The Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

In the correct order, the six operations are

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, and Addition/Subtraction
(or PEMDAS)
Parentheses ( ) or [ ] or { } .
Exponents 52 = 5 × 5 or 34 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
3 3
(Roots 64 = 4 × 4 × 4 = 4)
Multiplication and Division ×,÷ (in order from left to right)
Addition and Subtraction +, − (in order from left to right)

Some people find it useful to write PEMDAS like this:

𝑷𝑬𝑰𝑴 /𝑫 𝑰𝑨 /𝑺
5 − 3 × 43 ÷ 7 − 1
7-1=6
5 − 3 × 43 ÷ 6
43 = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64
5 − 3 × 64 ÷ 6
3 × 64 = 192
5 − 192 ÷ 6
192 ÷ 6 = 32
5 − 32 = −27
-27
 6
2 − 6 ÷ 3 × 23 + 2(5 − 3 × 2)
−1
=2−6÷3× 23 + 2(5 − 6)
8
= 2 − 6 ÷ 3 × 23 − 2
2
=2−6÷3×8−2
16
=2−2×8−2
= 2 − 16 − 2
= −16
Algebra
3
What is the perimeter of a square of side 1, 2 , 5, 10?

3
𝑃 =4×1=4 𝑃 =4× =6 𝑃 = 4 × 5 = 20 𝑃 = 4 × 10 = 40
2

For an arbitrary side, we multiply it by 4. 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 4 × 𝑥 = 4𝑥

x is an unknown value that is called variable.

Algebraic expression := sum of terms contain variables.

3 1
4𝑥, 𝑦 2 +5, 2𝑎 + 𝑧 3 , 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 −
8 2𝑥 + 6
1 term 2 term 2 term 3 term
Terms with same variable and exponent are called like terms.
1 3 2
−𝑥𝑦 2 , 𝑥𝑦 2 , 9y 2 x 𝑧 2, 𝑧 , 2𝜋𝑧 2
2 4
Term with no variable is called a constant. 3𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 4

The number that is multiplied by variables is called coefficients. (No need to put " × “)

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5𝑥𝑦 − 7 has 4 terms, 1, −2, 5 are coefficient and -7 is constant term.

Addition of algebraic expressions:

Add coefficients of like terms to each other.

2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥𝑦 − 5 + 3 7 + 𝑥𝑦 − 5 7 + 10𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦 2 + 2
= 2 + 10 𝑥 3 + −4 + 1 𝑥𝑦 + (−5 + 2) + 3 − 5 7 − 𝑥𝑦 2
= 12x 3 − 2xy − 3 − 2 7 − 𝑥𝑦 2
Product of two algebraic expressions:

Multiply all terms by each other and use exponent rules.

4 𝑧 + 2 = 4𝑧 + 8
2𝑥 𝑦 − 3𝑥 = 2𝑥 𝑦 − 6𝑥 𝑥 = 2𝑥𝑦 − 6𝑥 2

𝒙 + 𝟐 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏 = 𝑥 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 −1 + 2 𝑥 2 + 2 −1 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 − 2

Conversely, if one rewrites an algebraic expression into the product of some expressions it is called
the factoring.

Memorize following identities:

𝑎±𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 ± 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑎 − 𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏2

𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑥 − 𝑏 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏
3
𝑎±𝑏 = 𝑎3 ± 3𝑎2 𝑏 + 3𝑎𝑏2 ± 𝑏3 𝑎3 ± 𝑏3 = (𝑎 ± 𝑏)(𝑎2 ∓ 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 )
If two algebraic expressions are equal just for certain values, it is called a equation.

3𝑥 + 6 = 9 It is true just for 𝑥 = 1

To solve an equation means to find the values of the variables that make the equation true.

Important rules: 𝑳=𝑹

You can add/subtract a term to/form both sides of equation.
𝑥+5=2 →𝑥+5−5= 2−5 → 𝑥 = 2 − 5 = −3
𝑳+𝒕 𝑹−𝒕

You can multiply/divide both sides of equation by a non-zero term.

2𝑥 5 5
2𝑥 = 5 → = →𝑥=
2 2 2
Solving Linear Equations

A linear equation is an equation involving one or more variables in which variables do not multiplied by
each other.
4𝑥 + 9 = 2 Linear equation in one variable, 𝑥
2𝑥 − 5𝑦 = −10 Linear equation in two variables, 𝑥, 𝑦

Linear Equations in One Variable

2𝑥 8
2𝑥 + 5 = −3 → 2𝑥 + 5 − 5 = −3 − 5 → 2𝑥 = −8 → = − → 𝑥 = −4
2 2

11𝑥 − 4 − 8𝑥 = 2 𝑥 + 4 − 2𝑥 → 11𝑥 − 4 − 8𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 8 − 2𝑥 → 11 − 8 𝑥 − 4 = 2 − 2 𝑥 + 8
3𝑥 12
→ 3𝑥 − 4 = 8 → 3𝑥 − 4 + 4 = 8 + 4 → 3𝑥 = 12 → = →𝑥=4
3 3
Solving Quadratic Equations

𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are real numbers and 𝑎 ≠ 0

𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎
𝟐
These equations have 0 or 1 or 2 solutions.

Solutions of a quadratic equation using quadratic formula:

−𝒃 ± 𝚫
Δ ≔ 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄 → 𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

𝑖𝑓 Δ > 0 ⇒ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 2 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠.

𝑖𝑓 Δ = 0 ⇒ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

𝑖𝑓 Δ < 0 ⇒ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 (𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒2 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑥 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠)

𝟐𝒙𝟐 – 𝒙 – 𝟔 = 𝟎,

→ 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = – 1, 𝑐 = – 6.

1+7 8
𝑥= = =2
− −1 ± −1 2 − 4 2 −6 1 ± 49 1 ± 7 4 4
𝑥= = = 1−7 6 3
2 2 4 4 𝑥= =− =−
4 4 2
3
→ 2𝑥 2 – 𝑥 – 6 = 𝑥 − 2 𝑥+ =0
2
Most of the quadratic equations (with integer coefficients) can be written easily
(without using quadratic formula) as

𝑥+𝑝 𝑥+𝑞 =0

𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑥 + 𝑝 𝑥 + 𝑞 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑝 + 𝑞 𝑥 + 𝑝𝑞

𝑝+𝑞 =𝑏 𝑝𝑞 = 𝑐

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎

→ 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 3, 𝑝𝑞 = −10

𝑝𝑞 = −10 = −(1)(10) = −(2)(5) 10 − 1 ≠ 3, 1 − 10 ≠ 3, 2−5≠3

𝑝 = 5 , 𝑞 = −2 → 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 3

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 𝑥 + 5 𝑥 − 2 = 0 → 𝑥 = −5 , 𝑥=2
𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 = 𝟎
𝑏
𝑥 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 → 𝑥 = 0, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 → 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = −
𝑎
−5𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 = 0 5𝑥 2 + 15𝑥 = 0 → 𝑥 5𝑥 + 15 = 0 → 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = −3

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒃𝒙 + 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟎
𝑥+𝑏 2 = 0 → 𝑥 = −𝑏
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9 = 0 𝑥−3 2 =0 →𝑥=3

𝒙𝟐 − 𝒄 = 𝟎
→ 𝑥 2= 𝑐 𝑥=± 𝑐

𝑥2 − 5 = 0 𝑥− 5 𝑥+ 5 =0→𝑥=± 5
 𝟑𝒙𝟐 −𝟏𝟐
Which of the following is equivalent to 𝟐 ?
𝒙 −𝟒𝒙+𝟒

3𝑥 2 − 12 3 𝑥2 − 4 3(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) 3(𝑥 + 2)

= = =
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 𝑥−2 2 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥−2
 𝒂±𝒃 𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 ± 𝟐𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐

2
2𝑥 − 3 = 4𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 9

2
543 × 543 + 2 × 543 × 457 + 457 × 457 = 543 + 457 = 10002 = 106
 𝒂 + 𝒃 𝒂 − 𝒃 = 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐

3𝑧 − 5 3𝑧 + 5 = 9𝑧 2 − 25

99999998 × 100000002 = 100000000 − 2 100000000 + 2 = 108 − 4 = 99999996

2
3 − 5 3 + 5 = 32 − 5 =9−5=4
Word Problems
Word problems are problems that we must translate them in the form of algebraic expressions.
Jack is 13 years older than Ben. In 8 years, he will be twice as old as Ben. How old is Jack now?

The ben’s age = 𝐵 𝐽 = 𝐵 + 13

The jack’s age = 𝐽 𝐽 + 8 = 2(𝐵 + 8)

To find the answer we solve the equations .

Decoding the GRE Word Problem

1) Identifying unknowns and creating variables to represent the unknowns.

2) Identify relationships and create equations. The number of equations is always equal to the numbers of the variables.
3) identified what the question is asking for.
4) Solve for the wanted element (often by using substitution).
Common Word Problem Phrases:
Addition : Add, Sum, Total (of parts), More Than: +
Subtraction: Minus, Difference, Less Than: −
Multiplication: product, times, a fraction of, per:×
Ratios and Division: Quotient, Per, Ratio, Proportion: ÷ or I

Examples:

A is half the size B John has more than twice as many COs as Ken (J>2K)
A is 6 more than B Five dollars every two weeks
Jack bought twice as many apples as Bananas. (A=2B) The proportion of girls to boys

The salary of Jane is one fifth of salary of Tom. Six pounds heavier than Dave

A is 25 percent of B

Pay 10 dollar per chicken for 15 first chickens and 8 per additional chicken.
A hospital stores one type of medicine in 2-decagram
containers. Based on the information given in the
box above, how many 1-milligram doses are there in
one 2-decagram container?

A) 0.002
B) 200
C) 2,000
D) 20,000
A steel rod 50 meters long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 14 meters longer than the
other, what is the length, in meters, of the shorter piece?

Unknowns: S := length of the shorter piece

L := length of the longer piece

Relationships: 𝑆 + 𝐿 = 50
𝑆 + 14 = 𝐿

Question: 𝑆 =?

Solve the equations: ?????

Kathy is a repair technician for a phone company. Each week, she receives a
batch of phones that need repairs. The number of phones that she has left to
fix at the end of each day can be estimated with the equation
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟎𝟖 − 𝟐𝟑𝒅, where 𝑷 is the number of phones left and 𝒅 is the number of
days she has worked that week. What is the meaning of the value 𝟏𝟎𝟖 in this
equation?

A) Kathy will complete the repairs within 108 days.

B) Kathy starts each week with 108 phones to fix.
C) Kathy repairs phones at a rate of 108 per hour.
D) Kathy repairs phones at a rate of 108 per day.
Jessica has 4 times as many books as John and
5 times as many as Karen. If Karen has more than
40 books, what is the least number of books that
Jessica can have?
(A) 220
(B) 210
(C) 205
(D) 200

𝐽𝑒 = 𝟒 𝐽𝑜, 𝐽𝑒 = 𝟓 𝐾

⇒ 𝐽𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑦 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝟐𝟎

𝐾 > 40 ⇒ 𝐽𝑒 > 5 40 = 200.

⇒ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 200 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑦 20 𝑖𝑠 220
Nadia will be x years old y years from now. How old was she z years
ago?
(A) x + y + z
(B) x + y – z
(C) x – y – z
(D) y – x – z

𝑁𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎′ 𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝑛,

𝑛+𝑦 =𝑥 ⇒𝑛 =𝑥−𝑦
⇒𝑛−𝑧 =𝑥−𝑦−𝑧
To reproduce an old photograph, a photographer charges $ 𝒙 to make a
negative, $ 𝟑𝒙/𝟓 for each of the first 10 prints, and $ 𝒙/𝟓 for each print in
excess of 𝟏𝟎 prints. If $ 𝟒𝟓 is the total charge to make a negative and 𝟐𝟎
prints from an old photograph, what is the value of 𝒙?

1 negative = $ 𝑥
3𝑥
First 10 prints= 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑛𝑒 $
5
𝑥
After 10 prints = 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑛𝑒 $
5
3𝑥 𝑥
20 prints= 10 × + 10 × 5
5

3𝑥 𝑥
45 = 𝑥 + 10 × + 10 × = 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 9𝑥 →𝑥=5
5 5
Linear Equations in Two Variables

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are real numbers and 𝑎, 𝑏 are not both zero.

A solution of such an equation is an ordered pair of numbers 𝑥, 𝑦 .

2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 11 2 −2 + 5 3 = −4 + 15 = 11 (−2,3) is a solution of the equation.

A linear equation in two variables has infinitely many solutions.

11 11 9
In above example (−2,3), (0, ), ( , 0), (2, ), … are solutions.
5 2 5

To have a unique solution we must have a system of equations : two equations with same variables.

There is two methods to solve a system of equations:

1) substitution
2) elimination
Substitution method:

1) Take one equation and consider one of variables as a constant.

2) Solve the linear equation in terms of one variable.

3) Substitute the above solution in other equation and solve the new linear equation in one
variable.
4) Put the solution in one of equations.

Find the solution of the 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑𝒚 = 𝟏𝟑 and 𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 = 𝟐.

𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2 → 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑦 = 2 − 2𝑦 → 𝑥 = 2 − 2𝑦
4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 13 → 4 2 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑦 = 13 → 8 − 8𝑦 + 3𝑦 = 13 → 8 − 8 + −8 + 3 𝑦 = 13 − 8
→ −5𝑦 = 5 5𝑦 5
→− = → 𝑦 = −1
5 −5
Put 𝑦 = −1 in 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2 → 𝑥 + 2 −1 = 2 →𝑥−2=2 →𝑥 =4 The solution is 4, −1 .
 Elimination method

1) Make the coefficients of one variable the same in both equations by multiplying the appropriate numbers.
2) Subtract equations from each other

3) Solve the new equation and put the solution in one of equations.

Find the solution of the 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑𝒚 = 𝟏𝟑 and 𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 = 𝟐.

4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 13 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 13
×4
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2 4𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 8

4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 13
-4𝑥 − 8𝑦 = −8

0 − 5𝑦 = 5 → 𝑦 = −1

→ 𝑥 + 2 −1 = 2 →𝑥−2=2 →𝑥 =4

→ The solution is 4, −1 .
Jack is 13 years older than Ben. In 8 years, he will be twice as old as Ben. How
old is Jack now?

The ben’s age = 𝐵 ∗ 𝐽 = 𝐵 + 13

The jack’s age = 𝐽 𝐽 + 8 = 2(𝐵 + 8)

∗
𝐽 + 8 = 2𝐵 + 16 → 𝐵 + 13 + 8 = 2𝐵 + 16
→ 13 + 8 − 16 = 2B − B
→B=5
→ 𝐽 = 5 + 13 = 18
3𝑥−𝑦 = 33 𝑥−𝑦 =3
→
3 𝑥+𝑦
=3 5 𝑥+𝑦=5

𝑥−𝑦 =3
𝑥+𝑦=5

2𝑥 = 8 →𝑥=4
Inequalities
Inequalities are expressions that use <, >, ≤ 𝑜𝑟 ≥ to describe the relationship between two values.
𝑥 <𝑦 x is less than y
𝑥 >𝑦 x is greater than y
𝑥 ≤𝑦 x is less than or equal to y or x is at most y
𝑥 ≥𝑦 x is greater than or equal to y or x is at least y

5>4, y ≤ 7, x < 5, 2x + 3 ≥ 0

compound inequalities: Expressions two inequalities together

−1 < 𝑧 ≤ 3, −1 is less than 𝑧 and 𝑧 is at most 3. or 𝑧 is greater than −1 and at most 3

To visualize an inequality, it is helpful to represent it on a number line:

solving an inequality :

Find the set of all values of the variable that make the inequality true.
𝑥 + 3 > 8 has the solution 𝑥 > 5 (for all x greater than 5 the inequality is true).

Unlike equations there is just four operations +, − ,×,÷ (no exponent or root or …) that we can do to inequalities.

you can add or subtract any terms to both sides without changing the direction of inequality.
If you multiply or divide both sides by a positive term the direction of inequality is preserved.

But if you multiply or divide both sides by a negative term the direction of inequality is reversed.

𝑳<𝑹→ 𝑳±𝑻<𝑹±𝑻 𝑻 is an arbitrary term

𝑳 < 𝑹 → 𝑳 ×÷ 𝑻 < 𝑹 ×÷ 𝑻 𝑻>𝟎

𝑳 < 𝑹 → 𝑳 ×÷ 𝑻 > 𝑹 ×÷ 𝑻 𝑻<𝟎
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 < 𝟕

→ 2𝑥 + 5 − 5 < 7 − 5

2𝑥 2
→ 2𝑥 < 2 → < →𝑥<1
2 2

−𝟐𝒚 + 𝟗 ≥ 𝟔

→ −2𝑦 + 9 − 9 ≥ 6 − 9
−2𝑦 −3 3
→ −2𝑦 ≥ −3 → ≤ →𝑦≤
−2 −2 2

Note: we can’t multiply or divide an inequality by a variable

(unless we know the sign of variable)
1
𝒂𝒙 < −𝟏 → 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 > 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 < −
𝑎
1
→ 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 < 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 > −
𝑎
Like inequalities can be added

If x < y and w < z, then x + w < y + z

If 𝟎 < 𝒔𝒕 < 𝟏, then which of the following can be true?

𝐴 𝑠 < −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 > 0

𝐵 𝑠 < −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 < −1

𝐶 𝑠 > −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 < −1

𝐷 𝑠 > 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 < −1

Absolute Value inequality

Consider the inequality |𝑥| < 5. how we can solve it?

If 𝑥 > 0 → 𝑥 = 𝑥 → 𝑥 < 5.
→ −5 < 𝑥 < 5.
If 𝑥 < 0 → |𝑥| = −𝑥 → – 𝑥 < 5 → 𝑥 > −5.

Memorize: 𝒙 ≤ 𝒂 → −𝒂 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝒂, 𝒙 ≥ 𝒂 → 𝒙 ≤ −𝒂 and 𝒙 ≥ 𝒂

𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏 < 𝟓

→ −5 < 2𝑥 − 1 < 5 → −5 + 1 < 2𝑥 − 1 + 1 < 5 + 1

→ −4 < 2𝑥 < 6
4 2𝑥 6
→− < < → −2 < 𝑥 < 3
2 2 2
Memorize these:

𝒙𝟐 = 𝒄 →𝑥=± 𝑐
𝒙𝟐 < 𝒄 →− 𝑐<𝑥< 𝑐
𝒙𝟐 > 𝒄 → 𝑥 < − 𝑐 𝐨𝐫 𝑥 > 𝑐

𝒙𝟑 = 𝒄 →𝑥= 3
𝑐
𝒙𝟑 < 𝒄 𝑜𝑟 𝒙𝟑 > 𝒄 →𝑥< 3
𝑐 𝑜𝑟 𝑥> 3
𝑐

𝒙 =𝒄 → 𝑥 = ±𝑐
𝒙 <𝒄 → −𝑐 < 𝑥 < 𝑐

𝒙 >𝒄 → 𝑥 < −𝑐 𝐨𝐫 𝑥 > 𝑐

𝐧
𝒙=𝒄 → 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑛
The prisoner term

To solve these equations, first take the whole prisoner term as a new variable. Then solve the equation.

solve the equation 𝟓 𝟑𝒚 − 𝟒 − 𝟕 = 𝟏𝟑

5𝑥 20
5𝑥 − 7 = 13 → 5𝑥 = 13 + 7 → 5𝑥 = 20 → = →𝑥=4
5 5
→ 3𝑦 − 4 = 4 3𝑦 − 4 = 4
→ ቊ
3𝑦 − 4 = −4
3𝑦 8 8
3𝑦 = 4 + 4 → 3𝑦 = 8 → = →𝑦=
3 3 3
3𝑦 = −4 + 4 → 3𝑦 = 0 →𝑦=0

solve the inequality −𝟐 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟓 − 𝟗 ≥ −𝟏𝟑.

−2y −4
−2y − 9 ≥ −13 → −2y ≥ −13 + 9 → −2y ≥ −4 → ≤ →y≤2
−2 −2
→ 3𝑥 + 5 ≤ 2 → −2 < 3𝑥 + 5 < 2 → −2 − 5 < 3𝑥 + 5 − 5 < 2 − 5
−7 3𝑥 −3 7
→ −7 < 3𝑥 < −3 → < < → − < 𝑥 < −1
3 3 3 3
 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟑 𝟒 − 𝒙
− 𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎
5𝑥 − 3 4 − 𝑥 𝟐𝒙
→ = 14
2𝑥
×2𝑥
5𝑥 − 3 4 − 𝑥 = 28𝑥
→ 5𝑥 − 12 + 3𝑥 = 28𝑥
12 3
→ 20𝑥 = −12 →𝑥=− =−
20 5

𝟑
𝟓 𝒙− 𝟏 − 𝟑𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎
3
5 𝑥− 1 − 30 + 30 = 10 + 30

5 3
40 3
→ 𝑥− 1 = → 𝑥− 1 =8
5 5
3 3 3
→ 𝑥− 1 = 8 →𝑥−1=2

→𝑥 =2+1 →𝑥=3
Functions
• The value of a function changes as the value of the independent
variable changes.
• Ex: 𝑓 𝑥 = 5 𝑥 − 1 3 − 11, 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 , 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2
the value of the function, 𝑓, depends on the independent variable 𝑥.
The independent variable can’t be anything arbitrary. In the third
example the number below radical have to be non-negative. Thus we
should have 𝑥 − 2 ≥ 0 → 𝑥 ≥ 2. Moreover the output of the function
is a non-negative number.
• The "domain" of a function indicates the possible inputs. The "range"
of a function indicates the possible outputs.
Substitution
• Numerical Substitution:
In problem like these you just input the given number in place of
independent variable.
Ex: If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 1. what is the value of 𝑓(3)?
𝑓 3 = 32 − 5 3 − 1 = 9 − 15 − 1 = −7
• Variable Substitution: In these problems like above you input the
new given variable.
1 2
Ex: If 𝑓 𝑦 = 𝑦
− 3𝑦 what is the value of 𝑓 𝑣 − 1 ?
2
1 2
1 2
𝑓 𝑣 − 1 = 𝑣 − 1 − 3 𝑣 − 1 = 𝑣 − 2𝑣 + 1 − 3𝑣 + 3
2 2
1 2 1 1 2 7
= 𝑣 − 𝑣 + − 3𝑣 + 3 = 𝑣 − 4𝑣 +
2 2 2 2
Compound Functions
• Let two function 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) is given and asked to find 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) or
𝑔 𝑓 𝑥 . The procedure is the same as variable substitution.
Ex: If 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔 𝑥 = 3𝑥, what is the 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))?
𝑓 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑓 3𝑥 = 2 3𝑥 2 − 4 = 2 9𝑥 2 − 4 = 18𝑥 2 − 4
But what if they want 𝑓 𝑔 2 ?
you can compute 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) first and then input 𝑥 = 2.
𝑓 𝑔 2 = 18 2 2 − 4 = 72 − 4 = 68
but the faster way is that you first compute 𝑔(2) and then input the
result in 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑔 2 = 3 2 = 6 → 𝑓 𝑔 2 = 𝑓 6 = 2 6 2 − 4 = 2 36 − 4 = 68
The function f has the property that f(x) = f(x + 1) for all numbers x. If f (4) = 17,
what is the value of f(8) ?