1
--2
a 3y 2y
1
--3
1
--3
1
--3
1
--3
b 10 n 5 n
1
--2
a 3y 2y = 3 y 2 y
1
--2
=32 y y
=6 y
1 1
--- + --2 2
= 6 y1
= 6y
1
--2
1
--2
1
--3
10n
b 10 n 5 n = -----------1
5n
--3
1
--3
10 n
= ------ -----1
5
--3
n
=2 n
1 1
--- --3 3
= 2 n0
=21
=2
109
110
Exercise 4G
1
a 2z 6z
d 12 a
1
--3
1
--2
1
--2
b 8p 2p
4a
1
--3
1
--2
1
--3
1
--3
2m 3m 4m
1
--3
k
e ---------------1
1
--2
k k
--2
Example 2
Use the index laws to simplify:
a m6 m2
b q2 q7
c (x 3)5
a m6 m2 = m6 + 2
b q2 q 7 = q2 (7)
c (x 3)5 = x 3 5
= m4
2
= q5
2 4
(y )
w w
(t )
= x 15
c e e
g z
d n n
h k
5 4
Example 3
Simplify:
a 5m3 6m7
b 4y 7 5y 2
a 5m3 6m7 = 5 6 m3 m7
= 30 m3 + 7
= 30 m4
= 30m4
c (5y 2)3 = 5y 2 5y 2 5y 2
= 5 5 5 y 2 y 2 y 2
3
2 3
= 5 (y )
= 125y 6
c (5y 2)3
7
4y
b 4y 7 5y 2 = ---------2
5y
7
4
y
= --- -----5 y 2
4
= --- y 7(2)
5
4
= --- y 9
5
9
4
4y
= --- y 9 or -------5
5
Simplify:
a 10a 5 9a 3
e 6p4 2p 2
i (3w 6)2
b 6b5 3b2
f 3k 4 8k 2
j 4n3 3n4 6n5
c 3v 6 2v 2
g (5z 4)3
d 8y 5 2y 1
h (2m3)5
Example 4
State whether the following are true or false.
a m3 m5 = m2
b 3y 0 = 1
1
d 2p3 = --------32p
c 6k4 2k4 = 3
a m3 m5 = m3 5
b 3y 0 = 3 y 0
=31
= m2
Statement is false.
=3
Statement is false.
6 k
c 6k 4 2k 4 = --- ----42 k
= 3 k4 4
d 2p3= 2 p3
1
= 2 ----3p
2
= ----3p
Statement is false.
= 3 k0
=31
=3
Statement is true.
b a4 a7 = a 3
8t 9 2t 9 = 4
1
d 3c 2 = --------23c
6
g 5x x 6 = 5x
e 4k 0 = 4
b b6 = b5
4
h 4y 3 = -----3
y
8
(2p 1)3 = ----3p
Example 5
By substituting a = 5, show that a2 2a.
111
112
1
a2 = ----2a
1
= -----2
5
1
= -----25
2a = 2 5
= 10
Hence a2 2a
5
b a3 3a
e a2 a a2 + a
h 5a2 3a 5a2 + 3a
c
f
a2 2a
a2 + a2 a4
b 4(3y 2z)
a 3(x + 5) = (x + 5) + (x + 5) + (x + 5)
=x+x+x+5+5+5
=3x+35
= 3x + 15
b 4(3y 2z) = (3y 2z) + (3y 2z) + (3y 2z) + (3y 2z)
= 3y + 3y + 3y + 3y 2z 2z 2z 2z
= 4 3y 4 2z
= 12y 8z
Example 2
Use the distributive law to expand:
a 5(2y + 3)
b 7(3y 4w)
a 5(2y + 3) = 5 2y + 5 3
b 7(3y 4w) = 7 3y 7 4w
= 10y + 15
= 21y 28w
Exercise 4H
1
c 5(4a + 3b)
g 4(m 2 + n 2)
d 2(4x 3y)
h 2(m 3 3mn)
Example 3
Expand:
a 3w(2y + 4z)
b 2a(3a 4b)
a 3w(2y + 4z) = 3w 2y + 3w 4z
c 4m2(m3 + 2m5)
b 2a(3a 4b)= 2a 3a 2a 4b
= 6a2 8ab
= 6wy + 12wz
c 4m 2(m 3 + 2m5) = 4m 2 m3 + 4m 2 2m5
= 4m5 + 8m7
Expand:
a 3a(2b + 4c)
e y2(y3 4)
i 2p5(p2 + 3p3)
b 4x(3x 2y)
f 6x(2y 5x2)
j 5x2(2x3 3xy)
c 10k(6k 4m)
g 3k2(2k2 + 5)
d m(m2 + 2)
h a3(5a2 2)
Example 4
Expand:
a 3(2w + 5)
b 2(4a 3b)
c (4m + 3n)
113
114
a 3(2w + 5) = 3 2w + 3 5
b 2(4a 3b) = 2 4a 2 3b
= 6w + 15
= 8a 6b
= 6w 15
= 8a + 6b
c (4m + 3n) = 1 4m + 1 3n
= 4m + 3n
= 4m 3n
Expand:
a 2(y + 3)
e (t + 3)
i (7w + 3)
b 5(a + 2)
f (b + 6)
j (4x 1)
c 3(w + 4)
g 3(2k + 5)
d 4(m 7)
h 2(4m 5)
Example 5
Expand:
a 3a(5a2 + 2ab)
b n3(2n4 5n2p)
Expand:
a 2a(3a 2 + 2ab)
d y3(4y2 3xy)
= 15a3 + 6a2b
= 2n7 5n5p
= 15a3 6a2b
= 2n7 + 5n5p
b 4x(2x 2 3xy)
e 3m4(2m 2 + 5mn)
Example 6
Expand and simplify by collecting like terms.
a 3(a + 2) + 7
b 3 + 2(3n 5)
a 3(a + 2) + 7 = 3a + 6 + 7
= 3a + 13
Remember to
multiply before
adding!
b 3 + 2(3n 5) = 3 + 6n 10
= 7 + 6n or 6n 7
3p 2(3p 2 + 4pq)
b 2(3b 12) + 12
f 10 + 2(4x + 3)
j 16 + 5(4e 6)
c 3(4w + 2) 7
g 12 + 2(3b 5)
d 5(2y 3) 2
h 13 + 4(y + 5)
Example 7
Expand and simplify 5 2(4y 3).
5 2(4y 3) = 5 8y + 6
= 11 8y or 8y + 11
6
b 8 3(y 2)
f 2 5(3t 4)
j 3 10(1 2w)
c 9 4(b + 3)
g 4 3(5x + 2)
d 7 2(v 6)
h 10 2(3k 1)
Example 8
Expand and simplify 4(2m 3) + 3(m 2).
4(2m 3) + 3(m 2) = 8m 12 + 3m 6
= 11m 18
7
b
d
f
h
j
2(6m + 7) + 3(m 1)
3(3a + 2) + 4(a 3)
3(4y 2) + (2y + 7)
4(3x + 2y) + 2(5x 3y)
3a(2a + 6) + 4a(3a 5)
Example 9
Expand and simplify:
a 2(3p + 4q) 4(2p 3q)
b 3(4m 1) (m + 4)
115
116
b
d
f
h
j
5(w + 4) 3(w 2)
3(5z 1) (2z + 5)
5(d 3) 3(2d + 1)
3(2a 3b) (2a + 3b)
4z(3z + 2) (z 1)
I. FACTORISING
Use the distributive property to expand 2(3a + 5) = 2 3a + 2 5
= 6a + 10
Reversing the process, 6a + 10 = 2 3a + 2 5
= 2 (3a + 5)
= 2(3a + 5)
The reverse process to expanding is called factorising.
Example 1
Factorise:
a 3y + 12
b 20k 8
3y + 12 = 3 y + 3 4
20k 8 = 4 5k 4 2
= 3 (y + 4)
= 4 (5k 2)
= 3(y + 4)
= 4(5k 2)
Note that as 2 is a common factor of
20k and 8,
20k 8 = 2 10k 2 4
= 2(10k 8)
While this is a correct equivalent expression
for 20k 8, it has not been fully factorised.
20k 8 = 4(5k 2).
Exercise 4I
1
Factorise:
a 8a + 10
e 4w 12
i 24k 18n
b 6x 4
f 16m 8
j 16x 2 + 24y2
c 3a + 6b
g 12ab + 8
d 5x + 10y
h 10m 20n
Example 2
Factorise:
a 3u + 12v + 9w
b 12a 8b + 20c
Factorise:
a 5x + 15y + 10z
d 12m 6n 18r
b 3p 6q + 9r
e 20xy + 50z + 30
4a + 12b 8c
Example 3
Complete the following factorisations and check by expanding.
a y 2 + 2y = y (__ + __)
a Since y 2 + 2y = y y + y 2, then
y 2 + 2y = y(y + 2)
Check: y(y + 2) = y y + y 2
= y 2 + 2y
117
118
g 6m 2 3m = 3m (__ __)
i 16pq 12p 2 = 4p (__ __)
Example 4
Complete the following factorisations and check by expanding.
a y2 + 7y = __ (y + 7)
b 2m2 8m = __ (m 4)
y2 + 7y = y(y + 7)
2m2 8m = 2m(m 4)
Check: y(y + 7) = y y + y 7
Check: 2m(m 4) = 2m m 2m 4
= y2 + 7y
= 2m2 8m
Example 5
Explain why the following factorisation is incorrect.
18x2y + 12xy2 = 6xy(3x + 2)
6xy (3x + 2) = 6xy 3x + 6xy 2
= 18x2y + 12xy
18x2y + 12xy2
Example 6
Factorise:
a w 2 + 5w
b 3y 2 6y
c 4a 2 + 8ab
b The HCF of 3y 2 and 6y is 3y, hence
w 2 + 5w = w w + w 5
3y 2 6y = 3y y 3y 2
= w(w + 5)
= 3y(y 2)
Factorise:
a x 2 + 4x
e 2k 2 + 4k
i 12pq 18p 2
b y 2 7y
f 3y 2 12y
j 16km + 24k 2
c a 2 + ab
g 10b 2 + 5ab
d m 2 5mn
h 9w 2 6w
Example 7
Factorise 18ab 3a + 9a2.
The HCF of 18ab, 3a and 9a 2 is 3a, hence
18ab 3a + 9a 2 = 3a 6b 3a 1 + 3a 3a
= 3a(6b 1 + 3a)
Factorise:
a 2ab + 4a + 4a 2
d 5xy 10x 5x 2
b 6x 2 + 3x + 9xy
e 8k 2 6k 10km
2m 6m 2 + 4mn
119
120
Language in Mathematics
Three of the words in the following list have been spelt incorrectly. Find these words and
write the correct spelling.
reduse, simplify, subistute, aply, numerator, equivalent
Complete the following words used in this chapter by replacing the vowels:
a f __ ct __ r
b z __ r __
c __ nd __ x
d __ lg __ br __ __ c
e f __ ct __ r __ s __
Write in words:
x3
x2
{}
A go backwards
b expand
B the same as
c reverse
d evaluate
e pronumeral
How many words of three or more letters can you make from the word
DISTRIBUTIVE. (No proper names or plurals allowed.)
Glossary
algebraic
apply
base
cancel
check
common
cube root
denominator
distributive law
equivalent
evaluate
expand
expression
factor
factorise
grouping symbols
index
indices
negative
numerator
power
reciprocal
reduce
reverse
simplify
square root
substitute
value
zero
121
5a
C -----81
45a
D ---------9
11x
B --------15
11x
C --------8
3x
D -----15
45a
B ---------21b
28ab
C ------------15
20ab
D ------------21
xy
C -----6y
x
D --6
5x
B -----3y
5y
C -----3x
xy
D -----15
14a
B ---------15
35ab
C ---------------54
x y
--- --- =
5 3
7ab 5b
---------- ------ =
9
6
54
D ---------------235ab
10
5a
B -----18
5 3xy
When simplified ------ --------- =
9y 10
15xy
15x
A -----------B --------90
90
15
A ---------14a
9
3xy
D --------2x
4a 5
------ ------ =
3 7b
3x
A -----5y
8
3y
C -----2
2x x
------ + --- =
5 3
20a
A ---------21b
6
3x
6x
D ------ = -----5
8
4a a
------ + --- =
9 9
3x
A -----8
5
3x
15x
C ------ = --------5
25
9xy
When reduced to its simplest form --------- =
6x
9y
A -----B 3y
6
5a
A -----9
4
3x
6x
B ------ = -----5
10
B k
10
C k
30
3 5
D (k )
b b
----------------=
2 4
(b )
A b55
B b2
C b8
D 18
122
9 8
11
12x y
----------------=
6 2
8x y
3 6
A 4x3y6
12
17
18
1
--2
20
21
22
D 9m7
B 20
C 3
D 8
B ( 9a )
1
--2
C 3a
1
--2
2a
C -----3
B 23 a
2a
1
Which of the following is equivalent to ------2- ?
m
1
A -------B m2
2m
2
C ---m
B 4c
1
C --------22c
3xy
-----------2
B 3m2
1
C --- m2
3
D 9a
D 2a
D m
6m 3 2m5 =
A 3m2
19
C 3m7
1
--3
A
16
B 9m10
15
5y 0 + 3 =
A 4
14
3x y
C -------------2
(3m5)2 =
A 3m10
13
3 4
3x y
B -------------2
3k(2k 2 4km) =
1
--2
1
D --------24c
1
D --- m2
3
A 6k 2 + 12km
6k 2 12km
C 6k 3 + 12k 2 m
D 6k 3 + 12k 2 m
C p
C x(4x 6)
D 7w2 15
D 2pq
D 2x(2x 3)
If you have any difficulty with these questions, refer to the examples and questions in the sections
listed in the table.
Question
18
9, 10
11, 12
13
Section
14, 15 16, 17
E
18
G
19, 20 21, 22
H
REVIEW SET 4A
Simplify:
4a 7a
a ------ + -----13 13
2m 5m
b -------- + -------3
8
Simplify:
a y 10 y 7
e (5m4 )3
b k 11 k 5
f 3a 5 b 3 2ab 6
c (p7 )2
t t
d -------------3
4
t t
Evaluate:
a v0
b 5v 0
c (5v)0
d 2v 0 + 1
10
11
12
4w 2w
------- ------5
3
5x y
d ------ --6 3
7
3mn
------------ = -----4
20
Complete:
2x
------ = -----9
18
1
--2
b 3x
1
--2
c ( 3x )
b 2z 3
Simplify:
a y 3 y5
d 6b2 3b7
b e6 e2
e 4k5 2k3
1
--2
b 3(3a b) (2a b)
Factorise:
a 8w + 20
b x2 + 9x
d x
1
--3
c (2z)3
(n4 )5
6m5 3m5 = 2m
3(4x + 5)
4pq 12q2
e 2x
1
--3
123
124
REVIEW SET 4B
3x
a ------ = -----7
21
Complete:
Simplify:
2a 7a
a ------ + -----9
9
3y 2y
b ------ + -----4
3
Simplify:
a m14 m6
e (2m7 )4
b t25 t5
f 4p3 q7 5p4q
c (z6 )4
(b )
d ----------------7
4
b b
Evaluate:
a s0
b 4s 0
c (4s)0
d 4s 0 1
10
11
12
3k 2m
------ -------5
3
3w 2w
d ------- ------5
3
5 6
2ab
---------- = -----3
18
1
--2
b 2c
1
--2
c ( 2c )
b 3e4
Simplify:
a k 6 k2
d 5n3 4n8
b m4 m1
e 2a5 4a8
1
--2
b 2a(2a 5) (3a + 1)
Factorise:
a 12x 18
b 2y2 7y
d c
1
--3
c (3e)4
(n3)5
a7 a7 = a
a(2a 5)
4a2 3ab + 2a
e ( 2c )
1
--3
REVIEW SET 4C
Simplify:
2d 6d
a ------ + -----7
7
7b 3b
b ------ -----8
4
Simplify:
a p6 p8
e (3v7 )3
b y16 y 8
f 3x8 y9 6x2y5
c (t5 )6
c c
d -----------------4 5
(c )
Evaluate:
a a0
b 7a0
c (7a)0
d 7a0 + 5
10
11
12
6x 10y
------ --------5
9
3w 2w
d ------- ------4
5
12
4xy
--------- = -----3
12
Complete:
3h
------ = -----5
20
1
--2
b 4q
1
--2
c ( 4q )
1
--2
d q
b 3b 5
c (3b)5
Simplify:
a d 5 d 3
e 6m3 9m4
b n 2 n3
c (k 2)3
Factorise:
a 15n 20
b 4b2 + 6b
1
--3
1
2p5 6p5 = --- p
3
(4s 7)
12m2 + 14mn
e 4q
1
--3
d 5a6 3a3
125
126
REVIEW SET 4D
Simplify:
10k 5k
a ---------- -----11 11
2w w
b ------- ---9 6
Simplify:
a y8 y5
e (9h5 )2
b k16 k10
f 6a7 b8 a6b 3
c (p5 )10
c c
d -----------------4 2
(c )
Evaluate:
a w0
b 8w 0
c (8w) 0
d 8w 0 9
10
3a 4b
------ -----2
5
9x 4x
d ------ -----10 3
3
13
7pq
---------- = -----2
10
Complete:
5b
------ = -----8
24
1
--2
b 6m
1
--2
c ( 6m )
b 2x 2
Simplify:
a y 2 y 5
d 5z4 3z7
b n6 n8
e 6m4 9m7
1
--2
11
12
Factorise:
a 24x + 18
b h2 8h
d m
1
--3
c (2x)2
(p3)5
2p6 10p6 = 2
2(5 2a)
3y2 + 6y 9
e ( 6m )
1
--3