MATH1530 Basic Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences Autumn 2023

Chapter 1: Fundamentals
Lecturer: Lily PAN

1.1 Review on Algebra

We first review some useful formulas.

Let a, b be real numbers and n is a positive integer. Then

(a ± b)2 = a2 ± 2ab + b2
(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2 b + 3ab2 + b3
(a − b)3 = a3 − 3a2 b + 3ab2 − b3
a2 − b2 = (a + b) (a − b)
a3 + b3 = (a + b) a2 − ab + b2

a3 − b3 = (a − b) a2 + ab + b2

an − bn = (a − b) an + an−1 b + · · · + abn−1 + bn


(
√ a if a > 0;
a2 = |a| =
−a if a < 0.

1.2 Laws of Rational Indices

Let n be positive integers.

(
n a: base
| · a{z· · · a},
a =a
n: exponent / power
n times

√
n
1
a = an , nth root of a a : radicand
Remark.
√
• If a = b, then a = bn .
n

√ √
• If n is even, n a only makes sense for a ≥ 0. Like x

1-1
Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-2

Next are some formulas for powers.

Let a, p, q be real numbers and m, n be integers. Then the follow-

ings are identities whenever defined.

a0 = 1 a1 = a
m √
an = n
am a−p = 1/ap
ap · aq = ap+q ap /aq = ap−q
ap · bp = (ab)p ap /bp = (a/b)p
(ap )q = apq

r
1
 3 − 2
3
Example 1. Simplify x y− 3 x 2 y .

Solution.
 3 − 2  12
r
 − 2 
− 13 3 3 − 31 3
x y x y
2 = x y x2 y
 1  1  3 − 2  12
2 3
= x y− 3 x2 y
1
h i1
2 2
= xy − 6 x−1 y − 3
1
h 1 1i
= xy − 6 x− 2 y − 3
1 1 1
= x1− 2 y − 6 − 3
1 1
= x 2 y− 2

1 5
 
ab− 2
Exercise 1.2.1. Simplify   . (Ans: ab−3 .)
1 2
a2 b 4

Avoiding Common Errors

Correct multiplication property Common error with addition

(a · b)2
= · a2 b2 (a + b)2 = a2 + b2
√ √ √ √ √ √
a · b = a b (a, b ≥ 0) a+b= a+ b
√ √
a2 · b2 = a · b (a, b ≥ 0) a2 + b2 = a + b
1 1 1 1 1 1
· = + =
a b ab a b a+b
ab a+b
=b =b
a a
a−1 · b−1 = (ab)−1 a−1 + b−1 = (a + b)−1
Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-3

1.3 Surds

√
An irrational number that involves the radical sign ‘ ’ is called a surd.
√ √
3
√
e.g. 2, 13, π + 4 23, etc.

Proposition 1 (Properties of Surds).

For a > 0 and b > 0,
√ √ √
1. ab = a b;
r √
a a
2. = √ .
b b

1.3.1 Rationalization

We also want to review the technique of rationalization.

Example 2 (Rationalize Denominator).

√ √ √ √
2 2 3 6
√ =√ ·√ =
3 3 3 3
√ √ √ √ √
4− 3 4− 3 5− 3 20 − 9 3 + 3 23 − 9 3
√ = √ · √ = √ =
5+ 3 5+ 3 5− 3 52 − ( 3)2 22

Example 3 (Rationalize Numerator).

√ √ √
2 2 2 2
√ =√ ·√ =√
3 3 2 6
√ √ √ √
1+ x 1+ x 1− x 1 − ( x)2 1
√ = √ · √ = √ = √
1− x 1− x 1− x (1 − x)(1 − x) 1− x
√ √
√ x2 + 4x − x x2 + 4x + x x2 + 4x − x2 4x
x2
+ 4x − x = ·√ =√ =√
1 2
x + 4x + x 2
x + 4x + x 2
x + 4x + x
√ √
x2 + 1 + x2 − 1 p 4
Example 4. Prove that √ √ − x − 1 = x2 .
x2 + 1 − x2 − 1
Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-4

Solution.
√ √
x2 + 1 + x2 − 1 p 4
L.H.S. = √ √ − x −1
√x2 + 1 − √x2 − 1 √ √
( x2 + 1 + x2 − 1)( x2 + 1 + x2 − 1) p 4
= √ √ √ √ − x −1
( √ x2 + 1 − √ x2 − 1)( x2 + 1 + x2 − 1)
( x2 + 1 + x2 − 1)2 p
= √ √ − x4 − 1
( x2 + 1)2 − ( x2 p − 1)2
2 2
x + 1 + x − 1 + 2 (x2 + 1)(x2 + 1) p 4
= − x −1
√ (x2 + 1) − (x2 − 1)
2x2 + 2 x4 − 1 p 4
= − x −1
2
= x2

R.H.S. = x2
∴ L.H.S. = R.H.S.

1.4 Equations

An equation is a statement that two mathematical expressions are equal. For example,

3 + 5 = 8, 4x + 7 = 20.

are equations. The values of the unknown that make the equation true are called the
solutions or roots of the equation, and the process of finding the solution is called solving
the equation.

Proposition 2 (Properties of Equality).

1. A = B ⇔ A+C =B+C

2. A = B ⇔ CA = CB (C 6= 0)

1.4.1 Linear Equations

A linear equation in one variable is an equation equivalent to one of the form

ax + b = 0

where a and b are real numbers and x is the variable.

Example 5. Solve the equation 7x − 4 = 3x + 8.

Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-5

Solution.
7x − 4 = 3x + 8
(7x − 4) + 4 = (3x + 8) + 4
7x = 3x + 12
7x − 3x = 3x + 12 − 3x
4x = 12
1 1
·
4 4x = 4 · 12
∴ x = 3


1.4.2 Quadratic Equations

A quadratic equation is an equation of the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

where a, b and c are real numbers with a 6= 0.

Some quadratic equations can be solved by factoring and using the following basic property
of real numbers.

Proposition 3 (Zero-Product Property).

AB = 0 ⇔ A = 0 or B = 0

Example 6. Solve the equation x2 + 5x = 24.

Solution.
x2 + 5x = 24
x2 + 5x = 24 = 0
(x − 3)(x + 8) = 0
x − 3 = 0 or x + 8 = 0
x=3 x = −8
The solutions are x = 3 or x = −8. 

√
Proposition 4. The solutions of x2 = c (c ≥ 0) are x = − c and
√
x = c.

Example 7. Solve the equation (x − 4)2 = 5.

Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-6

Solution.
(x − 4)2 = 5 √
(x − 4) = ± 5√
x = 4± 5


Proposition 5 (Completing The Square). To make x2 + bx a per-

 2
b
fect square, add . This gives the perfect square
2
 2 
b 2

2 b
x + bx + = x+
2 2

Example 8. Solve 3x2 − 12x + 6 = 0.

Solution.
3x2 − 12x + 6 = 0
3x2 − 12x = −6
3(x2 − 4x) = −6
3(x − 4x + 22 )
2 = −6 + 3 · 22
3(x − 2)2 = 6
(x − 2)2 = 2√
x−2 = ± 2√
x = 2± 2

Proposition 6 (The Quadratic Formula). The roots of the

quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a 6= 0, are
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a

Example 9. Solve the equation 3x2 − 5x − 1 = 0.

Solution. By the quadratic formula,

p √
−(−5) ± (−5)2 − 4(3)(−1) 5 ± 37
x= =
2(3) 6


Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-7

1.4.3 Other Types of Equations

3 5
Example 10 (An Equation Involving Fractional Expressions). Solve the equation + =
x x+2
2.

Solution. We eliminate the denominator by multiplying each side by the lowest common
denominator.  
3 5
x + x+2 x(x + 2) = 2x(x + 2)
3(x + 2) + 5x = 2x2 + 4x
8x + 6 = 2x2 + 4x
2x2 − 4x − 6 = 0
2(x − 3)(x + 1) = 0
x−3=0 or x+1 = 0
x=3 x = −1
Checking:
3 5
3+ 3+2 =1+1=2
3 5
−1 + −1+2 = −3 + 5 = 2
∴ the solutions are x = 3 and −1.

Remark. We must check our answers because multiplying by an expression that contains
the variable can introduce extraneous solutions.
√
Example 11 (An Equation Involving a Radical). Solve the equation 2x = 1 − 2 − x.

Solution. To eliminate the square root, we first isolate it on one side of the equal sign, then
square: √
2x − 1 = − 2 − x
(2x − 1)2 = 2 − x
4x2 − 4x + 1 = 2 − x
4x2 − 3x − 1 = 0
(4x + 1)(x − 1) = 0
4x + 1 = 0 or x−1 = 0
1
x = −4 x = 1
Checking:
x = − 14 : 1 1
4) = −2
L.H.S. = 2(− q
R.H.S. = 1 − 2 − (− 41 ) = − 12
L.H.S. = R.H.S.
x=1: L.H.S. = 2(1)p=2
R.H.S. = 1 − 2 − (1) = 0
L.H.S. 6= R.H.S.
Chapter 1: Fundamentals 1-8

∴ the solution is x = − 14 . 

Remark. When you solve an equation that involves radicals, you must be especially careful
to check your final answers.

Example 12. Find all solutions of the equation x1/3 + x1/6 − 2 = 0.

Solution.
x1/3 + x1/6 − 2 = 0
(x1/6 )2 + x1/6 − 2 = 0
(x1/6 − 1)(x1/6 + 2) = 0
1/6
x =1 or x1/6 = −2
x = 16 = 1 x = (−2)6 = 64
Checking:
11/3 + 11/6 − 2 = 1 + 1 − 2 = 0
641/3+ 641/6 − 2 = 4 + 2 − 2 = 4 6= 0
∴ the only solutions is x = 1. 
x 1
Example 13. Solve the equation = .
x−1 x−1

Solution.
x 1
=
x−1 x−1
x 1
− = 0
x−1 x−1
x−1
= 0
x−1
1 = 0. This is impossible!
∴ The equation has no solution. 

Example 14. Solve the equation x = x.

Solution. The equation x = x is satisfied by every real number. Hence, its solutions are all
real numbers. 
1 1
Exercise 1.4.1. Solve the equation x−1 = x−1 .