UNIT 1 CHAPTER SUMMARY 31

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 1

SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS SOLVING EQUATIONS

You can only add or subtract like terms: To solve equations, always do the same to both sides.

2xy + 5xy = 7xy but the terms in 2xy + y cannot be Always check your answer.
added together;
The six basic types:
2x2 + 4x2 = 6x2 but the terms in 2x2 + 3x cannot be
added together. • x + 2 = 10 (Subtract 2 from both sides)
x=8 (Check: 8 + 2 = 10)
The multiplication sign is often not included between
letters, e.g. 2xy means 2 × x × y. • x – 2 = 10 (Add 2 to both sides)
x = 12 (Check: 12 – 2 = 10)
When multiplying, add like powers. 2xy2 × 3x × x2y3 =
6x4y5 (think of x as x1). • 2 – x = 10 (Add x to both sides)
2 = 10 + x (Subtract 10 from both sides)
You can check your simplifications by substituting 2 – 10 = x
numbers. x = –8 (Check: 2 – (–8) = 10)

• 2x = 10 (Divide both sides by 2)

x=5 (Check: 2 × 5 = 10)
SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
WITH BRACKETS
x
• = 10 (Multiply both sides by 2)
Multiply each term inside the bracket by the term 2
outside the bracket. x = 20 (Check:
20
= 10 )
2
The multiplication sign is usually not included:
2
• = 10 (Multiply both sides by x)
2(a + b) means 2 × (a + b) = 2 × a + 2 × b = 2a + 2b x

2 = 10x (Divide both sides by 10)

Be very careful with negative signs outside a bracket:
1
=x (Check: 2 ÷ = 2 × 5 = 10)
–3(x – 2) means –3 × (x – 2) = (–3) × (x) + (–3) × (–2) = 5
–3x + 6

When multiplying, the number 1 is usually not PROBLEMS LEADING TO EQUATIONS

included:
Let the unknown quantity be x. Write down the facts in
–(3x – 4) means –1 × (3x – 4) = (–1) × (3x) + (–1) × the form of an equation and then solve it.
(–4) = –3x + 4
 UNIT 2 CHAPTER SUMMARY 125

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 2

SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS POSITIVE INTEGER INDICES

5a 2b 5a 5a 2b 5a + 8b 5a 2b 5a 8b When multiplying, add the indices.

× = + = =
4b2 3 6 12 3 12 12 3 12 am × an = am+n

To divide by a fraction, turn the fraction upside down When dividing, subtract the indices.
and multiply. am ÷ an = am-n

5a 2b 5a 3 5 a When raising to a power, multiply the indices.

÷ = × =
12 3 12 4 2b 8b (am)n = amn

SOLVING EQUATIONS WITH ROOTS AND POWERS INEQUALITIES

The way to solve equations is to isolate the unknown Inequalities are solved in the same way as algebraic
letter by systematically doing the same operation to equations, EXCEPT that when multiplying or dividing
both sides. by a negative number the inequality sign is reversed.
Always check your answer. 2(x – 3) ≤ 5(x – 3) (Expand brackets)
Solve 3x – 4 = 71
2
2x – 6 ≤ 5x – 15 (Add 15 to both sides)
3x2 – 4 = 71 (Add 4 to both sides)
2x + 9 ≤ 5x (Subtract 2x from both sides)
3x2 = 75 (Divide both sides by 3)
9 ≤ 3x (Divide both sides by 3)
x2 = 25 (Square root both sides)
3 ≤ x or x ≥ 3
x = ±5 (Note there are two answers)
x > 3 means that x cannot be equal to 3.
Check: 3 × (±5)2 – 4 = 71
x ≥ 3 means that x can be equal to 3 or greater than 3.
Solve y +3
2 =1
4
A solid circle means
y +3
2 =1 (Add 2 to both sides) ≥ or ≤
4
y +3
=3 (Multiply both sides by 4) An open circle means
4
> or <
y + 3 = 12 (Square both sides)

y + 3 = 144 (Subtract 3 from both sides)

y = 141

141+ 3
Check: 2 =1
4
200 EXAM PRACTICE
CHAPTER SUMMARY UNIT 3

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 3

SIMPLE FACTORISING SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

Take out the common factors. Check your answer by

SUBSTITUTION METHOD
multiplying out.
2x3 + 6x5 = 2x3(1 + 3x2) x=y+1 (1)
9xy3 – 12x2y2 = 3xy2(3y – 4x) x + 2y = 4 (2) (Substitute (1) into (2)
to give equation (3))
SIMPLIFYING FRACTIONS y + 1 + 2y = 4 (3)
Factorise first, then simplify 3y = 3 ⇒ y = 1 (Substitute into
2
x y xy xy ( x y )
2 1 equation (1) to find x)
= =x y
xy 1 xy x=2 (Check by substituting
into equation (2))
EQUATIONS WITH FRACTIONS 2+2=4 (Correct)

Clear the fractions by multiplying both sides by the ELIMINATION METHOD

lowest common denominator.
x + 2y = 5 (1)
2( x 3 ) x 1 (Multiply both sides by
= 3x – 4y = 25 (2) (Multiply equation (1)
3 2 3 × 2 = 6)
by 2 to give
4(x – 3) = 3(x – 1) (Multiply out brackets) equation (3))

2x + 4y = 10 (3) (Add equations (2) and

4x – 12 = 3x – 3 (Subtract 3x from both sides
(3))
and add 12 to both sides)
x=9 5x = 35 ⇒ x = 7 (Substitute into
equation (1))
2 1 (Multiply both sides by 7 + 2y = 5 ⇒ y = –1 (Check in equation (2))
=
x 3 3 × x = 3x)
21 –(–4) = 25 (Correct)
2 1
× 3x = × 3x (Simplify)
x 3

6=x
258 CHAPTER SUMMARY UNIT 4

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 4

CHANGE OF SUBJECT USING FORMULAE

A formula is a way of describing a relationship The volume of a cylinder is given by V = πr2h.

between two or more different quantities.

A formula has an equals sign and letters to represent

the different quantities. r

The subject of a formula is the letter on its own on one

side of the equals sign.

In the formula A = r 2 , A is the subject. h

To change the subject of a formula, use the same
steps you use when solving equations to collect
together the terms involving the new subject.

The formula A = r 2 can be rearranged to make r the

subject:

A A Find r when V = 600 cm3 and h = 12 cm.

r2 = r=
Facts: V = 600 cm3, h = 12 cm, r = ?

Equation: V = πr2h
V V
Rearrange: r2 = ⇒ r=
h h

600
Substitute: r=
× 12

Working: r = 3.99 cm (3 s.f.)

 UNIT 5 CHAPTER SUMMARY 325

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 5

MULTIPLYING BRACKETS SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
BY FACTORISATION
Use the word (mnemonic) FOIL.
Solve x2 – x = 6.
From each bracket:
x2 – x – 6 = 0 Rearrange the equation
• multiply the First terms so that the right-hand side
• multiply the Outside terms equals zero.
• multiply the Inside terms
• multiply the Last terms. (x – 3)(x + 2) = 0 Factorise the left-hand side.

Then add the four terms and simplify. x = 3 or x = –2 Use the fact that
a × b = 0 ⇒ a = 0 or b = 0
F L (or both are zero) to solve.

(a + b) (c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd
PROBLEMS LEADING TO QUADRATIC
I EQUATIONS
O
Define your variable.
You can multiply brackets in any order.
Change the word problem into a mathematical
equation.
FACTORISING QUADRATIC EXPRESSIONS Solve the equation.
With two terms: Choose the real-life solution.
x2 – ax = x(x – a)
x2 – a2 = (x – a)(x + a)
x2 + a2 does not factorise.

With three terms:

The numbers in the brackets add up to the number in

front of the x term.
If the number term is positive, then the numbers in the
brackets will have the same sign as the x term.

x2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 3)(x + 2) x2 – 5x + 6 = (x – 3)(x – 2)

If the number term is negative, then the numbers in

the brackets will have opposite signs.

x2 – x – 6 = (x – 3)(x + 2) x2 + x – 6 = (x + 3)(x – 2)
42 CHAPTER SUMMARY UNIT 6

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 6

PROPORTION INVERSE PROPORTION
DIRECT PROPORTION k for some
y is inversely proportional to x means y = ___
x
constant k.
All these statements have the same meaning:
◼ y is directly proportional to x. The graph of y plotted against x looks like this.
◼ y varies directly with x. y
◼ y varies as x.

y is directly proportional to x means y = kx, for some

constant k (constant of proportionality).

The graph of y against x is a straight line through the

origin.

y x
0

As x increases, y decreases.
k ⇒ k = 12
If y = 3 when x = 4, then 3 = __
4
12
So the equation is y = ___
x

0
For some constant k:
x
◼ When y is inversely proportional to x2 then
k
1 and y = __
y ∝ __
x2 x2
If y = 12 when x = 3, then 12 = k × 3 ⇒ k = 4
So the equation is y = 4x ◼ When y is inversely proportional to x3 then
k
1 and y = __
y ∝ __
For some constant k: x3 x3
__
◼ When y is directly proportional to x2 then y ∝ x2 ◼ When y is inversely proportional to √ x then
and y = kx2 k__
1__ and y = __
y ∝ __
√x √x
◼ When y is directly proportional to x3 then y ∝ x3
and y = kx3
__ __
◼ When y is directly proportional to √ x then y ∝ √ x
__
and y = k√ x INDICES

For a negative or fractional index, the laws of indices

still apply:
1 __ n __ n m __
◼ a m = ( √a ) = √an
–
m –
m
◼ am = √a

◼ a 0 = 1, a ≠ 0 1, a ≠ 0
◼ a −1 = __
a
1 for any number n, a ≠ 0
◼ a −n = __
an

( )
n
◼ (__ )
a −n = _____
1 = __b for any number n, a, b ≠ 0
(b)
n
b a
__ a
126 CHAPTER SUMMARY UNIT 7

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 7

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY FACTORISING
The different types of quadratic equation are shown, with examples, below.
No x term: x2 − 4 = 0 ⇒ x2 = 4 ⇒ x = ±2
No number term: x2 + 4x = 0 ⇒ x(x + 4) = 0 ⇒ x = 0 or −4
Simple factorising: x2 − x − 2 = 0 ⇒ (x + 1)(x − 2) = 0 ⇒ x = −1 or 2
Number factor: 3x2 − 3x − 6 = 0 ⇒ 3(x2 − x − 2) = 0 ⇒ 3(x + 1)(x − 2) = 0 ⇒ x = −1 or 2
More complex factorising: 2x2 + 5x + 2 = 0 ⇒ (2x + 1)(x + 2) = 0 ⇒ x = − __1 or −2
2

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE

x 2 + bx + c = (x + __
2) (2)
2 2
b − __ b +c

Take care with the signs if b is negative.

a x 2 + bx + c can be written as a(x 2 + __
a )
b x + c before completing the square for x 2 + __
bx
a
Give your answers in surd form (unless told otherwise) as these are exact.
Complete the square for x2 − 4x + 1
x2 − 4x + 1 = (x − 2)2 − (−2)2 + 1 = (x − 2)2 − 3
Therefore solve x² − 4x + 1 = 0 giving exact answers.
x2 − 4x + 1 = 0 ⇒ (x − 2)2 − 3 = 0
⇒ (x − 2)2 = 3__
⇒ x − 2 = ±__√ 3 __
⇒ x = 2 + √ 3 or 2 − √ 3

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS USING THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

______
− b ± √ b − 4ac
2
If ax + bx + c = 0 then x = __________
2
2a
Write down the values of a, b and c. Take care with the signs. If b = −3 then –b = +3, and b2 must be positive.
If one of a or c is negative then −4ac will be positive.
Solve 2x 2 − 5x − 1 = 0
a = 2, b = −5 and c = −1 ____________
5 ± √52 − 4 × 2 × −1
______________
Substituting into the formula: x =
2×2
___
5 ± √ 33
x = _____
4
SOLVING QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES
To solve a quadratic inequality, sketch the graph of the quadratic function. y
Solve a x2 – x – 2 < 0 b x2 – x – 2 ≥ 0
First sketch y = x2 – x – 2 by finding where the graph intersects the x-axis.
x2 – x – 2 = 0 ⇒ (x + 1)(x – 2) = 0 ⇒ x = −1 and x = 2
So the graph intersects the x-axis at x = −1 and x = 2
The graph is a positive parabola, which is U-shaped. x
21 2
a The required region is below the x-axis. As this is one region, the answer is
one inequality, so −1 < x < 2
b The required region is above the x-axis. As this has two components, the 22
answer is two inequalities, so x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 2
 UNIT X8 CHAPTER SUMMARY 215

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 8

FUNCTIONS

Relationships that are ‘one to one’ and ‘many to one’ –2 –2

1 2 1 1
are functions. If only one arrow leaves the members
–1 1 1 –1
of the set then the relationship is a function. 2 3 2 2
1 4 4 1
3 4 3 3
2 2

‘one to one’ ‘many to one’ ‘one to many’ ‘many to many’

A function A function Not a function Not a function

If a vertical line placed anywhere on a graph 3 y 4 y

intersects the graph at only one point then the graph
shows a function. 2
3

1
A function operates on all of the input. If the function 2
is treble (three times the original) and add four x
–1 0 1 2 3 4
(f(x) = 3x + 4) then if 2x is input, 6x + 4 is output 1
–1
so f(2x) = 6x + 4
x
–2 –2 –1 0 1 2

2x Treble and add 4

6x + 4
–3 –1

Not a function Function

DOMAIN AND RANGE

The graph of the function gives a useful picture of the domain and range.
The domain corresponds to the x-axis, and the range to the y-axis.
Some numbers cannot be used for the domain as they lead to impossible operations, usually division by zero or the
square root of a negative number.
1 is all real numbers except zero as division by zero is not possible.
The domain of f(x) = __
x

COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS
gf(x) means do f first, followed by g.
fg(x) means do g first, followed by f.
If f(x) = x2 and g(x) = x + 1 then gf(x) = x2 + 1 and fg(x) = (x + 1)2

INVERSE FUNCTION 6 y

y = 3x + 4 y=x
To find the inverse function: 4
Step 1 Write the function as y = …
Step 2 Change any x to y and any y to x. 2
Step 3 Make y the subject giving the inverse function and use the
x
correct f −1(x) notation. –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
The graph of the inverse function is the reflection of the function in the line y = x
–2
Find the inverse of f(x) = 3x + 4
Step 1 y = 3x + 4 x–4
–4 y = ––––
Step 2 x = 3y + 4 3

x−4
Step 3 y = ____ x−4
⇒ f −1(x) = ____ –6
3 3
 UNIT 9 CHAPTER SUMMARY 291

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 9

SOLVING TWO SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS − ONE LINEAR AND ONE NON-LINEAR

Graphically this corresponds to the intersection of a line and a curve.

Always substitute the linear equation into the non-linear equation.
Solve the simultaneous equations y = x2 + 2, y = 3x
y = x2 + 2 (1)
y = 3x (2)
Substituting (2) into (1):
x2 + 2 = 3x (Rearrange)
x2 − 3x + 2 = 0 (Factorise)
(x − 1)(x − 2) = 0
x = 1 or 2
Substituting into (2) gives the solutions as (1, 3) or (2, 6).

y = 3x
y
y = x2 + 2 6
5
4
3
2
1

–2 –1 0 1 2 x

Solve the simultaneous equations x2 + y2 = 13, x − y + 1 = 0

x2 + y2 = 13 (1)
x − y + 1 = 0 (2)
The linear equation is equation (2).
Make y the subject of equation (2):
y = x + 1 ⇒ y2 = (x + 1)2 ⇒ y2 = x2 + 2x + 1 (3)
Substitute (3) into (1):
x2 + x2 + 2x + 1 = 13
2x2 + 2x − 12 = 0 (Divide by 2)
x2 + x − 6 = 0 (Factorise)
(x + 3)(x − 2) = 0
x = −3 or 2
Substituting into (2) gives the solutions as (−3, −2) or (2, 3).

y
x 2 + y 2 = 13
3
2
1 x–y+1=0

–4 –2 O 2 x
–1
–2
–3
–4
292 CHAPTER SUMMARY UNIT 9

PROOF

To prove a statement is true you must show it is true in all cases.

To prove a statement is not true you need to find a counter-example – an example that does not fit the statement.
n3 + n2 + 17 does not always produce prime numbers as 17 is a factor.

If n is an integer
◼ …, n − 1, n, n + 1, n + 2, … are consecutive integers
◼ any even number can be written as 2n
◼ consecutive even numbers can be written as 2n, 2n + 2, 2n + 6, …
◼ any odd number can be written as 2n + 1
◼ consecutive odd numbers can be written as 2n + 1, 2n + 3, 2n + 5, …
Prove that the sum of two consecutive odd numbers is divisible by four.
(2n + 1) + (2n + 3) = 2n + 1 + 2n + 3 = 4n + 4 = 4(n + 1)

PROOFS USING COMPLETING THE SQUARE

◼ (x − a)2 ≥ 0 and (x + a)2 ≥ 0 for all x.

◼ (x − a)2 = 0 when x = a and (x + a)2 = 0 when x = −a.
◼ To prove a quadratic function is greater or less than zero, write it in completed square form.
◼ To find the co-ordinates of the turning point of a quadratic graph, write it in completed square form y = a(x + b)2 + c.
The turning point is then (−b, c).

Prove that x2 − 2x + 1 ≥ 0 for all x.

Hence find the turning point of y = x2 − 2x + 1
x2 − 2x + 1 = (x − 1)2 ≥ 0
y = x2 − 2x + 1 ⇒ y = (x − 1)2 + 0
so the turning point is (− (−1), 0) which is (1, 0).

6 y

x
–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4

–1
 UNIT
UNIT10
X CHAPTER SUMMARY 373

CHAPTER SUMMARY: ALGEBRA 10

SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

To simplify, factorise as much as possible and then cancel.

(x + 2 ) (x + 1 ) ____
x 2 + 3x + 2 = __________
________ = x+1
x −x−5
2
(x + 2 ) (x − 3 ) x−3

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

Add or subtract in the same way as number fractions.

To find the LCD you may need to factorise the denominators first.

__ x − 1 = _______
x + ____ 2x + x − 1 = _____
2x − 1
3 6 6 6
1 − ____
__ x − 1 − x = ______
1 = ______ −1
x x−1 x(x − 1 ) x(x − 1 )

MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

First factorise, then multiply or divide.

To divide, turn the second fraction upside down and multiply.

(x + 4) (x + 1) _____
x + 3 = __________
x 2 + 5x + 4 × ____ (x + 3) ____
________ × = x+1
x − x − 12
2
x+4 (x − 4) (x + 3) (x + 4) x−4

x − 6 ÷ __________
____ x − 36 2 (x − 6) (x + 3)(x + 7) x + 7
= _____ × __________ = ____
x+3 2
x + 10x + 21 (x + 3) (x − 6)(x + 6) x+6

SOLVING EQUATIONS WITH ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS

Multiply both sides by the LCD to clear the fractions.

x + 1 = ____
____ x − 1 ⇒ 2(x + 1 ) = 3(x − 1 ) ⇒ 2x + 2 = 3x − 3 ⇒ x = 5
3 2
x = 2 ⇒ x − 2 − x 2 = 2 x 2 − 4x ⇒ 3 x 2 − 5x + 2 = 0
1 − ____
__
x x−2
2
⇒ (3x − 2 ) (x − 1 ) = 0 ⇒ x = 1 or __
3
Always check your answer by substituting it into the original equation.