Algebraic Methods Cheat Sheet Pure Year 1

In this chapter you will learn about Algebraic fractions and constructing mathematical proofs The factor theorem:
Algebraic Fractions: Start by writing 𝑛# − 𝑛 as multiple of two terms. We can do that by factorising the term as
The factor theorem is a quick way of finding simple linear factor of a polynomial
Fractions whose numerator and denominator are algebraic expressions are called algebraic follows
fractions 𝑛# − 𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)
The factor theorem states that if f(𝑥) is a polynomial then,
• If f(𝑝) = 0, then (𝑥 − 𝑝) is a factor of f(𝑥)
Any number is either ODD or EVEN. Now consider if 𝑛 is even, then 𝑛 − 1 must be odd which
Simplifying algebraic fractions: • If (𝑥 − 𝑝) is a factor of f(𝑥) , then f(𝑝) = 0
implies
To simplify algebraic fractions you will have to cancel common factor. But sometimes, you
𝑛 × (𝑛 − 1) ⇒ Even × Odd = Even
have to factorise the expression before you cancel common factor. Example 3: f(𝑥) = 3𝑥 & − 12𝑥 # + 6𝑥 − 24 If 𝑛 − 1 is even then 𝑛 must be odd which implies
Example 1: a) Use factor theorem to show that (𝑥 − 4) is a factor of f(𝑥) 𝑛 × (𝑛 − 1) ⇒ Odd × Even = Even
a) b) Hence, show that 4 is the only real root of the equation f(𝑥) = 0
!" ! #$" " %&" Hence, 𝑛# − 𝑛 is even for all values of 𝑛
Divide each numerator by 2𝑥 a)
'"
!" ! $" " According to the theorem,
%" Prove an Identity:
= #" − #" + #" Identical statements mean they are always equal mathematically. In this section you will have to
If (𝑥 − 4) is a factor of 3𝑥 & − 12𝑥 # + 6𝑥 − 24 , then f(4) must be equal to 0
= 4𝑥 # − 2𝑥 $ + 3 prove an identity. That is, you will have to show the right hand side of the equation equal to left
hand side.
Substitute 𝑥 = 4 in the polynomial
(/%$)(1/#2) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 & − 12𝑥 # + 6𝑥 − 24
b) Cancel the common factor of (3𝑥 − 1) Example 5: Prove that H𝑥 + I𝑦KH𝑥 − I𝑦K ≡ 𝑥 # − 𝑦
(1/#2) ∴ 𝑓(4) = 3(4)& − 12(4)# + 6(4) − 24
= 192 − 192 + 24 − 24 Start by solving one side of the identity. It will be logical to start
= 𝑥+4 =0 with H𝑥 + I𝑦KH𝑥 − I𝑦K as this can be expanded.
So (𝑥 − 4) is a factor of 3𝑥 & − 12𝑥 # + 6𝑥 − 24
With Factorise Cancel Common Factor b) H𝑥 + I𝑦KH𝑥 − I𝑦K = 𝑥H𝑥 − I𝑦K + I𝑦H𝑥 − I𝑦K
C) Factorise To find the root of the equation, first you need to use long division to factorise the = 𝑥 # − 𝑥 I𝑦 + 𝑥I𝑦 − (I𝑦I𝑦) 𝑎𝑠I𝑦 × I𝑦 = 𝑦
polynomial and equate it to 0 = 𝑥# − 𝑦
" # %1"%' ("%')("%2) "%' 3x 2 + 6
" # %3"%$
= ("%$)("%2)
= "%$ ⇒ H𝑥 + I𝑦KH𝑥 − I𝑦K ≡ 𝑥 # − 𝑦
x - 4 3x3 - 12x 2 + 6 x - 24 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 4)(3𝑥 # + 6)
Hence, we have proved the identity.
Dividing polynomials 3x3 - 12x 2
Equate 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
A polynomial is a finite expression with positive whole number indices ( ≥ 0 ) 6 x - 24 Methods of proof:
There are different methods to prove a mathematical statement. However, in this chapter you
6 x - 24 (𝑥 − 4)(3𝑥 # + 6) = 0
Polynomials Not polynomials will only learn Proof by Exhaustion.
$
0
𝟑𝒙 + 𝟓, 𝟑𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝟓𝒚 + 𝟔, 𝟖 - √𝑥, 5𝑥 "# , %
Proof by Exhaustion: In this method you will have to split your statement into smaller cases and
3𝑥 # + 6 is a quadratic equation
prove each case separately. This way you will be able to prove that the statement is true.
You can use long division to divide polynomial by (𝑥 ± 𝑝), where p is a constant ⇒ 𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = 0, 𝑐 = 6
And to check if the roots are real or not, you need to find discriminant i.e. 𝑏# − 4𝑎𝑐
Example 6: Prove that the sum of two consecutive square numbers between 1# and 8# is an odd
Example 2: Write the polynomial 4𝑥 & + 9𝑥 # − 3𝑥 − 10 If 𝑏# − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0 ⇒ equation has no real roots
By substituting the values of a, b and c in the discriminant we get, number.
in the form (𝑥 ± 𝑝)(𝑎𝑥 # + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) by dividing
𝑏# − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0 − 4(3)(6) = −72 < 0
Hence 3𝑥 # + 6 has no real roots. Therefore 𝑓(𝑥) has only one real root of 𝑥 = 4 You will prove this by exhaustion. Start by listing all square numbers between 1# and 8# and add
4x 2 Start by dividing the first term by 𝑥, so that the consecutive square numbers to get a result,
4𝑥 & ÷ 𝑥 = 4𝑥 #
x + 2 4 x 3 + 9 x 2 - 3x - 10 Mathematical proof:
2# + 3# = 𝑂𝑑𝑑, 3# + 4# = 𝑂𝑑𝑑, 4# + 5# = 𝑜𝑑𝑑, 5# + 6# = 𝑜𝑑𝑑, 6# + 7# = 𝑂𝑑𝑑
Key terms:
4x + 8x 3 2 Multiply (𝑥 + 2) by 4𝑥 # Now you can see, each case is proved to be an odd number
Theorem Mathematical statement (or a Conjecture)
2
So that 4𝑥 # × (𝑥 + 2) = 4𝑥 & + 8𝑥 # So, the sum of two consecutive square numbers between 1# and 8# is always an odd number.
x - 3x A statement that has been proven A statement that has yet to be proven
Subtract, Counter-example:
So that (4𝑥 & + 9𝑥 # ) − (4𝑥 & + 8𝑥 # ) = 𝑥 # In this section you will have to prove mathematical statement (or conjecture). In simple
You can prove a mathematical statement is not true by counter-example. A counter-example is
#
4𝑥 + 𝑥 − 5 And copy −3𝑥 words you will have to show that the mathematical statement is true in specified cases.
one example that does not work for the given statement. To disprove a statement one counter
You will have to use the following steps to prove a statement
x + 2 4 x 3 + 9 x 2 - 3x - 10 example is enough.

4 x 3 + 8x 2 Repeat the process till you get a remainder Example 7: Show, by means of a counter-example, that the following inequality does not hold
Start with
x 2 - 3x Clearly show Statement of when p and q are both negative
know facts
If the remainder is 0 then the divisor, in this logical steps proof
x2 + 2 x
or theorems 𝑝 + 𝑞 > I4𝑝𝑞
case (𝑥 + 2) is a factor of Start by taking negative values for both 𝑝 and 𝑞
-5 x - 10 polynomial 4𝑥 & + 9𝑥 # − 3𝑥 − 10 𝑝 = −1, 𝑞 = −2
- 5 x - 10 𝑝 + 𝑞 = (−1) − (−2) = −1 + 2 = 1
0 Example 4: Prove that 𝑛# − 𝑛 is an even number for all values of 𝑛.
I4𝑝𝑞 = I4(−1)(−2) = √8
Hence, 4𝑥 & + 9𝑥 # − 3𝑥 − 10 = (𝑥 + 2)(4𝑥 # + 𝑥 − 5)
You know the fact that ODD×EVEN = EVEN. But 1 < √8, i.e. 𝑝 + 𝑞 < I4𝑝𝑞
Hence by counter example, we proved the inequality is not true for negative values

https://bit.ly/pmt-cc
https://bit.ly/pmt-edu https://bit.ly/pmt-cc