CHAPTER ONE

FRACTIONS
2
A fraction is part of a whole. It is expressed as a figure placed on top of another figure. Example 3, the
number on top is the numerator and the one below or bottom is the denominator. The denominator
gives you the name of the fraction. It tells you how many equal parts there are in the whole one. The
3
numerator tells you the number of these equal parts you are dealing with. For example, 5 means 3 out
of 5 equal parts.

TYPES OF FRACTIONS

Based on the numerator and denominator, which are parts of a fraction, there are different types of
fractions as listed below:

Proper fraction

Proper fractions are fractions in which the numerator is less than its denominator. For example,
5 3 2
, , , and
7 8 5
so on are proper fractions.

Improper Fraction

An improper fraction is the type of fraction in which the numerator is more than or equals to the
4 5 8
denominator. It is always the same or greater than the whole, for example 3 , 2 , 5, and so on.

Unit Fraction
1 1 1
Fractions in which the numerator is one are known as unit fractions. For example, 4 , 7 , 9, and so on.

Mixed Fraction
1
A mixed fraction is a mixture of a whole number and a proper fraction. For example, 5 , where 5
3

1 1 5 1
is the whole number and 3 is the proper fraction or 2 3 , 5 7 , 1 4, and so on.

Equivalent Fraction

Equivalent Fractions are the fractions that represent the same value after they are simplified. Example
10 15 5
, , and 7
14 21
are Equivalent fractions.

Like and unlike Fractions

1
 5 3 17 31
Like fractions are the fractions that have the same denominators. For example, 15 , 15 , 15, and 15 are like
fractions.
2 9 3 39
Unlike Fractions are the fractions which have different denominators. For example, , , , and are
7 11 13 46
unlike fractions.

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF FRACTION

Fractions can only be added or subtracted if they have the same denominator

PROCEDURE

To add and subtract fraction, the following steps should be followed

• If we have mixed fractions changed them to improper fractions

• Then, find the LCM or LCD of the denominators
• And we do the necessary addition or subtraction
• Always try to reduce the fraction to its lowest term, by canceling using a common factor.
• Finally, if you arrived at an improper fraction, changed it back to mixed fraction.

EXAMPLES
Simplify the following:
5 1 1 1 3 1 3 2
(a) 6
+ 4 (b) 2 2 − 2 5 (c) 2 5 + 1 3 (d) 4
−8
Solutions
5 1 3 1 13 4
(a) 6
+ 4
(C) 2 5 + 1 3 = 5
+3
LCM = 24 LCM = 15
20+6 26 13 1 13+20 59 14
24
= 24
= 12
= 1 12 15
= 15 = 3 15

1 1 5 11 3 2
(b) 2 2 − 2 5 = 2 − 5
(d) 4 − 8
LCM = 10 LCM = 8
25−22 3 6−2 4 1
10
= 10 8
=8=2

EXERCISE 1
Simplify the following
1 3 3 2 3 5 3 2 3 1 3 1 1 3
(a) 2
+ 4 (b)4 − 4 (c)5 + 8 + 4 (d)6 5 − 2 10 (e)3 8 − 2 4 + 4 2 (f)9 2 − 3 5

MULTIPLICATION OF FRACTIONS

PROCEDURES

To multiply fractions, the following must be honored.

2
 • Change all mixed fractions to improper fractions
• Simplify the fractions using a common factor.
• Finally, multiply the numerator and denominator together.

EXAMPLES

Simplify the following:

1 3 2 4 2 1 3 1 1
a) 2 2 × 15 (b) 3 × 5 (c) 3 × 4 × 4 (d) 3 2 × 1 7

Solutions
1 3 5 3 3 1 2 1 3 6 1
a) 2 × = × = = (c) × × = =
2 15 2 15 6 2 3 4 4 48 8

2 4 8 1 1 7 8
b) 3
× 5 = 15 (d) 3 2 × 1 7 = 2 × 7 = 4

EXERCISE

Simplify the following:

3 1 1 2 1 2 7 10 2 3
a) 2 4 × 1 2 (b) 6 × 2 8 (c)3 2 × 4 5 (d)5 × 8 × 11 (e)5 × 1 7

DIVISION OF FRACTION

To divide fraction, we multiply by the reciprocal of the fraction, and apply the rules for multiplication of
fractions

EXAMPLES

Simplify the following:

7 7 1 5 3 4 2 1 4
a) 2
÷ 8 (b) 1 4 ÷ 2 (c) 3 14 ÷ 1 21 (d) 2 3 × 3 2 ÷ 2 5
Solutions
7 7 7 8 1 5 5 5 5 2 1 3 4 45 25 45 21 27
a) 2
÷8=2×7=4 (b) 1 4 ÷ 2 = 4 ÷ 2 = 4 × 5 = 2 (c) 3 14 ÷ 1 21 = 14 ÷ 21 = 14 × 25 = 10 =

7 2 1 4 8 7 14 8 7 5 20 10 1
2 (d) 2 × 3 ÷ 2 = × ÷ = × × = = =3
10 3 2 5 3 2 5 3 2 14 6 3 3

EXERCISE

3
 2 5 1 1 5 1 1 1
a) 1 3 ÷ 6 (b) 2 2 ÷ 4 (c)3 7 ÷ 4 7 (d) 6 ÷ 3 (e) 2 ÷ 4
ORDER OF OPERATIONS (BODMAS)

When working problems involving fractions which have more than one of the following signs; ‘of’,
×, +, − and ÷, we use what is known as BODMAS. The following steps should be followed in the order
shown:

STEP 1: Deal with anything in Brackets first (if there is any) i.e. ‘( )’

STEP 2: Deal with O = ‘Of’ (if there is any) i.e. ‘×’

STEP3: Deal with D = Division (if there is any) i.e. ‘÷’

STEP 4: Deal with M = Multiplication (if there is any) i.e. ‘×’

STEP 5: Deal with A = Addition (if there is any) i.e. ‘+’

STEP 6: Deal with S = Subtraction (if there is any) i.e. ‘−′

EXAMPLES

Evaluate the following

2 3 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
I) 1 3 − (1 4 ÷ 2 8) II) 2 3 + 2 of 3 3 III) (2 3 + 4 2) ÷ 8 5 IV) 2 × (3 3 + 1 6)

1 1 7 1
1 1 1 5 1 1 3 −2 2 ×1
3 2 8 5
V) (1 3 × 2 4) + (2 2 ÷ 6
) VI) 10 ÷ (3 2 + 1 5) VII) 5 VIII) 1
8−2
2 4

SOLUTIONS

2 3 5 5 7 21 5 7 8 5 2 3
I) 1 3 − (1 4 ÷ 2 8) = 3 − (4 ÷ 8
) = 3 − (4 × 21) = 3 − 3 = 3 = 1

1 1 1 7 1 10 7 5 12
II) 2 3 + 2 of 3 3 = 3 + (2 × 3
) =3+3= 3
=4

1 1 1 7 9 41 14+27 41 41 5 5
III) (2 + 4 ) ÷ 8 = ( + ) ÷ = ( )÷ = × =
3 2 5 3 2 5 6 5 6 41 6

1 1 10 7 20+7 27
IV) 2 × (3 3 + 1 6) = 2 × ( 3 + 6) = 2 × ( 6
) =2× 6
=9

1 1 1 5 4 9 5 5 5 6
V) (1 3 × 2 4) + (2 2 ÷ 6) = (3 × 4) + (2 ÷ 6) = 3 + (2 × 5) = 3 + 3 = 6

1 1 7 6 35+12 47 10 100 6
VI) 10 ÷ (3 + 1 ) = 10 ÷ ( + ) = 10 ÷ ( ) = 10 ÷ = 10 × = =2
2 5 2 5 10 10 47 47 47

4
 1 1 10 5 20−15 5
3 −2 − 5 5 5 2 1
3 2 3 2 6 6
VII) 5 = 5 = 5 = 5 = 6÷2 = 6×5 = 3
2 2 2 2

7 1 23 6 69 69
2 ×1 × 69 23 69 4 3
8 5 8 5 20 20
VIII) 1 = 9 = 32−9 = 23 = ÷ = × =
8−2 8− 20 4 20 23 5
4 4 4 4

EXERCISE

Evaluate the following

1 3
1 1 1 3 2 3 3 −1 1 1
4 5
i) (3 + 7) ÷ (4 − 3) ii) + of ÷ 1 iii) 2 iv) (3 + 7) ÷ (4 − 3)
2 3 2 4 5 5 4 2 3
5

1 1 5 1 2 5 3
2 1 1 1 −2 + ( × )−( ÷ ) 3 1 2 1
3 9 3 2 3 12 4
v) (3 of 2 2) ÷ (3 2 − 2 4) vi) 2 1 vii) 1 7 viii) (2 5 × 1 9) − (2 9 + 3)
− +
3 6 6 2

5
 CHAPTER TWO

INDICES

This is a short hand notation, that is a way of shortening the product of numbers that are the same or
identical. For instance, the number 23 the 3 is called the power, index, or exponent and the 2 is the base.
An index tells you how many of the base number to multiply altogether. For example, 𝑎3
means 𝑎 × 𝑎 × 𝑎. An index can be positive or negative

LAWS OF INDICES

1) MULTIPLICATION LAW: This law states that when the bases are the same, take one of the
bases and add their powers
𝒂𝒎 × 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎+𝒏
EXAMPLES
1) 𝑎2 × 𝑎3 = 𝑎2+3 = 𝑎5
2) 23 × 23 = 23+3 = 26
3) 𝑚4 × 𝑚2 × 𝑚 = 𝑚4+2+1 = 𝑚7
4) 𝑎2 𝑏𝑚 × 𝑎3 𝑏 −2 𝑚0 = 𝑎2 × 𝑏 × 𝑚 × 𝑎3 × 𝑏 −2 × 𝑚0 = 𝑎2+3 × 𝑏1−2 × 𝑚1+0 = 𝑎5 𝑏 −1 𝑚
5) 𝑦 3 × 𝑦 4 × 𝑦 2 = 𝑦 3+4+2 = 𝑦 9
2) DIVISION LAW: This states that when dividing powers of the same quantity, we subtract the
index of the denominator from that of the numerator or we take one of the bases and subtract their
powers
𝒂𝒎
𝒂𝒎 ÷ 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎−𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎−𝒏
𝒂
EXAMPLE
1) 𝑎7 ÷ 𝑎3 = 𝑎7−3 = 𝑎4
2) 45 ÷ 42 = 45−2 = 43 = 64
18𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 18×𝑥×𝑥𝑦×𝑦×𝑧
3) 6𝑥𝑦𝑧
= 6×𝑥×𝑦×𝑧 = 3𝑥𝑦
𝑥5
4) 𝑥2
= 𝑥 5−2 = 𝑥 3
25𝑎4 𝑚6 52 𝑎 4 𝑚 6
5) 5𝑎 2 𝑚4
= 51 𝑎 2 𝑚 4
= 52−1 𝑎4−2 𝑚6−4 = 5𝑎2 𝑚2
3) POWER OF A POWER LAW: When a base in a bracket is raised to a power with an outer
power, the inner power should be multiplied by the outer power
(𝑎𝑚 ) 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛
EXAMPLE
1) (𝑎3 ) 2 = 𝑎3×2 = 𝑎6
2) (23 𝑥 4 ) 2 = 23×2 𝑥 4×2 = 26 𝑥 8
3) (5𝑥𝑦) 2 = 51×2 𝑥1×2 𝑦1×2 = 52 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 25𝑥 2 𝑦 2
4) (2𝑥 4 𝑦 3 ) −2 = 2−2 𝑥 −8 𝑦 −6
5) (𝑎2 𝑏 3 ) 2 = 𝑎4 𝑏 6

6
 PROPERTIES OF INDICES
1. ZERO INDEX: When any number or quantity is raised to power zero, the result is one(1)
e.g. 𝑎𝟎 = 1, 80 = 1, 580 = 1, 1270 = 1
2. NEGATIVE INDEX: When a based raised to a negative index (power) it changes to a fraction
where in the numerator is always one
1
𝑎−𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 Examples
1 1
1) 2−3 = =
23 8
1 1
2) 3−4 = 34
= 81

1
NOTE: = 𝑎𝑛
𝑎 −𝑛

4) ROOTS INDEX: When a base is raised to a fraction in which the numerator is always one, the
denominator becomes the roots.
Examples
1
1) 42 = √4 = 2
1
3
2) 273 = √27 = 3
1
4
3) 164 = √16 = 2
5) FRACTIONAL INDEX: When a base raised to a fraction where in the numerator is more than
one, the denominator becomes the roots of the base while the numerator becomes the square of
the base. Examples
2
3
1) 273 = (√27) 2 = 32 = 9
3
2) 162 = (√16) 3 = 43 = 64
2
3
3) 1253 = (√125) 2 = 52 = 25
1 1 3 1 1
4) 3 = ( 4) = 23 = 8
42 √
6) POWER OF QUOTIENT OF TWO NUMBERS
𝑎 𝑛 𝑎𝑛
( ) = 𝑛 Example,
𝑏 𝑏
2 2 22 4
(3) = 32 =9
7) NEGATIVE POWER OF QUOTIENT OF TWO NUMBERS
𝑎 −𝑛 𝑏 𝑛
( ) =( )
𝑏 𝑎
2 −2 3 2 32 9
For Examples, (3) = (2) = 22 = 4

EXAMPLES
3 1
1) 9(1−2𝑥) = 243−(𝑥+1) 4) Simplify 6258 × 52 ÷ 25
32(1−2𝑥) = 3−5(𝑥+1) solution
3 1
Equate the powers (54 ) 8 × 52 ÷ 52

7
 3 1 3+1−4
( + −2)
2 − 4𝑥 = −5𝑥 − 5 5 2 2 =5 2 = 50 = 1
−4𝑥 + 5𝑥 = −5 − 2
𝑥 = −7

2) 9(2−𝑥) = 3, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑥
Solution
9(2−𝑥) = 3
32(2−𝑥) = 31
34−2𝑥 = 31 , equate the powers
4 − 2𝑥 = 1
−2𝑥 = 1 − 4
−2𝑥 −3
=
−2 −2
3
𝑥=
2
1
3) Simplify 35𝑛 × 9𝑛−1 × 27𝑛+1
Solution
3−5𝑛 × 32(𝑛−1) × 33(𝑛+1)
3−5𝑛+2𝑛−2+3𝑛+3 = 3

EXERCISE

2𝑛+4 −6×2𝑛+1
1) (27 × 3−2 )(8 × 2−3 ) 6)
22(𝑛+1)
76 ×7−3 𝑥 3𝑎−2𝑏 𝑦 2
2) 74
7) 𝑥 2𝑎−2𝑏 𝑦
3−1 ×72 7 33 ×7−5 −5
3) 21𝑥 12 ÷ 14𝑥 3 8) ( )2 ÷( ) 2
33 ×7−4 2−2 ×73
10𝑥 6 𝑦 4
4) (28𝑦 7 × 𝑦 3 ) ÷ 14𝑦 5 9) 2𝑥 4 𝑦 2
49𝑚2 𝑥 −3
5) √ 36𝑚4 𝑥 −5 10) 81𝑎3 𝑏5 𝑐 2 ÷ 27𝑏 3 𝑐

EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS
These are equations which have the variable or unknown quantity as an index or exponent.
To solve such equations we always use the fact that if 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑦 → 𝑥 = 𝑦 provided 𝑎 is not -1,
0, or 1. Exponential equation maybe reduced to linear equation, quadratic equations, and
simultaneous equations

EXPONENTIAL EQUATION LEADING TO LINEAR EQUATION

Example 1 Example 5

If64𝑥 = 16 find the value of 𝑥 Solve the equation8𝑥−2 = 2𝑥−8

Solutions Solutions
64𝑥 = 16 (23 )𝑥−2 = 2𝑥−8

8
 = (43 ) 𝑥 = 42 Equate the powers
= 43𝑥 = 42 3𝑥 − 6 = 𝑥 − 8

Equate the powers 3𝑥 − 𝑥 = −8 + 6

3𝑥 = 2 2𝑥 = −2
2
𝑥=3 𝑥=1

Example 2 Example 6
1
If 3𝑥+1 = 94 , find the value of 𝑥 If 3𝑥−2 = 81 , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑥

Solutions Solutions

3𝑥+1 = 94 3𝑥−2 = (81) −1

→ 3𝑥+1 = (32 )4 3𝑥−2 = (34 )−1

→ 3𝑥+1 = 38 3𝑥−2 = 3−4

Equate the exponent Equate the exponent

𝑥+1=8 𝑥 − 2 = −4

𝑥 =8−1 𝑥 = −4 + 2

𝑥=7 𝑥 = −2

Example 3 Example 7
2 −1 21−𝑦 ×2𝑦−1
If 3𝑥 = 94 , find the value of 𝑥 If 2𝑦+2
= 82−3𝑦 , find y

Solutions Solutions

2 −1 21−𝑦 ×2𝑦−1
3𝑥 = (32 )4 2𝑦+2
= 23(2−3𝑦)

2 −1
3𝑥 = 38 21−𝑦+𝑦−1−(𝑦+2) = 26−9𝑦

Equate the exponent Equate the powers

𝑥2 − 1 = 8 1 − 𝑦 + 𝑦 − 1 − 𝑦 − 2 = 6 − 9𝑦

𝑥2 = 8 + 1 = 9 −𝑦 − 2 = 6 − 9𝑦

𝑥 = ±3 −𝑦 + 9𝑦 = 6 + 2
8𝑦 8
Example 4 8
=8

9
3√𝑥 = 9, find the value of 𝑥 𝑦=1

Solutions

3√𝑥 = 32 → √𝑥 = 2

𝑥=4

EXPONENTIAL EQUATION LEADING TO QUADRATIC EQUATION

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 3

Solve the equation 32𝑥 − 30(3𝑥 ) + 81 = 0 Solve 4𝑥 + 2 = 3(2𝑥 )

Solution Solution

(3𝑥 ) 2 − 30(3𝑥 ) + 81 = 0 (22 ) 𝑥 + 2 = 3(2𝑥 )

Let 𝑦 = 3𝑥 (2𝑥 ) 2 + 2 = 3(2𝑥 )

𝑦 2 − 30𝑦 + 81 = 0 let 2𝑥 = 𝑦

(𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 − 27) = 0 factorizing 𝑦 2 + 2 = 3𝑦

𝑦 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 = 27 𝑦 2 − 3𝑦 + 2 = 0

But 𝑦 = 3𝑥 (𝑦 − 2)(𝑦 − 1) = 0

3𝑥 = 31 →𝑥=1 𝑦 = 1 𝑜𝑟 2

3𝑥 = 27 = 33 but 𝑦 = 2𝑥 → 2𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 2

Hence 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 3. 2 𝑥 = 1 → 2 𝑥 = 20

EXAMPLE 2 𝑥 = 0, Also 2𝑥 = 2 → 2𝑥 = 21

2(2𝑥+1) − 9(2𝑥 ) + 4 = 0 𝑥=1

Solution ∴ 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 1

2(22𝑥 ) − 9(2𝑥 ) + 4 = 0 EXERCISE

2
2(2𝑥 ) 2 − 9(2𝑥 ) + 4 = 0 1) Solve 2𝑥 = 16𝑥−1
1 3𝑥 2 +1
Let 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2) Solve the equation (4) = 128𝑥

2(𝑦) 2 − 9(𝑦)+4=0 3) Find the value of 𝑥 in the following equation

2𝑦 2 − 9𝑦 + 4 = 0 a)2𝑥 = 64 b)42𝑥 = 16

10
(2𝑦 − 1)(𝑦 − 4) = 0 c)32𝑥+1 = 27 d)5𝑥+3 = 57
1
𝑦 = 2 𝑜𝑟 4 4) Solve 22𝑥+1 − 5(2𝑥 ) + 2 = 0

But 𝑦 = 2𝑥

1
2𝑥 = = 2−1
2

𝑥 = −1 and

2 𝑥 = 4 = 22

𝑥=2

Hence 𝑥 = −1 𝑜𝑟 2

EXPONENTIAL EQUATION LEADING TO SIMULTANEOUS EQUATION

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE THREE

1
Find the value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 satisfying the If 9(2−𝑥) = 27𝑦 and 𝑥 − 𝑦 = −1 Find the value of
2

1
equations. 𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 3 and 2𝑥+𝑦 = 4 𝑥+𝑦

Solutions Solutions

𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 3…………………….(1) 9(2−𝑥) = 27𝑦

First we have to reduce the exponential 32(1−𝑥) = 3𝑦

equation to a linear equation, i.e. Equate the power

1 1
2𝑥+𝑦 = 4 → 2𝑥+𝑦 = 22 2(1 − 𝑥) = 3𝑦

→ 2𝑥+𝑦 = 2−2 2 − 2𝑥 = 3𝑦

Since the bases are equal, we equate the powers 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 2…………(1)× 1

−3
𝑥 + 𝑦 = −2……………………(2) 𝑥−𝑦 = 2
……………(2) ×2

Now solve equation 1 and 2 simultaneously, 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 2

−6
𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 3…………………….(1) −(2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = )
2

𝑥 + 𝑦 = −2…………………….(2) 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 2
6
Eqn1−Eqn2 → 5𝑦 = 5 → 𝑦 = 1 −2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2

11
 6
Substitute 𝑦 = 1 into eqn 2 3𝑦 + 2𝑦 = 2 +

4+6
𝑥 + (1) = −2 5𝑦 =
2

5𝑦 10
𝑥 = −3 1
= 2

∴ 𝑥 = −3, 𝑦 = 1 cross multiply

10𝑦 10
EXAMPLE 2 10
= 10

1
If 2𝑥+𝑦 = 16 and 4𝑥−𝑦 = 32 𝑦=1

Find the value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 Substitute 𝑦 = 1 into eqn (1)

Solution 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 2

2𝑥+𝑦 = 24 2𝑥 + 3(1) = 2

Equate the powers 2𝑥 + 3 = 2

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4………………(1) 2𝑥 = 2 − 3
2𝑥 −1
4𝑥−𝑦 = 32−1 =
2 2

−1
4𝑥−𝑦 = 2−5 𝑥= 2

−1 1
22(𝑥−𝑦) = 2−5 for 𝑥 + 𝑦 = + 1=
2 2

Equate the powers EXERCISE

2(𝑥 − 𝑦) = −5 1) If 3𝑚 × 3𝑛 = 243 and 3𝑚 ÷ 32𝑛 = 9. Find

2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −5………...(2) value of 𝑚 and 𝑛

Solve eqn 1 and 2 simultaneously 2) Solve the following pairs of Equations

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4………………(1) a) 2𝑥−𝑦 = 8 and 23𝑥−𝑦 = 128

2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −5………….(2) b) 84−𝑥 = 21−𝑦 and 3𝑥+1 = 9−𝑦

1 1−𝑦
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 8 c) 23𝑥 = 8𝑦−1 and 3𝑥+2 = (9)

2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −5

2𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 8 − 5

12
4𝑥 3
=
4 4
3 3
𝑥 = , Substitute 𝑥 = into eqn(1)
4 4

𝑥+𝑦 =4

3
+𝑦 =4
4
4 3 16 − 3
𝑦= − →
1 4 4
13
𝑦=
4
1 13
∴ 𝑦 = 3 2, or 𝑥 = 4

13
 CHAPTER THREE
LOGARITHM

THEORY OF LOGARITHM

The logarithm of a number P to the base Q is 1

= 9𝑇
represented as log 𝑞 𝑝 = 𝑥 3
3−1 = 32(𝑇)
Hence log 𝑞 𝑝 = 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑝 = 𝑞 𝑥 Equate the powers
−1 = 2𝑇
Examples −1
𝑇=
Write down the value of the following 2
e) log10 0.001 = 𝑀
a) log 8 32 (b) log 1 16 (c)log 2 64 0.001
2 = 10𝑀
1 1000
(d)log 9 3 (e)log10 0.001 (f)log 7 √7 1
= 10𝑀
1000
Solutions 1000−1 = 10𝑀
a) log 8 32 = 𝑦 103(−1) = 10𝑀
32 = 8𝑦 = 25 = 23(𝑦) Equate the powers
Equate the powers −3 = 𝑚
5 = 3(𝑦) 𝑀 = −3
5 3𝑦 f) log 7 √7 = 𝐹
=
3 3 √7 = 7𝐹
5 1
𝑦= 72 = 7𝐹
3
Equate the powers
b) log 1 16 = 𝑦
2 1
1 𝑦 𝐹=
16 = 2
2
24 = 2−𝑦 LAWS OF LOGARITHM
Equate the powers
1. SUBTRACTION LAW: When log
4 = −𝑦
of the same bases are subtracted then
𝑦=4 you take one of the base and divide
c) log 2 64 = 𝑥 the powers
64 = 2𝑥
𝑝
26 = 2𝑥 log 𝑎 𝑝 − log 𝑎 𝑞 = log 𝑎 𝑞
Equate the powers
𝑥=6 Example: log 5 20 − log 5 4 =
1 20
d) log 9 3 = 𝑇 log 5 4
= log 5 5

14
2. ADDITION LAW: When log of the 8. CHANGE OF BASE: When the
bases are added then you take one of base of a log is to be changed
the base and multiply the powers separate the log into two and place
your desired base
i.e. log 𝑎 𝑝 + log 𝑎 𝑞 = log 𝑎 𝑝𝑞 log 𝑥
Eg. log 𝑦 𝑥 = log𝑛 𝑦
𝑛
Example: log 4 10 + log 4 5 =
log16 3
log 4 10 × 5 = log 4 50 log 2 3 =
log16 2
3. POWER LAW: When a log is
EXAMPLE ONE
raised to a power, then the power can
Evaluate the following
as well multiply the log itself. log10 20+log10 5
a) log10 2.5+log10 40
log 𝑎 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑛 log 𝑎 𝑥
log 91−log 13
Example: log 3 16 = log 3 42 = b) log 245−log 5
2 log 3 4
log5 81+log5 3
4. POWER OF THE BASE: When a c) log5 243−log5 9
base has a power, then the reciprocal
of that power is multiply by the log Solutions
1
i.e. log 𝑎2 𝑝 = 2 log 𝑎 𝑝 log10 20×5 log 100 log 102
a) = log10 100 = log10 102
1 log10 2.5×40 10 10
Example: log 53 15 = log 5 15 2 log10 10 2(1) 2
3
= = =1
2 log10 10 2(1) 2
5. RECIPROCAL LAW: When a
power need a base and a base need a 91
log 91−log 13 log10 log 7
power, the reciprocal of the log is b) = 13
245 = log 1049 =
log 245−log 5 log10 10
5
taken log10 7 log 7 1
1
= 2 log10 =2
log10 72 10 7
E.g. log 𝑦 𝑥 = log
𝑥𝑦
6. LOGARITHMN TO ITS OWN log5 81+log5 3 log5 81×3 log5 243
c) = 243 = =
BASE: Any log of the same equals log5 243−log5 9 log5 log5 27
9
to one log5 35 5 log 3 5
= 3 log5 3 = 3
Eg. log 5 5 = 1, log 0.5 0.5 = 1 log5 33 5

log √7√7 = 1
EXAMPLE TWO
log 32
7. LOGARITHMN OF ONE: Any a) Solve the log. log 8
log of one to any base is equals to log 49
b) log √7
zero
log𝑥 64
Eg. log 5 1 = 0, log √3 1 = 0 c) Find the value of. log𝑥 4
125 2 80
d) log − 2 log + log
8 5 125

15
e) Evaluate log √3 27√3 log √27−log√8
5. log 3−log 2
Solutions
6.
log 25 5 log 2 5
a) = 3 log 2 = 3
log 23
SUBSTITUTION OF
log 49 log 72 2 log 7 2 log 7 LOGARITHMN
b) = log√7 = 1 = 1 =
log √7 log 7 EXAMPLE 1
log 72 2
2 2 1 2 2 Given that log10 2 = 0 ∙ 3010,
1 =1÷2=1×1=4
2 log10 3 = 0 ∙ 4771, log10 5 = 0 ∙
6990, and log10 7 = 0 ∙ 8451
log𝑥 64 log𝑥 43 3 log𝑥 4
c) = = =3 Evaluate the following without using
log𝑥 4 log𝑥 4 log𝑥 4
tables
125 1
2 80
a) log10 14 (b) log10 35 − log10 6
d) log ( ) 3 − log(5) 2 + log 125 = (c) log10 0 ∙ 72
8
3 125 22 80 Solutions
log √ − log 52 + log 125 =
8 a) log10 14
5 4 80 5 25 80
log 2 ÷ 25 × 125 = log 2 × × 125 = log10 2 × 7
4
log10 10 = 1 = log10 2 + log10 7
= 0.3010 + 0 ∙ 8451
= 1.1461
e) Let log √3 27√3 = 𝑥
b) log10 35 − log10 6
log 27√3 = (√3) 𝑥
= log10 7 × 5 − log10 3 × 2
27√3 = (√3) 𝑥 = log 7 + log 5 − log 3
1 1
33 × 32 = (32 ) 𝑥 + log 2
1 1 = 0.8451 + 0.6990
33+2 = (32 ) 𝑥
6+1 1 − 0.4771
3 2 = (32 ) 𝑥 + 0.340
𝑥
37 =32 = 1.5441 − 0.778
7 𝑥 = 0.7661
=
2 2 c) log10 0 ∙ 72
𝑥=7
0.72 72
log = log
EXERCISE 100 100
1. log √3 9 = 𝑥
= log10 72 − log10 100
2. Without using mathematical tables or
calculator simplify
log2 8+log2 16−4 log2 2
= log10 9 × 8 − log10 102
log4 16
3. 2 log 𝑎 5 + log 𝑎 4 − 2 log 𝑎 10 = log10 32 + log10 23 − log10 102
4. log 1 8 = 𝑥
2 = 2 log10 3 + 3 log10 2 − 2 log10 10

16
= 2(0.4771) + 3(0.3010) − 2(1) 𝑎 = 101.3010 𝑏 = 101.4771

= 0.9030 + 0.9542 − 2 𝑎𝑏 = 101.3010 × 101.4771

= 1.8572 − 2 𝑎𝑏 = 101.3010+1.477

−0.1428 𝑎𝑏 = 102.7781

EXAMPLE 2 𝑎𝑏 = 599.929

Given that log10 𝑝 = 𝑎, log10 𝑧 = 𝑏, EXERCISE

1
𝑃3 𝑞4
log10 𝑠 = 𝑐. Express log10 ( ) in terms I. If log 7 2 = 0.356, and log 7 3 =
𝑠2
0.566
of a, b, and c
7 2
Solutions Find the value of 2 log 7 (15) +
25 7
log 7 (12) − 2 log 7 (3)
1
𝑃3𝑞4
log10 ( 2 )
𝑠 II. Given that log10 2 = 0.3010 and
log10 3 = 0.4771, Calculate without
1 using mathematical tables or
= log10 𝑝3 + log10 𝑞 4 − log10 𝑠 2 calculator the value of (a)log10 54
(b)log10 0.24
1 III. Without Using Mathematical tables
= log 𝑝 + 4 log10 𝑞 − 2 log10 𝑠
3 10 or calculator Simplify
log 2 8 + log 2 16 − 4 log 2 2
1
= (𝑎) + 4(𝑏) − 2(𝑐) log 4 16
3
𝑎 𝑎 4𝑏 2𝑐 𝑎+12𝑏+6𝑐
= 3 + 4𝑏 − 2𝑐 Or + − =
3 1 1 3

LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
EXAMPLE 3
LEADING TO QUADRATIC
EQUATION
If log10 𝑎 = 1.3010 and log10 𝑏 = 1.4771
I. Find the truth set of the equation
Find the value of 𝑎𝑏
log10 (2𝑥 2 − 1) =
1 𝑥
Solutions 1 + log10 ( − )
2 10
Solutions
log10 𝑎 = 1.3010, log10 𝑏 = 1.4771
log10 (2𝑥 2 − 1) =

17
 1 𝑥 𝑥 − 8 = 10𝑥 − 20
1 + log10 ( − )
2 10 10𝑥 − 𝑥 = −8 + 20
2𝑥 2 − 1 9𝑥 12
log10 ( )=1 =
1 𝑥 9 9
− 4 1
2 10 𝑥= =1
3 3
2𝑥 2 − 1
( ) = 101 = 10
1 𝑥 EXERCISE
2 − 10
1 𝑥
2𝑥 2 − 1 = 10 ( − ) Solve the following
2 10
2
2𝑥 − 1 = 5 − 𝑥
I. log10 (𝑥 + 9) = 1 + log10 (𝑥 + 1) −
2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6 = 0
log10 (𝑥 − 2)
(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) = 0 1
3 II. log 4 (𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 10) = 2 + log 4 (𝑥 2 +
𝑥 = 2, 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 − 5)
2
II. log10 (𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 28) = 2 III. log10 (𝑥 2 + 13𝑥) = 1 + log10 (1 +
Solution 𝑥)
log10 (𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 28) = log10 102 IV. Given that log 3 𝑥 − 3 log 𝑥 3 + 2 =
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 28 = 102 0. Find the value of x.
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 28 = 100
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 28 − 100 = 0 LOGARITHMIC EQUATION
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 72 = 0 LEADING TO SIMULTANEOUS
(𝑥 2 + 12𝑥) − (6𝑥 − 72) = 0 EQUATION
𝑥(𝑥 + 12) − 6(𝑥 + 12) = 0
EXAMPLE 1
Either
(𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 12) = 0
Solve the simultaneous Equation
𝑥 − 6 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 + 12 = 0
𝑥 = 0 + 6 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 0 − 12 𝑥𝑦 = 8……………(i)
𝑥 = 6 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −12
𝑥 = 6, −12 log 𝑥 − 2 log 𝑦 = 1………………(ii)
III. log10 (𝑥 − 8) = 1 − log10 (𝑥 − 2)
Solution

From equation (ii)

Solutions
log10 (𝑥 − 8) + log10 𝑥 − 2 = 1 log 𝑥 − 2 log 𝑦 = 1
𝑥−8
log10 ( ) = log10 101
𝑥−2 log 𝑥 − log 𝑦 2 = 1
𝑥 − 8 10
= 𝑥
𝑥−2 1 log10 ( 2 ) = log10 10
𝑥 − 8 = 10(𝑥 − 2) 𝑦

18
𝑥 10 log 𝑥 𝑦 = log 𝑥 𝑥 2
2
=
𝑦 1
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 …………….(iii)
𝑥 = 10𝑦 2 …………….(iii)
Put 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 into equation (ii)
Put equation (iii) into equation (I)
𝑥 × (𝑥 2 ) = 8
𝑥𝑦 = 80………………(I)
𝑥 3 = 8, but 8 = 23
(10𝑦 2 ) × 𝑦 = 80
𝑥 3 = 23
10𝑦 3 80
=
10 10 𝑥 = 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 3 = 8

𝑦 3 = 8, but 8= 23 3
𝑥 = √8 = 2

𝑦 3 = 23 But 𝑦 = 𝑥 2

𝑦 = 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 3 = 8 𝑦 = 22 = 4
3
𝑦 = √8 = 2 EXAMPLE 3

Now put 𝑦 = 2 into equation (iii) Solve the simultaneous Equation

𝑥 = 10(2) 2 log(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 0………………..(i)

𝑥 = 40 2 log 𝑥 = log(𝑦 + 1)………………(ii)

EXAMPLE 2 Solutions

Solve the simultaneous equation From equation (i)

log 𝑦 𝑥 = 2………………..(i) log(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 0

𝑥𝑦 = 8………………(ii) log10 (𝑥 + 𝑦) = log10 100

Solutions 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 100

From equation (i) 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1…………………(iii)

log 𝑦 𝑥 = 2 From equation (ii)

19
2 log 𝑥 = log(𝑦 + 1)

log 𝑥 2 = log(𝑦 + 1)

𝑥2 = 𝑦 + 1 EXERCISE

𝑥 2 − 𝑦 = 1………………(iv) I. Solve the simultaneous Equation

2 log 𝑦 = log 2 + 3 log 𝑥……. …..(i)
Solve equation (iii) and (iv) 2𝑦 = 4𝑥 …………. (ii)
II. Solve log 𝑦 𝑥 = 2……… …...(i)
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1………………..(iii) log 2 𝑥 + log 2 𝑦 = 3…………(ii)
III. Given that log 𝑎 27 + log 𝑏 4 = 5 and
2
𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1………………(iv) log 𝑎 27 − log 𝑏 4 = 1. Find the value
of 𝑎 and 𝑏
2𝑥 2 2 IV. Given that log 3 (𝑥 − 𝑦) = 1 and
=
2 2 log 3 (2𝑥 + 𝑦) = 2, find the value of
𝑥 and 𝑦
𝑥2 = 1

𝑥 = √1 = 1

Put 𝑥 = 1 into equation (iii)

𝑥+𝑦 =1

1+𝑦=1

𝑦 = 1−1 =0

20
 CHAPTER FOUR

ALGEBRA

In algebra letters are used to stand for number. When letters are used to stand for different
numbers, they are called variables. For example, consider the expression 2 + 𝑥 = 5. The
variable 𝑥 represent a specific number that will sum up to 5 when 2 is added to it.

An algebraic expression is a collection of letters and symbols combined with at least one or
more of the mathematical operations, +, −,×, or ÷. For example, 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 3, 5𝑝𝑞 3 , and 3𝑝𝑠𝑡 ÷
9𝑝2 𝑡 2 𝑠 are algebraic expression. Note that × and + signs are not usually written in algebraic
𝑎
expressions but you have to know that 𝑎𝑏 means 𝑎 × 𝑏 and 𝑏 means 𝑎 ÷ 𝑏

The terms in an expression are separated by plus (+) or minus(−) signs. For example, the terms
of 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 5 are 3𝑥, 2𝑦, and 5. A number on its own is called a constant term. For example,
in 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 5, the number 5 is the constant term. Note that a term consists of a number, letters
and powers of letters.

The coefficient of an algebraic term is the number Infront of a variable. For example, in 8𝑚, 8 is
the coefficient of 𝑚. The coefficient is multiplied by the variable so that 8𝑚 = 8 × 𝑚.

In like terms, the letters and powers of each letter must be the same. For example, 3𝑥 2 𝑦 and
−4𝑥 2 𝑦 are like terms but 3𝑥 2 𝑦 and −4𝑥𝑦 2 are not like terms.

FORMING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

Statement in words are often written as algebraic expressions in mathematics. Simple logic is
usually all what is required to translate a set of instructions into an algebraic expression.
Examples if 𝑥 represent an unknown number, then

a) 6 more than the number = 𝑥 + 6

b) 3 less than the number = 𝑥 − 3
c) 4 times the number = 4𝑥
𝑥
d) Half the number = 2
e) y more than the number = 𝑥 + 𝑦
f) y less than the number = 𝑥 − 𝑦
g) y times the number = 𝑥𝑦
h) the number subtracted from 5 = 5 − 𝑥

21
Example 2

If 4 times the number is subtracted from 3 and the result is multiplied by 7 then we have

7(3 − 4𝑥)

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION

Only like terms can be added or subtracted to give a single term. This is often called collecting
like terms.
Examples
Simplify the following expressions:

1) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑦
2) 2𝑝 − 3𝑞 + 3𝑝 + 5𝑞
3) 5𝑥 + 4 − 9𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 7
4) 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2
5) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 2

solution

6) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 4) 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2
Collect like terms Collect like terms
4𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 5𝑦 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 5𝑥𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 2
7𝑥 + 7𝑦 7𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2

7) 2𝑝 − 3𝑞 + 3𝑝 + 5𝑞 5) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 2
Collect like terms Collect like terms
2𝑝 + 3𝑝 − 3𝑞 + 5𝑞 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥
5𝑝 + 2𝑞 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥

1) 5𝑥 + 4 − 9𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 7
Collect like terms
5𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 9𝑦 + 2𝑦 + 4 − 7
8𝑥 − 7𝑦 − 3

EXERCISE
Simplify the following
1) 8𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 4𝑥 + 5𝑦
2) 7𝑝 − 3𝑞 + 3𝑝 + 2𝑞
3) 3𝑐 2 + 7𝑐𝑑 − 4𝑐 2 + 5𝑑
4) 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 2 𝑦 − 6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 𝑦

22
 MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
When multiplying or dividing expressions, it is easier if you group the numbers and the
same letters together and then use the basic rules of indices. Note that bracket may be
used to show multiplication.
Examples
Simplify the following expressions
1) 4𝑝 × 8𝑝2 = 32𝑝3
2) 5𝑥𝑦 2 × 4𝑥 4 𝑦 3 = 20𝑥 5 𝑦 5
3) −2𝑎 × 4𝑐 × 5𝑏 = −40𝑎𝑏𝑐
4) 15𝑦 3 ÷ 3𝑦 2 = 5𝑦
5) 16𝑎3 𝑏 2 ÷ 2𝑎𝑏 = 8𝑎2 𝑏

REMOVING BRACKETS

Brackets are used to group terms together. An expression with brackets in it can be replaced by
an equivalent one without brackets. This is called removing the brackets or expanding the
expression. To remove the brackets, we used the distributive law. Multiply the term outside the
bracket by each term inside the bracket. For example, 4𝑎(2𝑎 + 3) = 8𝑎2 + 12𝑎. Take care of
the signs when removing the brackets. Note that a letter or number without a sign is +. For
example, 2𝑎 means +2𝑎, 4 means +4 etc. When there is minus (– ) sign Infront of the brackets,
the sign inside the brackets changes when the brackets are removed.

Examples
Simplify the following

1) 2(5𝑥 − 4) 5) −4(2𝑦 − 3)
2) 5𝑛 − 3(2𝑚 + 3𝑛) 6) 8𝑝 − 3(2𝑞 + 2𝑝)
3) 7(2𝑝 + 3) − 4(𝑝 − 2) 7) 3(𝑦 + 5) + 6(𝑦 + 2)
4) 4(𝑏 − 2𝑎) + 3(𝑎 − 3𝑏) − 4(𝑏 − 𝑎)

Solutions
1) 2(5𝑥 − 4) 3) 7(2𝑝 + 3) − 4(𝑝 − 2)
Multiply each term by 2 Remove the bracket
10𝑥 − 8 14𝑝 + 21 − 4𝑝 + 8
Collect like terms
2) 5𝑛 − 3(2𝑚 + 3𝑛) 14𝑝 − 4𝑝 + 21 + 8
Remove the bracket 10𝑝 + 29
5𝑛 − 6𝑚 − 9𝑛 collect like terms
5𝑛 − 9𝑛 − 6𝑚
−4𝑛 − 6𝑚

23
4) 4(𝑏 − 2𝑎) + 3(𝑎 − 3𝑏) − 4(𝑏 − 𝑎) 6) 8𝑝 − 3(2𝑞 + 2𝑝)
Remove the bracket Remove the brackets
4𝑏 − 8𝑎 + 3𝑎 − 9𝑏 − 4𝑏 + 4𝑎 8𝑝 − 6𝑞 − 6𝑝 collect like
term
4𝑏 − 4𝑏 − 9𝑏 − 8𝑎 + 3𝑎 + 4𝑎 8𝑝 − 6𝑝 − 6𝑞
−𝑎 − 9𝑏 2𝑝 − 6𝑞

5) −4(2𝑦 − 3) 7) 3(𝑦 + 5) + 6(𝑦 + 2)

Multiply each term by −4 Remove the brackets
−8𝑦 + 12 3𝑦 + 15 + 6𝑦 + 12
. Collect like terms
. 3𝑦 + 6𝑦 + 15 + 12
. 9𝑦 + 27

EXERCISE

Remove brackets and simplify the following algebraic expression:

1. 5(𝑥 − 4)
2. −7(3𝑦 − 4)
3. 9𝑚 − 2(𝑚 + 𝑛)
4. 11𝑢 − 3𝑢(2𝑣 + 3)
5. −(2𝑥 + 4𝑦) − (𝑥 − 𝑦)
6. 8(−3𝑚 + 2𝑛) − 2(𝑚 + 𝑛)

EXPANDING BRACKETS

Expanding brackets is the same as removing brackets.

Examples
1. Expand (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 10) 3) Expand (𝑥 − 5)2
Solution: Solution
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 10) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 10) + 5(𝑥 + 10) (𝑥 − 5)2 = (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 5)
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 20 𝑥(𝑥 − 5) − 5(𝑥 − 5)
𝑥 2 + 15𝑥 + 50 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 25
2. Expand (𝑦 − 4)(𝑦 − 3) 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25
Solution:
(𝑦 − 4)(𝑦 − 3) = 𝑦(𝑦 − 3) − 4(𝑦 − 3)
𝑦 2 − 3𝑦 − 4𝑦 + 12
𝑦 2 − 7𝑦 + 12

24
4) Expand and simplify (5𝑚 + 6𝑛)(𝑢 − 𝑣) + (3𝑚 + 2𝑛)(2𝑢 + 𝑣)
Solution:
STEP 1. Expand the first two brackets:
(5𝑚 + 6𝑛)(𝑢 − 𝑣) = 𝑢(5𝑚 + 6𝑛) − 𝑣(5𝑚 + 6𝑛) Remove the bracket by multiplying
= 5𝑚𝑢 + 6𝑛𝑢 − 5𝑚𝑣 − 6𝑛𝑣
STEP 2. Expand the last two brackets:
(3𝑚 + 2𝑛)(2𝑢 + 𝑣) = 2𝑢(3𝑚 + 2𝑛) + 𝑣(3𝑚 + 2𝑛) Remove the bracket by multiplying
= 6𝑚𝑢 + 4𝑛𝑢 + 3𝑚𝑣 + 2𝑛𝑣
STEP 3. Collect like terms after the two expansions:
= 5𝑚𝑢 + 6𝑚𝑢 + 6𝑛𝑢 + 4𝑛𝑢 − 5𝑚𝑣 + 3𝑚𝑣 − 6𝑛𝑣 + 2𝑛𝑣
= 11𝑚𝑢 + 10𝑛𝑢 − 2𝑚𝑣 − 4𝑛𝑣

FACTORIZATION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

COMMON FACTORS
The general method used to factorize terms with common factors is to find the factor common to
all the terms in the expression and bring it outside the bracket.
Examples
Factorize the following expressions
i. 3𝑎𝑥 + 6𝑎𝑦 = 3𝑎(𝑥 + 2𝑦)
ii. 54 − 81𝑥 = 9(6 − 9𝑥)
iii. 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 𝑦)
iv. 100𝑥 − 25𝑥 2 = 25𝑥(4 − 𝑥)
v. 2𝑎 − 2𝑎2 = 2𝑎(1 − 𝑎)
vi. 5𝑎𝑥 − 15𝑎3 𝑥 2 = 5𝑎𝑥(1 − 3𝑎2 𝑥)
vii. 6𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 5 = 2𝑥 3 (3 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 )
viii. 7𝑎 − 7𝑎3 + 14𝑎4 = 7𝑎(1 − 𝑎2 + 2𝑎3 )
ix. 10𝑥 3 𝑦 2 − 25𝑥 4 𝑦 = 5𝑥 3 𝑦(2𝑦 − 5𝑥)

EXERCISE
Factorize the following expressions
1) 3𝑎2 − 6𝑎𝑥 6) 2𝑎7 + 3𝑎6 + 𝑎5 + 4𝑎3
2) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 7) 64𝑥 3 + 16𝑥 2
3) 10𝑎 − 15𝑏 + 5 8) 5𝑎4 − 10𝑎3 + 15𝑎𝑏
4) 4𝑎 − 𝑎𝑏 9) 15𝑝6 𝑞 4 − 6𝑝4 𝑞 3
5) 8𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 10) 3𝑥𝑦 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2

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METHOD OF GROUPING
Any expression may be resolved into factors if the terms can be arranged in groups which have
common compound factors. Such expression usually have four terms. The general method used
to factorize such expressions is to group the first two terms and the last two terms separately. In
doing so the terms in the brackets will be the same. Then put the factors in each group in one
bracket and multiply by the common term in the bracket.
Examples
1) Factorize completely: 𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 − 𝑎𝑏
Solution
𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 − 𝑎𝑏 = (𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥) + (𝑏𝑥 − 𝑎𝑏)
𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑎)
∴ (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 + 𝑏)

2) Factorize completely: 2𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 3𝑎 − 6

Solution
2𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 3𝑎 − 6 = (2𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 ) + (−3𝑎 − 6)
= 2𝑎2 (𝑎 + 2) − 3(𝑎 + 2)
= (𝑎 + 2)(2𝑎2 − 3)

3) Factorize completely: 2𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 30

Solution
2𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 30 = 2(𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 15)
= 2[(𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 ) + (5𝑥 − 15)]
= 2[(𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 3) + 5(𝑥 − 3)]
= 2(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 2 + 5)

4) Factorize completely: 18𝑚𝑛 + 4𝑚2 − 27𝑝𝑛 − 6𝑝𝑚

Solution
18𝑚𝑛 + 4𝑚2 − 27𝑝𝑛 − 6𝑝𝑚 = 18𝑚𝑛 − 27𝑝𝑛 + 4𝑚2 − 6𝑝𝑚
= (18𝑚𝑛 − 27𝑝𝑛) + (4𝑚2 − 6𝑝𝑚)
= 9𝑛(2𝑚 − 3𝑝) + 2𝑚(2𝑚 − 3𝑝)
= (2𝑚 − 3𝑝)(9𝑛 + 2𝑚)

5) Factorize completely: 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑤𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑤𝑧
Solution
𝑥𝑧 + 𝑤𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑤𝑧 = 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑤𝑧 + 𝑤𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦
= (𝑥𝑧 + 𝑤𝑧) + (𝑤𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦)
= 𝑧(𝑥 + 𝑤) + 𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑤)
= (𝑥 + 𝑤)(𝑧 + 𝑦)

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EXERCISE
Factorize the following expressions completely
1. 4𝑢𝑧 − 6𝑢𝑣 − 12𝑣𝑧 + 2𝑢2
2. 2𝑎𝑝 + 𝑎𝑞 − 𝑏𝑞 − 2𝑏𝑞
3. 3𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 − 12𝑎𝑐 − 8𝑏𝑐
4. 𝑚𝑝 + 𝑛𝑝 − 𝑚𝑡 − 𝑛𝑡
5. 𝑦(6𝑥 − 2) − 𝑧(3𝑥 − 1)

QUADRATIC EXPRESSION: A quadratic expression is an expression in which the higher

power of the symbol used is two (2). For example, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

Example 1 Example 3
Factorize 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 Factorize the expression 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 5
Solution Solution
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 5
Sum = 4𝑥 − 2𝑥 Sum= 3𝑥 − 5𝑥
Product = −8𝑥 2 = 4𝑥 × −2𝑥 Product= 3𝑥 × −5𝑥
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 5
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 8 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 5
𝑥(𝑥 + 4) − 2(𝑥 + 4) 3𝑥(𝑥 + 1) − 5(𝑥 + 1)
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2) (3𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1)

Example 2 Example 4
Factorize 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 Factorize 𝑘 2 − (2𝑎 − 3𝑏)𝑘 − 6𝑎𝑏
Solution Solution
2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 𝑘 2 − (2𝑎 − 3𝑏)𝑘 − 6𝑎𝑏
Sum= −2𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑘 2 − 2𝑎𝑘 + 3𝑏𝑘 − 6𝑎𝑏
Product= −2𝑥 × −𝑥 𝑘(𝑘 − 2𝑎) + 3𝑏(𝑘 − 2𝑎)
2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 (𝑘 − 2𝑎)(𝑘 + 3𝑏)
2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1
2𝑥(𝑥 − 1) − 1(𝑥 − 1)
(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1)

EXERCISE
Factorize the following expressions
1. 5𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 6
2. 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 3
3. 6𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5
4. 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 44

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 DIFFERENCES OF TWO SQUARES
Any expression such as 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 is called difference of two squares. It is useful to recognize
this type of expression when factorizing expressions
For example, 16𝑦 2 − 49 is the difference between two perfect squares i.e. (4𝑦)2 − 72
If 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 are two squares, then their difference,
𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) or 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 = (𝑏 + 𝑎)(𝑏 − 𝑎)
This property of the difference of two squares can be used to
i) Factorize expressions
ii) Simplify calculations and
iii) Simplify expressions
EXAMPLE 1
Factorize the following expressions
i) 4𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2
ii) 81𝑎2 − 4𝑏 2
iii) 36𝑝2 − 49𝑞 2
Solution
i) 4𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = (2𝑥)2 − (𝑦)2 = (2𝑥 + 𝑦)(2𝑥 − 𝑦)
ii) 81𝑎2 − 4𝑏 2 = (9𝑎)2 − (2𝑏)2 = (9𝑎 + 2𝑏)(9𝑎 − 2𝑏)
iii) 36𝑝2 − 49𝑞 2 = (6𝑝)2 − (7𝑞 2 ) = (6𝑝 + 7𝑞)(6𝑝 − 7𝑞)
EXAMPLE 2
Factorize the following expression completely
i) 27𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2
ii) 𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦 2
iii) 5−20𝑦 2
iv) 2𝑎2 − 8𝑏 2
v) 12𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2
vi) 27𝑥 2 − 12𝑦 2
EXAMPLE 3
Factorize the following expressions
i) (ℎ2 − 𝑘 2 ) − 𝑝(ℎ + 𝑘)
ii) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2
iii) 9𝑥 2 𝑦 − 25𝑦𝑧 2
Solution
i) (ℎ2 − 𝑘 2 ) − 𝑝(ℎ + 𝑘) = (ℎ + 𝑘)(ℎ − 𝑘) − 𝑝(ℎ + 𝑘)
= (ℎ + 𝑘)[(ℎ − 𝑘) − 𝑝]
= (ℎ + 𝑘)(ℎ − 𝑘 − 𝑝)

ii) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦) + (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )
= 1(𝑥 + 𝑦) + (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦)

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 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(1 + [𝑥 − 𝑦])
= (𝑥 + 𝑦)(1 + 𝑥 − 𝑦)

iii) 9𝑥 2 𝑦 − 25𝑦𝑧 2 = 𝑦(9𝑥 2 − 25𝑧 2 )

= 𝑦[(3𝑥)2 − (5𝑧)2 ]
= 𝑦(3𝑥 + 5𝑧)(3𝑥 − 5𝑧)
EXAMPLE 6
Simplify the following expressions
𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 (𝑥+𝑦)(𝑥−𝑦) 𝑥+𝑦
i) (𝑥−𝑦)2
= (𝑥−𝑦)(𝑥−𝑦) =
𝑥−𝑦
𝑥 2 −16 𝑥 2 −42 (𝑥+4)(𝑥−4) 𝑥−4
ii) = = =
3𝑥+12 3𝑥+12 3(𝑥+4) 3
4−𝑥 2 22 −𝑥 2 (2+𝑥)(2−𝑥) 2+𝑥
iii) = = =
2𝑥−𝑥 2 2𝑥−𝑥 2 𝑥(2−𝑥) 𝑥
2𝑥 2 −4𝑥 2𝑥(𝑥−2) 2𝑥 2
iv) = = =
𝑥 2 (𝑥−2) 𝑥 2 (𝑥−2) 𝑥2 𝑥

OPERATIONS ON ALGEBRAIC FRACTION

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
EXAMPLES 1
Simplify the following
12𝑥𝑦 14𝑥 6𝑥 2
i) × =
7 20 5
3𝑎𝑏 10𝑑 4 2𝑏𝑑
ii) × =
15𝑐 2 𝑑 3 9𝑎2 3𝑎𝑐 2
6𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑦 15𝑧 2 2𝑥(3𝑥+𝑦) 15𝑧 2
iii) × = × = 6𝑥𝑧
5𝑧 (3𝑥+𝑦) 5𝑧 (3𝑥+𝑦)
To divide an algebraic fraction, multiply by its inverse. For example
𝑎 𝑥 𝑎 𝑦 𝑎𝑦
÷ = × =
𝑏 𝑦 𝑏 𝑥 𝑏𝑥
EXAMPLE 2
4𝑎2 +8𝑎𝑏 5𝑎𝑏+10𝑏2
Simplify ÷
3 9
Solution
4𝑎2 + 8𝑎𝑏 9 4𝑎(𝑎 + 2𝑏) 9 12𝑎
× = × =
3 5𝑎𝑏 + 10𝑏2 3 5𝑏(𝑎 + 2𝑏) 5𝑏

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 ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
To add or subtract algebraic fractions, find the LCM of the denominators first.
EXAMPLES

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