IGCSE Mathematics
Lesson 1: Numbers, Expressions, and Equations
Nicole Zhang
jianqiao8869@gmail.com
Abstract
In this lecture, well be spending 1.5 hours studying from numbers to equations. We focus on how
to perform algebraic operations, and develop more mathematical intuition and skills to prepare for
exams.
Topcis:
1. Understand natural numbers, integers, prime numbers, square numbers, common factors,
common multiples;
2. Understand of rational and irrational numbers;
3. Estimate and compare the values of numbers;
4. Solve problems with percentage;
5. Use a calculator to do advanced calculations;
6. Use algebraic method to simplify and expand expressions;
7. Solve linear and quadratic equations;
8. Solve simultaneous equations.
I.
NUMBERS
A.
Warm up (10min)
B.
Definition: Division of positive integers yields a quotient and a remainder, when the
remainder is 0, that yields a divisor or a factor. For example, 6 is a divisor of 42.
Definition: The highest common factor or HCF of two positive integers is the largest
number that is a divisor/factor of both number.
Practice: Find the HCF of 54 and 78.
Definition: A prime number is an integer greater than 1 whose only divisors are itself
and 1. An integer that is greater than 1 and is not prime is called a composite number.
Practice: What is the smallest prime number? Are even numbers prime? What is the
smallest composite number?
THE UNIQUE FACTORISATION THEOREM: Every positive integer can be written as
a product of prime numbers in one and only one way, apart from the order of the factors.
Definition of a RATIONAL NUMBER: A rational number is a number that can be written
as a fraction ab , where a and b are integers and b 6= 0.
Examples:
2
C.
Percentage (10min)
3
, 6
40 125
Solution:
3
=
40
6
=
125
3
100
% = 7.5%
40
1
6
100
% = 4.8%
125
1
Questions:
1. Steves council rates increased by 5% this year to $840. What were his council rates
last year?
2. Joanne received a 10% discount on a pair of shoes. If she paid $144, what was the
original price?
3. A table marked $1400 has been discounted by 30%. How much does it now cost?
D.
Question: What is a square root, cube root, quartic root, quintic root, sextic
root?
Pythagoras theorem: definition of
Fractional powers: x n
5
Examples I: 8 3 , 81 4 , (x6 ) 3
Examples II:
p
4
372
64
q
p
73.98 44.63 + 3 58
II.
ALGEBRA
A.
Some fomulae
1. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
2. (a + b)(a
3. (a
b) = a2
b2
b)(a2 + ab + b2 ) = a3
b3
Practice
1. 4x3 + 3x2
2. a2
36
3. x2 13x + 36
4. a2 + 12a
28
Algebraic Fractions
4
1.
x2 1
x 1
2.
x2 13x+36
x2 16
3.
1
x 4
B.
1
x
Guidlines:
1. Any number can be added to or subtracted from both sides.
2. Both sides can be multiplied or divided by any non-zero number.
Simple Examples:
1. 6x + 5 = 4x9
2.
4 7x
4x 7
=1
Advanced Examples:
1. (1 + 2x)(4 + 3x) = (2
2. (x + 3)2 = (x
x)(5
6x)
1)2
C.
15, n = 10 and a =
Three methods:
1. factoring
2. using the quadratic formula
3. completing the square
Factoring Examples:
5
1. x2 + 4x + 3 = 0
2. 5x2 + 34x
7=0
3. 50 + 27h + h2 = 0
Quadratic Formula:
Definition: The solutions of ax2 + bx + c = 0 are:
x=
Let
= b2
b2
2a
4ac
Examples:
1. 3x2 + 4x
1=0
2. 5x2 + 13x
6=0
D.
10x + 7 = 0
Methods:
1. Solve one of the equations for one of the variables.
2. Then substitute it into the other equation.
6
Examples:
1. 3x
2y = 29, 4x + y = 24
2. y = x2 , y = x + 2
3. x2 + y 2 = 117, 2x2
III.
3y 2 = 54
REVIEW(5MIN)
1. What are natural numbers, integers, prime numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers?
2. If Mr Chubby is 80kg in 2014, and his weight increase by 20% every year, how much
does he weight in 2016?
3. What are the three dierent methods that we use to solve quadratic equations?
4. What do we check before we start solving a quardratic equation with the formula?