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3

Equations
TERMINOLOGY
Absolute value: the distance of a number from zero on a number line Equation: A mathematical statement that has a pronumeral or unknown number and an equal sign. An equation can be solved to find the value of the unknown number e.g. 2x - 3 = 5 Exponential equation: Equation where the unknown pronumeral is the power or index e.g. 2 x = 8 Inequation: A mathematical statement involving an inequality sign, 1, 2, # or $ that has an unknown pronumeral that is solved to find values that make the statement true e.g. 2x - 3 2 4 Quadratic equation: An equation involving x 2 as the highest power of x that may have two, one or no solutions Simultaneous equations: Two or more independent equations that can be solved together to produce a solution that makes each equation true at the same time. The number of equations required is the same as the number of unknowns

Chapter 3 Equations

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INTRODUCTION
EQUATIONS ARE FOUND IN most branches of mathematics. They are also

important in many other elds, such as science, economics, statistics and engineering. In this chapter you will revise basic equations and inequations. Equations involving absolute values, exponential equations, quadratic equations and simultaneous equations are also covered here.

DID YOU KNOW?


Algebra was known in ancient civilisations. Many equations were known in Babylonia, although general solutions were difficult because symbols were not used in those times. Diophantus, around 250 AD, first used algebraic notation and symbols (e.g. the minus sign). He wrote a treatise on algebra in his Arithmetica, comprising 13 books. Only six of these books survived. About 400 AD, Hypatia of Alexandria wrote a commentary on them. Hypatia was the daughter of Theon, a mathematician who ensured that she had the best education. She was the first female mathematician on record, and was a philosopher and teacher. She was murdered for her philosophical views by a fanatical Christian sect. In 1799 Carl Friedrich Gauss proved the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: that every algebraic equation has a solution.

PROBLEM
The age of Diophantus at his death can be calculated from this epitaph: Diophantus passed one-sixth of his life in childhood, one-twelfth in youth, and one-seventh as a bachelor; ve years after his marriage a son was born DID YOU more KNOW? who died four years before his father at half his fathers nal age. How old was Diophantus? Box text...

Simple Equations
Here are the four rules for changing numbers or pronumerals from one side of an equation to the other.
Do the opposite operation to take a number to the other side of an equation.

If a number is added, subtract it from both sides If a number is subtracted, add it to both sides If a number is multiplied, divide both sides by the number If a number is divided, multiply both sides by the number

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EXAMPLES
Solve 1. 3x + 5 = 17

Solution
3x + 5 = 17 3x + 5 - 5 = 17 - 5 3x = 12 3x 12 = 3 3 x=4 You can check the solution by substituting the value into the equation. LHS = 3x + 5 = 3 ( 4) + 5 = 12 + 5 = 17 = RHS Since LHS = RHS, x = 4 is the correct solution. 2. 4y - 3 = 8y + 21

Solution
4y - 3 4 y - 4y - 3 -3 - 3 - 21 - 24 = 8y + 21 = 8y - 4y + 21 = 4y + 21 = 4y + 21 - 21 = 4y 4y - 24 = 4 4 -6 = y y = -6

3. 2 ] 3x + 7 g = 6 - ] x - 1 g
Check these solutions by substituting them into the equation.

Solution
2 (3 x + 7 ) = 6 - ( x - 1 ) 6x + 14 = 6 - x + 1 =7-x 6x + x + 14 = 7 - x + x 7x + 14 = 7

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7x + 14 - 14 7x 7x 7 x

= 7 - 14 = -7 -7 7 = -1 =

3.1 Exercises
Solve 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. t + 4 = -1 z + 1.7 = -3.9 y - 3 = -2 w - 2 .6 = 4 .1 5 = x -7 1.5x = 6 5y = 1 3 b =5 7 -2 = r 2 = 6 3 n 8 17. 16. x -3 =7 2 m + 7 = 11 5

18. 3x + 5 = 17 19. 4a + 7 = - 21 20. 7y - 1 = 20 21. 8b - 4 = - 36 22. 3 (x + 2) = 15 23. -2 (3a + 1) = 8 24. 7t + 4 = 3t - 12 25. x - 3 = 6x - 9 26. 2 (a - 2) = 4 - 3a 27. 5b + 2 = - 3(b - 1) 28. 3 (t + 7) = 2 (2t - 9) 29. 2 + 5( p - 1) = 5p - ( p - 2) 30. 3.7x + 1.2 = 5.4x - 6.3

11. 2y + 1 = 19 12. 33 = 4k + 9 13. 7d - 2 = 12 14. -2 = 5x - 27 y 15. +4=9 3

A S TA R T L I N G FA C T !
Half full = half empty ` full = empty

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Equations involving fractions


There are different ways to solve this type of equation. One way is to multiply both sides of the equation by the common denominator of the fractions.

EXAMPLES
Solve m 1 1. -4= 3 2

Solution
Multiply by the common denominator, 6.

m 1 -4 = 3 2 m m - 6 (4) = 6 c 1 m 2 3 2m - 24 = 3 2m - 24 + 24 = 3 + 24 2m = 27 6c 2m 27 = 2 2 27 m= 2 = 13 1 2 2. x+1 x + =5 4 3

Solution
The common denominator of 3 and 4 is 12.

x +1 x + =5 4 3 x +1 x m + 12 c m = 12 (5) 12 c 4 3 4 (x + 1) + 3x = 60 4x + 4 + 3x = 60 7x + 4 = 60 7x + 4 - 4 = 60 - 4 7x = 56 7x 56 = 7 7 x=8

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3.

y +1 y-2 5 = 5 3 6

Solution
y +1 y-2 5 = 5 3 6 y +1 y -2 o - 30 e o = 30 c 5 m 30 e 5 3 6 6 (y + 1) - 10 (y - 2) = 25 6y + 6 - 10y + 20 = 25 - 4y + 26 = 25 - 4y + 26 - 26 = 25 - 26 - 4y = -1 - 4y -1 = -4 -4 y=1 4 When there is a fraction on either side of the equation, multiplying by the common denominator is the same as cross multiplying.

The common denominator of 5, 3 and 6 is 30.

EXAMPLES
5 8 1. Solve x = (x ! 0 ) 3

Solution
5 8 x =3 8x = 15 8x 15 = 8 8 7 x=1 8 2. Solve 3 8 ^n ! 0h = 5 2n

Solution
3 8 = 5 2n 16n = 15 16n 15 = 16 16 15 n= 16

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3.2 Exercises
Solve 1. 2. 3. b 2 = 5 3 7 1 x = 5 (x ! 0 ) 9 4 y = 10 (y ! 0) 5x 11 = 4 7 9 4 = ( k ! 0) 5 2k x -4=8 3 3 5t = 4 4 5+x 2 = 7 7 y 3 =5 2 x 2 - =7 9 3 w-3 =5 2 2t t - =2 5 3 x 1 + =4 4 2 14. 15. 3 x x - = 5 2 10 x+4 x + =1 3 2 p-3 2p + =2 2 3 t +3 t -1 + =4 7 3 x+5 x+2 =1 5 9 q-1 q-2 =2 4 3 x+3 x +7 +2= 5 2 3b 1 b - = 4 5 2 a 3 5 + = 4 3 8 3 5 =x x+2 1 1 = y +1 3y - 1
^ x ! 0, -2 h

16. 17. 18.

4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

19. 20.

21. 22. 23. 24.

9. 10. 11.

c y ! -1,

1 m 3

12.

25.

2 1 + = 0 ^ t ! 3, - 4 h t-3 t+4

13.

Substitution
Sometimes substituting values into a formula involves solving an equation.

Investigation
Body mass index (BMI) is a formula that is used to measure body fatness and is used by health professionals to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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This is not the only measure that is used when looking for health problems, however. For example, there are other factors in cardiac (heart) disease. Research these to find out what other things doctors look for. The BMI is used in a different way with children and teens, and is taken in relation to the childs age. w The formula for BMI is BMI = 2 where w is weight in kg and h is height h in metres. For adults over 20, a BMI under 18.5 means that the person is underweight and over 25 is overweight. Over 30 is obese. The BMI may not always be reliable in measuring body fat. Can you think of some reasons? Is it important where the body fat is stored? Does it make a difference if it is on the hips or the stomach? Research these questions and find out more about BMI generally.

EXAMPLES
1. The formula for the surface area of a rectangular prism is given by S = 2 (lb + bh + lh) . Find the value of b when S = 180, l = 9 and h = 6.

Solution
S = 2 (lb + bh + lh) 180 = 2 (9b + 6b + 9 # 6) = 2 (15b + 54) = 30b + 108 180 - 108 = 30b + 108 - 108 72 = 30b 30b 72 = 30 30 2. 4 = b
Another way of doing this would be to change the subject of the formula first.

CONTINUED

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2. The volume of a cylinder is given by V = rr 2 h. Evaluate the radius r, correct to 2 decimal places, when V = 350 and h = 6.5.

Solution
V = rr 2 h 350 = rr 2 (6.5) r r 2 ( 6 .5 ) 350 = 6 .5 r 6.5r 350 = r2 6 .5 r 350 = r2 6 .5 r 350 =r 6 .5 r 4.14 = r

3.3 Exercises
1. Given that v = u + at is the formula for the velocity of a particle at time t, find the value of t when u = 17.3, v = 100.6 and a = 9.8. The sum of an arithmetic series is n given by S = (a + l ) . Find l if 2 a = 3, n = 26 and S = 1625. The formula for finding the area of a triangle is A = 1 bh. Find b 2 when A = 36 and h = 9. The area of a trapezium is given by A = 1 h (a + b) . Find 2 the value of a when A = 120, h = 5 and b = 7. Find the value of y when x = 3, given the straight line equation 5x - 2y - 7 = 0. The area of a circle is given by A = rr 2 . Find r correct to 3 significant figures if A = 140. 7. The area of a rhombus is given by the formula A = 1 xy where x and 2 y are its diagonals. Find the value of x correct to 2 decimal places when y = 7.8 and A = 25.1. The simple interest formula is Pr n . Find n if r = 14.5, I= 100 P = 150 and I = 326.25. The gradient of a straight y2 - y1 line is given by m = x - x . 2 1 Find y 1 when m = - 5 , 6 y 2 = 7, x 2 = - 3 and x 1 = 1. 10. The surface area of a cylinder is given by the formula S = 2rr ] r + h g . Evaluate h correct to 1 decimal place if S = 232 and r = 4.5.

2.

8.

3.

9.

4.

5.

6.

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11. The formula for body mass index w is BMI = 2 . Evaluate h (a) the BMI when w = 65 and h = 1.6 (b) w when BMI = 21.5 and h = 1.8 (c) h when BMI = 19.7 and w = 73.8. 12. A formula for depreciation is D = P ] 1 - r g n . Find r if D = 12 000, P = 15 000 and n = 3. 13. The x-value of the midpoint is x1 + x2 given by x = . Find x1 2 when x = - 2 and x 2 = 5. 14. Given the height of a particle at time t is h = 5t 2, evaluate t when h = 23.

15. If y = x 2 + 1, evaluate x when y = 5. 16. If the surface area of a sphere is S = 4rr 2, evaluate r to 3 significant figures when S = 56.3. 17. The area of a sector of a circle 1 is A = r 2 i. Evaluate r when 2 A = 24.6 and i = 0.45. 18. If y = 2 , find the value of x x3 - 1 when y = 3.

There are two solutions to this question.

19. Given y = 2x + 5 , evaluate x when y = 4. 20. The volume of a sphere is 4 V = rr 3. Evaluate r to 1 decimal 3 place when V = 150.

Inequations
2 means greater than 1 means less than $ means greater than or equal to # means less than or equal to

In order to solve inequations, we need to see what effect one operation applied to both sides has on the inequality sign.

If a 2 b then a + c 2 b + c for all c

For example, 3 2 2 and 3 + 1 2 2 + 1 are both true.

If a 2 b then a - c 2 b - c for all c

For example, 3 2 2 and 3 - 1 2 2 - 1 are both true.

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If a 2 b then ac 2 bc for all c 2 0

For example, 3 2 2 and 3 # 2 2 2 # 2 are both true.

If a 2 b then ac 1 bc for all c 1 0

For example, 3 2 2 but 3 # -2 1 2 # -2.

If a 2 b then a ' c 2 b ' c for all c 2 0

For example, 6 2 4 and 6 ' 2 2 4 ' 2 are both true.

If a 2 b then a ' c 1 b ' c for all c 1 0

For example, 6 2 4 but 6 ' -2 1 4 ' -2.

1 1 If a 2 b then a 1 for all positive numbers a and b b

For example, 3 2 2 but

1 1 1 . 3 2

The inequality sign reverses when: multiplying by a negative dividing by a negative taking the reciprocal of both sides

On the number plane, we graph inequalities using arrows and circles (open for greater than and less than and closed in for greater than or equal to and less than or equal to) 1 2 # $

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EXAMPLES
Solve and show the solutions on a number line 1. 5x + 7 $ 17

Solution
5x + 7 $ 17 5x + 7 - 7 $ 17 - 7 5x $ 10 5x 10 $ 5 5 x$2
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

2. 3t - 2 2 5t + 4

Solution
3t - 2 2 5t + 3t - 3t - 2 2 5t -2 2 2t + - 2 - 4 2 2t + -6 2 2t 2t -6 2 2 2 -3 2 t or 3t - 2 3t - 5t - 2 -2t - 2 - 2t - 2 + 2 -2t -2t -2 t
-4

4 3t + 4 4 4-4

2 5t + 4 2 5t - 5t + 4 24 24+2 26 6 2 -2 1 -3
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Remember to change the inequality sign when dividing by -2.

CONTINUED

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3. Solve 1 1 2z + 7 # 11.

Solution
Method 1: Separate into two separate questions. 1 1 2z + 7 (i) 1 - 7 1 2z + 7 - 7 - 6 1 2z -6 2z 1 2 2 -3 1 z (ii) 2z + 7 # 11 2z + 7 - 7 # 11 - 7 2z # 4 2z 4 # 2 2 z #2

Putting these together gives the solution -3 1 z # 2. Method 2: Do as a single question. 1 1 2z + 7 # 11 1 - 7 1 2z + 7 - 7 # 11 - 7 -6 1 2z # 4 -6 2z 4 # 1 2 2 2 -3 1 z # 2


-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Solving this inequation as a single question is quicker than splitting it into two parts. Notice that the circle is not filled in for 1 and filled in for #.

3.4 Exercises
1. Solve and plot the solution on a number line (a) x + 4 2 7 (b) y - 3 # 1 Solve (a) 5t 2 35 (b) 3x - 7 $ 2 (c) 2 (p + 5) 2 8 (d) 4 - (x - 1) # 7 (e) 3y + 5 2 2y - 4 (f) 2a - 6 # 5a - 3 (g) 3 + 4y $ - 2 (1 - y) (h) 2x + 9 1 1 - 4 (x + 1) a (i) # - 3 2 2y (j) 8 2 3 b (k) + 5 1 - 4 2 x (l) - 4 2 6 3 x 1 (m) + # 1 4 5 (n) m 2 -3 2 4 3

2.

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2b 1 - $6 5 2 r-3 (p) # -6 2 z+1 (q) +223 9 w 2w + 5 (r) + 14 6 3 (o) (s) (t) (u) x+1 x-2 $7 2 3 t+3 t+2 #2 7 2 q-2 3q 12+ 4 3

(v) (w) 3.

2x x -1 2 2 3 2 9 2b - 5 b+6 +3# 8 12

Solve and plot the solutions on a number line (a) 3 1 x + 2 1 9 (b) -4 # 2p 1 10 (c) 2 1 3x - 1 1 11 (d) -6 # 5y + 9 # 34 (e) -2 1 3 (2y - 1) 1 7

PROBLEM
Find a solution for this sum. Is it a unique solution? CR OS S +RO A DS DANGE R

Equations and Inequations Involving Absolute Values


On a number line, x means the distance of x from zero in either direction.

EXAMPLES
Plot on a number line and evaluate x 1. x = 2

Solution
x = 2 means the distance of x from zero is 2 (in either direction).
2 2

-4

-3

-2

-1

x = !2

CONTINUED

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2. x # 2

Solution
x # 2 means the distance of x from zero is less than or equal to 2 (in either direction).

-4
The solution of | x | 1 2 would be - 2 1 x 1 2.

-3

-2

-1

Notice that there is one region on the number line. We can write this as the single statement - 2 # x # 2. 3. x 2 2

Solution
x 2 2 means the distance of x from zero is greater than 2 (in either direction).
2 2

-4
The solution of | x | $ 2 would be x # - 2, x $ 2.

-3

-2

-1

There are two regions on the number line, so we write two separate inequalities x 1 - 2, x 2 2.

x = a means x = ! a x 1 a means -a 1 x 1 a x 2 a means x 2 a, x 1 -a

Class Discussion
What does a - b mean as a distance along the number line? Select different values of a and b to help with this discussion.

We use absolute value as a distance on a number line to solve equations and inequations involving absolute values.

Chapter 3 Equations

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EXAMPLES
Solve 1. x + 4 = 7

Solution
This means that the distance from x + 4 to zero is 7 in either direction. So x + 4 = ! 7. x+4 =7 x+4=7 or x + 4 = -7 x+4-4=7-4 x + 4 - 4 = -7 - 4 x=3 x = -11 2. 2y - 1 1 5

Solution
This means that the distance from 2y - 1 to zero is less than 5 in either direction. So it means - 5 1 2y - 1 1 5. - 5 1 2y - 1 1 5 - 5 + 1 1 2y - 1 + 1 1 5 + 1 2y 6 -4 1 1 2 2 2 -2 1 y 1 3 3. 5b - 7 $ 3

You could solve these as two separate inequations.

Solution
5b - 7 $ 3 means that the distance from 5b - 7 to zero is greater than or equal to 3 in either direction. 5b - 7 # - 3 5b - 7 + 7 # -3 + 7 5b # 4 5b 4 # 5 5 4 b # 5 4 So b # , b $ 2. 5 5b - 7 $ 3 5b - 7 + 7 $ 3 + 7 5b $ 10 5b 10 $ 5 5 b$2
These must be solved and written as two separate inequations.

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While it is always a good habit to check solutions to equations and inequations by substituting in values, in these next examples it is essential to check, as some of the solutions are impossible!

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. 2x + 1 = 3x - 2

Solution
2x + 1 = 3x - 2 means that 2x + 1 is at a distance of 3x - 2 from zero. 2x + 1 = ! ] 3x - 2 g This question is impossible if 3x - 2 is negative. Can you see why? If 2x + 1 is equal to a negative number, this is impossible as the absolute value is always positive. Case (i) 2x + 1 = 3x - 2 2x - 2x + 1 = 3x - 2x - 2 1=x-2 1+2=x-2+2 3=x Check solution is possible: Substitute x = 3 into 2x + 1 = 3x - 2. LHS = 2 # 3 + 1 = 7 =7 RHS = 3 # 3 - 2 =9-2 =7 Since LHS = RHS, x = 3 is a solution. Case (ii) 2 x + 1 = - ( 3x - 2 ) = - 3x + 2 2x + 3x + 1 = - 3 x + 3x + 2 5x + 1 = 2 5x + 1 - 1 = 2 - 1 5x = 1 5x 1 = 5 5 1 x= 5

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111

Check: 1 Substitute x = into 2x + 1 = 3x - 2. 5 1 LHS = 2 # + 1 5 2 = 1 5 2 =1 5 1 RHS = 3 # - 2 5 3 = -2 5 2 = -1 5 1 Since LHS ! RHS, x = is not a solution. 5 So the only solution is x = 3. 2. 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9

It is often easier to solve these harder equations graphically. You will do this in Chapter 5.

Solution
In this question it is difficult to use distances on the number line, so we use the definition of absolute value. 2x - 3 2x - 3 = ' - (2 x - 3) x +1 x + 1 = ' - (x + 1) when 2x - 3 $ 0 when 2x - 3 1 0 when x + 1 $ 0 when x + 1 1 0

This gives 4 cases: (i) (2x - 3) + (x + 1) = 9 (ii) (2x - 3) - (x + 1) = 9 (iii) -(2x - 3) + (x + 1) = 9 (iv) -(2x - 3) - (x + 1) = 9 Case (i) ( 2x - 3 ) + ( x + 1 ) = 9 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9 3x - 2 = 9 3x - 2 + 2 = 9 + 2 3x = 11 3x 11 = 3 3 2 x=3 3 Check by substituting x = 3 2 into 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9. 3
CONTINUED

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2 2 -3 + 3 +1 3 3 1 2 = 4 + 4 3 3 1 2 =4 +4 3 3 =9 = RHS 2 So x = 3 is a solution. 3 Case (ii) ( 2 x - 3 ) - (x + 1 ) = 9 2x - 3 - x - 1 = 9 x-4=9 x-4+4=9+4 x = 13 Check by substituting x = 13 into 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9. LHS = 2 # 13 - 3 + 13 + 1 = 23 + 14 = 23 + 14 = 37 ! RHS So x = 13 is not a solution. Case (iii) -(2x - 3) + (x + 1) = 9 - 2x + 3 + x + 1 = 9 -x + 4 = 9 -x + 4 - 4 = 9 - 4 -x = 5 -x 5 = -1 -1 x = -5 LHS = 2 # 3 Check by substituting x = - 5 into 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9. LHS = 2 # - 5 - 3 + - 5 + 1 = - 13 + - 4 = 13 + 4 = 17 ! RHS So x = - 5 is not a solution. Case (iv) - (2x - 3) - (x + 1) = 9 - 2x + 3 - x - 1 = 9 - 3x + 2 = 9 - 3x + 2 - 2 = 9 - 2 - 3x = 7

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- 3x 7 = -3 -3 1 3 1 Check by substituting x = - 2 into 2x - 3 + x + 1 = 9. 3 1 1 LHS = 2 # - 2 - 3 + - 2 + 1 3 3 2 1 = -7 + -1 3 3 2 1 = 7 +1 3 3 =9 = RHS 1 So x = - 2 is a solution. 3 2 1 So solutions are x = 3 , - 2 . 3 3 x = -2 While you should always check solutions, you can see that there are some cases where this is really important.

You will learn how to solve equations involving absolute values graphically in Chapter 5. With graphical solutions it is easy to see how many solutions there are.

3.5 Exercises
1. Solve (a) x = 5 (b) y = 8 (c) a 1 4 (d) k $ 1 (e) x 2 6 (f) p # 10 (g) x = 0 (h) a 2 14 (i) y 1 12 (j) b $ 20 2. Solve (a) x + 2 = 7 (b) n - 1 = 3 (c) 2a 2 4 (d) x - 5 # 1 (e) 9 = 2x + 3 (f) 7x - 1 = 34 (g) 4y + 3 1 11 (h) 2x - 3 $ 15 x (i) =4 3 a (j) -3 #2 2 5. 4. 3. Solve (a) x + 2 = 5x - 3 (b) 2a - 1 = a + 2 (c) b - 3 = 2b - 4 (d) 3k - 2 = k - 4 (e) 6y + 23 = y - 7 (f) 4x + 3 = 5x - 4 (g) 2m - 5 = m (h) 3d + 1 = d + 6 (i) 5 - y = 4y + 1 (j) 2t - 7 = 3 - t Solve (a) x + 3 = 3x - 1 (b) 2y - 5 = y - 2 (c) 3a + 1 = 2a - 9 (d) 2x + 5 + x = 17 (e) 3d - 2 + d + 4 = 18 (a) Solve 4t - 3 + t - 1 = 11. (b) By plotting the solutions on a number line and looking at values in between the solutions, solve 4t - 3 + t - 1 1 11.
Remember to check solutions in questions 3, 4 and 5.

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Exponential Equations
An exponential equation involves an unknown index or power e.g. 2 x = 8. We can also solve other equations involving indices. In order to solve these, you need to understand their relationship. For example, squares and square roots are the reverse of each other (we call them inverse operations). Similarly cubes and cube roots are inverses, and this extends to all indices. To solve equations, use inverse operations: For squares, take the square root For cubes, take the cube root For square roots, take the square For cube roots, take the cube You have previously used these rules when substituting into formulae involving squares and cubes.

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. x 2 = 9
There are two possible solutions for x one positive and one negative since 3 2 = 9 and (- 3) 2 = 9.

Solution
x2 = 9 x2 = ! 9 ` x= !3 2. 5n 3 = 40

Solution
5n 3 = 40 5n 3 40 = 5 5 3 n =8
3

There is only one answer for this question since 2 3 = 8 but (- 2) 3 = -8.

n3 = 3 8 n=2

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3. a 3 = 4

Solution
We use the fact that ` a j = ` a j = a. a3 = 4
2 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 3

`a j = 4 2
` a= 42 3 a = ^ 4h = 23 =8

2 3

Investigation
Investigate equations of the type x n = k where k is a constant, for example, x n = 9. Look at these questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What is the solution when n = 0? What is the solution when n = 1? How many solutions are there when n = 2? How many solutions are there when n = 3? How many solutions are there when n is even? How many solutions are there when n is odd?

In other types of equations, the pronumeral (or unknown variable) is in the index. We call these exponential equations, and we use the fact that if the base numbers are equal, then the powers (or indices or exponents) must be equal.

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. 3 x = 81

Solution
3 x = 81 Equating indices: 3x = 34 `x=4
CONTINUED

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2. 5 2k - 1 = 25

Solution
5 2k - 1 = 25 5 2k - 1 = 5 2 ` 2k - 1 = 2 2k - 1 + 1 = 2 + 1 2k = 3 3 2k = 2 2 1 k=1 2 3. 8 n = 4

We can check this solution 1 by substituting k = 1 into 2 the equation 5 2k -1 = 25.

Solution
It is hard to write 8 as a power of 4 or 4 as a power of 8, but both can be written as powers of 2. 8n = 4 (2 ) = 2 2 2 3n = 2 2 ` 3n = 2 3n 2 = 3 3 2 n= 3
3 n

3.6 Exercises
1. Solve (a) x 3 = 27 (b) y 2 = 64 (c) n 4 = 16 (d) x 2 = 20 (give the exact answer) (e) p 3 = 1000 (f) 2x 2 = 50 (g) 6y 4 = 486 (h) w 3 + 7 = 15 (i) 6n 2 - 4 = 92 (j) 3q 3 + 20 = - 4 2. Solve and give the answer correct to 2 decimal places. (a) p 2 = 45 (b) x 3 = 100 (c) n 5 = 240 (d) 2x 2 = 70 (e) 4y 3 + 7 = 34 d4 (f) = 14 3 k2 (g) -3=7 2 x3 - 1 (h) =2 5 (i) 2y 2 - 9 = 20 (j) 7y 3 + 9 = 200

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3.

Solve (a) n = 9 (b) t 4 = 8 (c) x 5 = 4 (d) t 3 = 16 (e) p 5 = 27 (f) 2m 4 = 250 (g) b 3 + 3 = 39 (h) 5y 3 = 405 (i) 3a 7 - 2 = 10 (j) t =9 3
3 4 2 4 2 3 3 4 2 3 2 3

6.

Solve (a) 2 n = 16 (b) 3 y = 243 (c) 2 m = 512 (d) 10 x = 100 000 (e) 6 m = 1 (f) 4 x = 64 (g) 4 x + 3 = 19 (h) 5 (3 x ) = 45 (i) 4 x = 4 6k (j) = 18 2 Solve (a) 3 2x = 81 (b) 2 5x - 1 = 16 (c) 4 x + 3 = 4 (d) 3 n - 2 = 1 (e) 7 2x + 1 = 7 (f) 3 x - 3 = 27 (g) 5 3y + 2 = 125 (h) 7 3x - 4 = 49 (i) 2 4x = 256 (j) 9 3a + 1 = 9 Solve (a) 4 m = 2 (b) 27 x = 3 (c) 125 x = 5 1 k m =7 49 1 k m = 100 (e) c 1000 (f) 16 n = 8 (g) 25 x = 125 (h) 64 n = 16 (d) c 1 3k (i) c m = 2 4 (j) 8 x - 1 = 4

7.

4.

Solve (all pronumerals ! 0) (a) x - 1 = 5 (b) a - 3 = 8 (c) y - 5 = 32 (d) x - 2 + 1 = 50 (e) 2n - 1 = 3 1 (f) a - 3 = 8 1 -2 (g) x = 4 1 (h) b - 1 = 9 1 (i) x - 2 = 2 4 16 (j) b - 4 = 81 Solve (all pronumerals ! 0) (a) x
1 3 3 2

8.

5.

=8 = 8 125

(b) x (c) a

1 4 3 4 -

=3 = 125
2 3

(d) k

(e) 3x (f) x

= 12

9.

1 8 2 1 3 (g) y = 4 2 4 (h) n 5 = 9 = (i) b


5 3

3 2

= =

1 32 36 49

Solve (a) 2 4x + 1 = 8 x (b) 3 5x = 9 x - 2 (c) 7 2k + 3 = 7 k - 1 (d) 4 3n = 8 n + 3 (e) 6 x - 5 = 216 x (f) 16 2x - 1 = 4 x - 4 (g) 27 x + 3 = 3 x 1 x 1 2x + 3 m (h) c m = c 2 64

(j) m

2 3

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3 x 27 2x - 3 m (i) c m = c 4 64 1 x-9 m (j) ] 5 g- x = c 25 10. Solve (a) 4 m =

(d) 3 k = 3 3 (e) c 3 1 3n + 1 m = 27 81

2 3 5

9 k+3 m (b) c = 25 1 (c) = 4 2x - 5 2

5 -n 2 3n + 1 (f) c m =c m 5 2 1 (g) 32 - x = 16 (h) 9 2b + 5 = 3 b 3 (i) 81 x + 1 = 3x 1 3m - 5 (j) 25 - m = c m 5

PUZZLE
Test your logical thinking and that of your friends. 1. How many months have 28 days? 2. If I have 128 sheep and take away all but 10, how many do I have left? 3. A bottle and its cork cost $1.10 to make. If the bottle costs $1 more than the cork, how much does each cost? 4. What do you get if you add 1 to 15 four times? 5. On what day of the week does Good Friday fall in 2016?

Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation is an equation involving a square. For example, x 2 - 4 = 0.

Solving by factorisation
When solving quadratic equations by factorising, we use a property of zero.

For any real numbers a and b, if ab = 0 then a = 0 or b = 0

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. x 2 + x - 6 = 0

Solution
x2 + x - 6 = 0 (x + 3) (x - 2) = 0

Chapter 3 Equations

119

x+3=0 or x-2=0 x+3-3=0-3 x-2+2 =0 +2 x = -3 or x= 2

So the solution is x = - 3 or 2. 2. y 2 - 7y = 0

Solution
y 2 - 7y = 0 y ( y - 7) = 0 ` y=0

or

y-7=0

y-7+7=0+7 y=7 So the solution is y = 0 or 7. 3. 3a 2 - 14a = - 8

Solution
3a 2 - 14a = - 8 3a 2 - 14a + 8 = - 8 + 8 3a 2 - 14a + 8 = 0 (3a - 2) (a - 4) = 0 ` 3a - 2 = 0 or 3a - 2 + 2 = 0 or 3a = 2 3a 2 = 3 3 2 a= 3 2 So the solution is a = or 4. 3

a-4 =0 a-4+4 =0+4 a=4

3.7 Exercises
Solve 1. 2. 3. y2 + y = 0 b2 - b - 2 = 0 p 2 + 2p - 15 = 0 4. 5. 6. t 2 - 5t = 0 x 2 + 9x + 14 = 0 q2 - 9 = 0

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7. 8. 9.

x2 - 1 = 0 a 2 + 3a = 0 2x 2 + 8x = 0

17. 5x - x 2 = 0 18. y 2 = y + 2 19. 8n = n 2 + 15 20. 12 = 7x - x 2 21. m 2 = 6 - 5m 22. x (x + 1) (x + 2) = 0 23. (y - 1) (y + 5) (y + 2) = 0 24. (x + 3) (x - 1) = 32 25. (m - 3) (m - 4) = 20

10. 4x 2 - 1 = 0 11. 3x 2 + 7x + 4 = 0 12. 2y 2 + y - 3 = 0 13. 8b 2 - 10b + 3 = 0 14. x 2 - 3x = 10 15. 3x 2 = 2x 16. 2x 2 = 7x - 5

Application
1 2 at where u is the 2 initial velocity and a is the acceleration. Find the time when the displacement will be zero, given u = - 12 and a = 10. A formula for displacement s at time t is given by s = ut +
2 s = ut + 1 at 2 2 0 = -12t + 1 (10) t 2

= -12t + 5t ` t = 0 or

= t (-12 + 5t ) -12 + 5t = 0 5t = 12 5t 12 = 5 5 t = 2.4 So displacement will be zero when t = 0 or 2.4.

-12 + 12 + 5t = 0 + 12

Solving by completing the square


Not all trinomials will factorise, so other methods need to be used to solve quadratic equations.

Chapter 3 Equations

121

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. x 2 = 7

Solution
x2 = 7 x=! 7 = ! 2.6 2. ] x + 3 g2 = 11

Solution
] x + 3 g2 = 11
x + 3 = ! 11 x + 3 - 3 = ! 11 - 3 x = ! 11 - 3 = 0.3, - 6.3
Take the square root of both sides.

3. ^ y - 2 h2 = 7

Solution
^ y - 2 h2 = 7
y-2=! 7 y-2+2=! 7+2 y=! 7+2 = 4.6, - 0.6

To solve a quadratic equation like x 2 - 6x + 3 = 0, which will not factorise, we can use the method of completing the square.

You learnt how to complete the square in Chapter 2.

EXAMPLES
Solve by completing the square 1. x 2 - 6x + 3 = 0 (give exact answer)

Solution
x 2 - 6x + 3 = 0 x 2 - 6x = - 3
c 6 m = 32 = 9 2
CONTINUED
2

Halve 6, square it and add to both sides of the equation.

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x 2 - 6x + 9 = - 3 + 9 ] x - 3 g2 = 6 ` x-3=! 6 x-3+3=! 6+3 x=! 6+3

2. y 2 + 2y - 7 = 0 (correct to 3 significant figures)

Solution
y 2 + 2y - 7 = 0 y 2 + 2y = 7 y 2 + 2y + 1 = 7 + 1 ^ y + 1 h2 = 8 ` y+1=! 8 y + 1 - 1 = ! 8 -1 y = ! 8 -1 = !2 2 - 1 y = 1.83 or - 3.83
c 2 m = 12 = 1 2
2

3.8 Exercises
1. Solve by completing the square, giving exact answers in simplest surd form (a) x 2 + 4x - 1 = 0 (b) a 2 - 6a + 2 = 0 (c) y 2 - 8y - 7 = 0 (d) x 2 + 2x - 12 = 0 (e) p 2 + 14p + 5 = 0 (f) x 2 - 10x - 3 = 0 (g) y 2 + 20y + 12 = 0 (h) x 2 - 2x - 1 = 0 (i) n 2 + 24n + 7 = 0 (j) y 2 - 3y + 1 = 0 2. Solve by completing the square and write your answers correct to 3 significant figures (a) x 2 - 2x - 5 = 0 (b) x 2 + 12x + 34 = 0 (c) q 2 + 18q - 1 = 0 (d) x 2 - 4x - 2 = 0 (e) b 2 + 16b + 50 = 0 (f) x 2 - 24x + 112 = 0 (g) r 2 - 22r - 7 = 0 (h) x 2 + 8x + 5 = 0 (i) a 2 + 6a - 1 = 0 (j) y 2 - 40y - 3 = 0

Solving by formula
Completing the square is difficult with harder quadratic equations, for example 2x 2 - x - 5 = 0. Completing the square on a general quadratic equation gives the following formula.

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123

For the equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 x= -b ! b 2 - 4ac 2a

Proof
Solve ax 2 + b + c = 0 by completing the square. ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ax 2 bx c 0 a + a +a=a bx c x2 + a + a = 0 c c bx c x2 + a + a - a = 0 - a bx c x2 + a = - a bx c b2 b2 x2 + a + 2 = - a + 2 4a 4a c b2 b 2 cx + m = -a + 2 2a 4a - 4ac + b 2 = 4a 2 - 4ac + b 2 b x+ =! 2a 4a 2 2 b - 4ac =! 2a b 2 - 4ac b b b x+ =! 2a 2a 2a 2a b 2 - 4ac -b x= ! 2a 2a 2 - b ! b - 4ac = 2a

2 2 2 b b ' 2l = c b m = b 2 a 2a 4a

EXAMPLES
1. Solve x 2 - x - 2 = 0 by using the quadratic formula.

Solution
a = 1, b = -1, c = - 2 x= b 2 - 4ac 2a - (-1) ! (-1) 2 - 4 (1) (-2) = 2 (1 ) 1! 1+8 = 2
CONTINUED

-b !

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1! 3 gives two 2 1+ 3 separate solutions, 2 1- 3 and . 2 x =

1! 9 2 1!3 = 2 = 2 or - 1 =

2. Solve 2y 2 - 9y + 3 = 0 by formula and give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.

Solution
a = 2, b = -9, c = 3 x= -b ! b 2 - 4ac 2a - ] -9 g ! ] -9 g2 - 4 ] 2 g ] 3 g y= 2] 2 g 9 ! 81 - 24 = 4 9 ! 57 = 4 Z 4.14 or 0.36

These solutions are irrational.

3.9
1.

Exercises
2. Solve by formula, leaving the answer in simplest surd form (a) x 2 + x - 4 = 0 (b) 3x 2 - 5x + 1 = 0 (c) q 2 - 4q - 3 = 0 (d) 4h 2 + 12h + 1 = 0 (e) 3s 2 - 8s + 2 = 0 (f) x 2 + 11x - 3 = 0 (g) 6d 2 + 5d - 2 = 0 (h) x 2 - 2x = 7 (i) t 2 = t + 1 (j) 2x 2 + 1 = 7x

Solve by formula, correct to 3 significant figures where necessary (a) y 2 + 6y + 2 = 0 (b) 2x 2 - 5x + 3 = 0 (c) b 2 - b - 9 = 0 (d) 2x 2 - x - 1 = 0 (e) - 8x 2 + x + 3 = 0 (f) n 2 + 8n - 2 = 0 (g) m 2 + 7m + 10 = 0 (h) x 2 - 7x = 0 (i) x 2 + 5x = 6 (j) y 2 = 3y - 1

Class Investigation
Here is a proof that 1 = 2. Can you see the fault in the proof? x2 - x2 = x2 - x2 x(x - x) = (x + x) (x - x) x=x+x x = 2x 1=2 `

Chapter 3 Equations

125

Quadratic Inequations
Solving quadratic inequations is similar to solving quadratic equations, but you need to do this in two stages. The rst is to solve the equation and then the second step is to look at either the number line or the number plane for the inequality.

To solve a quadratic inequation: 1. Factorise and solve the quadratic equation 2. Test values in the inequality

In Chapter 9 you will look at how to use the number plane to solve these quadratic inequations. Here are some examples of solving quadratic inequations using the number line.

EXAMPLES
Solve 1. x 2 + x - 6 2 0

Solution
First solve x + x - 6 = 0 (x - 2 ) (x + 3 ) = 0 ` x = 2 or -3
2

Be careful: x 2 + x - 6 2 0 does not mean x - 2 2 0 and x + 3 2 0.

Now look at the number line.


-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Choose a number between - 3 and 2, say x = 0. Substitute x = 0 into the inequation. x2 + x - 6 2 0 02 + 0 - 6 2 0 -6 2 0 So the solution is not between -3 and 2. ` the solution lies either side of -3 and 2. Check by choosing a number on either side of the two numbers. Choose a number on the RHS of 2, say x = 3.
CONTINUED

(false)

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Maths In Focus Mathematics Preliminary Course

Substitute x = 3 into the inequation. 32 + 3 - 6 2 0 620 So the solution is on the RHS of 2. Choose a number on the LHS of -3, say x = -4 Substitute x = -4 into the inequation ( - 4) 2 + ( -4) - 6 2 0 620 So the solution is on the LHS of -3.
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

(true)

(true)

This gives the solution x 1 -3, x 2 2. 2. 9 - x 2 $ 0

Solution
First solve 9 - x 2 = 0 (3 - x) (3 + x) = 0 ` x = !3
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Choose a number between -3 and 3, say x = 0. Substitute x = 0 into the inequation.


Check numbers on the RHS and LHS to verify this.

9 - x2 $ 0 9 - 02 $ 0 9$0 So the solution is between -3 and 3, that is -3 # x # 3. On the number line:


-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

(true)

Chapter 3 Equations

127

3.10
Solve 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercises
14. 6 - 13b - 5b 2 1 0 15. 6x 2 + 11x + 3 # 0 16. y 2 + y # 12 17. x 2 2 16 18. a 2 # 1 19. x 2 1 x + 6 20. x 2 $ 2x + 3 21. x 2 1 2x 22. 2a 2 - 5a + 3 # 0 23. 5y 2 + 6y $ 8 24. 6m 2 2 15 - m 25. 3x 2 # 7x - 4

x 2 + 3x 1 0 y 2 - 4y 1 0 n2 - n $ 0 x2 - 4 $ 0 1 - n2 1 0 n 2 + 2n - 15 # 0 c2 - c - 2 2 0 x 2 + 6x + 8 # 0 x 2 - 9x + 20 1 0

10. 4b 2 + 10b + 4 $ 0 11. 1 - 2a - 3a 2 1 0 12. 2y 2 - y - 6 2 0 13. 3x 2 - 5x + 2 $ 0

Simultaneous Equations
Two equations, each with two unknown pronumerals, can be solved together to nd one solution that satises both equations. There are different ways of solving simultaneous equations. The elimination method adds or subtracts the equations. The substitution method substitutes one equation into the other.

Linear equations
These equations can be solved by either method. Many students prefer the elimination method.

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Maths In Focus Mathematics Preliminary Course

EXAMPLES
Solve simultaneously 1. 3a + 2b = 5 and 2a - b = -6

Solution
3a + 2b = 5 2a - b = -6 4a - 2b = -12 3 a + 2b = 5 7a = - 7 a = -1 (1 ) (2 ) (3 ) (1 )

] 2 g # 2: ] 1 g + (3):

Substitute a = -1 in (1) 3 (-1) + 2b = 5 -3 + 2b = 5 2b = 8 b=4 ` solution is a = -1, b = 4 2. 5x - 3y = 19 and 2x - 4y = 16

Solution
5x - 3y = 19 2x - 4y = 16 20x - 12y = 76 6x - 12y = 48 14x = 28 x=2 2 ( 2) - 4 y 4 - 4y - 4y y = 16 = 16 = 12 = -3 ( 1) ( 2) (3 ) (4 )

(1) # 4: ( 2 ) # 3: (3) - (4):

Substitute x = 2 in (2)

Chapter 3 Equations

129

3.11
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Exercises
12. 3a - 4b = -16 and 2a + 3b = 12 13. 5p + 2q + 18 = 0 and 2p - 3q + 11 = 0 14. 7x 1 + 3x 2 = 4 and 3x 1 + 5x 2 = - 2 15. 9x - 2y = -1 and 7x - 4y = 9 16. 5s - 3t - 13 = 0 and 3s - 7t - 13 = 0 17. 3a - 2b = - 6 and a - 3b = - 2 18. 3k - 2h = -14 and 2k - 5h = -13 19. 2v 1 + 5v 2 - 16 = 0 and 7v 1 + 2v 2 + 6 = 0 20. 1.5x + 3.4y = 7.8 and 2 . 1 x - 1 . 7y = 1 . 8

Solve simultaneously a - b = -2 and a + b = 4 5x + 2y = 12 and 3x - 2y = 4 4p - 3q = 11 and 5p + 3q = 7 y = 3x - 1 and y = 2x + 5 2x + 3y = -14 and x + 3y = -4 7t + v = 22 and 4t + v = 13 4x + 5y + 2 = 0 and 4x + y + 10 = 0 2x - 4y = 28 and 2x - 3y = -11 5x - y = 19 and 2x + 5y = -14

8. 9.

10. 5m + 4n = 22 and m - 5n = -13 11. 4w 1 + 3w 2 = 11 and 3w 1 + w 2 = 2

PROBLEM
A group of 39 people went to see a play. There were both adults and children in the group. The total cost of the tickets was $939, with children paying $17 each and adults paying $29 each. How many in the group were adults and how many were children? (Hint: let x be the number of adults and y the number of children.)

Non-linear equations
In questions involving non-linear equations there may be more than one set of solutions. In some of these, the elimination method cannot be used. Here are some examples using the substitution method.

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Maths In Focus Mathematics Preliminary Course

EXAMPLES
Solve simultaneously 1. xy = 6 and x + y = 5

Solution
xy = 6 x+y=5 From (2): y=5-x Substitute (3) in (1) x (5 - x) = 6 ( 1) (2 ) (3 )

5x - x 2 = 6 0 = x 2 - 5x + 6 0 = (x - 2 ) (x - 3 ) ` x - 2 = 0 or x - 3 = 0 x = 2 or x = 3 Substitute x = 2 in (3) y=5-2=3 Substitute x = 3 in (3) y=5-3=2 ` solutions are x = 2, y = 3 and x = 3, y = 2 2. x 2 + y 2 = 16 and 3x - 4y - 20 = 0

Solution
x 2 + y 2 = 16 3x - 4y - 20 = 0 From ] 2 g: 3x - 20 = 4y 3x - 20 =y 4 Substitute (3) into (1) 3x - 20 2 m = 16 x2 + c 4 9x 2 - 120x + 400 n = 16 x2 + d 16 16x 2 + 9x 2 - 120x + 400 = 256 25x 2 - 120x + 144 = 0 (5x - 12)2 = 0 ` 5x - 12 = 0 5x = 12 x = 2.4 Substitute x = 2.4 into ] 3 g 3 (2.4) - 20 4 = -3.2 So the solution is x = 2.4, y = -3.2. y= (1) (2 )

(3)

Chapter 3 Equations

131

3.12
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Exercises
11. y = x - 1 and y = x 2 - 3 12. y = x 2 + 1 and y = 1 - x 2 13. y = x 2 - 3x + 7 and y = 2x + 3 14. xy = 1 and 4x - y + 3 = 0 15. h = t 2 and h = ] t + 1 g2 16. x + y = 2 and 2x 2 + xy - y 2 = 8 17. y = x 3 and y = x 2 + 6x 18. y = | x | and y = x 2 19. y = x 2 - 7x + 6 and 24x + 4y - 23 = 0 20. x 2 + y 2 = 1 and 5x + 12y + 13 = 0

Solve the simultaneous equations. y = x 2 and y = x y = x 2 and 2x + y = 0 x 2 + y 2 = 9 and x + y = 3 x - y = 7 and xy = -12 y = x 2 + 4x and 2x - y - 1 = 0 y = x 2 and 6x - y - 9 = 0 x = t 2 and x + t - 2 = 0 m 2 + n 2 = 16 and m + n + 4 = 0 xy = 2 and y = 2x

10. y = x 3 and y = x 2

Equations with 3 unknown variables


Three equations can be solved simultaneously to nd 3 unknown pronumerals.
Four unknowns need 4 equations, and so on.

EXAMPLE
Solve simultaneously a - b + c = 7, a + 2b - c = -4 and 3a - b - c = 3.

Solution
a-b +c=7 a + 2b - c = - 4 3a - b - c = 3 (1) + (2): a-b+c=7 a + 2b - c = - 4 2a + b =3 (1) + (3): a- b+c=7 3a - b - c = 3 4a - 2b = 10 or 2a - b =5 (4) + (5): 2a + b =3 4a =8 a=2 (1 ) (2) (3)

( 4)

(5)

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Maths In Focus Mathematics Preliminary Course

You will solve 3 simultaneous equations in later topics (for example, in Chapter 9).

Substitute a = 2 in (4) 2 ( 2) + b = 3 4+b=3 b = -1 Substitute a = 2 and b = -1 in (1) 2 - (-1) + c = 7 2 +1 + c = 7 3+c=7 c=4 ` solution is a = 2, b = -1, c = 4

3.13
1.

Exercises
2p + 5q - r = 25, 2p - 2q - r = -24 and 3p - q + 5r = 4 2x - y + 3 z = 9 , 3x + y - 2z = -2 and 3x - y + 5z = 14 3h + j - k = -3, h + 2j + k = -3 and 5h - 3j - 2k = -13

Solve the simultaneous equations. x = - 2, 2x - y = 4 and x - y + 6z = 0 a = - 2, 2a - 3b = -1 and a - b + 5c = 9 2a + b + c = 1, a + b = - 2 and c = 7 a + b + c = 0, a - b + c = - 4 and 2a - 3b - c = -1 x + y - z = 7, x + y + 2z = 1 and 3x + y - 2z = 19 x - y - z = 1 , 2x + y - z = - 9 and 2x - 3y - 2z = 7 9. 7.

2.

8.

3.

4.

5.

6.

10. 2a - 7b + 3c = 7, a + 3b + 2c = -4 and 4a + 5b - c = 9

Chapter 3 Equations

133

Test Yourself 3
1. Solve (a) 8 = 3b - 22 a a+2 (b) =9 4 3 (c) 4 (3x + 1) = 11x - 3 (d) 3p + 1 # p + 9 2. The compound interest formula is r n m . Find correct to 2 A = P c1 + 100 decimal places. (a) A when P = 1000, r = 6 and n = 4 (b) P when A = 12 450, r = 5.5 and n = 7 Complete the square on (a) x 2 - 8x (b) k 2 + 4k Solve these simultaneous equations. (a) x - y + 7 = 0 and 3x - 4y + 26 = 0 (b) xy = 4 and 2x - y - 7 = 0 Solve (a) 3 x + 2 = 81 (b) 16 y = 2 Solve (a) 3b - 1 = 5 (b) 5g - 3 = 3g + 1 (c) 2x - 7 $ 1 7. The area of a trapezium is given by A = 1 h (a + b). Find 2 (a) A when h = 6, a = 5 and b = 7 (b) b when A = 40, h = 5 and a = 4. Solve 2x 2 - 3x + 1 = 0 by (a) factorisation (b) quadratic formula. 9. Solve -2 1 3y + 1 # 10, and plot your solution on a number line.

10. Solve correct to 3 signicant gures (a) x 2 + 7x + 2 = 0 (b) y 2 - 2y - 9 = 0 (c) 3n 2 + 2n - 4 = 0 11. The surface area of a sphere is given by A = 4rr 2 . Evaluate to 1 decimal place (a) A when r = 7.8 (b) r when A = 102.9 12. Solve x-3 3 - 2 9. 7 4

3.

13. Solve x 2 - 11x + 18 2 0. 14. Solve the simultaneous equations x 2 + y 2 = 16 and 3x + 4y - 20 = 0. 15. The volume of a sphere is V = 4 3 rr . 3 Evaluate to 2 signicant gures (a) V when r = 8 (b) r when V = 250

4.

5.

6.

16. Which of the following equations has (i) 2 solutions (ii) 1 solution (iii) no solutions? (a) x 2 - 6x + 9 = 0 (b) 2x - 3 = 7 (c) x - 2 = 7 - x (d) x 2 - x + 4 = 0 (e) 2x + 1 = x - 2 17. Solve simultaneously a + b = 5, 2 a + b + c = 4, a - b - c = 5. 18. Solve 3n + 5 2 5, and plot the solution on a number line. 19. Solve 3 4 =x x+1
^ x ! 0, -1 h .

8.

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20. Solve 9 2x + 1 = 27 x . 21. Solve (a) 2 ^ 3y - 5 h 2 y + 5 (b) n 2 + 3n # 0 (c) 3 2x - 1 = 27 (d) 5x 3 - 1 = 39 (e) 5x - 4 = 11 (f) 2t + 1 $ 3 (g) x 2 + 2x - 8 # 0

(h) 8 x + 1 = 4 x (i) y 2 - 4 2 0 (j) 1 - x 2 # 0 (k) 27 2x - 1 = 9 (l) 4b - 3 # 5 (m) 3x + 2 = 2x - 3 (n) 4t - 5 = t + 2 (o) x 2 1 2x + 3 (p) m 2 + m $ 6

Challenge Exercise 3
1. 2. 3. Find the value of y if a 3y - 5 = Solve x 2 2 a 2 . The solutions of x 2 - 6x - 3 = 0 are in the form a + b 3 . Find the values of a and b. Solve 2 1 = 1 correct to 3 x-1 x+1 1 . a2 9. Solve t + 2 + 3t - 1 1 5. 10. Solve ] x - 4 g ] x - 1 g # 28.
3

11. Solve x 2 =

1 . 8

4.

signicant gures. (x ! ! 1) 5. Factorise x 5 - 9x 3 - 8x 2 + 72. Hence solve x 5 - 9x 3 - 8x 2 + 72 = 0. Solve simultaneous equations y = x + x and y = x + 1.
3 2

12. The volume of a sphere is given by 4 V = rr 3 . Find the value of r when 3 V = 51.8 (correct to three signicant gures). 13. Solve x - 3 + x + 4 = x - 2 . 14. Find the solutions of x 2 - 2ax - b = 0 by completing the square. 15. Given A = P c 1 + r n m , nd P 100 correct to 2 decimal places when A = 3281.69, r = 1.27 and n = 30.

6.

7.

Find the value of b if x - 8x + b is a perfect square. Hence solve x 2 - 8x - 1 = 0 by completing the square.
2 2

8.

Considering the denition of absolute x-3 value, solve = x, where x ! 3. 3-x

16. Solve 3x 2 = 8 (2x - 1) and write the solution in the simplest surd form. 17. Solve 3y - 1 + 2y + 3 2 5.

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