Beginning Algebra

MATH 100B

Math Study Center

BYU-Idaho
 Preface
This math book has been created by the BYU-Idaho Math Study Center for
the college student who needs an introduction to Algebra. This book is the product
of many years of implementation of an extremely successful Beginning Algebra
program and includes perspectives and tips from experienced instructors and
tutors.
Videos of instruction and solutions can be found at the following url:

https://youtu.be/-taqTmqALPg?list=PL_YZ8kB-SJ1v2M-oBKzQWMtKP8UprXu8q

The following individuals have assisted in authoring:

Rich Llewellyn
Daniel Baird
Diana Wilson
Kelly Wilson
Kenna Campbell
Robert Christenson
Brandon Dunn
Hannah Sherman

We hope that it will be helpful to you as you take Algebra this semester.

The BYU-Idaho Math Study Center

 Math 100B
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Arithmetic and Variables
Section 1.1 – LCM and Factoring…..……………………………………………………………6
Finding factors, Prime Factorization, Least Common Multiples
Section 1.2 – Fractions…………………………………………………………………………..14
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Section 1.3 – Decimals, Percents………………………………………………………..……….21
Decimals; Conversion between decimals, fractions, and percents; finding percents of totals
Section 1.4 – Rounding, Estimation, Exponents, Roots, and Order of Operations…...…………28
Natural number exponents and roots of integers
Section 1.5 – Variables and Geometry ……………………………………………………….…39
Introductions to variables and their use in formulas
Section 1.6 – Negative and Signed Numbers...…………………………………………………..51
Section 1.7 – Simplifying…………………………………………………………………..……60
Combining; Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties; Identities and Inverses

Chapter 2 – Linear Equations

Section 2.1 – Linear Equations …………………………………………………………………79
Steps 2 and 3, Addition and Multiplication Principles
Section 2.2 – Applications of Linear Equations…………………………………………………91
Translation, Shapes, and Formulas
Section 2.3 – More Linear Equations…………………………………………………………..100
Step 1, Combining and clearing parentheses
Section 2.4 – Applications of Linear Equations………………………………………………..106
Substitution, Consecutive, Percent Word Problems, Forward and Backward
Section 2.5 – Linear Equations with Fractions…………………………………………………117
Step 1, Clearing fractions; Summary of 3-step process
Section 2.6 – Inequalities……………………………………………………………………….122
Greater than, less than symbols, Solving Inequalities
Section 2.7 – Applications of Inequalities……………………………………………………...130
Inequality translation and Word Problems
Chapter 3 – Lines
Section 3.1 – Graphing…………………………………………………………………………144
Graphing by Pick ‘n Stick, Intercepts
Section 3.2 – Slope……………………………………………………………………………..154
Section 3.3 – Graphing with slope, Slope-Intercept……………………………………………161
Section 3.4 – Graphing with slope, Standard……...……………………………………………168
Section 3.5 – Writing Equations………………………………………………………………..178
Find the Equation of a line given a slope and a point or two points

Chapter 4 – Exponents and Polynomials

Section 4.1 – Laws of Exponents………………………………………………………………193
Mutliplication, Power, Division, Zero rules for exponents; Scientific Notation Arithmetic
Section 4.2 – Intro to Polynomials……………………………………………………………..202
Terminology, Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Section 4.3 – Multiplication of Polynomials…………………………………………………..211
Monomial × Polynomials, Special Cases, Binomial Squared, Binomial × Binomial
Section 4.4 – Division of Polynomials…………………………………………………………221
Division of Polynomials by Monomials

Chapter 5 – Factoring
Section 5.1 – Intro to Factoring, Methods 1 and 2……………………………………………..234
Factoring by pulling out GCF, Grouping with 4 terms
Section 5.2 – Factoring Trinomials, Method 3…………………………………………………244
Factoring Trinomials with lead coefficient =1
Section 5.3 – Factoring Trinomials, Method 4…………………………………………………249
Factoring Trinomials with lead coefficient ≠ 1, ac-method
Section 5.4 – Factoring Special Cases………………………………………………………….255
Factoring Perfect Squares and Difference of Squares
Section 5.5 – Factoring With All Methods……………………………………………………..264
Holistic Approach to determine which method to use
Section 5.6 – Solving Polynomial Equations…………………………………………………..268
Zero Multiplication; Solving Polynomial Equations by factoring
 5

Chapter 1:
ARITHMETIC &
VARIABLES

OVERVIEW
1.1 LCM and Factoring
1.2 Fractions
1.3 Decimals
1.4 Exponents, Order of Operations, Rounding
1.5 Variables and Formulas
1.6 Negatives
1.7 Laws of Simplifying
6

1.1 Factoring and Finding the LCM (Least Common Multiple)

OBJECTIVES
• Know how to find the factors of a number
• Use factors to find two or more numbers LCM

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

Factoring a number means break that number down into numbers that go into it. Finding the
different factors of a number can then help us in algebra, adding and subtracting fractions, and many
other things. Finding the LCM is seeing the multiples of two numbers meet. This can be especially
helpful for fractions. Throughout this chapter, you will be able to review all of arithmetic and the
concepts and rules of what variables are and how they work.

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples (LCM)
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING, ESTIMATION,
Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF
Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

B FACTORING

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

PRODUCT: Multiplication of two numbers will get you a product

PRIME NUMBER: When a natural number has only two factors, the number 1 and itself.
Example: The numbers 3, 5, 7, 11 are prime
Example: The number 1 is not a prime number because it does not have two different factors.
Section 1.1
 7

ONE: If two numbers only have the number one as a common factor that means these numbers are
“relatively prime”.
Example: The numbers 7 and 12 are relatively prime because the only factor they have in common 1.

FACTOR: The numbers that are multiplied together to get the product are factors.
Example: The factors of 42 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 42 because these are the only natural numbers that
can multiply to get a product of 42.

LCM: Least Common Multiple. You can find this when the multiples of two or more numbers meet
up at a common number.
Example: The multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, and so on. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48,
60, and so on. To find the LCM you find the smallest multiple these two numbers have in
common. 8 and 12 both have 24, 48 in common but we are looking for the least common
multiple, which means the smallest number. Therefore, the LCM is 24 because it is the smallest
common multiple between 8 and 12.

I. Find All Factors

Factoring is a useful and necessary skill when adding and subtracting fractions and will be a
very helpful skill to have in algebra.

Find Factors
1. Start with 1 and move up finding numbers that are factors.
2. List the numbers you have found. These are all the factors

EXAMPLES
For factoring number, we simply write down all the numbers that go into it.
Number to be Factored Factors

12 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

20 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

27 1, 3, 9, 27

Section 1.1
8

EXAMPLES

Find all factors of 48

1 Step 1: Find all factors that multiply to be the product
48, starting with the number 1 and 48 and moving up the
1  48 48 2  24 48 number line.
3  16 48 4  12 48
Note: In the last box we see 8x6=48. The 8 has already
6  8 48 8  6 48 been used in the factors, so we know that all of the
factors have been found.
To make them a little easier to see we can Step 3: Now we will list all the numbers we used up
put them in numerical order from smallest until we saw the repeated number and these will be our
to largest. factors.
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 1, 48, 2, 24, 3, 16, 4, 12, 6, 8

II. Find Prime Factorization of a Number

Once again, factor each number individually just like we did in the previous example.

Prime Factorize
1. Find a factor, break the number up.
2. Repeat until all factors are prime.

EXAMPLES

Find the prime factorization of 60 and 72

2

60 72 Step 1: Find the factors of 60 until the factors are all

prime..
10 6 2 36

5 2 2 3 2 18 Step 2: Repeat step one for 72

6 3

2 3

                 

Section 1.1
 9

Find LCM (Least Common Multiple)

EXAMPLE

Multiples of 6 Multiples of 4 4 and 6 have the numbers

6 4 12, 24, 36, 48 . . .
12 8 as common multiples.
18 12
24 16 The smallest of these is:
30 20 12
36 24
Thus 12 is the LCM
42 28
(Least Common Multiple)
48 32 of 4 and 6.
54 36
60 40

Find the LCM (Observation)

1. Write out multiples for two or more
numbers
2. Find what the two lists have in
common.
3. The smallest multiple is the LCM

Section 1.1
10

EXAMPLE

Find the LCM of 4 and 5

4

4 5 Step 1: Write out the multiples for 4 and 5

8 10 Step 2: The first number that both multiples hit is 20
12 15
16 20 Step 3: The LCM of 4 and 5 is 20.
20 25
24 30
28 35
32 40

We can also find the LCM of numbers by using prime factorization

EXAMPLE

Prime factorization of 4 Prime factorization of 6

4=2×2 6=2×3

2×2×3
Prime factorization of the smallest number that both will go in to
2 × 2 × 3 = 12

Thus 12 is the LCM of 4 and 6

Section 1.1
 11

Find the LCM (Prime Factorization)

1. Prime factorize
2. Write out the smallest number that they
all can go into.
3. Multiply it out = LCM

EXAMPLE

6
Find the LCM of 40 and 36.

Prime factorization of 40 Prime factorization of 36

40 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3

2×2×2×3×3×5
Prime factorization of the smallest number that both will go in to
2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 = 360

Thus 360 is the LCM of 40 and 360

Section 1.1
12

1.1 EXERCISE SET

Find the factors for each number

1. 30 2. 150 3. 37

4. 12 5. 75 6. 81

Find the prime factorization of each number.

7. 50 8. 16 9. 27

10. 100 11. 99 12. 13

Find the prime factorization of the numbers; then find the least common multiple (LCM).

13. 3, 8 14. 20, 75 15. 5, 7 16. 12, 120

17. 4, 16 18. 8, 12 19. 6, 14 20. 17, 10

21. 12, 15 22. 3, 5, 10 23. 2, 6, 9 24. 4, 8, 10

Preparation.

After reading some of section 1.2, find the following:

       
25. + = + = − = − =
       

       
26.  =  = ÷ = ÷ =
      

Section 1.1
 13

Answers
1. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30 23. 18

2. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 25, 30, 50, 75, 150 24. 40

3. 1, 37 25. In Class.

4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 26. In Class.

5. 1, 3, 5, 15, 25, 75

6. 1, 3, 9, 27, 81

7. 2×5×5

8. 2×2×2×2

9. 3×3×3

10. 2×2×5×5

11. 3 × 3 × 11

12. 13

13. 24

14. 300

15. 35
Still have questions? Video
16. 120 solutions available: Click here.

17. 16 Or scan:

18. 24

19. 42

20. 170

21. 60

22. 30
14

1.2 Arithmetic of Fractions

OBJECTIVES
• Know the parts of a fraction and when it is simplified fully
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication/Division

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING,
ESTIMATION, Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

B ARITHMETIC OF FRACTIONS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

NUMERATOR: The top of a fraction. This is always an integer, never a decimal. 2
DENOMINATOR: The bottom of the fraction. This is always an integer, never a decimal, 3
and never zero.

SIMPLIFY: Fractions are simplified when the numerator and denominator have no factors in
common. You can also say that the fraction is reduced.



Example: The fraction  can be simplified or reduced down to .

ONE: Any number divided by itself is 1.

Section 1.2
 15

COMMON DENOMINATORS: Addition and subtraction require like things. In the case of
fractions, “like things” means common denominators.


Example: You cannot add  (2 thirds) and  (1 sixth) because they are not like things. In order to add
them, they must have common denominators.


+ = 

 It’s okay to multiply by because



∙ + = 
= 1, and there’s no harm in

 

 multiplying anything by 1!
+ =
  
You can find common denominators in three main ways:
1) Simple observation, as in the above example. You can clearly see that 6 is a possible common
denominator.
2) Multiply the two denominators together. In the above example, that would result in a common
denominator of 18, which would still give you the right answer, but you would be dealing with
larger numbers.
3) Use prime factorization to find the least common denominator.
LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR (LCD): As the name indicates, this is the lowest
possible common denominator between two or more fractions. There are an infinite number of
possible common denominators, but usually the easiest one to choose is the lowest or least one.

 
Example: Consider the fractions  and . There are many numbers that could work as common
denominators, but we can use prime factorization to find the least common denominator. We will
find the prime factorization of each denominator, and compare then to find a common one.
4 6 The prime factorization for 4 is 2 × 2, and for 6 it is 2 × 3. For the LCD, we
need a number that has each of these prime factors in it. However, we only
2 2 2 3 need two 2’s because 2 is repeated in the prime factorization of each of
these numbers. The LCD is number whose prime factorization is 2 × 2 × 3,
which is 12.
*The number found for the LCD is also called the LCM: Least Common Multiple. The only difference
is that the LCM might not be used as the denominator of a fraction.

I. Addition of Fractions
Adding fractions is another way of adding “like things.” We have to make all the fractions
have a common denominator, and then they can be added.

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

1. Get a common denominator between the fractions
2. Add the numerators 1. Observation
2. Multiply the denominators
3. Prime factorization

Section 1.2
16

EXAMPLES



1 Add +

 

  Step 1: Common denominator. If we multiply the
+ denominator here, we’ll have some big numbers to work


with. Let’s use prime factorization to find the LCD.
30 12
Prime factorization of 30: 2×3×5
6 5 4 3 Prime factorization of 24: 2×2×3
3 2 2 2 We need a number whose factors include each of these:
2 × 2 × 3 × 5 = 60

    

× = × =
  
  

26 + 35 = 61 Step 2: Now that the denominators are the same, add the
60 60 numerators.

    

  

Answer:


EXAMPLES

 
2 Subtract 



×
 The common denominator is 9,
  ×

so change the to a .
 

5 3 2 Subtract the numerators.

 =
9 9 9

Answer:


Section 1.2
 17

II. Multiplication of Fractions

When multiplying fractions, common denominators are not needed. This is different from
addition and subtraction.

Multiplication of Fractions
1. No common denominators
2. Multiply numerators
3. Multiply denominators

EXAMPLES

 
3 Multiply ×



For multiplication don’t worry about getting common

× denominators
 

 Multiply the numerators straight across
× =
  ?


 Multiply the denominators straight across

× =
 
#


Answer:
$

III. Division of Fractions

Dividing fractions is an interesting idea, because a fraction itself is a division (i.e. ½ can also
be said as 1 divided by 2). Because of this, there is a special process for dividing fractions
that actually simplifies it. To divide a number by a fraction, reciprocate the fraction and
multiply instead. Now you’re doing a multiplication problem, one you already know how to
do.

Division of Fractions
1. Change any fractions into improper fractions.
2. Keep the first fraction the same, change the division sign to
multiplication, and flip the second fraction’s numerator and
denominator: Keep it, change it, flip it.
3. Multiply straight across.
Section 1.2
18

EXAMPLES


4 Divide
%


×   Step 1: Turn the fractions into improper fractions

+ %
  

 
%
  Step 2: Keep the first fraction the same
Change the division sign to a multiplication sign
  Flip the second fraction’s numerator and denominator
×
 

   Step 3: Multiply straight across the numerator and denominator

× =
 


Answer:


5 Divide %  



×  Turn the fractions into improper fractions

% +
  

2 7
%
5 4 Keep the first fraction the same
Change the division sign to a multiplication sign
Flip the second fraction’s numerator and denominator
2 4
×
5 7
  # Multiply straight across the numerator and denominator
× =
  
$
Answer:



IV. USE OF CALCULATOR

After learning to do these by hand, and practicing a few of them, you should learn to use a calculator
to do the problems as well. Most scientific calculators have a key that will allow you to input fractions
as well as receive the answer as a fraction as well. Have your teacher or a tutor point out which
particular buttons on your calculator are for fractions; then practice it.
Section 1.2
 19
1.2 EXERCISE SET

Find Factors.
1. 16 2. 48 3. 110
1.1

Find the prime factorization.

4. 60 5. 630 6. 225 7. 210

Find the least common multiple (LCM).

8. 3 & 13 9. 8 & 22 10. 6 & 7 11. 35 & 21
12. 108 & 32 13. 1500 & 180

14. If two planets are aligned with the sun and one planet goes around the sun every 12 years and the
other planet takes 22 years, how long will it be before they are in alignment again?

Add by hand.


 
15. + 16. 8 +  17. +
  #
1.2

Subtract by hand.
18.  
19.   20.  
3  1



# 

Multiply by hand.


 
21. 3 × 22. × 23. ×


   

Divide by hand.
24. 
25.  26.  
% 
%6 %



Solve and simplify with calculator.

 
27.  +
28. +
 29. 
+ 



 
 

#

11 1  
30.   31.  32. 



 12 21 

33.   34.


35.
 #


×
 
×  

×


36.   37. 
 38.




% 
% 


% 

Preparation.
After reading some of section 1.3, find the following:
39. 21.34 + 12.01= 34.2  18 = 72.1 + 11.03 = 10.4  4.9 =

40. . 04 × .26= 48.2 % 1.6= 9.3 × 4.1= 4.4 % 2.2=

Section 1.2
20

Answers

1. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 23.


2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 24. 


3. 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 22, 55, 110 25. 

4. 2×2×3×5 26. 

5. 2×3×3×5×7 27. 

6. 3×3×5×5 28. 
#
7. 2×3×5×7 29.


8. 39 30. 

9. 88 31. #

10. 42 32.



11. 105 33.


12. 864 34. 

13. 4500 35. 



14. 132 years 36. 



15. 
37.

 

16. 
38. #


17. or 1 39. In Class.
 


18. #
40. In Class.
, 
19. 2-. or


Still have questions? Video

20. solutions available:
Click here.



21. 
Or scan:

22.


Section 1.2
 21

1.3 Arithmetic of Positive Decimals and Percents

OBJECTIVES
• Introduce “simplify” type problems
• Learn the basics of variables
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide with decimals
• Convert percents to decimals & fractions and vice versa
• Solve percent problems with “of”

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

Numbers are everywhere. The rules they follow help us to know how to govern bank accounts,
build buildings, and predict orbits of planets. We use them to measure heights, lengths, and amounts of
everything. Mastery of these rules is necessary to understand everything that goes on around us.

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING, ESTIMATION,
Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF
Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

EXAMPLES
We will learn how to handle and feel comfortable in all of these situations.
Arithmetic What kind of problem Where it might be found
$30.00 – $22.73 Decimal Subtraction Finding change at the store

3× Fraction multiplication Tripling a recipe
6% of $18 Finding percents Sales tax on an $18 shirt
7×3.59 Decimal multiplication The total price of 7 items at $3.59 each

Section 1.3
22

Important Note: We do not need like things for multiplication and division.

B ARITHMETIC OF DECIMALS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

PLACE VALUES: Every place on the left or right of the decimal holds a certain value. To the left
of the decimal, the values are ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so forth. On the right of the decimal,
the place values are tenths, hundredths, thousands, and so forth.

3 , 4 5 1 . 9 7 2
thousands hundreds tens ones tenths hundredths thousandths

In this example, there are 3 thousands, 4 hundreds, 5 tens, 1 one, 9 tenths, 7 hundredths, and 2
thousandths.

DECIMAL: Deci- is a prefix meaning 10. Since every place value is either 10 times larger or smaller
than the place next to it, we call each place a decimal place.

LAWS & PROCESSES

Since this course is built on the assumption that you have a calculator and is focused on teaching
you Algebra, we will summarize the laws and processes of the arithmetic of decimals by requesting that
you become familiar with the uses of your calculator.

C PERCENTAGES

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Percents are such a huge part of our society, what with sales tax, income tax, discounts, sales,
etc. They are everywhere. They are really just another way of writing fractions or decimals!
PERCENT: Percent can be broken up into two words: “per” and “cent” meaning per hundred, or in
other words, hundredths.

7 31 53
Example: = .07 = 7% = .31 = 31% = .53 = 53%
100 100 100

Notice the shortcut from decimal to percents: move the decimal to the right two places.

Section 1.3
 23

I. Converting Percents

Converting Percents
1. If it is a fraction, divide to get decimal
2. Move decimal 2 places
3. “OF” means times

EXAMPLES

Fraction Calculator Decimal Percent

1 13
0.33 33%
3
3 34
0.75 75%
4
7 75
1.40 140%
5

Convert .25 to percents

1
.25 = 25% Move the decimal two places to the right because we are turning
this into a percent

Answer: 25%


2 What is as a percent?

5  32  .15625 Turn the fraction into a decimal by dividing
. 15625  15.625% Move the decimal two places to the right because we are
turning this into a percent
Answer: . %

3 Convert 124% to decimals

124% = 1.24 Move the decimal two places to the left because we are turning
this into a decimal
Answer: 1.24

II. Solving Percent Problems with “of”

Section 1.3
24

Percents always are a percent of something. For example, sales tax is about 6% or 7% of your
purchase. Since this is so common, we need to know how to figure this.

If you buy $25 worth of food and the sales tax is 7%, then the actual tax is 7% of $25.
.07 × 25 = $1.75
In math terms
the word “of”
means times.

Solving Percent Problems with “of”

1. Turn percent into a decimal
2. Multiply the two numbers together

EXAMPLES

4 What is 25% of 64?

25%=.25 Turn the percent into a decimal

. 25 × 64  16 Multiply the two numbers together

Answer: 16

5 What is 13% of $25?

13%=.13
Turn the percent into a decimal

. 13 × 25  3.25 Multiply the two numbers together

Answer: $3.25

Section 1.3
 25

6 What is 30% of 90 feet?

30%=.30 Turn the percent into a decimal

. 30 × 90  27 Multiply the two numbers together

Answer: 27 feet

COMMON MISTAKES
The most important thing that you should know about percents is that they never stand alone. If I were
to call out that I owned 35%, the immediate response is, “35% of what?” The response should come
with 35% of something, which means that you will multiply:

. 35 ×  !"

Section 1.3
26

1.3 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operation.

1.1 1. LCM of 8,5 2. LCM of 2,13 3. LCM of 9,11

4. LCM of 12,20 5. Factors of 56 6. Factors of 80

7. Factors of 144 8. Factors of 36 9. Factors of 31

Perform the indicated operation.

 % ' ) &# 
1.2 10.
#
$ &# 11.
&&
( 12.
)*
$+
) ) ) & &) 
13.  14. × 15. #
) ' &+

Find the prime factorization or LCM if indicated.

16. 105 17. 224 18. LCM (108, 36)

Perform the indicated operation.

19. 186.4 $ 57.06 20. 58.93 21. 2,578
1.3
(17.986 $ 389.4
22. 365.8 × 0.5 23. 5,968.4  9 24. 0.07  0.006

Convert to decimal notation.

25. 92.4% 26. . 045% 27. 2.1%
Evaluate.
28. 15% of 26 29. 80% of 294 30. 47% of 47

31. 63% of 2,436 32. 9% of 50

Change these fractions into decimals and percents.

 ) &
33. 34. 35.
% ' &-

Find the final.

36. Price: $365.29 37. Temp.: 39° F 38. Altitude: 2,349 ft 39. Debt: $2,000
Discount: $79 Warmer: 23° F Rise: 821 ft Income: $487
Final: Final: Final: Final:

Preparation. Read section 1.4 and do the following:

40. Round to the nearest tenth.
4895.248956 . 08954521 48621.2222 9965.03
41. Write in Exponential Notation and Evaluate.
8∙8∙8 2∙2∙2∙2 5 17 ∙ 17

Section 1.3
 27

Answers
1. 40 22. 182.9

2. 26 23. 663.156

3. 99 24. 11.667

4. 60 25. . 924

5. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 28, 56 26. . 00045

6. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80 27. . 021

7. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, 144 28. 3.9

8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36 29. 235.2

9. 1, 31 30. 22.09
107
10. 119
31. 1534.68
5
11. 33
32. 4.5
33
12. 20
33. . 375 37.5%
9
13. 8
34. . 2� 22.2%
1
14. 18
35. .875 87.5%
7
15. 5
36. $286.29

16. 3∙5∙7 37. 62° F

17. 25 ∙ 7 38. 3,170 ft

18. 108 39. $ − 1,513, or $1513 in debt

19. 243.46 40. In class

20. 40.944 41. In class

21. 2,967.4 Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
28

1.4 Rounding, Estimation, Exponents, Roots, and Order of Operations

OBJECTIVES
• Round numbers to a specified place (i.e. hundreds, tenths, etc.)
• Estimate products by rounding
• Use inequalities to express estimates
• Find absolute values of numbers
• Use the order of operations to simplify expressions
• Understand exponents and square roots

A REVIEW OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

Simplification is a useful principle; it helps us write things in smaller or shorter ways without
changing the value. We used fractions sometimes in order to represent parts in a simpler way than a


decimal (remember  ?). Sometimes it gets to be a hassle to write long multiplication problems, just as it
was to write long addition problems.
Now that you have finished arithmetic, and you have seen how some problems may get long and
tedious, you may understand why some folks choose to estimate and round numbers.

LAWS & PROCESSES

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING, ESTIMATION,
Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF
Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

Section 1.4
 29

EXAMPLES

About how many dollars will you have if you start with $15,474, take 48% of it, and then
1 subtract off $155 to pay a bill, and then receive $49?

$15,472
$15,500 Rounding
48% is .48
.50 Estimation
so $15,500
x .50
$7750.00
$7750  $155  $49  Order of Operations

$7750  $155  $7595

$49
 $7644
Rounding

$7600
Answer:
$

B ROUNDING AND ESTIMATION; ORDER OF OPERATIONS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

ROUNDING: In rounding, we decide to not keep the exact number that someone gave us. For
example:
If I have $528.37 in the bank, I might easily say that I have about $500. I have just
rounded to the nearest hundred.
On the other hand, I might be a little more specific and say that I have about (still not
exact) $530. I have just rounded to the nearest ten.

ESTIMATION: Once rounding is understood, it can be used as a great tool to make sure that we
have not missed something major in our computations. If we have a problem like:

3,427,000
× 87.3

We could see about where the answer is if we estimate first:

Round each number to the greatest value you can
3,000,000
× 90

and our answer will be around 270,000,000

We should note that the real answer is: 299,177,100 but the estimation will let us know that
we are in the right ball park. It ensures that our answer makes sense.

Section 1.4
30

INEQUALITIES: You know how an equal sign works – it is placed between two things that mean
the same thing. If you wanted to show that two things were not equal, you would use an inequality:

Symbols of Inequalities
< Less than > Greater than
≤ Less than or equal to ≥ Great than or equal to

The symbol always points to the smaller number. You can also remember that the two lines are farther
apart on the BIGGER side, and close together on the smaller side, so the distances between the two lines
is related to how big the number is.

smaller BIGGER
Each symbol can be flipped around as long as the numbers on either side are also flipped around. For
example, 7 > -4 and -4 < 7 mean the same thing, and -4 is always on the small side of the sign.

ABSOLUTE VALUE: Another symbol to be aware of is the absolute value symbol. To find the
“absolute value” means to find out how far away from zero a number is, like on a number line. For
example, the number 5 is 5 units away from zero. The number -5 is also five units away from zero (just
in the opposite direction).

Examples: | 13 | = 13 | -9 | = 9 | -43 | = 43

P.E.M.D.A.S.: An acronym to help remember the order of doing things.

P = parenthesis
E = exponents
M.D. = multiplication and division
These are grouped like this because
A.S. = addition and subtraction
they are so similar they should be
done at the same time.
I. Rounding
EXAMPLES

2 Round $4,278.23 to the nearest hundred

$4,300.00 Decide if our number is closer to the nearest
$4,278.23 hundred above the number or below the number
$4,200.00
$4,278.23
$4,300.00 Change our number to the one it is closer to
Answer: $4,300.00

Section 1.4
 31

II. Estimation

Estimation
1. Round to the highest value
2. Do the easy problem

EXAMPLES

3 Multiply by rounding: .   . 

986.7
1,000 Round the numbers
4.9
5
1,000  5  5,000 Multiply the rounded numbers together
986.7  4.9
5,000 Our answer for 986.7  4.9 will be around 5,000

Answer: 5,000

III. Inequalities
EXAMPLES

Write an equivalent expression: 38 > 14

4 38 > 14
14 < 38 Flip the sign and the numbers
Answer: 14 < 38

IV. Absolute Value

EXAMPLES


5 Find the absolute value of the following: 8, -16, 
 
|8|=8 | -16 | = 16 |  | =


Answer: 8, 16,

Section 1.4
32

C EXPONENTS, ROOTS
DEFINITIONS & BASICS

2!
What does this mean?
Is it the same as 2 x 4?
Does it equal 8 ?

When we see a little number next to a big number, it looks difficult, challenging, but it’s not…it’s just a
SHORTCUT.
The little number next to the big number is called an
EXPONENT.
(other names for exponents are POWER or DEGREE)

2! means 2  2  2  2 → four two’s all being multiplied

Say the following out loud…
“3×3×3×3×3×3×3×3×3×3”
How many three’s are there? Now say…
“310” or “three to the tenth”
Which sounds easier?
Hence, EXPONENTS are SHORTCUTS!

EXPONENT/POWER: The shorthand to explain how many times something is multiplied by

itself.

Example: 2  2  2  2  2  2  2  128 is the same as 2"  128

7
ROOT: Like working an exponent backwards, roots find out what number or variable was raised to a
power.

Example: We know that 27 = 128, so to work it backwards, we say:

$
2  √128 or if 128 was cut into 7 equal parts multiplied
together, then those parts would all be 2’s.

We can use these “shortcuts” with variables or numbers, for example:

% · % · % · % · %  % ' just as 2  2  2  2  2  2'

How do we say it?

Section 1.4
 33

x5 = “x to the fifth” 24 = “two to the fourth”

The Three E’s of Exponents

Exponential Notation Expanded Notation Evaluated Notation
1
2 2 2
22 2×2 4
23 2×2×2 8
24 2×2×2×2 16
25 2×2×2×2×2 32

EXAMPLE

Using the 3 E’s of Exponents…

1
a) Write 43 in expanded form. Answer: 4  4  4
b) Write 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 in exponential form. Answer: 2'

c) Evaluate the following:

43 25 ( where (  3
Answers:
4 x 4 x 4 = 64 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 32 (-3)(-3)(-3) = -27

The Anatomy (parts) of Exponential Notation

4
2 The little number up high is the EXPONENT

The bigger portion down low is the BASE. The

base can consist of variables and/or numbers.

I. Evaluating Exponents
EXAMPLE

2 Evaluate 
7!  7  7  7  7
Set up the bases, and then multiply each couple in
 49  7  7
turn.
 343  7
 2401
Answer: 2401

Section 1.4
34

COMMON MISTAKES

1. Mistaking exponents for multiplication

Incorrect: 24 = 2 x 4 = 8 Correct: 24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16

2. When we say exponential notation out loud: 24

Incorrect: “Two four” Correct: “Two to the fourth”

3. Exponential notation can only be used in multiplication of terms with the

same base, not in addition.
Incorrect: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 24 Correct: 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24

II. Evaluating Roots

EXAMPLE

3 Evaluate √-
√- Either recognize that 14 × 14 = 196 or

Find the √% button on your calculator

Answer √-  -

Section 1.4
 35

V. Getting the Right Order

Remember your order of operations, P.E.M.D.A.S. Always follow this order when simplifying or
solving problems. The last two steps, Multiplication/Division, and Addition/Subtraction, should be done
in order from left to right so that nothing is missed.
EXAMPLES

Simplify:      .
6
If you were to read that from left to right you
235 would first add the 2 and the 3 to get 5 and then
5  4  20 multiply by 4 to get 20.
20  5  15 But remember that multiplication is a
shorthand way of writing repeated addition.
Technically we have:
2+3x4–5=
This is the right answer. We
2 + 4 + 4 + 4 – 5 = 9. need to take care of the multiplication as a group,
before we can involve it in other computations.
Multiplication is done before addition and
subtraction.

Answer: 9

Simpliy: 4 x 32 – 7 x 2 + 4
7
4 x 32 – 7 x 2 + 4 = Take care of exponents
4x9–7x2+4= Take care of multiplication
36 – 14 + 4 = 22 + 4 = 26. Add/Sub left to right.

Answer: 26

COMMON MISTAKES

That last question presents an opportunity to make a common mistake while trying to
simplify. Many suggest that addition happens before subtraction (PEMDAS, right?)

36  14  4  36  18  18 But really, subtraction and addition are the

same thing, so you can’t do one before the
other. Read it left to right.
36  14  4  22  4  

The same thing goes for multiplication and division, since division is the same thing as
multiplication.
Section 1.4
36

1.4 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operation.

1. LCM (4, 10) 2. LCM (70, 112) 3. LCM (75, 90)

1.1
4. LCM (15, 62) 5. LCM (14, 81) 6. Factors of 216
Perform the indicated operation.

/ '  4 ! '
7. 4 8.  9. 4
1.2 0' '
05 0'

0 / !0 0 !/
10.  11. 6 '' 12. 6 /5

0

0'

Perform the indicated operation (round to three decimal places when needed).
1.3
13. 24% of 92 14. 17% of 85 15. .3% of 365

16. 9.83  5.635 17. 15.892  .873 18. . 18  .63

19. 23.65  .05 20. 25.15 6 .005 21. 8.6 6 .07

Convert fraction to decimal notation

' 0!
22.
/
23. '

Find the roots.

1.4 24. √36 25. √3025

26. √256 27. √9216

Round to the nearest tenth.

28. 42.142956 29. .47937 30. 13,693.639 31. 284.359432

Round to the nearest hundred.

32. 23,978.74 33. 74.90 34. 149.99 35. 1,999,999.99

Write an equivalent expression.

36. 6 1 1.5 37. 2,349 2 4,991 38. 16 3 24

Find the absolute value.

39. | -17 | 40. | 8-14 | 41. | 3(4 – 2) |

Section 1.4
 37

Follow order of operations to solve.

0
42. 216 ∙ 6 6 60 43. 
 18 6 3 44. 50  85  69 ∙ 7

/ 0
45. 11  26  27 6 3 46. 4 
∙ 2 47. 2  5 ∙ 3  8 ∙ 10 6 2

48. 4 6 8  15  816  239  42

Preparation.
After reading some of section 1.5, find the following:
49. Estimate the following product: 28:987.829 where π  3.14.

Section 1.4
38

Answers
1. 20 30. 13,693.6
2. 560 31. 284.4
3. 450 32. 24,000
4. 930 33. 100
5. 1134 34. 100
6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 27, 36, 54, 72, 108, 216 35. 2,000,000

"
7. 055
36. 1.5 ≤ 6
4
8.
'
37. 4,991 3 2,349


9.
5
38. 24 2 16


10.
4
39. 17
'
11. "
40. 6
/
12. '
41. 6
13. 22.08 42. 1296
05
14. 14.45 43.

15. 1.095 44. 52
16. 4.195 45. 6
'

17. 16.765 46. or 2 0
0
18. . 113 47. 33
19. 1.183 48. 278.5
20. 5030 49. In class.
21. 122.857
22. . 3125 Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.
23. 4.8
24. 6 Or scan:
25. 55
26. 16
27. 96
28. 42.1
29. .5

Section 1.4
 39

1.5 Variables and Formulas

OBJECTIVES
• Use and manipulate variables
• Understand formulas and how to use them
• Understand and use specific formulas involving geometric
shapes, distance, money, and temperature

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

In mathematics, there are a lot of times when we don’t know something and we have to represent
what we don’t know with a symbol. These are often letters, which we refer to as variables.

LAWS & PROCESSES

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING, ESTIMATION,
Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF
Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

EXAMPLES

Formulas are used in many occupations. Here are a few examples.

Formula Practical Use

=  +
 Physics – finding position

 = 4 Medicine – pressure in the heart

 Finances – bank account balance with

=  1 + 
 compound interest

Section 1.5
40

B VARIABLES AND FORMULAS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

VARIABLES: These symbols or letters, actually represent numbers, but the numbers can change
from time to time, or vary. Thus are they called variables.
Example: Tell me how far you would be walking if you were to walk around this rectangle.

24 ft

15 ft 15ft

24 ft

It appears that to get all the way around it, we simply add up the numbers on each side until we get all
the way around.

24 + 15 + 24 + 15 = 78

So if you walked around a 24ft × 15ft rectangle, you would have completed a walk of 78 ft. I bet we
could come up with the pattern for how we would do this all of the time. Well, first of all, we just pick
general terms for the sides of the rectangle:

length

width width

length
Then we get something like this:

Distance around the rectangle = length + width + length + width

Let's try and use some abbreviations. First, “perimeter” means “around measure”. Substitute it in:

Perimeter = length + width + length + width

Let's go a bit more with just using the first letters of the words:

P=l+w+l+w

Notice now how each letter stands for a number that we could use. The number can change from time
to time. This pattern that we have created to describe all cases is called a formula.

FORMULA: These are patterns in the form of equations and variables, often with numbers, which
solve for something we want to know, like the perimeter equation before, or like:

Area of a rectangle: A=B×H

Section 1.5
 41

Volume of a Sphere:  =   
Pythagorean Theorem:  +  = 
COMMON GEOMETRIC FORMULAS: Now that you understand the idea, these are some
basic geometric formulas that you need to know:

l
P is the perimeter
w P = 2l + 2w l is the length
w is the width
Rectangle A = lw A is the Area

b P is the perimeter
a
h P = 2a + 2b a is a side length
b is the other side length
Parallelogram
A = bh h is height
A is the Area

b
P is perimeter
b is the little base
a h d P = b+a+B+d B is the big base
a is a leg
B A = 1 h(B+b) h is height
Trapezoid 2 d is a leg
A is the Area

h P = s1+s2+s3 P is the perimeter

h is height
A = 1 bh b is base
b
2 A is the Area
Triangle

b
a is one angle
c
a + b + c = 180 b is another angle
a c is another angle
Triangle

l is the length
h
SA =2lw+2wh+2lh h is the height
w is the width
l
w V = lwh SA is the Surface Area
V is volume
Rectangular Solid

Section 1.5
42

C is the Circumference or
r perimeter
C = 2πr π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
A = πr2 it has a button on your calculator
r is the radius of the circle
A is the area inside the circle.
Circle

r LSA is Lateral Surface Area =

Area just on the sides
LSA = 2πrh h is the height
h SA is total surface area
SA =2πrh+2πr2 π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
V = πr2h it has a button on your calculator
r is the radius of the circle
Cylinder V is Volume

h is the height
r is the radius of the circle
h l LSA = πrl l is the slant height
π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
SA = πr2+ πrl it has a button on your calculator

Cone
r
V = 1 πr2h SA is total surface area
LSA is Lateral Surface Area =
3 Area just on the sides
V is Volume

r SA = 4πr2 r is the radius

SA is the surface area
V = 4 πr3 V is the Volume
3
Sphere

Section 1.5
 43

I. Shapes and Substitutions

The list of geometric formulas will be helpful in the following types of problems. You will be given
information about a shape and asked for a perimeter or a volume, etc. For these problems, use the
appropriate formula and fill in the information that you know. Then do the math to find what you
don’t know.
EXAMPLES

2 What is the volume of a cylinder when the height is 6 cm and the radius is 2 cm?
Remember that  =  !

r=2cm First draw a picture and label the appropriate sides

h=6 cm

Write out the equation while remembering to

substitute for r and substitute for h
 = "2# "6#
  "4#"6# Solve using order of operations
  "24#
  75.4cm
Answer: Volume = 75.4cm

You will also be asked to do problems where two variables are not known, but you do know a
relationship between the two variables. In this situation, a substitution is necessary. See the following
example that uses substitution.

3 What is the area of your lawn if the length is 25 feet longer than the width and the
width is 35 feet?

Draw a picture of the situation and label the

&'()  appropriate sides
35 ,

Write out an equation for the area of the lawn while

-./)  &'()  25  35  25
remembering to substitute for “w” and substitute for
  "35  25#"35# “l”

  "60#"35#  2100, Solve using order of operations
Answer: Area = 12234

Section 1.5
44

4 The depth of a rectangular pool is 17 feet less than half of the length and the width
is 20 feet less than the length. If the pool is 54 feet long, how much water would you
need to fill up a rectangular pool? Remember that   56!

Draw a picture of the situation and label the

8
de7)  - 9 17 appropriate sides

Write out an equation for the volume of the

&'()  - 9 20
pool in terms of what you know, this case
-./)  54 ,..
being in terms of “l”.
1
  -"- 9 20#" : - 9 17#
2 Substitute for “l”
1
  54"54 9 20#" ∙ 54 9 17#
2

  54"34#"10# Solve using order of operations

  18360 , 
Answer: 1<=>2 34=

II. Distance, Rate, and Time

If you were traveling at 40mph for 2 hours, how far would you have traveled? Well, most of you would
be able to say 80 mi. How did you come up with that? Multiplication:

(40)·(2) = 80 Distance, Rate, and Time

(rate of speed)·(time) = distance
or in other words: rt = d where r is the rate rt = d
t is the time r = rate, t = time, d = distance
d is the distance

EXAMPLES

5 Stacey traveled 3 hours while going 27 mph. using the formula 4  ? determine the
distance that she traveled.
  ( Write down what we information we have been given
 27 @7)
  3 )AB C
( ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
"27#"3#  ( Plug all of the information that we already know into the
equation we are given
81 = d Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet

Answer: 81 miles

Section 1.5
 45

III. Calculating Taxes and Discounts

TAX: If you bought something for $5.50 and there was a 8% sales tax, you would need to find 8% of
$5.50 to find out how much tax you were being charged.
Tax
.44 = .08(5.50)
Amount of Tax = (Tax rate) ⋅ (Purchase amount) T = rP
or in other words: T = rP where T is tax T = tax, r = tax rate, P = original price
r is rate of tax
P is the original price

DISCOUNT: If you were going to buy something for $60.99, and there was a 15% discount, you would
like to know 15% of $60.99 to find out how much you were going to save.

9.15 = .15(60.99) Discount

Amount of Discount = (Discount rate)·(Original Price)
or in other words: D = rP where D is discount
D = rP
r is rate of discount D = discount, r = discount rate,
P is the original price. P = original price

EXAMPLES

6 If you want to buy a $759 computer with 8% sales tax, how much tax will you end up paying?

E   Write down what we information we have been given

 8%
  $759
E ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
E  ". 08#"759# Plug all of the information that we already know into the
equation we are given
E  60.72 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet

Answer: You would pay $60.72 in sales tax

7 How much will Alice save on a pair of shoes that are worth $92 but are on sale for 20% off?

I   Write down what we information we have been given

 20%
  $92
I ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
I  ". 20#"92# Plug all of the information that we already know into the
equation we are given
I  18.40 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet

Answer: Alice will save $18.40

Section 1.5
46

IV. Simple Interest

This formula is very similar to another one that involves simple interest. If you invested a principal
amount of $500 at 9% interest for three years, the amount of interest would be given by the formula:

I = Prt where I is the interest earned Simple Interest

P is the principal amount (starting amount) I = Prt
r is the interest rate
t is the time that it is invested. I = interest, P = principal amount,
r = interest rate, t = time

EXAMPLES

8 Mindy sets up a savings plan that gives her simple interest of 7% per year. If she
invests $750, how much interest will she earn in 10 years?

J    Write down what we information we have been given

 7%
  $750
  10 K. C
J ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
J  "750#". 07#"10# Plug all of the information that we already know into the equation we are
given
J  525 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet

Answer: $525

V. Temperature Conversions of Celsius and Fahrenheit

Most of us know that there is a difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit degrees, but not everyone
knows how to get from one to the other. The relationship is given by:

L
C = (F – 32) Fahrenheit to Celsius
M L
where F is the degrees in Fahrenheit C = (F – 32)
C is the degree in Celsius M
F = Fahrenheit deg. C = Celsius deg.

A simple manipulation of the same formula can give you

the process for switching back the other way Celsius to Fahrenheit
M
M F = C + 32
F = C + 32 L
L F = Fahrenheit deg. C = Celsius deg.

Section 1.5
 47

EXAMPLES

If your thermometer in your car says it is 94º Fahrenheit, what is the temperature
9
in Celsius?

5 Write down what we information we have been given

N  "O 9 32#
9
O  94º
N ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
5 Plug all of the information that we already know into the equation we
N  "94 9 32#
9 are given
5
N  "62#
9 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet
N  34.4
Answer: 34.4º Celsius

10 If it is 4º Celsius outside, what is the temperature in Fahrenheit?

9 Write down what we information we have been given

O  N  32
5
N  4º
O ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
9 Plug all of the information that we already know into the equation we are
O  "4#  32
5 given
O  7.2  32 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet
O  39.2
Answer: 39.2º Fahrenheit

Section 1.5
48

1.5 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operation.

1. 7.2  13.258 2. 237.58 9 18.6794 3. . 298 : 1.4

Perform the indicated operation.

 8L 8L L R 8
4. : 8P 5. ÷  6. 8 S ÷ S
L 8

Evaluate.

7. √196 8. 65 9. √7P

Convert to decimal notation (round to four decimal places) and then to a percent.
P 8L 8 P
10. 11. 12.
8M  8LS

Round to the nearest hundredth.

13. 163.69387 14. .01982465

Round to the nearest thousand.

15. 235,724.98 16. 9,598,482,099.99

Follow order of operations to solve.

17. 3  "5 : "8 ÷ 4# 9 3# 18. 4 : "8  15 ÷ "16 9 23# : 42#

Evaluate the expression with the given variables.

19. 4
 : when x=4 and t=16 20. 19
9 47K: when x= –4 and y=3

21.
 2K 9 3U: when x=18; y=3; z=20 22.
 R K: when x=5 and y=7
L

Find the missing variable. (Note: If you don’t use the π button on your calculator, your answer
will differ slightly)

23. For a triangle 24. For a cone 25. For a sphere

b = 4 in r = 3.8 m r = 16 cm
h = 7 in l = 5.1 m V=?
A=? SA = ?

26. I have a rectangular sand box whose length is 4 more than its width. If the width is 12 ft, what is the
perimeter of the sand box?

27. What is the volume of a cylinder whose height is 3 cm less than twice its radius? The radius is 4
cm.
Section 1.5
 49

Find the missing variable.

28. Distance 29. Tax 30. Discount

r = 75 mph r = 6% r = 30%
t = 5 hrs P = $29.95 P = $48
d=? T=? D=?

31. Simple Interest 32. Temperature 33. Temperature

P = $2500 F = 88° C = -12°
r = 3.5% C=? F=?
t = 2 years
I=?

Preparation.

34. Read 1.6 and solve: a) 2 − "−4) b) −235 + 17 c) −23 + "−61)

Section 1.5
50

Answers
1. 20.458 31. $175
2. 218.9006 32. 31.11° C
3. 0.4172 33. 10.4 ° F
3
4. 34. In class.
4
5. 6
1
6. 9
7. 14
8. 274,625
9. 343
10. . 3158, 31.58%
11. 3.75, 375%
12. . 04, 4%
13. 163.69
14. . 02
15. 236,000
16. 9,598,482,000
17. 88
18. −328
19. 32
20. −217
21. −36
22. 6
23. 14 in2
24. 106.25 m2 Still have questions? Video
3
25. 17157.28 cm solutions available: Click here.
26. 56 ft
Or scan:
27. 251.33 cm3
28. 375 miles
29. $1.80
30. $14.40
 51

1.6 Negatives and Signed Numbers

OBJECTIVES
• Understand how to use negative numbers
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide with negative numbers

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

Find Least Common
LCM AND FACTORING Find Factors
Multiples
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

DECIMALS AND Addition/Subtraction Multiplication

Division
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING, ESTIMATION,
Nearest place value;
EXPONENTS, ORDER OF
Round and then compute
OPERATIONS
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers and
FORMULAS make formulas
NEGATIVES Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division

Laws of Simplifying

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Negatives are a very important concept to learn for arithmetic. Things are not always positive
numbers, sometimes we have debt, we have to move backwards, we get
Negative sign = stuff at a discount, or we lose altitude in an airplane. Consider what happens
opposite direction when you have $35 in the bank and you write a $45 check. the bank says
that you have -$10 in your account. What does the -$10 really mean? It
means that we owe the bank $10. The negative simply means that the $10 is going the other direction.

Same thing with the temperature: If we start at 15° and lose 20°, we will have passed right by 0°
and end up at 5 below zero or -5°. Again, the negative sign means that we are going 5° past 0° in the
opposite direction.

Section 1.6
52

NEGATIVE: The negative sign means “opposite direction,” as seen on the number line below.
Example: –4 is just 4 in the opposite direction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Example : -
 is just
 in the opposite direction.

Example: –7 – 5 = –12, because they are both headed in that direction.

With this diagram we can see:

Addition goes this way

Subtraction goes that way

And a negative sign means other direction

LAWS & PROCESSES

I. Addition/Subtraction of negatives

Addition and subtraction of negative numbers acts like a tug-o-war between the two numbers.
Positives and negatives fight against each other in such a way that the stronger one wins.

KEY CONCEPT:

OPPOSITE SIGNS SUBTRACT AND THE STRONGER ONE WINS

EXAMPLES

7  11 3  8 12  3
7  11
4 3  8
5 12  3
9

Subtract to get 4 and the Subtract to get 5 and the Subtract to get 5 and the
negative is stronger. positive is stronger. negative is stronger.

Section 1.6
 53

KEY CONCEPT:

NUMBERS WITH SAME SIGNS WILL ADD IN THAT SAME DIRECTION

EXAMPLES

Three examples:

7  11 3  8 12  3
7  11
18 3  8
11 12  3
15

Add in the negative Add in the negative Add in the positive direction.
direction. direction.

KEY CONCEPT:

SUBTRACTING A NEGATIVE IS ADDITION

EXAMPLES

Three examples:

7  11 3  8 12  3

7  11
3  8
12  3

7  11
4 3  8
5 12  3
15

Change to a plus, then Change to a plus, then Change to a plus, then add.
subtract. subtract.

Section 1.6
54

EXAMPLES with Fractions

 
Add    Opposite signs the problem subtraction!
4  
  Step 1: Common denominator. If we multiply the

 
denominator here, we’ll have some big numbers to work
with. Let’s use prime factorization to find the LCD.
30 12
Prime factorization of 30: 2×3×5
6 5 4 3 Prime factorization of 24: 2×2×3
3 2 2 2 We need a number whose factors include each of these:
2  2  3  5
60
     



     

26  35
9 Step 2: Now that the denominators are the same, subtract
60 60
the numerators. Because 35 is the larger number so 35-26
and the answer will take the 35 sign so it will be negative.
! "  # "$
! ! ! Step 3: Carry the denominator across.
"$  "
%

Step 4: Divide the top and bottom by 3 to simplify.

! 

Answer:  

 
5 Subtract  &   Same signs makes the problem addition!
We need to now create a common denominator, and we see
5 1 3 
  ' ( we can change the  to have a denominator of 9 by
9 3 3 
multiplying by which also equals 1.

5 3
9  9
The common denominator is now 9,

5 3 8 Add the the numerators.



9 9 9
Carry the denominators across.
)
Answer: 
&

Section 1.6
 55

II. Multiplication/Division of Negatives

KEY CONCEPT:

MULTIPLYING OR DIVIDING OPPOSITE SIGNS GIVES A NEGATIVE

EXAMPLES

6
Six examples:

711 3 ∙ 8 12 3
  
7 5

711
77 3 ∙ 8
24 12 3 36
  

7 5 35

33 % 11 32 % 8 3 1
% ' (
8 4
33 % 11
3 32 % 8
4 3 1
% ' (

8 6

3 6 9
 ' (

8 1 4

Section 1.6
56

KEY CONCEPT:

MULTIPLYING OR DIVIDING TWO NEGATIVES WILL BE POSITIVE

EXAMPLES

7
Six examples:

711 3 ∙ 8 12 3
  
7 5

711
77 3 ∙ 8
24 12 3 36
   

7 5 35

33 % 11 32 % 8 3 1

 % ' (
8 4
33 % 11
3 32 % 8
4 3 1
 % ' (

8 6

3 6 9
  ' (

8 1 4

Section 1.6
 57

COMMON MISTAKES

Two negatives make a positive

- True in Multiplication and Division – Since a negative sign simply means other
direction, when we switch direction twice, we are headed back the way we started.
Example: -(-5) = 5
Example: -(-2)(-1)(-3)(-5) = - - - - -30 = -30
Example: -(-40 % -8) = -(- -5) = -5

- False in Addition and Subtraction – With addition and subtraction negatives and
positives work against each other in a sort of tug of war. Whichever one is stronger will win.

Example: Debt is negative and income is positive. If there is more debt than income,
then the net result is debt. If we are $77 in debt and get income of $66 then we have
a net debt of $11
-77 + 66 = -11

On the other hand if we have $77 dollars of income and $66 of debt, then the net is a
positive $11
77 – 66 = 11

Example: Falling is negative and rising is positive. An airplane rises 307 feet and then
falls 23 feet, then the result it a rise of 284 feet:

307 – 23 = 284

If, however, the airplane falls 307 feet and then rises 23 feet, then the result is a fall of
284 feet:

-307 + 23 = -284

Other examples: Discount is negative and markup or sales tax is positive. Warmer is
positive and colder is negative. Whichever is greater will give you the sign of the net
result.

Section 1.6
58

1.6 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operation.
1.1 1. LCM (130, 14) 2. LCM (92, 21) 3. LCM (68, 42)

1.2 4. 4 5 5. 23 46 6. 2
 %  5
25 8 25 60 9

1.3 7. 42.6  13.1 8. 791.45  21.66 9. 17% of 84

1.4 10. 2  5 ∙ 4  9 ∙ 10 % 2 11. √64 12. |43  7  2|

Evaluate each formula with the given variables.

1.5 13. /  0 14. For a cone 15. Distance

x=2 and t=10 r = 4.6 m r = 70 mph
l = 5.3 m t = 4 hrs
SA = ? d=?

16. &/  1 17.Tax 18. Discount

x= –3 and y=4 r = 8% r = 40%
P = $20.09 P = $42
T=? D=?
19. I have a rectangular sand box whose length is 5 more than its width. If the
width is 11 ft, what is the perimeter of the sand box?
Perform the indicated operation by hand, and then check your answers with your calculator.

20. 3  1 21. 7  4 22. 8  4 23. 4  9

1.6 24. 12  7 25. 8  7 26. 3  8 27. 17  20

28. 1.8  4 29. 5  7.2 30. 42 % 6 31. 28 % 7

32. 3  11 33. 16 % 2 34. 7  3  1 35. 5  9.83
5 1 7 3 5 1
36. 5  6 37. –  ' ( 38. % ' ( 39.  % ' (
8 3 40 10 44 4

Preparation.
40. Read some of 1.7 and then simplify the following: a) 2x + 4x b) 8 – 4 + 3y – 2y

Section 1.6
 59

Answers
1. 910 21. −3

2. 1932 22. −4

3. 1428 23. −5
1
4. 10
24. 5
6
5. 5
25. 1
43
6. 9
26. −11

7. 29.5 27. 3

8. 813.11 28. 2.2

9. 14.28 29. 12.2

10. 33 30. −7

11. 8 31. 4

12. 68 32. −33

13. 30 33. 8

14. 143.07𝑚𝑚2 34. −21

15. 280 miles 35. −14.83

16. −85 36. −11

5
17. $1.61 37. 24
7
18. $16.80 38. −12
5 Still have questions? Video
19. 54𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 39. 11 solutions available: Click here.
20. −4 40. In class
Or scan:
60

1.7 Laws of Simplifying

OBJECTIVES
• Know the different properties of addition and multiplication
• Identify properties and know how to use them
• Simplify expressions that contain variables
• Factor by pulling out common denominator

A RULES OF ARITHMETIC AND VARIABLES (Overview)

Whenever we deal with variables, and especially a lot of them, we need ways of simplifying and
using them. There are rules that define what we can do, what is allowed, and give us ideas of how to
solve for what we don’t know. These are the ones you need to know now.

CHAPTER ONE TOPICS

DECIMALS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication Division
FRACTIONS Addition/Subtraction Multiplication
EXPONENTS, ROOTS,
AND SCIENTIFIC Addition/Subtraction Multiplication
NOTATION
PERCENTS Change to decimals Change to fractions
ROUNDING AND Nearest place value;
ESTIMATION: ORDER OF Round and then
OPERATIONS compute
VARIABLES AND Replace numbers
FORMULAS and make formulas
LAWS OF SIMPLIFYING

EXAMPLES

Example Property
3xy + 7t = 7t +3xy Commutative Addition
3(x5) = (3x)5 Associative Multiplication
7(x – 4) = 7x – 28 Distributive

Section 1.7
 61

B LAWS OF SIMPLIFYING

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

There are two different types of problems in algebra: the “simplify” type and the “solve” type. In this
chapter we will look at the simplify type. We will cover solving in chapter 2.

ALGEBRA: Two Types of Problems

SIMPLIFY SOLVE
CH.1 CH.2
No “=” signs (or >,<, etc.) Uses “=” signs (or >,<, etc.)
Example: 2x + 3x Example: 3x = 15
Find out what x equals

SIMPLIFY: Though every number can be written in many different ways, there is usually one way
that is most accepted and used. To change the form of a number to this standard is to
simplify.
Example: If someone asks your age, and you told them √441 , or 

, they would probably look at you
oddly, but these are both ways of saying 21. We simplify when we take square roots, or
reduce fractions or combine as much as we can.

LIKE THINGS: In addition and subtraction we must only deal with like things.

The Rules: These are the different properties that you use when simplifying an equation. They are
simple rules that you have been using with addition and multiplication; all we have done is given them
names and applied them to variables.

Name Operation What it does Example

Commutative Addition We can swap numbers 5+7
around addition 7+5 are the same.
2x + 3y
3y + 2x are the same.
Commutative Multiplication We can swap numbers 7xtzy
around multiplication x7tzy are the same
Associative Addition We can begin addition with 7+(5+1)
any of the entries. (7+5)+1 are the same
(x+5)+9
x+(14) are the same
Associative Multiplication We can begin multiplication 7 ⋅ (3 ⋅ 2 )
with any of the entries are the same
(7 ⋅ 3) ⋅ 2

Section 1.7
62

Associative and Either We can multiply (or add) in

Commutative Multiplication any order we want to.
together or Addition
Identity Addition 0 is invisible in addition 6+0=6
x+0=x
Identity Multiplication 1 is invisible in 6 ⋅1 = 6
multiplication x ⋅1 = x
Inverse Addition Opposite, when adding, “gets 6 -6
rid” of the number 3t -3t are opposites
-17 17 add to zero.
Inverse Multiplication Opposite, when multiplying, − 5 − 15
(inverses) “gets rid” of the 2 3
3 2 multiply to 1.
number
1
17 17
Distributive Both Jump numbers into
parentheses 6(43) = 6(40+3) =
6(40) + 6(3)

7(2x – 5) = 14x – 35

LAWS & PROCESSES

I. Identifying Properties

EXAMPLE

Identify the following properties

1
79.2  23  5  79.2  23  5 Answer: Associative Property of Multiplication

12  0  12 Answer: Identity Property of Multiplication

32  6  32  36 Answer: Distributive Property

13.7  3  19  19  13.7  3 Answer: Commutative Property of Addition

Section 1.7
 63

II. Using the Properties

EXAMPLE


2 Simplify:           



6    4  4  27  3 First use the inverse property of multiplication

1  4  4  27  3
1  4  4  27  3 Next use the inverse property of addition

1  0  27  3 Then we can use the identity property of

addition to make the 0 invisible
1  27  3
1  27  3 Now use the distributive property

1  27  23 Solve

1  14  6  21
Answer: 21

III. Simplifying with Variables

KEY CONCEPT:

TO SIMPLIFY, ADD OR SUBTRACT ALL THINGS THAT ARE LIKE

Example: If someone asks you

5 sheep + 2 sheep = ?
you would be able to tell them 7 sheep.

What if they asked you 5 sheep + 2 penguins = ?

We really can’t add them together, because they aren’t like things.

It works the same way with variables. Just think of “sheep” and “penguins” in this example as
variables. In fact, let’s say s stands for sheep, and p stands for penguins. We can re-write these two
equations using variables:
5 sheep + 2 sheep = 7 sheep
5s + 2s = 7s

5 sheep + 2 penguins = 5s + 2p

So adding and subtracting like terms works the same way with variables as it does with sheep,
penguins, fractions with common denominators, and other quantities with like terms.

Section 1.7
64

EXAMPLES

3 Simplify 3x + 9x – 7y

3x + 9x – 7y

12x – 7y Combine like terms

Answer: 12x – 7y

4 Simplify 3(2a – 4b) + 5(2b)

3(2a – 4b) + 5(2b)

6a – 12b + 10b Distributive property and multiplication

6a – 2b Combine like terms

Answer: 6a – 2b

5 Simplify:    !      " #  !    "   #$

2 2  !34  4 #  !27  32 #$ Start by solving inside the parenthesis first

2 2  !12  4#  !14  6 #$ Next solve inside the brackets

2 2  !8#  !20#$

2 14$  28 Now solve inside the curly bracket

Distribute into the curly bracket
Answer: 28

IV. Factoring
DEFINITIONS & BASICS
FACTORS: These values (numbers or variables) when multiplied equal the given value OR things
that can go into the given value and yield a whole # quotient. Basically a factor is a number that can
multiply to the number you are given.

Example: If asked the factors of 24 (the given number),

they are 1&24, 2&12, 3&8, 4&6 or 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24

Section 1.7
 65

COMMON FACTOR: A factor that two or more terms have in common.

Example: Two terms: 24 and 36.

Factors of 24 are 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 8,12,24
Factors of 36 are 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9,12,18,36
The numbers in boxes are the common factors between 24 and 36.

GREATEST COMMON FACTOR: This is the biggest factor that all terms share in common.

Example: The Greatest Common Factor of 24 and 36 is 12, because it is a factor that they share
and it is also the greatest.

Factor as a verb can mean several different things, which you will learn more about in Chapter 5. For
now, to factor an expression just means to pull out the greatest common factor of each term in the
expression. It’s a little bit like the distributive property in reverse. Example 6 will explain more.

EXAMPLES

6 Factor 20x+48.
Find the greatest common factor of 16 and 48.

Factors of 20: 1,2,4,5,10,20 List the factors of each number

Factors of 48: 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,16,24,48

Factors of 16: 1,2,4,5,10,20 Identify the factors in common, and choose the
Factors of 48: 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,16,24,48 greatest

20x+ 48
Undistribute the 4.

4(5x+3)
Answer: 4(5x+3)

7 Factor: 3x + 6

Factors of 3: 1,3 Find the greatest common factor

Factors of 6: 1,2,3,6
3x + 6 Divide each term by the greatest common factor
3 3
3(x + 2) Write the expression with the common factor on the outside
of the parentheses and the “left-overs” inside
Answer: 3(x + 2)
Section 1.7
66

1.7 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operation.
1. 3.625  3.86 2. 63.18  .36 3. 386.53 ÷ .04

Perform the indicated operation.

 (  ) ' ,
4. '  ) 5.  6. ÷ )+
)* + ++

Evaluate, convert or simplify.

7. √25 8. 5 9. √4096
10. 3( 11. 2)

Convert to decimal notation (round to four decimal places) and then to a percent.
+( -   (( -
12. -- 13. .( 14. ,) 15. - 16. +- 17. +

Follow order of operations to solve.

18. 18.25  16 ÷ 4,  3.786 19. 25 ÷ 5  36 ÷ 12  16.85

Evaluate.
/01
20. ,   23 4  2 21. 5  67 , , 7  4m
(


22. 9  ' 67 , h, r  7ft, h  25ft

Identify the property that is illustrated by each statement.

23. 3 + x = x + 3 24. 8x + (7t + 9x) = 8x + (9x + 7t)

25. 6 ⋅ 16 = 1 26. 18z + 0 = 18z

27. 18x(x – 3) = 18x2 – 54x 28. 25m + (-25m) = 0

29. 2x(5x ⋅ 1n ) = (2x5x) 1n 30. 2t(27 + x) = (27 + x)2t

Combine like terms and simplify.

31. 8>  25> 32. 21?,  85  15?,  16 33.   374  16  134

 ,
34. 25  6  3 35. 211@  2>  27>  3@ 36. – ' >  (  2

37. 2'  53  8  10 38. 23  5  74    4  27

39. 2 !6  32  3 #  !2  1  35 #$ 40. 4 !3  2  7#  !43  2  3#$

41. 7 2  !311  2  1#  82  4 $

Factor.
42. 104  5 43. 16 – 24B 44. 4> – 6C  12D

Section 1.7
 67

Answers
1. −.235 28. Additive Inverse

2. −22.7448 29. Associative of Multiplication

3. 9663.25 30. Commutative of Multiplication

49
4. 31. 33𝑎𝑎
12
4
5. 32. 6𝑚𝑚2 + 101
7
6
6. 33. 17𝑥𝑥 − 24𝑦𝑦
77
7. 5 34. 13𝑥𝑥 + 12
8. 15625 35. 23𝑎𝑎 + 19𝑧𝑧
1 8
9. 64 36. − 3 𝑎𝑎 + 5
10. 243 37. −15𝑥𝑥 − 42
11. 16 38. 4𝑡𝑡 + 6𝑦𝑦 − 4
12. . 85, 85% 39. −8𝑥𝑥 − 4
13. . 8, 80 % 40. 36𝑥𝑥 + 40
14. . 6667, 66.67 % 41. −70𝑥𝑥
15. . 6, 60 % 42. 5(2𝑦𝑦 + 1)
16. . 6875, 68.75% 43. 8(2𝑡𝑡 – 3𝑠𝑠)
17. . 1163, 11.63% 44. 2(2𝑎𝑎 – 3𝑏𝑏 + 6𝑐𝑐)
18. 15.464
19. 24.85
20. 5
21. 50.27m2
22. 1282.82ft 3
Still have questions? Video
23. Commutative of Addition
solutions available: Click here.
24. Commutative of Addition
Or scan:
25. Multiplicative Inverse

26. Additive Identity

27. Distributive
68

Chapter 1 Review 1

1.1 LCM

LCM:
1. Prime Factorization
2. Create the Smallest Number that all
will go into (Least Common Multiple)

1.2 Fractions

Addition of Fractions 1. Observation

1. Common denominator 2. Multiply the denominators
3. Prime factorization
2. Add numerators

Multiplication of Fractions Division of Fractions

1. No common denominators 1. Improper Fractions
2. Multiply numerators 2. Keep it, change it, flip it
3. Multiply denominators 3. Multiply

1.3 Decimals and Percents

Converting Percents Solving Percent Problems

1. If fraction, solve for decimals
2. Move decimal 2 places
with “of”
1. Turn percent into a decimal
3. “OF” means times
2. Multiply the two numbers together

Chapter 1 Review 1
 69

1.4 Exponents, Roots, Order of Operations

Rounding
Solving Exponents Rounding to the nearest thousand, hundred,
ten, one, tenth, hundredth, thousandth, etc.
Exponent
Expand Estimation
Evaluate Round the given values to make the problem
easier, then do the easy problem

Getting the Right Order

P.E.M.D.A.S.
Parenthesis, Exponents,
Solving Roots Multiplication/Division from left to right,
Addition/Subtraction from left to right

1.5 Variables and Formulas

Distance, Rate, Tax

Shape Formulas
and Time T = rP
Review the two pages of
formulas for different rt = d T = tax, r = tax rate, P
properties of different shapes. r = rate, t = time, d = distance = original price

Discount Simple Interest

D = rP I = Prt
D = discount, r = discount rate, I = interest, P = principal amount,
P = original price r = interest rate, t = time

Fahrenheit to Celsius Celsius to Fahrenheit


C = (F – 32) F = C + 32



F = Fahrenheit deg. C = Celsius deg. F = Fahrenheit deg. C = Celsius deg.

Chapter 1 Review 1
70

1.6 Negatives and Signed numbers

Addition/Subtraction Addition/Subtraction
KEY CONCEPTS: KEY CONCEPTS:
1. Opposite signs subtract, stronger wins. 1. Opposite signs multiply to a negative.
2. Same signs will add in that same 2. Two negatives make a positive.
direction

3. Subtracting a negative is addition

1.7 Laws of Simplifying

Commutative Properties of Associative Properties of

Addition and Multiplication Addition and Multiplication
A: 5 + 7 = 7 + 5 A: 3 + (x + 8) = (3 + x) + 8 (just be
M: 3xy = y3x careful with those negative signs!)
M: 6·(4·x) = (6·4)·x

Identity Properties of Addition Inverse Properties of

and Multiplication Addition and Multiplication
A: x + 0 = x A: 9x – 9x = 0

M: x·1 = x M: –8 · − = 1


Distributive Property And, as always, don’t forget

A&M: –3(2x + 1) = –6x – 3 the order of operations!

Chapter 1 Review 1
 71

CHAPTER 1 REVIEW 1
1. Create a visual chart of all of the methods, formulas, and examples from studying how to solve
these linear equations.

Perform the indicated operations.

2. (-7) + (-4) 3. 244 – (-326) 4. 241.32

+ -413.86

5. -312.01 6. 112.3 7. 3.6 · (-1.4)

- 646.23 × -12.1

8. (-4) ÷ .0002 9. 24 ÷ (-.8) 10. .000248 ÷ .138

Change these fractions into decimals or these decimals into fractions.

11.  12. 
13.  14. .324

 

Perform the indicated operations.


 

15. + 16.

+2 17.

− 

 




18. − 19. ∙ 20. ÷

  

Write in exponential notation and evaluate.

21. 7·7·7·7 22. -8·-8·-8 23. 2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2

Evaluate.

24. 38% of 72 25. 95% of 643 26. 50% of 124

Follow the order of operations to solve.
27. 3 + (−4) ÷ 2 – 6 28. 4 + 3 ∙ (2 + 4) − 6 × 7

29. 34 ∙ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 + 52 − 12 ÷ 3 30.  

∙  − 4 + 
 − 2

Write an equivalent expression.

31. −1 ≥ −1.5 32. 140 < 196 33. −1 > −8

Find the absolute value.

34. | -10 | 35. | 17 - 7 | 36. | 2(4 – 8) |

37. A large rug has a length of 6 ft, and its width is 1 ft less than twice the length. What is the
area of the rug?

Chapter 1 Review 1
72

38. For dinner you bought 2 hamburgers for $1.99 each and some French fries for $1.39. How much
total tax will be charged on your meal if the current tax rate is 7%?

39. The weather forecast in Brazil is 33° Celsius. How warm is that in degrees Fahrenheit?

Evaluate the expression with the given variable(s).

40. 3.14 ∙ %  ∙ ℎ: (ℎ)* % = 3, ℎ = 6 41. √. + /  : (ℎ)* . = 5, / = 12

Simplify by collecting like terms.

42. 70 − 3(0 − 4) 43. . − 6(4 · 2 + 3.)



44. 320 + 4(2 − 0) − 2(−2 + 0) 45. (33 + 6) − (44 + 23)

Factor.
46. 75 − 14/ 47. 122 + 280 − 16

Chapter 1 Review 1
 73

Answers:
1. It better be good. 33. −8 < −1
2. -11 34. 10
3. 570 35. 10
4. -172.54 36. 8
5. -958.24 37. 66 67 
6. -1,358.83 38. $0.38

7. -5.04 39. 91.4° F

8. -20000 40. 169.56
9. -30 41. 13
10. .00180 42. 40 + 12
11. .79412 43. −17. − 48
12. 1.875 44. 220 + 62 − 40
13. 9.866
888 45. −33 − 104 + 4

14. 

46. 7(5 − 2/)

15. 
47. 4(32 + 70 − 4)


16. 

17.  


18. 

19. 

20. −

21. 7
, 2401
22. (−8) , −512
23. 2 , 2048
24. 27.36
25. 610.85
26. 62
Still have questions? Video
27. -5 solutions available: Click here.
28. -8
Or scan:
29. 122
30. -11
31. −1.5 ≤ −1
32. 196 > 140

Chapter 1 Review 1
74

CHAPTER 1 REVIEW 2

Perform the indicated operations.

1. (-12) + 11 2. (-18) – (-326) 3. 12.613

- 731.165

4. -316.14 5. -1.8 · (-.21) 6. (-1) · 36

× 123.5
7. (-76) ÷ 3 8. 49 ÷ (-.82) 9. .04 ÷ .5

Change these fractions into decimals or these decimals into fractions.

10.
11.  12. 
13. .512

  

Perform the indicated operations.



  
14. +8 15. +  16. − 

  

  

17. − 
18. ∙ 19. ÷ −3




Write in exponential notation and evaluate.

20. 9·9·9·9 21. -2·-2·-2·-2 22. 3·3·3·3·3

Evaluate.

23. 12% of .14 24. 88% of 888 25. 151% of 113

Follow the order of operations to solve.

26. 
3 ÷  + (7 − 2 × 6) 27. (3 − 27 ÷ 3) ÷ 4 + 4 ∙ (−3 ∙ 2) + 7

   

28. 2+9∙6− − 8 ÷ 2 29.  +  ÷  − 16 + 



Write an equivalent expression.

30. −1 ≤ 5.9 31. 47 < 99 32. −16 > −120

Find the absolute value.

33. |4| 34. |5 − 7| 35. |3(1 – 6)|

36. A circular swimming pool is covered by a tarp at night that exactly matches the size of the
pool. The radius of the pool is 3m. What is the area of the tarp with the same radius?

Chapter 1 Review 2
 75

37. One side of a triangular tent has a height of 4 ft and a base that is 3 less than twice the height. What
is the area of this triangle?

38. A shirt is on sale for 15% off the original price. If the original price was $15.95, how much is the
discount?

Evaluate the expression with the given variable(s).


39. &'  when ' = 3 40. √. + /  : 1ℎ34 . = 3, / = 4

Simplify by collecting like terms.

41. 46 − 3(8 − 6) 42. −127 + 7(47 + 3 ∙ 2)



43. −4./ + 2(. + 3/) − .(/ − 7) 44. (108 + 15) − (48 + 29)


Factor.
45. 68 − 29 46. 20 + 5/ +15c

Chapter 1 Review 2
76

Answers:
1. -1 33. 4
2. 308 34. 2
3. -718.552 35. 15
4. -39,043.29 36. 28.27 :
5. .378 37. 10 ;6 
6. -36 38. $2.39

7. -25. 3< 39. 113.1

8. -59.756 40. 5
9. .08 41. 76 − 24
10. 2. 3< 42. 167 + 42
11. 0.05< 43. −5./ + 9. + 6/
12. 1.808 44. −68 − 59 + 6

13. 

45. 2(38 − 9)
 
14. 
46. 5(4 + / + 3=)



15. 

16. 


17. 

18.


19. 

20. 9 , 6561
21. (−2) >' 2 , 16
22. 3
, 243
23. .0168
24. 781.44
25. 170.63
26. -1
27. 1

28. 
29. -14
30. 5.9 ≥ −1
31. 99 > 47
32. −120 < −16

Chapter 1 Review 2
 77

Chapter 2:
SOLVING:
EQUATIONS &
INEQUALITIES

OVERVIEW
The 3-Step Process to SOLVING:
2.1 Steps 2 & 3: The Addition and
Multiplication Principles
2.2 Word Problems: Translation, Substitution,
Shapes, Formulas
2.3 Step 1: Simplify the Equation:Parentheses,
Like Terms
2.4 Word Problems: Percents
2.5 Step 1: Simplify the Equation: Fractions
2.6 Inequalities
2.7 Word Problems: Inequalities
78

SUCCESS STORIES from the field…

“My attitude is, if you push me towards

something that you think is a weakness,
then I will turn that perceived weakness
into a strength.”
Michael Jordan

Some sports enthusiasts have touted Michael Jordan to be one of the greatest athletes of all time. Some
of his achievements include 6 NBA championships, 5 time league MVP, two time U.S. Gold Medal
winner, 10 NBA scoring titles, and all time career scoring average record. Many people are unaware
that his path was not always easy. Did you know that he did not make his varsity high school team? His
sophomore year at Laney high school, after missing the varsity cut, Michael began working on his game
before school. In time he made the team, and eventually was named a High School All-American.

When Michael went to college at the University of North Carolina, did you know he was told he’d never
start? At practice, he was the first one on the floor and the last one to leave. He was the only freshman
on the court when he took the final shot of the NCAA championship game that won the title for UNC in
1982 with seconds left on the clock.

When Michael became a pro in the NBA, it was immediately apparent that he was a tremendous
offensive power. He jumped, scored, and dunked like no one else. He led the league in scoring.
However, critics said that was all he could do. He focused on his defensive game in the off-season and
the next year again won the scoring title… along with the defensive player of the year award. He shares
the record for the most seasons leading the league in steals to this day.

When people said he would never win a title, he won three. When he retired from the NBA to then
return two years later, he was not in his peak physical shape. Critics again said he’d lost his step. Again
in the off-season he worked relentlessly. The next season he led his team to the all-time record for wins
in a season at 72, gathered three more championships, three more scoring titles, and two league MVP
titles.

Michael has stated alongside all his basketball accomplishments and winning statistics, “I’ve missed
more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to
take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is
why I succeed. If you do the work you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.”
 79

2.1 The 3-Step Process to Solving:

STEPS 2 & 3--The Addition and Multiplication Principles

OBJECTIVES
• Introduce Solving, its basic definitions, and the 3-Step Process
• Learn the Balance Rule
• Solve using the Addition Principle
• Solve using the Multiplication Principle
• Solve using both the Addition & Multiplication Principles Together

A INTRODUCTION TO SOLVING AND THE 3-STEP PROCESS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Remember in Chapter 1 in our introduction to Algebra, we talked about the two types of problems in
algebra. Chapter 1 was about the simplify type. In this chapter we examine the solve type.

ALGEBRA: Two Types of Problems

SIMPLIFY SOLVE
CH.1 CH.2
No “=” signs (or >,<, etc.) Uses “=” signs (or >,<, etc.)
Example: 2x + 3x Example: 3x = 15
Find out what x equals

EQUATION: A mathematical sentence. It must have an equal sign and something (an expression) on
each side. Examples: 1+3 = 4; x=5; or x+7 = 10

SOLUTION: Any number when replaced for the variable that makes an equation true.
Example: 3 is the “SOLUTION” for the equation x+7 = 10

SOLVE: Find all the “SOLUTIONS” for an equation.

EQUIVALENT EQUATIONS: Equivalent is a big word for equal or SAME. Thus equivalent
equations have the same solutions.

SOLUTIONS of EQUATIONS:
To determine if something is a SOLUTION to an EQUATION, we simply…

Checking a Solution
1. Plug the solution into the equation
2. Simplify the equation using the order of operations
3. If the result is a true statement, the answer is a solution
If the result is a false statement, the answer is not a solution

Follow the steps above in the examples that follow…

Section 2.1
80

EXAMPLES

1 Is 5 a solution to the equation: 2 Is −4 a solution to the equation:

x – 15 = – 10 ? 5x + 23 = 43 ?
5 – 15 = –10 5(– 4) + 23 = 43
5 + (– 15) = –10 –20 + 23 = 43
–10 = –10 3 = 43
True. This means 5 is a solution False. This means −4 is not a solution

LAWS & PROCESSES

The GOLDEN Directions:

In this chapter, we learn to SOLVE Equations. The following process is the “GOLD” of this chapter.

3-Step Process to Solving

GOAL: Get x alone (x will represent any variable)
1. SIMPLIFY
A) Get rid of fractions (multiply all by LCD)
B) Distribute across ( )
C) Combine “like terms” and get all x’s on the same side.
2. ADDITION PRINCIPLE
3. MULTIPLICATION PRINCIPLE

We will use this process in every chapter 2 section. We begin teaching the process in the next
few pages. We’ll actually start with learning steps 2 & 3, and then in the next section we’ll cover step 1.
This will take us on a gradual journey from the basics to more complex solving problems. To
understand steps 2 & 3, we must learn the BALANCE RULE…

B THE BALANCE RULE

Definition of ALGEBRA:
Math is the Manipulation of #’s to look different,
yet remain the SAME.

One of the great tools of manipulation in SOLVE problems is the BALANCE RULE. It allows us to
manipulate equations to look different yet remain the SAME (equivalent equations). This rule is
illustrated in the following example…

Section 2.1
 81

Here we have a scale with a 5 lb.

weight on each side. Obviously it is
balanced or “equal.”

What would happen if I added a 3 lb. However, if I do the same to the

weight to one side? It obviously other side of the scale (add 3 lbs.), it
would drop, or lose its equality. again is balanced or “equal.”

Similarly, if I subtract the 5 lb. However, again if I do the same to the

weight from one side, the other drops other side (subtract 5 lbs.) it again is
and again I lose my equality. balanced or “equal.”

This rule of balance is used in mathematical equations.

Balance Rule of Solving:

Whatever I do to one side of the equal sign,
I must do the exact same to the other side to maintain equality.

Here’s a simple example of how the Balance Rule works in Arithmetic:

23 = 23
223 = 223
46 = 46
46 − 4 = 46 − 4
42 = 42
42 ÷ 7 = 42 ÷ 7
6=6

We start with 23 = 23. By multiplying each side by 2 we get 46 = 46. We then subtracted 4 from each
side, and then divided each side by 7 to get 6 = 6.

Section 2.1
82

Again we started with 23 = 23. We manipulated each equation to look different, yet remain equal or the
same. It was critical that we did the same thing to both sides each step of the way or we would have lost
our balance or equality. For instance had we first multiplied one side by 2, but not the other we would
have got 46 = 23, which is not a true statement.

EXAMPLES
Use the BALANCE RULE to keep the equations below equivalent or the SAME.

36 = 36  − 7 = 14 12 12 7 21
= =
3 4 5 6
-4 +7 4 7
32 = x= 3= x=
Now…to do that I must do the same thing (in blue) to the other side that was done to the 1st side.
36 = 36  − 7 = 14 12 12 7 21
= =
-4 -4 +7 +7 4 4 7 7
32 = 32 x = 21 3=3 x=3
C 3-STEP PROCESS TO SOLVING – STEP 2: The Addition Principle

The Addition Principle is inspired by the BALANCE RULE. Remember in SOLVE problems, the
GOAL is to get x alone. The Addition Principle (could aptly be named the Addition OR Subtraction
Principle) states the following…

Addition Principle:
To Get x alone…
1) Identify who is being added or subtracted to your variable
2) Do the opposite (operation) to both sides of the equation.

EXAMPLES
Let’s use the Addition Principle to first solve a simple equation we could do in our heads…just to prove
it works. Follow the steps above. Then we’ll use it on a problem we may not be able to do in our heads.
Let’s also check our answers using the steps we learned earlier in this chapter.

7  5 = 15 Who is being added or subtracted from x ? 5 (being added)

-5 -5 Do the opposite (subtract) to both sides.
 0 = 10
 = 10 CHECK
Is 10 the solution to the equation:  5 = 15 ?
10 5 = 15
15 = 15

True. 10 is a Solution

Section 2.1
 83

8  − 23 = −7 Who is being added or subtracted from a ? 23 (being subtracted)

23 23 Do the opposite (add) to both sides.
 0 = 16
 = 16 CHECK
Is 16 the solution to the equation:  − 23 = −7?
16 − 23 = −7
−7 = −7

True. 16 is a Solution

−4.3 =  − 7.7 Who is being added or subtracted from y ? 7.7 (being subtracted)
7.7 7.7 Do the opposite (add) to both sides.
9

3.4 =  0
3.4 =  CHECK
Is 3.4 the solution to the equation: −4.3 =  −
7.7?
−4.3 = 3.4 − 7.7
−4.3 = −4.3

True. 3.4 is a Solution

3 5 
−  = Who is being added or subtracted from x ? − (being added)
10
4 8 

3 3  
Do the opposite (subtract) to both sides. − − =
4 4  


0  =
 CHECK
11  
= the solution to the equation: −  =
8
Is
 

?

  
− =
  

 
=

 


True. is a Solution


Section 2.1
84

D 3-STEP PROCESS TO SOLVING – STEP 3: The Multiplication Principle

The Multiplication Principle is also inspired by the BALANCE RULE. Remember in SOLVE
problems, the GOAL is to get x alone. The Multiplication Principle (could aptly be named the
Multiplication OR Division Principle) states the following…

Multiplication Principle:
To Get x alone…
1) Identify who is being multiplied or divided to your variable
2) Do the opposite (operation) to both sides of the equation.

EXAMPLES

Again, let’s use the Multiplication Principle to first solve a simple equation we could do in our
heads…just to prove it works. Follow the steps above. Then we’ll use it on a problem we may not be
able to do in our heads. Let’s also check our answers again.

11 3 = 15 Who is being multiplied or divided from x ? 3 (being mult.)

3 15 Do the opposite (divide) to both sides.

=
3 3 CHECK
  Is 5 the solution to the equation: 3 = 15?
= 35 = 15
 
=5 15 = 15

True. 5 is a Solution


= −12
12 Who is being multiplied or divided from x ?
−4
-4 (being divided)


−4   = −4−12)
Do the opposite (multiply) to both sides.


−4   = −4−12
CHECK

 Is 48 the solution to the equation: = −12?
 = 48 48


= −12
−4
−12 = −12

True. 48 is a Solution

Section 2.1
 85

This is a great example illustrating that when we solve…we want to know

13 what x equals, not what –x equals…

− = 14 Who is being multiplied or divided from y ?

-1 (being multiplied)
−1 = 14
−1 14
= Do the opposite (divide) to both sides.
−1 −1 CHECK
 = −14 − = 14?
Is -14 the solution to the equation:
−−14 = 14
14 = 14

True. -14 is a Solution

14 2 4 
=  Who is being multiplied or divided from b ?

(being multiplied)
5 15
15 2 15 4 
÷

=

∙

∙ = ∙  Do the opposite (divide) to both sides.
   
(see
4 5 4 15 R.2)
CHECK
  !  
∙ = ∙  Is

the solution to the equation:
!
=

?
!    !  
2 4 3
3 = ∙
= 5 15 2
2
! !
=

 


True. is a Solution
!

Section 2.1
86

E SOLVING: Using Both the Addition & Multiplication Principles Together

LAWS & PROCESSES

Now that we’ve learned the two BALANCE RULE principles in the 3-Step Process to Solving, let’s
summarize these steps and use them to solve some problems incorporating them both.

Summary of Addition & Multiplication Principles:

1. Identify: Who is sharing sides with x ?
2. Identify: What are they doing to x ? (add, subt, mult, or divide?)
3. Do the opposite (operation) to both sides of the equation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It’s important to follow the order of the 3-Step Process by first applying the
Addition Principle (remove who is being added and/or subtracted to x) then the Multiplication
Principle (who is being multiplied or divided to x). This is critical so as to not create fractions.

3-Step Process to Solving

GOAL: Get x alone (x will represent any variable)
1. SIMPLIFY
A) Get rid of Fractions (multiply all by LCD)
B) Distribute ( )
C) Combine Like Terms (L.T.) and Get all x’s to 1 side.

EXAMPLES

15 SOLVE and CHECK using Steps 2 & 3 of the 3-Step Process to Solving:

3 x + 10 = 223-Step Process to Solving Who is sharing sides with x ?10 & 3

−10 − 10 2. Use the Addition { Who is being added/subtracted?10 (added)
3 = 12 Principle Do the opposite (subtract) to both sides.
3 12 3. Use the Multiplication Who is being multiplied/divided? 3(multiplied)
= {
3 3
Principle Do the opposite (divide) to both sides.
=4
CHECK
Is 4 the solution to the equation: 3
10 = 22?
34 10 = 22
12 10 = 22
22 = 22

True. 4 is a Solution

Section 2.1
 87

16 17
-2x – 7 = 14 3-Step Process to Solving 35 – y = 23
+7 +7 -35 -35
-2x = 21 < 2. Use the Addition Principle > – y = –12
−2 21 − −12
= =
3. Use the Multiplication
−2 −2
< Principle > −1 −1
21
=− y = 12
2
CHECK
!
Is − the solution to the equation: CHECK
!
-2x – 7 = 14? Is 12 the solution to the
21 equation:
−2 #− $ − 7 = 14
2 35 – y = 23 ?
35 – 12 = 23
21 – 7 = 14
23 = 23

14 = 14

True. 12 is a Solution
!
True. − is a Solution
!

18 12.4 − 4.5 = −16.4 3-Step Process to Solving

−12.4 − 12.4
−4.5 = −28.8 < 2. Use the Addition Principle

−4.5b −28.8
=
3. Use the Multiplication
−4.5 −4.5
< Principle
 = 6.4
CHECK
Is 6.4 the solution to the equation:
12.4 – 4.5b = -16.4?
12.4 – 4.5(6.4) = -16.4
12.4 – 28.8 = -16.4
-16.4 = -16.4

True. 6.4 is a Solution

Section 2.1
88

2.1 EXERCISE SET

Find the Volume of a rectangular solid when the width, height and length are given.
Formula is V=lwh
1. l = 4 in 2. l = 7 ft 3. l = 7.2 m
1.6 w = 2.5 in w = 4 ft w=9m
h = 3 in h = 2.8 ft h=3m
V= V= V=

Find the Area of a trapezoid when the bases and height are given.
Formula is A = 12 h(B+b)
4. B = 15 5. B = 21 6. B = 19
b = 10 b = 11 b=6
h=7 h=3 h = 10
A= A= A=
Identify the property that is illustrated by each statement.
1.7 7. 8 5 3 = 3 8 5 8. 37 = 37 9. 87% = 87%

Simplify.

10. 2&' − 7 − 6'& 3 11. 3 ! − 5( 3( − 7 ! 12. 6)* − 7) 8)* 11

2.1a Check to see if the specified number is a solution for the given equation.

13. 13;  24 = 37 14. 19; - 14 = 32 15. 24; ' − 34 = 58 16. 45;  − 21 = 24

Is 13 a solution for Is 19 a solution for -
 24 = 37? 14 = 32?

Solve.
17.  4 = 13 18. 13 ' = 27 19.  17 = −12
2.1c
20.  ! = 6 21.  !=4
/ 22. 8=−

.

23. - − 16.2 = 11.2 24. − 6.1  = − 6.7 25. − 4.2 0 = − 3.1

Solve.

2.1d 26. −  = 15 27. 45 = −  28. − - = − 34

   . 
29.  = 16 30. − 
=1 31.

=− 


  
32. - = − 5.6 33. −  0 = − 15.3 34. =6
 

Section 2.1
 89

Use both the addition and multiplication principles together to solve the following.

2.1e 35. 12 7 = 31 36. 4 18 = 30 37. 50 21 = 56

38. 5 − 5 = 20 39. 3 − 7 = 27 40. −8 − 10 = 62

41. −4 − 12 = 18 42. 2.72 12.13 = 20.5 43. −3.5 2.4 = 24.1

Preparation: Read some of 2.2 and then

44. Solve for p:

3- 7 = 15

45. Solve for p:

2- ' = 3

Section 2.1
90

Answers
1. 30 in3 29. 𝑦𝑦 = 6
2
2. 78.4 ft3 30. 𝑥𝑥 = − 3
35 3
3. 194.4 m3 31. 𝑥𝑥 = − 4
𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 8 4
4. 87.5 32. 𝑝𝑝 = −7
5. 48 33. 𝑧𝑧 = 11.475
6. 125 34. 𝑥𝑥 = −84
7. Commutative property of addition 35. 𝑥𝑥 = 2
8. Commutative property of multiplication 36. 𝑦𝑦 = 3
9. Associative property of multiplication 37. 𝑧𝑧 = 7
10. −4𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 − 14𝑠𝑠 − 18𝑡𝑡 38. 𝑥𝑥 = 5
34 1
11. −4𝑥𝑥 2 − 12𝑛𝑛 39. 𝑦𝑦 = 3
𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 11 3
12. 14𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 7𝑘𝑘 + 11 40. 𝑥𝑥 = −9
15
13. Yes 41. 𝑥𝑥 = −7.5 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 2
14. No 42. 𝑚𝑚 = 3.1
15. No 43. 𝑥𝑥 = −6.2
16. Yes 44. In class
17. 𝑥𝑥 = 9 45. In class.
18. 𝑡𝑡 = 14
19. 𝑦𝑦 = −29
5 40
20. 𝑦𝑦 = 5 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
7 7
1
21. 𝑥𝑥 = − 2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − .5
5 69
22. 𝑥𝑥 = 8 8 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 8
𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 8.625
23. 𝑝𝑝 = 27.4
24. 𝑥𝑥 = −0.6
25. 𝑧𝑧 = 1.1
26. 𝑦𝑦 = −15
27. 𝑥𝑥 = −45
Still have questions? Video
28. 𝑝𝑝 = 34 solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
 91

2.2 Applications and Formulas

OBJECTIVES
• Learn and apply the DVPE process
• Translate between English sentences and mathematical sentences
• Use shape formulas to solve for missing variables

A THE DVPE PROCESS OF SOLVING

“When am I ever going to use this?” “Where would this be applicable?” All the way through
math, students ask questions like these. Well, to the relief of some and the dismay of others, you have
now reached the point where you will be able to do some problems that have been made out of real life
situations. Most commonly, these are called, “story problems”.

The four main points to solving story problems are:

D- Data. Write down all the numbers that may be helpful. Also, note
any other clues that may help you unravel the problem.
V- Variable. In all of these story problems, there is something that you
don’t know, that you would like to. Pick any letter of the alphabet to
represent this.
P- Plan. Story problems follow patterns. Knowing what kind of
problem it is, helps you write down the equation. This section of the
book is divided up so as to explain most of the different kinds of patterns.
E - Equation. Once you know how the data and variable fit together.
Write an equation of what you know. Then solve it. This turns out to be
the easy part.

You have been working with linear equations, which are equations in which the variables are
only raised to the power of one (i.e. there are no exponents on the variables). Linear equations are found
throughout mathematics and the real world. Here is a small outline of some applications of linear
equations. You will be able to solve any of these problems by the same methods that you have just
mastered.

Section 2.2
92

I. Translation
The first application is when you simply translate from English into math.
EXAMPLES

1 Seven less than 3 times what number is 41?

7, 3, 41 are the numbers involved. D – Data

Let m be the number we don’t know. V – Variable

Seven less than 3 times what number is 41? P – Plan (We are translating)

3  7  41 E – Equation

3  7  41 Solve as before
3  48
  16
Answer: 16

2 Stacey traveled 141 miles while going 27 mph. Using the formula   determine
the time that she traveled.

  81  D – Data
  27 

 ? V – Variable

   P – Plan (Use formula given in problem)

27  81 E – Equation

 27  27 Solve as before
3
Answer: 3 hours

II. Shapes
With many of the problems that you will have, pictures and shapes will play a very important
role. When you encounter problems that use rectangles, triangles, circles or any other shape, I would
suggest a few things:

1. Read the problem

2. READ the problem again.
3. READ THE PROBLEM one more time.

Once you draw a picture to model the problem, read the problem again to make sure that your picture
fits.

Here are some formulas for common shapes that you will encounter. You should start to become
familiar with them:
Section 2.2
 93

Shape formulas:
l P is the perimeter
w   2 + 2 l is the length
w is the width
   A is the Area
Rectangle

b P is the perimeter
a a is a side length
h   2 + 2! b is the other side length
  ! h is height
Parallelogram A is the Area

P is perimeter
b
b is the little base
a h d   ! + + " +  B is the big base

B
1 a is a leg
  " + ! h is height
2
Trapezoid d is a leg
A is the Area

P is the perimeter
  # + $ + % h is height
h
1 b is base
  !
b
2 A is the Area
Triangle

b
a is one angle
c + ! + &  180 b is another angle
c is another angle
a
Triangle
l is the length
h h is the height
(  2 + 2 + 2
w is the width
w )   SA is the Surface Area
l
V is volume
Rectangular Solid

Section 2.2
94

C is the Circumference or
perimeter
r
*  2+ π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
it has a button on your calculator
  + $ r is the radius of the circle
A is the area inside the circle.
Circle

r LSA is Lateral Surface

Area=Area just on the sides
h h is the height
,(  2+ SA is total surface area
$
(  2+ + 2+ π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
)  + $  it has a button on your calculator
r is the radius of the circle
Cylinder V is Volume

h is the height
h l r is the radius of the circle
,(  + l is the slant height
r π is a number, about 3.14159 . . .
(  + $ + + it has a button on your calculator
1 SA is total surface area
Cone )  + $ 
3 LSA is Lateral Surface
Area=Area just on the sides
V is Volume

r
(  4+ $ r is the radius
4 SA is the surface area
)  + % V is the Volume
3
Sphere

Section 2.2
 95

EXAMPLES

If the perimeter of a rectangle is 56in and the width is 12in, what is the length?
3
56 in   D-Data
12 in  

L = length we are trying to find V-Variable

  2 + 2 P – Plan (Use the formula for a rectangle)

56  2 + 212 E-Equation
56  2 + 24

56  2 + 24 Solve as before
32  2
16  
Answer: length of rectangle is 16 in.

4 Using the formulas for a cylinder find the missing variable:

r=9cm
h=?
V=356 cm3
r = 9cm D – Data
V = 356 cm3
h = height that we are trying to find V – Variable

)  + $  P – Plan (Use the formula for

volume)
356  +81 E – Equation

356  254.47
Solve as before
356 254.47h

254.47 254.47

1.4  
Answer: height is 1.4 cm.

Section 2.2
96

III. Solving for a variable:

When given a formula, it is sometimes requested that you solve that formula for a specific
variable. That simply means that you are to get that variable by itself. We use the same principles as in
the previous section:

EXAMPLES

5 Solve   for t

   for  Original Problem

56 7 Divide both sides by r


5 5
8

9

Answer:   

6 Solve :  ;< + = for x

>  !? + & for ? Original Problem

> – &  !? subtract “c” from both sides

ABC DE Divide both sides by “b”


D D

>&
?
! :B=
Answer: <  ;

7 Solve FG  HI  J for m

3  4  7 for  Original Problem

3  7 + 4 add (4pt) to both sides

3 7 + 4 Divide both sides by -3


3 3
7 + 4

3
JKHI
Answer: G  BF

Section 2.2
 97

2.2 EXERCISE SET

Check to see if the specified number is a solution for the given equation.

2.1 1. 4; 7> + 13  15 2. 9; 99 – 3  72 3. 21; > + 4  > + 4

Solve.

4.   15  43 5. >  22  23 6.   12  21

N #%
7. +>  8. 8.1  4.2 + ? 9. 12.6  Q  13.3
O P

$ # T # R #R
10. ? 11.  > 12.   Q
R #S O % U #T

13. 3.6>  18 14. 94.8  23.7? 15. 2.1Q  12.6

16. 7> + 7  35 17. 2Q + 13  3 18. 4> + 25  13

19. 21  ?  13 20. 9 – 5>  27 21. 14  6>  17

2.2 22. 27 is 6 more than 3 times a number. What is the number?

23. 18 less than 5 times a number is 52. What is the number?

24. Using the formula I = Prt for interest, find the missing variable.
I = $376.52
P=?
r = .06
t=5

25. If a cone has a Lateral Surface Area of 250 ft2, a radius of 8ft, what is the slant height of the cone?

26. If a cylinder has a volume of 538 cm3 and a radius of 6 cm, how tall is it?

27. Find the missing variable for a rectangle:

P = 39 ft
w = 7.2 ft
l=
28. Find the missing variable for a cylinder:
SA = 800 in2
h=
r = 9 in

Section 2.2
98

Solve for the specified variable.

29. >  ? + ! for ! 30. 5 – 7   for 

31.   2+ for  32.  1

! for !
2

33. 3 – 8V  14 for  34. 19  3V for 

35. 36. #
* 5
9 W – 32 for W )  + $  for 
%

Preparation.

37. After reading some from Section 2.3, try to solve this equation for x.
? +  9 +

38. Solve the following for x:

5? + 9> + 10  9> + 15 + 10

Section 2.2
 99

Answers
1. No 29. 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑦𝑦 − 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑟𝑟+7
2. Yes 30. 𝑚𝑚 = 5
𝐴𝐴
3. Yes 31. ℎ = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋

2𝐴𝐴
4. 𝑡𝑡 = 58 32. 𝑏𝑏 = ℎ

14+8𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞
5. 𝑦𝑦 = 45 33. 𝑚𝑚 = 3
19
6. 𝑝𝑝 = −9 34. 𝑟𝑟 = 3𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
23 9
7. 𝑦𝑦 = 18 35. 𝐹𝐹 = 5 𝐶𝐶 + 32
3𝑉𝑉
8. 𝑥𝑥 = 3.9 36. ℎ = 𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2

9. 𝑧𝑧 = 25.9 37. In class.

1
10. 𝑥𝑥 = 4 38. In class.
3
11. 𝑦𝑦 = − 4
2
12. 𝑧𝑧 = 3
13. 𝑦𝑦 = 5
14. 𝑥𝑥 = 4
15. 𝑧𝑧 = −6
16. 𝑦𝑦 = 4
17. 𝑧𝑧 = −5
18. 𝑦𝑦 = −3
19. 𝑥𝑥 = 8
18
20. 𝑦𝑦 = − 5
31 1
21. 𝑦𝑦 = − 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 5 6 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 5.16
6

22. 7
23. 14 Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.
24. $1255.07
25. 9.95 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 Or scan:
26. 4.76 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
27. 12.3 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
28. 5.15 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
100

2.3 The 3-Step Process to Solving:

STEP 1—Simplify the Equation: Parentheses, Like Terms

OBJECTIVES
• Simplify an Equation with Like Terms & Solve
• Simplify an Equation with Parentheses & Solve
• Learn to Recognize Equations with Infinitely Many vs. No Solutions
& use the entire 3-Step Process to Solving in Mixed Practice

Recall from section 2.1 that we are learning how to solve equations. We will now learn step 1 of the
process.

3-Step Process to Solving

GOAL: Get x alone (x will represent any variable)
1. SIMPLIFY
A) Distribute across ( )
B) Get rid of fractions (multiply all by LCD)
C) Combine “like terms” and get all x’s on the same side.
2. ADDITION PRINCIPLE
3. MULTIPLICATION PRINCIPLE

A 3-STEP PROCESS TO SOLVING, STEP 1C: Combine “like terms” and get all x’s on the
In Chapter 1, you learned to combine like terms in SIMPLIFY problems. In a SOLVE problem, it is no
different. Follow these guidelines…
1. Combine like terms on the left of the = sign
2. Combine like terms on the right of the = sign
3. Get all your x’s (variables) to one side.

EXAMPLES

1 Solve
     
   

9  2  4 28    2 First solve the parenthesis like we already learned how to do

9  18  4 28    2

9  18  4 28    2 Combine all of the numbers with x’s on each side of the equation
5  18 30   Combine all of the numbers without x’s on each side of the
equation
5  18 30  
18 18 Get all of the x’s on one side of the equation and all of the
4 12 numbers on the other by adding or subtracting
4 12 Divide by the number attached to x on both sides of the equation
 4  4 to get the x alone
 3
Answer:  

Section 2.3
 101

2 Solve      

24  23  4 4 First distribute into the parenthesis

24  6  8 4
Combine all of the like terms on each side of the equation
24  6  8 4 (everything with an x combines, and everything that has no x
32  6 4 combines)
32  6 4 Get all of the x’s on one side of the equation and all of the
32 32 numbers on the other by adding or subtracting
6 36
6 36 Divide by the number attached to x on both sides of the equation to
 6  6 get the x alone
 6
Answer:  

B 3-STEP PROCESS to SOLVING, STEP 1B: Distributing across ( )

In Chapter 1, Section 5, we discussed Order of Operations, and we said that you needed to work
parenthesis first. The reason was that they needed to be taken care of before you move on. Well, in
simplifying equations to solve, do the same thing – work across the parenthesis first – not just inside
them but distributing into them:
LAWS & PROCESSES
Would you agree that: 3 ∙ 4  3 ∙ 7 3 ∙ 4  7 ?
Check: 12  21 33
3 ∙ 11 33

What about this: 4 ∙   4 ∙ 6 4  6 ?

They both end up being 4  24. What needs to be understood is how this principle works, and then to
know that it is often necessary in simplifying equations.

EXAMPLES

4 Simplify:          

461    3 6  25   Distribute into the parenthesis

Distribute into the brackets
46  6  3 6  10  2
Combine like terms
24  24  12 6  10  2
24  12 4  2 Get all of the x’s on one side
242 24 2 
10 28 Divide by the number attached to the x
 10  10
 2.8
Section 2.3
102

Answer:  .

We can see that there wouldn’t have been hope to solve that last example if we didn’t distribute across
the parenthesis.

Now we reach a point where we should feel powerful. Remember that we can add, subtract, multiply
or divide anything we want! (As long as we do it to both sides).

Particularly, if we don’t like the way that 11x is on the left hand side, we can choose to get rid of it! So,
we subtract 11x from both sides of the equation:
You might as well know that if you
5  8 11  56 didn’t like the  on the right hand
11  11 side, you could get rid of that instead:
5  8 11  56
Upon combining the like-terms, we get 5  5

6  8 56 Combining like terms, we get:

8 6  56
which now is able to be un-done easily: 48 6 (add 56 to both sides)
8  (divide both sides by 6)
6 48 (add 8 to both sides) We will always get the same answer!
 8 (divide both sides by -6)

Special cases:
What about 2  1 2  1 ? Well if we want to get the x’s together we had better get rid of the
2x on one side. So we subtract 2x from both sides like this:

2  1 2  1
2  2
Solution is all real numbers 1 1
if you get something like: The x’s all vanished!
0=0
5=5 This statement is always true no matter what x is. That is the point.
-3 = -3 x can be any number it wants to be and the statement will be true.
All numbers are solutions to this equation.

On the other hand try to solve 2  1 2  5

There is no solution if you
2  1 2 – 5 get something like:
2  2 0 1
1 5 5 7
3 2
Again, the x’s all vanished. This time it left an equation that is
never true. No matter what x we stick in, we will never get 1 to equal -5.
It simply will never work. No solution.

Section 2.3
 103

2.3 EXERCISE SET

Solve.

2.1 1. !
3 2. 13.7  3.4$ 18.9 3. 17  7% 18
"#

4. & 5. 6. (!)'
$  1 11 9 3  17 13
' *

7. 8$  3$  14$ – 17 17 8. 94.8 23.7 – 13.5

Solve for the specified variable.

2.2 9. + ,  -. for , 10. 2

!3"!4
for ,
5

11. 6 5$ – 3+ for $ 12. 789 :;< for ;

13. = >  ?@ for > 14. &B"*C

D for E
? A '

15. 48 is 9 more than 3 times a number. What is the number?

16. 18 less than 7 times a number is 80. What is the number?

17. If two angles of a triangle are 70° and 48°, what is the measure of the third angle?

18. What is the width of a rectangle that has an area of 390in 2 and a length of 20in?

19. Find the area of the shaded region:

3cm
8cm 14 cm

20. What is the slant height of a cone that has radius of 7m and a surface area of 700m2?

21. What is the width of a rectangular solid that has a volume of 238mm3, a length of 17mm and a
height of 2mm?

22. If a cone has a volume of 338 cm3 and a radius of 6 cm, how tall is it?

23. Find the missing variable for a parallelogram:

A = 64 in2
h=
b = 12.6 in
Section 2.3
104

Solve.
Example:
2.3   4 – 5 7  1 Combine like terms
4  4 7  1 Get all x’s together by adding 4x to
4  4 both sides
4 11  1 Subtract 1 from both sides
1  1
3 11
& Divide both sides by 11
GG


24. 5+  12 33  + 25. 7.  18 5.  2 26. 5  10 5  7

27.   7 15 28. 2  4  3 2  12 29. . 07 13  .12

30. . 73  2 3.5  1 31. . 3  9  2 4  3 32. . 4F 78  .4F

33. 7  5  3 4  35 34. 9  4  3 15 35. 2  3  7 9  8

Preparation.

36. Find the final price of an object that is $200 but has 15% off.

37. Find the final amount of a savings account that has $170 and then has 15% interest added to it.

38. After reading some of 2.4, try to find out what the original price of an object was if the final price
after 15% off was $85.

Section 2.3
 105

Answers
1. 𝑥𝑥 = 18 28. All real numbers
2. 𝑡𝑡 = 9.59 29. 68.42
1 12
3. 𝑚𝑚 = 7 30. 𝑥𝑥 = − 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 1.71
7

4. 𝑡𝑡 = −28 31. 𝑥𝑥 = −3.53

8
5. 𝑥𝑥 = − 3 32. No solution
6. 𝑥𝑥 = 9 33. All real numbers
6
7. 𝑡𝑡 = 0 34. 𝑥𝑥 = 5 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1.2

8. 𝑥𝑥 = 4.57 35. 𝑥𝑥 = 0
𝑝𝑝−𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏
9. 𝑓𝑓 = 36. In class.
𝑥𝑥

2𝐹𝐹+𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥
10. 𝑓𝑓 = 37. In class.
𝑥𝑥

𝑀𝑀+3𝑝𝑝
11. 𝑡𝑡 = 38. In class.
5
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿
12. 𝑟𝑟 = 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑇𝑇
13. 𝑄𝑄 = 𝐸𝐸 + 𝑇𝑇1
2

7𝑐𝑐−3𝑠𝑠 3𝑠𝑠−7𝑐𝑐
14. 𝑔𝑔 = 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
−4 4

15. 𝑥𝑥 = 13
16. 𝑥𝑥 = 14
17. 62°
18. 19.5 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
19. 129.9 𝑐𝑐𝑚𝑚2
20. 24.83 𝑚𝑚
21. 7 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
22. ℎ = 8.97 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
23. ℎ = 5.08 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
7
Still have questions? Video
24. 𝑝𝑝 = 2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 3.5 solutions available: Click here.
25. 𝑛𝑛 = −14
Or scan:
26. No solution
1
27. 𝑥𝑥 = − 2
106

2.4 Applications: Substitution, Percents

OBJECTIVES
• Applications with Consecutive Integers
• Applications with Substitution
• Simple Percent
• Forward Percent Change Applications
• Backward Percent Change Applications

A DVPE: Plan: Substitution

Substitution
Sometimes you are given a couple of different things to find instead of just one. In these cases,
you can use the information you are given to substitute something in for one of the unknown variables.

EXAMPLES

Two numbers add to 15, and the second is 7 bigger than the first. What are the two
1
numbers?

    15     7 D – add to 15; one 7 bigger than other

V – f for first, s for second

    15     7 P – Substitution. Substitute f + 7 in for s

    7  15 E – Write the equation to solve

    7  15 Solve the equation

2  7  15
2  8
4 Now that you know what the first number (f), you can find the
second number using the equations you wrote at the very
 7 beginning.
  47
  11
Answer: 4 & 11

Section 2.4
 107

A man cuts a 65 inch board so that one piece is four times bigger than the other.
2
What are the lengths of the two pieces?

   65  4 D – 65 inches total; one 4 times the other
V – x for first y for second

   65  4 P – Substitution. Substitute 4x in for y

  4  65 E – Write the equation to solve

  4  65 Solve the equation

5  65
  13 Now that you know what one part (x) is, you can solve for
the second part using the equations you wrote at the very
   65 beginning.
13   65
 52
Answer: 13 inches and 52 inches

3 If a rectangle’s length is 5 more than 3 times the width and the perimeter is 58 mm
what are the dimensions of the rectangle?

2  2  58   3  5 D – 58 millimeters total; length 3 times the width plus 5

V – w for width, l for length

2  2  58   3  5 P – Substitution. Substitute 3w + 5 in for l

2  23  5  58 E – Write the equation to solve
2  6  10  58 Solve the equation
8  10  58
8  48
6

2  2  58 Solve for the other variable.

26  2  58
12  2  58
2  46
  23
Answer: width is 6 mm, length is 23 mm.

Section 2.4
108

I have created a triangular garden such that the largest side is 8m less than twice
4 the smallest and the medium side is 12m larger than the smallest side. If the total
perimeter of the garden is 104m, what are the lengths of the three sides?

      104   2 – 8     12 D – 104m total

V – l for largest, m for medium, s for smallest
      104   2 – 8     12 P – Substitution. Substitute the values for l and m


    12  2 – 8  104 E – Write the equation to solve
    12  2 – 8  104 Solve the equation
4  4  104
4  100
  25

    12 Solve for the other variables.

  25  12
  37

  2  8
  225  8
  50  8
  42

Answer: smallest is 25m, medium is 37m, largest is 42m.

5 Three consecutive integers add to 39. What are they?

     39 D – The three numbers add up to 39. The word

   1;     2 consecutive tells us that each number is one more than
the one before it, which is where the second line of
equations comes from.
V – x is the first number, y is the second, z is the third
     39    1     2 P – Substitution. Substitute the values for x and y

    1    2  39 E – Write the equation to solve.

    1    2  39 Solve the equation
3  3  39
3  36
  12

Answer: 12, 13, & 14

Section 2.4
 109

Three consecutive even integers add to 72. What are they?

6
     72 D – The three numbers add up to 72. The words
   2;     4 consecutive even tells us that each number is two more
than the one before it, which is where the second line of
equations comes from.
V – x is the first number, y is the second, z is the third
     72    2     4 P – Substitution. Substitute the values for x and y

    2    4  72 E – Write the equation to solve.

    2    4  72 Solve the equation
3  6  72
3  66
  22
Answer: 22, 24, 26

We will now expand our word problems to dealing with percents, in very similar ways that we
did problems in Chapter 1, Section 4.

B SIMPLE PERCENT PROBLEMS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Remember from earlier, if we break up the word “percent” we get “per” which means divide and
72
“cent” which means 100. Notice that .72 is really the fraction 100 . We see that when we write it as a
percent instead of its numerical value, we move the decimal 2 places. Here are some more examples:

.73 = 73% 2.3 = 230%

.2 = 20% 2.14 = 214%
1 = 100%

The next reminder, before we start doing problems, is that the word “of” often means “times”. It
will be especially true as we do examples like:

What is 52% of 1358? All we need to do is multiply (.52)(1358)

which is 706.16
Sometimes however, it isn’t quite that easy to see what needs to be done. Here are three
examples that look similar but are done very differently. Remember “what” means “x”, “is” means
“=” and “of” means times.

What is 15% of 243? 15 is what percent of 243? 15 is 243% of what?

x = .15(243) 15 = x (243) 15 = 2.43x

Section 2.4
110

EXAMPLES

What is 26% of $40?

7
What is 26% of $40 Set up an equation. Remember “what” means “x”, “is”
means “=” and “of” means times
  .26  40
  .26  40 Solve the equation
  10.4
Answer: 10.4

8 118.08 is what percent of 246?

118.08 is what percent of 246 Set up an equation. Remember “what” means “x”, “is”
means “=” and “of” means times
118.08    246
118.08    246 Solve the equation
 246  246
. 48  
  .48 Turn the answer into a percent by moving the decimal two
places to the right
Answer: 48%

9 136 is 16% of what?

136 is 16% of what Set up an equation. Remember “what” means “x”, “is”
means “=” and “of” means times
136  .16  
136  .16   Solve the equation
 .16  .16
850  
Answer: 850

C FORWARD PERCENT PROBLEMS

DEFINITIONS AND BASICS

If you bought something for $5.50 and there was a 8% sales tax, you would need to find 8% of
$5.50 to find out how much tax you were being charged.
. 085.50  .44

If you were going to buy something for $60.99, and there was a 15% discount, you would like to
know 15% of $60.99 to find out how much you were going to save.
. 1560.99  9.15

Section 2.4
 111

EXAMPLES

10 If you want to buy a $759 computer with 8% sales tax, how much tax will you
end up paying?
  8% D – Data
 $759
" ? V – Variable
" P – Plan
"  . 08759 E – Equation
"  60.72 Solve as before
Answer: You would pay $60.72 in sales tax

How much will Alice save on a pair of shoes that are worth $92 but are on sale
11
for 20% off?

  20% D – Data
 $92
$ ? V – Variable
$ P – Plan
$  . 2092 E – Equation
$  18.40 Solve as before

Answer: Alice will save $18.40

The original price of a TV was $75, and it has a 6% sales tax. What is the final
12
price of the TV?
 75 D – Data
  .06 Or in other words:
%  ? V – Variable
%  " P – Plan 75  .0675 Add the amount of tax
"  rP to the original price
%   75  4.5 Solve
75  .0675 E – Equation 79.5
75  4.5 Solve as
79.5 before
Answer: The final price is $79.50

Section 2.4
112

D BACKWARD PERCENT PROBLEMS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Once we have the last concept down, we have the ability to solve tons of problems involving
sales tax, mark-ups, and discounts.

For Example: An item that sold at $530 has already been marked up 20%. What was the price
before the mark-up?
  .2  530

original + 20% of original = final price

1.2  530
  441.67

EXAMPLES

13 Henry purchased a picture frame that was worth $36 for $30.60 after a store
discount. What percent discount did he receive?

36  36  30.60 Subtract the amount of discount from the original price and
set it equal to the final price

36  36  30.60 Solve the equation for x

36  36
36  5.4
 36  36
  .15
  .15 Turn the answer into a percent by moving the decimal point
two places to the right.
Answer: He received a 15% discount

How many people lived in a town last year if 19,980 people live there this year
14
and it grew 8% from last year?

  .08  19,980 Add the amount of growth to last year’s population (x) and
set it equal to this year’s population
  .08  19,980 Solve the equation for x
1.08  19,980
 1.08  1.08
  18,500
Answer: Last year the town’s population was 18,500

Section 2.4
 113

E SOLVING FOR EARNINGS USING SIMPLE INTEREST

DEFINITIONS AND BASICS

This formula is very similar to another one that involves simple interest. If you invested a
principal amount of $500 at 9% interest for three years, the amount of interest would be given by the
formula:
I = Prt
where I is the interest earned
P is the principal amount (starting amount)
r is the interest rate
t is the time that it is invested.

EXAMPLES

15 Mindy sets up a savings plan that gives her simple interest of 7% per year. If she
invests $750, how much interest will she earn in 10 years?

)  * Write down what information we have been given

  7%
 $750
*  10 +,
) ? Decide what we are trying to figure out
)  750. 0710 Plug all of the information that we already know into the
)  525 equation we are given
Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet
Answer: Mindy will earn $525 in interest

Cooper earned $280 in interest in five years. If he earned 8% interest annually,

16 how much did he invest?

)  * Write down what information we have been given

)  $280
*  5 +,
  8%
? Decide what we are trying to figure out
280  . 085 Plug all of the information that we already know into the
280  .4 equation we are given
 .4  .4 Solve for the piece of information that we don’t know yet
700 
Answer: Cooper invested $700

Section 2.4
114

2.4 EXERCISE SET

2.2 1. 45 is 12 more than 3 times a number. What is the number?

2. 25 less than 7 times a number is 108. What is the number?

3. Find the area of the shaded region:

5cm 15 cm
8cm

4. If a parallelogram has an area of 258.9 cm2 and a base of 23.2 cm, how tall is it?

5. Find the missing variable for a trapezoid:

A = 68 ft2
b=
h= 4ft
B = 21ft

2.3 Solve.

6. 7-  13  33 – 4- 7. 5.  48  7. – 2. – 2 8. 5 – 10  7 – 2

9. 3 – 7  12 10. 5 – 7  3  2  21 11. . 06  15  .18

12. . 87 – 2  9.5  1 13. . 2/ – 7  2/  3/ – 5 14. 12*  45  .4*

15. 6 – 5 –   5 – 20 16. 9 – 2 – 3  15  7 17. 5 – 13    7  8

2.4 18. Two numbers add to 251 and the second is 41 bigger than the first. What are the two
numbers?

19. Two numbers add to 336 and the first is 124 bigger than the second. What are the two numbers?

20. I have created a triangular garden such that the largest side is 8m less than twice the smallest and the
medium side is 12m larger than the smallest side. If the total perimeter of the garden is 108m, what are
the lengths of the three sides?

21. If a rectangle’s length is 5 more than 3 times the width and the perimeter is 58 mm what are the
dimensions of the rectangle?

22. Two consecutive integers add to 123, what are they?

23. Three consecutive odd integers add to 93. What are they?

Section 2.4
 115

24. 18 is what percent of 58? 25. What is 87% of 54?

26. 34 is 56% of what? 27. What is 13% of 79?

28. 119 is 8% of what? 29. 23 is what percent of 74?

30. Original Price:$92.56 31. Original Price:

Tax: 7.3% Discount: 40%
Final Price: Final Price: $43.90

32. Original Price: 33. Original Price: $58.50

Tax: 5% Discount: 30%
Final Price: $237.50 Final Price:

34. If the population of a town grew 21% up to 15,049. What was the population last year?

35. If the price of an object dropped 25% down to $101.25, what was the original price?

Preparation.

36. After reading some from Section 2.5, Try to solve this equation.
x 13 15 2x
7 + 7 = 7 − 7

37. Solve.
x
3 + 133 = 153 − 23x

Section 2.4
116

Answers
1. 𝑥𝑥 = 11 30. $99.32
2. 𝑥𝑥 = 19 31. $73.17
3. 136.71 cm2 32. $226.19
4. 11.16 cm 33. $40.95
5. 13ft = 𝑏𝑏 34. 12,437
20
6. p= 11 35. $135
7. No solution 36. In class
8. 𝑥𝑥 = 2 37. In class
7
9. 𝑥𝑥 = − 9
10. All numbers
11. 𝑥𝑥 = 62.5
2
12. 𝑚𝑚 = − 3
13. 𝑞𝑞 = −2.5
14. 𝑡𝑡 = 3.879
15. No solution
16. 𝑥𝑥 = − 18
17. 𝑥𝑥 = 0
18. 105, 146
19. 106, 230
20. 26m, 38m, 44m
21. 𝑤𝑤 = 6mm, 𝑙𝑙 = 23mm
22. 61 & 62
23. 29, 31, & 33
24. 31%
Still have questions? Video
25. 46.98
solutions available: Click here.
26. 60.7
Or scan:
27. 10.27
28. 1487.5
29. 31%
 117

2.5 The 3-Step Process to Solving:

STEP1—Simplify the Equation: Fractions, Parentheses, Like Terms

OBJECTIVES
• Simplify an Equation w/ Fractions & Solve

A 3-STEP PROCESS TO SOLVING STEP 1A: Getting rid of Fractions using the LCD.

3-Step Process to Solving

GOAL: Get x alone (x will represent any variable)
1. SIMPLIFY
A) Get rid of fractions (multiply all by LCD)
B) Distribute ( )
C) Combine “like terms” and get all x’s on the same side.
2. ADDITION PRINCIPLE
3. MULTIPLICATION PRINCIPLE

As we discussed in Chapter 1, fractions can often seem difficult to people, but they don’t have to
be complicated. Even still, sometimes we just want to get rid of them to make things easier to solve. To
get rid of fractions in an equation, we will work with some examples that resemble Chapter 1 problems,
and others that will use principles you used in the last section with the Balance Rule.

Remember how when we wanted to add fractions, they needed to have the same base, so we changed all
of them by multiplying to get a least common denominator (LCD)?


 
+ = + =
    

When you work across an equals sign, it gets easier because if you find a common denominator, then
you can just get rid of it completely. Let us see why:

 

+ = Ugly, right? Not really – first find that LCD.
 

6 4 3
We will need something with a
2 3 2 2 3 1 couple twos and a three: 12

To make everything have a base of 12, we use the identity rule and multiply the same on top and
bottom:


      
∙
+ ∙ = ∙
+ =
       

Section 2.5
118

Why does this help? Well, you can either now add the fractions if you want, or you can get rid
of the 12! How? Remember in the Balance Rule that you can do what you want as long as you do the
same thing to everything on both sides? Well, why don’t we multiply everything by 12, and see what
happens:
12 ∙ 10 3 ∙ 12 44 ∙ 12

+ = 10
+ 3 = 44
12 12 12

Doesn’t that look easier than trying to work with the fractions? And it always works, just follow
these guidelines…

Getting Rid of Fractions

1. Determine the LCD.
2. Multiply tops and bottoms to make all denominators the same.
3. Multiply all parts by the denominator to cancel it out.

EXAMPLES

  
1 Eliminate the fractions of     = 

7 4 2 Find the LCD by making a factor tree of the

denominators
7 2 2 2
2  2  7 = 28
         Multiply the top and bottoms of the fractions by

   
  =     
= 

the same numbers to get a denominator of 28
   Multiply every part of the equation by the

 28  
 28 =   28
denominator to cancel out all fractions
8  21
= 14 We are left with an equation without fractions

 
2 Eliminate the fractions of =


3 2 Find the LCD by making a factor tree of the

denominators
3 2
3  2 = 6
2 2 6 1 3 Multiply the top and bottoms of the fractions by
 2 =  the same numbers to get a denominator of 6
3 2 6 2 3
   Multiply every part of the equation by the
6 6= 6
denominator to cancel out all fractions
4  12 = 3 We are left with an equation without fractions

Section 2.5
 119

2.5 EXERCISE SET

2.2 1. 35 less than 7 times a number is 98. What is the number?

2. The perimeter of a rectangle is 702cm. The length is 71cm longer than the width. What are the
dimensions?

2.3 Solve.

3. 7" + 12 = 33 – 4" 4. 3$ + 48 = 7 – 2%$ – 2& 5. 5

– 10 = 5%
– 2&

6. 3
– 7 = 15
7. 5
– 7%
+ 3& = 2
+ 12 8. . 09
= 13  .18

9. . 8%3
– 2& = 9.5
+ 1 10. . 2
– 7 + 2
= 3
– 5 11. 12* = 70 + .4*

12. 5%
– 5& –
= 4
– 20 13. 9
– 4%
– 3& = 15
+ 7 14. 8
– 12
+
= 9
+ 8

2.4 15. I have three colors of paint: blue, green, and yellow. The number of gallons of blue paint
is 5 more than twice the number of green. The number of gallons of yellow paint is 3 less
than 7 times the number of green. All together I have 82 gallons of paint. How many of each
color are there?

16. 85 is what percent of 39? 17. 85 is 54% of what?

18. What is 19% of 2,340? 19. What is 23% of 79?

20. 119 is 18% of what? 21. 43 is what percent of 174?

22. Original Price:$72.56 23. Original Price:

Tax: 7.3% Discount: 30%
Final Price: Final Price: $49.70

24. Original Price: 25. Original Price: $55.50

Tax: 5% Discount: 40%
Final Price: $339.50 Final Price:

26. If the population of a town grew 31% up to 17,049. What was the population last year?

27. If the price of an object dropped 35% down to $101.25, what was the original price?

Section 2.5
120

Solve.
Example:
 

2.5 
(x+4) – 5 = x +

(12) 1 (12) (12) 1 (12) Clear fractions by multiplying by
3 (x+4)–5 = 4 x +
5 12
6

4(x+4) – 60 = 3x + 10
4x + 16 – 60 = 3x + 10 Distribute through parentheses
x – 44 = 10 Combine, getting x to one side
x = 54 Add 14 to both sides

28. 29.  30.  

7/3, – 5 = 19  %
– 7& = 5 + 3

– 6 = 3 +

  

31. 
32.    33. -. -/

= 2
– 



%
 3& =

+ 3 =




34. . 9%4
– 5& = 2.5
+ 6 35. 36. -.

. 0005
+ .0045 = .004
= 8

Preparation.

37. Solve.
3x – 7 = 17 3x – 7 < 17 3x – 7 > 17

Section 2.5
 121

Answers
72
1. 19 28. t = 7

2. w = 140cm, l = 211cm 29. x = - 19

27
21
3. p = 11 30. x = 54
4. n = − 37
5 or -7.4 31. x = 25
18

5. All numbers 32. No solution

6. x = − 7
12 33. x = 17
13

7. no solution 34. x = - 105

61
9
8. x = 48.15 35. x = 7
75
9. x = -.366 36. x = 13

10. x = -2.5 37. In class.

11. m = 6.03
12. no solution
1
13. x = 2

14. x = 0
21 gal – blue, 8gal – green,
15.
53gal - yellow
16. 218%
17. 157.4
18. 444.6
19. 18.17
20. 661.1
21. 24.7%
22. $77.86 Still have questions? Video
23. $71.00 solutions available: Click here.
24. $323.33 Or scan:
25. $33.30
26. 13,015
27. $155.77
122

2.6 Inequalities

OBJECTIVES
• Understanding the Symbols: Translation
• Graphing Inequalities: Number Lines
• Solving Inequalities: Arithmetic and the Rule of Negatives

With this section we begin a new concept that involves things not being just equal, but also
greater or less than each other.
A UNDERSTANDING THE SYMBOLS: TRANSLATION

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

When using inequalities, there are 4 different symbols with which you need to be familiar:

Symbols of Inequalities
< > Less than / Greater than
≤ ≥ Less / Greater than or Equal to

Either of these symbols can be flipped to point in either direction, depending on what you want to say.
For example, we know that: 5 is less than 10

5 < 10
So why does the symbol point at the 5? Because the arrow means small to big:

smaller BIGGER
If what is represented by the inequality is true, then it is called a Solution. Here are some examples:

4 > −2 −59 > −360 159 < 2,198

2.98 > 1.6 5 7 6 2

< >
9 8 5 3

Now that you understand the symbol, we can use them to represent the relationship a variable
may have with a number. For example, if I were to say “I am taller than 5 feet,” does that tell you how
tall I am? No, but it does give you a range, because you know I’m not 4 feet tall. You can write that
like this:

My height > 5 feet or x > 5 where “x” is my height.

Section 2.6
 123

EXAMPLES

1 Represent this as an inequality: I have less than $50 in my wallet.

Money in my wallet $50 Put the two quantities side by side

Assign a variable to the one that we don’t the value for
x $50
x < $50 Decide which direction the inequality sign will point.
Remember it points to the smaller number!

2 Represent this as an inequality: There are more than 30 people in the class.

People in my class 30 Put the two quantities side by side

Assign a variable to the one we don’t know the value for
x 30
x > 30 Decide which direction the inequality sign will point.
Remember it points to the smaller number!

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

The other symbol with the line underneath is used when representing things that are equal to or
less than / greater than a number, like when we say “at least” or “at most.”

Example: I need at least $20 to buy the shirt.   $20

The line underneath the symbol means that “x” can actually be $20, but it can also be more than 20. The
statement suggests that if I have $20, that would be enough. If I have more, I can still buy the shirt.
In other words:
20  20 and 20  25 are both true, but 20  18 is false.

EXAMPLES

Represent this as an inequality: There is at most $500 left in my bank account.

3
Money in my bank account $500 Put the two quantities side by side
Assign a variable to the one we don’t know the
x $500 value for
  $500 Decide which direction the inequality sign will
point. Remember it points to the smaller number!

4 Represent this as an inequality: I had at least seven compliments on my

presentation.

Compliments I received 7 Put the two quantities side by side

Assign a variable to the one we don’t know the
x 7 value for
  7 Decide which direction the inequality sign will
point. Remember it points to the smaller number!

Section 2.6
124

B GRAPHING INEQUALITIES: NUMBER LINES

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

A graph of an inequality uses a number line that represents all of the solutions possible. A basic
example is: The open circle means that
 > 2 , so x can be any number greater than 2: 2 is NOT included (since
“x” cannot be equal to 2).
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

The arrow means that

Here is another example: 1 everything above is
included in the solution.
Notice that the circle is
filled in because “x” can -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
be equal to 1.

You can also represent two number solutions on a single graph. For example, if x is greater
than 2, but less than or equal to -2, you can represent it like this:
The word “or” means
  −2 or 2 < 
that either solution
works.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

The word “and” means

−3   and   4
that BOTH solutions have
to be true.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

NOTE: Since “and” was used, the last solution can be written like this:

−3   and   4

−3    4
- These are called compound inequalities.
EXAMPLES

Graph the following on a number line:  < −4    1

5
 < −4    1
Graph the inequality piece by piece

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Section 2.6
 125

6 A couple will be going on a trip. They invited 5 other people to go with them.
Not every one of their friends may be able to come. Represent the amount of people
that could go on the trip with inequalities, and then graph it with a number line.
  2    7
We know x is greater than or We know x will be less than or equal to
Set up inequalities with the sign
equal to 2 because at least 7 because at most all 5 guests and the pointing to the smaller number
the couple will be going. couple will go on the trip.

Graph the inequality on a

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 number line

C SOLVING INEQUALITIES: ARITHMETIC AND THE RULE OF NEGATIVES

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

As far as solving inequalities, they are exactly the same as solving equations, except for one
thing. Let’s try to solve this:

-3x < 6 so: x < -2

-3 -3

This means that numbers such as -4, and -18 should be answers, but when we plug them back in:

-3(-4) < 6 is not a true statement

-3(-18) < 6 is not a true statement either.

But, look and see that numbers such as -1 and 8 work:

-3(-1) < 6 is true

-3(8) < 6 is also true.

It is like we got exactly the wrong half of the number line. Now see what happens when we start
dividing or multiplying by negative numbers:

8 > 5 is a true statement; so if we multiply both sides by -2:

-16 ? -10 which direction should the sign go?

Obviously -16 < -10, so we start to see that when we make things negative, the direction of the
inequality switches. Here is one with division:

-4 < 22 We divide both sides by -2:

2 ? -11 which way should the inequality go?

Because 2 > -11 we see that: Multiplying or dividing by a negative

number switches the sign’s direction.

Section 2.6
126

Now to get back to our original problem that started this discussion:

-3x < 6
So the answer is:
− 3x 6 The division by a
≤ x > -2
−3 −3 negative makes the and the graph is
x > -2 direction change.

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

EXAMPLES

Solve this inequality for x and graph the answer:    −   

7 4  2 − 5  10
Combine all like terms
2 −   10
2 −   10
Get all of the x’s on one side and all of the numbers on
−2 − 2
the other
−  8
−  8
! "−1# ! "−1# Divide to get x all alone
  −8 Switch the direction of the inequality sign if we divide
by a negative number
Graph the answer
-12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2

8 Solve this inequality, and then write it in interval notation and graph:
"$  %# − &  

2"3  4'# − 9  45 Distribute into the parenthesis

6  8' − 9  45
6  8' − 9  45 Combine all like terms

8' − 3  45
8' − 3  45 Get all of the y’s on one side and all of the
3  3 numbers on the other
8'  48
8'  48 Divide to get y all alone
! 8 ! 8 Don’t switch the sign because we did not divide
'6 by a negative number

Graph the answer

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Section 2.6
 127

2.6 EXERCISE SET

Solve for the specified variable.

2.2 1. 2s − at 2 2. I
=V for s r= for p
2t pt
3. LR 2 4. 9s − 5g
d= for R1 =c for s
R2 + R1 11

5. 84 is 6 more than 3 times a number. What is the number?

6. A stick that is 438cm long is cut into two pieces. The first is 74 bigger than the second. What are the
lengths of the two pieces?
14in
7. Find the area of the shaded region:
9in

8. If a rectangle’s length is 7 more than 4 times the width and the perimeter is 194 mm, what are the
dimensions of the rectangle?

9. Find the missing variable for a rectangle:

P = 48.3 ft
w = 7.2 ft
l=

10. Find the missing variable for a sphere:

SA = 800 in2
r=

Solve.
11. 7(  12 ) 13 − 7( 12. 4  68 ) 7 − 2" − 2# 13. 7 − 10 ) 5" − 2#
2.3

14. 9 − 4 ) 15 15. 8 − 7"  3# )  − 21 16. . 18 ) 13 − .20

17. 119 is 18% of what? 18. 27 is what percent of 74?

2.4

19. Original Price:$192.56 20. Original Price:

Tax: 7.3% Discount: 35%
Final Price: Final Price: $43.90

Section 2.6
128

21. If the price of a meal after a 20% tip was $28.80? What was the price of the meal before the tip was
added?

22. If the price of an object dropped 15% down to $59.50, what was the original price?

Solve.

2.5 23. * 24. + 25. . +

, − 2 ) 19  5, − " − 4# ) 5  2 −4) 3 
+ - / .0

26. 1 + 27. 341 1356 28. 35* +

"−4 − 2# ) -   6 ) ) 6− 
2 + / .- *

Solve and Graph

2.6 29. 3,  5 > 12 30. 47  2  −18 31. 3"  4# − 6  5" − 2#

32. −7(  3 < 24 + +

33. "n  4# − 2   34. 37 < −21
1 2

+ * 2
35. "x − 5#  x  1 36. 3  5  7 − 8 37. 5' − 7  + '  4
- 2

Preparation.

38. At a family reunion, Logan reserves a table at a dinner and a show event. There is a $50 reservation
fee for the show, plus a fee of $15 per person for the dinner. If he has a budget of $450, how many
people can come to the dinner?

39. On his first two tests, Josh received scores of 85 and 89. If he wants at least a 90 for the average of
his first three tests, what possible scores could he get on his third test?

Section 2.6
 129

Answers:
2Vt + at 2 28. x = 11
1. s=
2
29. 7
I t>3
2. p= 0
7
rt 3

LR2 − dR2 30. m ≤ -5

3. R1 = -5 0
d
11
11c + 5 g 31. x≤
4. s= 4 11
9 0
4
32. p > -3
5. 26
-3 0
4
6. 182cm, 256cm
33. n≤9 4
0
9
2 34. m < -7
7. 62.38 in -7 0
19
8. 18mm X 79mm
35. x ≤ − 11
19
− 0
11
36. a≤0
9. l = 16.95 ft 0
33
7.98in
37. y ≥ 13 33
10. 0
13

1 38. In class.
11. p= 14

39. In class.
12. n = -9.5

13. x=0
14. x = - 23
15. All numbers
16. x = 34.21
17. 661.1
18. 36.5%
19. $206.62
20. $67.54
21. $24
22. $70 Still have questions? Video
23. t=- 63
8 or -7.875 solutions available: Click here.
8
24. x=- 11 or -0.73 Or scan:
25. x = -52.5
26. x = - 44
43 or -1.02

27. x = -6
130

2.7 Word Problems: Inequalities

OBJECTIVES
• Inequality Word Problems: Translation Terminology
• Solving Problems

We will now expand our word problems to dealing with inequalities, in very similar ways that
we did problems in Section 5.
A INEQUALITY WORD PROBLEMS: TRANSLATION TERMINOLOGY

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

To make translation simple, we will present some of the more common phrases used in
inequality problems; these are phrases for which you should pay attention:

COMMON PHRASES EXAMPLE TRANSLATION

at least I need at least $10.
 10
at most You can have at most 15 in the group.   15
cannot exceed /
The weight cannot exceed 2000lbs.   2000
maximum
must exceed / minimum The minimum speed is 35 mph.
 35
less than He has less than a 95%
 95%
more than We have more than $1000 in our account.   $1000
His age is somewhere between 25 and 30 years
between 25    30
old.
no more than There can be no more than10 people on the boat.   10
no less than You should walk no less than 5 miles a day. 5

These are not the only ways that you can express these ideas, but they are the most common
ones. Be sure to realize which ones indicate a “less than or equal to” as opposed to just a “less than.”

EXAMPLES

1 In order for my model rocket to work it needs to put out a power of at least 10
horsepower.
…power of “at least” 10 horsepower. Determine the key phrase that will help us to
figure out which inequality sign to use
Power  10 horsepower Translate it into an inequality sign
Answer:    

2 The required thickness of penny is between1.8 and 2mm.

…thickness of penny is “between” 1.8 and 2mm. Determine the key phrase that will help us to
figure out which inequality sign to use
1.8mmThickness2mm Translate it into an inequality sign
Section 2.7
 131

Answer: . !!  "#$%&  '!!

3 Glen Road has a speed limit of 45mph.

…speed “limit” of 45mph. Determine the key phrase that will help us to
figure out which inequality sign to use
Speed  45mph Translate it into an inequality sign
Answer: )  *+!

COMMOM MISTAKES
There is a tendency, when solving inequalities, to forget what we are talking about. You can’t
just regurgitate an answer once you solve for it – you need to ask the question “does this make sense?”
This is a good proof for just about any problem you are solving, but with inequalities, this is essential.
Let’s use an example to explain this principle:

A group of students have planned a field trip to a science museum. It costs $50 to rent a bus for the day,
and it will cost $12 per student to enter the museum and buy lunch. The group has a budget of $450,
which they cannot exceed. How many students can go on the trip?

We can represent the problem with the following inequality:

450  12, - 50
/ /
∴ 33 0  , When we solve, we show that 330 students can come – but
can you really have a third of a student? No! Therefore
our answer would be “at most, 33 students can go.”

B SOLVING PROBLEMS

EXAMPLES

A box that weighs 5 lbs can hold up to 25 books that each weighs 2.5 lbs. Due to
4 recent back surgery I can only carry at most 48 lbs. If I want to move the box, how
many books can the box have in it?

The weight of the box (5lbs) plus 2.5 lbs for every book (x) can Set up an inequality with the information we are
be at most 48 lbs.
given.
5 - 2.5
 48
5 - 2.5
 48 Solve the equation we just came up with
25 2 5
2.5
 43
3 2.5 3 2.5

 17.2
Can we have 17.2 books? No, so we need to change it to 17 Check to see if the answer makes sense

 17
Answer: 56!7 8 7%  9

Section 2.7
132

5 In order for David to reach his saving goal he needs to earn $109,200 in commission
this year. He earns 15% commission from all of his sales. If he earned $89,700 in
commission last year, by how much does he need to increase his sales this year in
order to reach his goal?

David’s sales amount last year ($89,700) needs to increase by15% Set up an inequality with the information we are
of x to be at least $109,200
given.
89,700 - .15
 109,200

89,700 - .15
 109,200 Solve the equation we just came up with

289,700 2 89,700
. 15
 19,500
3 .15 3 .15

 130,000
Can we have 130,000 dollars? Yes, our answer worksCheck to see if the answer makes sense

 130,000
Answer: #&$; #& ;<  $=, 

6 Cindy is trying to make a batch of her grandmother’s cookies. The problem is that
her grandma never wrote down the recipe. She did tell Cindy that the cookies need
between 3 and 4 ½ cups of flour. If Cindy has already added ¼ cup of flour, how
much more does she need to add?

The total amount of flour in the cookies ( ¼ +x) needs to be Set up an inequality with the information we are
between 3 and 4 ½ cups
given.
1 1
3 -
4
4 2
/ / Solve the equation we just came up with
3  > -
 4?
/ / /
3  > -
>
-
 4?
/ / / /
2 > 2 > 2 > 2 >
0 /
2 > 

 4>
3 1
2 
4
4 4
Can we have between 2 ¾ and 4 ¼ cups of flour? Yes, our answer Check to see if the answer makes sense
works
3 1
2 
4
4 4
= 
Answer: ' *  ! 8<6  * *

Section 2.7
 133

2.7 EXERCISE SET

Translate the following statements into an equation and solve.

2.5 1. 56 is what percent of 448? 2. What is 15% of 0.0012? 3. 421 is 105.25% of

what?

4. While studying the weather patterns in Omaha, Jackson recorded that between the months of March
and May the average temperature highs rose by 25%. If the average temperature in May is 78°F, what
was the average temperature in March?

5. While running her latest marathon, Erika lost 2% of her body weight in sweat. After drinking water
after the race, she regained 90% of the weight that she lost. If she originally weighed 120 pounds, how
much did she weigh after drinking?

Solve the following inequalities.

2.6 6. 14@ - A27.2B  2220 0

7. 8C 2  10C 8. 0.5A8D - 22B  2D - 11
>

EF /FGH0I 10. 12.7J - 4.5 - 1.3J  231.9

9. 
0 0
Write the following statements as an inequality.
11. It is at least 100° outside. 12. The show will begin in less than 5 minutes.
2.7
13. 60 inches is the minimum height to enter. 14. The road is between 5 and 8 miles away.

15. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour. 16. I have more than 3 years until graduation.

Solve the following word problems by writing them in an inequality.

17. On his first two tests, Josh received scores of 88 and 92. If he wants at least an average of 93, what
does his score on the third test have to be?

18. An elevator can hold up to 3,300 pounds. If each person on the elevator weighs an average of 165
pounds, how many people can ride at one time?

19. At a family reunion, Logan reserved a table at a dinner and a show event. There was a $50
reservation fee for the show, plus a fee of $15 per person for the dinner. If he had a budget of $450, how
many people can come to the dinner?

20. In order to qualify for financial aid, Sheyla needs to take at least 30 credits combined between two
semesters. If she took 16 credits last semester, how many credits does she need to take to qualify for
aid?

21. Patty wants to know how long she can talk to her grandma on a long distance phone call with the
$2.20 she has. If it costs $0.50 to place a call and $0.10 per minute, how long can she talk?

22. The width of a rectangle is fixed at 6 meters. For what lengths will the area be more than 96L? ?

Section 2.7
134

Answers:
1. 12.5%
2. 0.00018
3. 400
4. 62.4º F
5. 119.76 pounds
6. {ℎ|ℎ < −15.2}
7. {𝑘𝑘|𝑘𝑘 ≤ −0.375}
8. {𝑟𝑟|𝑟𝑟 ≤ 0}
9. {𝑏𝑏|𝑏𝑏 < 7}
10. {𝑝𝑝|𝑝𝑝 ≥ −2.6}
11. 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 ≥ 100°
12. 𝑆𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 < 5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
13. ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒ℎ𝑡𝑡 ≥ 60 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
14. 5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 ≤ 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 ≤ 8 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
15. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ≤ 45 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚ℎ
16. 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 > 3
17. 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 ≥ 99
18. 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 ≤ 20
19. 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 ≤ 26
20. 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 ≥ 14
21. 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ≤ 17 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
22. 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙ℎ > 16 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
 135

Chapter 2 Review 1

2.1 and 2.3 Solving Linear Equations

Checking a Solution
1. Plug the solution into the equation
2. Simplify the equation using the order Balance Rule of Solving:
of operations Whatever I do to one side of the equal
3. If the result is a true statement, the sign, I must do the exact same to the other
answer is a solution side to maintain equality.
If the result is a false statement, the
answer is not a solution

3-Step Process to Solving

GOAL: Get x alone (x will represent any variable) 0 = 0 means all numbers
1. SIMPLIFY
A) Get rid of fractions (multiply all by LCD) 0 = 1 means no solution
B) Distribute across ( )
C) Combine “like terms” and get all x’s on same side
2. ADDITION PRINCIPLE
3. MULTIPLICATION PRINCIPLE

2.2 Applications and Formulas

D- Data. Write down all the numbers that may be helpful. Also, note any
other clues that may help you unravel the problem.
V- Variable. In all of these story problems, there is something that you don’t
know, that you would like to. Pick any letter of the alphabet to represent this.
P- Plan. Story problems follow patterns. Knowing what kind of problem it is,
helps you write down the equation. This section of the book is divided up so as
to explain most of the different kinds of patterns.
E- Equation. Once you know how the data and variable fit together. Write an
equation of what you know. Then solve it. This turns out to be the easy part.

Review the formulas from Chapter 1, including shapes, simple interest, distance, etc.

Chapter 2 Review 1
136

2.4 Applications: Percents

Substitution Simple Percent

Write a relationship between two of WHAT means x
the variables, and substitute one of the IS means =
variable into the formula. OF means times (×)
w=4 l = 2w – 3
118 is what percent of 230?
P = 2w + 2l 118 = x × 230
P = 2(4) + 2(2w – 3) Don’t forget to change percents into decimals!

2.5 STEP1—Simplify the Equation: Fractions, Parentheses, Like Terms

Getting Rid of Fractions

1. Determine the LCD.
2. Multiply tops and bottoms to make all denominators the same.
3. Multiply all parts by the denominator to cancel it out!

2.6 Inequalities

Graphing Inequalities
• A solid point indicates that that number Remember:
is included in the set: < or > Multiplying or dividing by a
• A hollow point indicates that the set negative number switches the
includes everything on the ray except that sign’s direction.
number: < or >

2.7 Word Problems: Inequalities

COMMON PHRASES TRANSLATION

at least
≥ 10
at most  ≤ 15
cannot exceed / maximum  ≤ 2000
must exceed / minimum
≥ 35
less than
< 95%
more than  > $1000
between 25 <  < 30
no more than  ≤ 10
no less than ≥5
Chapter 2 Review 1
 137

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW 1

1. Create a visual chart of all of the methods, formulas, and examples from studying how to solve these
linear equations.

Solve.
 8 − 6x  8x − 5
2.1 2. - 92 m = 24 3. 9 + 6  + 5 = −31 4. = 33
 4  3
Solve for the specified variable.
5.
pM ( f − t ) pM ( f − t )
d= for t 6. d= for R
R R

2.2 7. 13.2 less than 7 times a number is 18.8. What is the number?
8. Two numbers add to 336 and the first is 24 bigger than the second. What are the two numbers?

9. Find the area of the shaded region:

4cm
8cm

20cm

10. I have created a triangular garden such that the largest side is 6m less than twice the smallest and the
medium side is 15m larger than the smallest side. If the total perimeter of the garden is 105m, what are
the lengths of the three sides?

11. If a parallelogram has an area of 158.9 cm2 and a base of 23.2 cm, how tall is it?

12. Find the missing variable for a trapezoid:

A = 76 ft2
b=
h= 4ft
B = 23ft
Solve.
2.3 13. 7  12  12  7 14. 9  48  7 – 2 – 2 15. 7
 18  9
– 3

2.4 16. 45 is what percent of 39? 17. 25 is 44% of what?

18. What is 59% of 2,340? 19. What is 83% of 79?

20. Original Price: 21. Original Price: $55.50

Tax: 5% Discount: 20%
Final Price: $359.50 Final Price:

Chapter 2 Review 1
138

22. If the population of a town grew 11% up to 17,046. What was the population last year?

23. If the price of an object dropped 15% down to $62.90, what was the original price?

Solve.
2.5  % 
24. ! " 8  4  7! 25. "  # " 12  3#  6 26. &

" 8  7 '

)* %),
27. . 13"2
 2  .05
 7 28. 
+ -.
Solve and graph.

2.6 29. 3!  5 > 15 30. 4#  30 ≤ "18 31. 3
 2 " 6
≥ 5
" 2

32. "7  3 < "10 33. n  6 " 2 ≥  34. 7# < "21

% 0

 0
35. x " 5 ≥ x  15 36. 32  52 > 72 " 82 37. 53 " 15 ≥ 3  4
+ 0

38. A copy job to run a pamphlet costs $7 for a setup fee and then $2.21 for each copy. How many
copies can be run if the budget is $175?
-
39. An envelope has to have a maximum area of 18 in2. What can the length be if the width is 3 + in?

Chapter 2 Review 1
 139

Answers:
1. It better be good. 28. x = - 415 or -8.2
2. 𝑚𝑚 = −108 29. 10
�𝑡𝑡�𝑡𝑡 > 3 � 10
0
3
3. 𝑥𝑥 = 8 30. {𝑚𝑚|𝑚𝑚 ≤ −12}
-12 0
4. 𝑥𝑥 = 13 31. {𝑥𝑥|𝑥𝑥 ≤ 2}
0 2
𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝−𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 32. 13
5. 𝑡𝑡 = or 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑓𝑓 − 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 �𝑝𝑝�𝑝𝑝 > �
𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 7 13
0
7
pM ( f − t ) 33. �𝑛𝑛�𝑛𝑛 ≤
16
�
6. R= 9 0
16
d 9
7. 32 34. {m|m < -3}
or 4.57
7 -3 0

8. 156, 180 35. 75

�𝑥𝑥�𝑥𝑥 ≤ − 11� 75
− 0
2 11
9. 282.16cm 36. {a|a > 0}
0
10. 24m, 39m, 42m 37. 57
�𝑦𝑦|𝑦𝑦 ≥ 13� 57
0
13

11. 6.85cm 38. pamphlets ≤ 76

0 76
12. b = 15 ft. 39. length ≤ 5.5 in
0 5.5
13. All numbers
14. n = -11
15. x= 45
2 or 22.5
16. 115.4%
17. 56.82
18. 1380.6
19. 65.57
20. $342.38
21. $44.40
22. 15,357
23. $74
Still have questions? Video
24. t = - 187 solutions available: Click here.
25. m = - 14
Or scan:
26. 𝑥𝑥 = −360
27. 𝑥𝑥 = −21.74
140

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW 2

Solve.
 3 + 9x  12 x − 9
2.1 1. 4
7
j=8 2. 9 − 8  + 14 = −4 3. = 33
 5  3
Solve for the specified variable.

4. BY (U + I ) + d 5. BY (U + I ) + d
m= for I m= for d
a a

2.2 6. 1.4 more than 14 times a number is 112. What is the number?

7. The larger number minus the smaller number is 66 and the larger number is 180 less than twice the
smaller number. What are the two numbers?

8. Find the area of the shaded region:

JKK 3cm

8 cm

20cm
9. I have created a triangular dog kennel such that the largest side is 1ft more than four times the
smallest and the medium side is 1ft more than the three times the smallest side. If the total perimeter of
the kennel is 34ft, what are the lengths of the three sides?

10. If a parallelogram has an area of 94.38 cm2 and a height of 14.3 cm, how long is the base?

11. Find the missing variable for a trapezoid:

A = 28.76 ft2
b = 3.6 ft
h=
B = 4.5ft
2.3 Solve.

12. 3U + 4(2U – 1) = 10U + 10 13. 3S – 2 = 1 – 4(S + 2) + 7S 14. A + 1 = A + (3 – 2)

2.4 15. 81.9 is what percent of 39? 16. 31 is 62% of what?

17. What is 28% of 3264? 18. What is 12% of 624?

19. Original Price: 20. Original Price: $62.99

Tax: 6% Discount: 30%
Final Price: $104.94 Final Price:

Chapter 2 Review 2
 141

21. If the population of a wild dingoes grew 44% up to 56. What was the population last year?

22. If the price of an object dropped 20% down to $62.90, what was the original price?

Solve.

  
2.5 23. 24 24.   3  2  25.   2  12  

  

313
26. . 116  97  .26  12 27. 2  17  7

Solve and graph.

2.6 28. 2  3  11 29. 5  12  7 30. 4  2    5  8

31. 6  2 10 32. n  2  1  $ 33.   3  0
" 

 "
34. 2x  3  x  18 35. 2&  5&  8& 36. '  15   '  4
 

37. Janet has budgeted $135 to retile her bathroom. The tile she wants to purchase online is $2.05 per
tile along with a $21.50 shipping and handling fee. How many tiles can be purchased?

38. A box has to have more than 12 in3 total volume. What can the height be if the length of the base is 4
in and the width of the base is 2 in?

Chapter 2 Review 2
142

Answers:
1. (  14 27. x = 12
2.   3 28. {t|t > 4} 0 4
3.   9 29. )*  + 
 0

4. ma − d 30. x = all numbers
I= −U 0
BY

5. ,  &  -./  0 31. )*  +

 3

0

" {n|n ≥ 2}
6. 7.9 or 32.
1 0 2
7. 246,312 33. {m|m > -3}
-3 0

8. 302.16cm2 34. {x|x ≥ 48}

0 48
9. 4ft, 13ft, 17ft 35. {a|a ≤ 0}
0
"
10. 6.6 cm 36. )'|'   + 3 "

0

11. h = 7.1ft 37. tiles ≤ 55 0 55

12. U=14 38. height > 1.5 in

0 1.5
13. No Solution
14. A=All numbers
15. 210%
16. 50
17. 913.92
18. 74.88
19. $99.00
20. $44.09
21. 39
22. $78.63
6
23. t= 5
2
24. m= 3

25.   4
26.   56.68

Chapter 2 Review 2
 143

Chapter 3:
LINES

Overview

3.1 Graphing
3.2 Slope
3.3 Graphing with Slope: Slope-Intercept Forms
3.4 Graphing with Slope: Standard Form
144

3.1 Graphing

OBJECTIVES
• Introduce lines
• Learn the “Pick & Stick” method of finding points
• Graph solutions to equations
• Graph using x- and y-intercepts
• Graph horizontal and vertical lines

A LINES (Overview)

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS

Graphing y vs. x Solution Sets Graphs

y1 − y 2
Slope m=
x1 − x 2
Graphing with Slope:
Ax + By = C
Standard Form
Graphing with Slope:
y = mx + b
Slope-Intercept Form

Writing Equations Translation

EXAMPLES

−2 +  = 1 3 + 2 = 4

x y x y
-1 -1 -2 5
0 1 0 2
1 3 2 -1
2 5 4 -4

Section 3.1
 145

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

When we solved equations that looked like 3x-2=13, we got a solution like x=5. There is no
other number for ‘x’ that will work for this equation. We call this a solution to the equation. So how
do we deal with this next type of equation?
3 + 2 = 5
In this type of equation there is an ‘x’ and a ‘y’. The solution to this equation will not be a single
number as it was in the earlier cases, but pairs of numbers. The answers will look like (3,-2), which
means that we will stick in 3 for x and -2 for y. If you stick those in, the equation becomes:

33 + 2−2 = 5
9−4=5

It works! Let’s see if there are other solutions: Solutions are represented
in an ordered pair
(1,1) 3(1) +2(1)=5 solution
like this:
(3,2) 3(3)+2(2) =5 nope (x,y)

(-1,4) 3(-1)+2(4)=5 solution

The number The corresponding
(5,-2) 3(5)+2(-2)=5 nope for ‘x’ number for ‘y’

(5,-5) 3(5)+2(-5)=5 solution

As you can see, some pairs work as solutions and some don’t. In any case, you should be able to
realize that there are a whole lot of solutions; really there are an infinite number of them!

B “PICK & STICK”

LAWS & PROCESSES

There’s an easy way to find solutions to an equation: if we pick a number for ‘x’ and stick it in,
then we will have an equation to solve for ‘y’.

“Pick & Stick”

1. Pick any number for ‘x’ (or ‘y’)
2. Stick it in
3. Solve for ‘y’ (or ‘x’)
4. Graph point*
5. Repeat as desired

*We will discuss graphing the points in the next subsection;

for now, we will demonstrate the “Pick & Stick” method a few times:

Section 3.1
146

EXAMPLES

1 Find 4 solutions to the following equation:  +  = 

=2 16 + 32 = 2
22 = 2
11 =  Pick any number for x or y
2,11
Stick it into the equation and solve for the other
=1 16 + 3 = 21 variable.
3 = −14
 = −4 
 Put both the number we chose for x or y and the

number we solved for into an ordered pair (x,y)
−4  , 2

 = −1 16 + 3−1 = 2
13 = 2
6.5 = 
−1, 6.5

=0 16 + 30 = 2
16 = 2
=8
0,8


2 Find 3 solutions to the following equation:   +  = 

=3 
3 +  = 4
5+=4
Pick any number for x or y
 = −1
3, −1
Stick it into the equation and solve for the other
 variable.
=0  + 0 = 4


=4 Put both the number we chose for x or y and the

 = 2.4 number we solved for into an ordered pair (x,y)
2.4,0


 = −5  + −5 = 4


=9

 = 5.4
5.4, −5

Section 3.1
 147

C GRAPHING SOLUTIONS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Now that we can get so many solutions, the best way to represent them is with a graph. If we
plot the pairs that we found for the previous equation we used (3 + 2 = 5 ) we get this:
(3,-2), (1,1), (-1,4), (5,-5), (7,-8)
You will notice that all of the solutions are in a straight line. It is
important to realize that if we draw the line that connects the The “y”
ordered pairs, all of the points on that line are solutions. The
problems will simply ask you to graph the line 3x+2y=5 or
something similar.
The “x”

The correct answer to “Graph the line 3x+2y=5”, is then the graph at
the left.

To organize the points we make, we can outline

the points on the graph by using a table:
x y 
 =  −2
4 -1
1
when x = 4 we have y = 4 (4) – 2 which means y = -1.
0 -2
1
when x = 4 we have y = 4 (0) – 2 which means y = -2.
8 0 1
when y = 0 we have 0 = 4 (x) – 2 which means x = 8.
20 3 1
when y = 3 we have 3 = 4 (x) – 2 which means x = 20.

EXAMPLES

3 
Give a table of solutions for the equation and graph:  =   − 
x y Pick a few points for x or y and solve for the
3  other variable.
 =  3 − 2 =0
 Put both the x and y values into a table
0  =  0 − 2  = −2
-3 
 =  −3 − 2  = −4

Plot the points that we just put into our table on

the graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

Section 3.1
148

4 Give a table of solutions for the equation and graph:  = .  + 

x y Pick a few points for x or y and solve for the

-4  = 1.5−4 + 3  = −3 other variable.
-2  = 1.5−2 + 3 =0 Put both the x and y values into a table
0  = 1.50 + 3 =3
Plot the points that we just put into our table on
the graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

D GRAPHING USING X- AND Y- INTERCEPTS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Remember the “Pick & Stick” method? Well, when picking things to use, the easiest ones are
usually when x = 0 or when y = 0. You’ll notice that when x = 0 the point is on the y-axis. Likewise,
when y is 0 the point is on the x-axis. In the previous example, the point (0,-2) lies on the y-axis and is
called the y-intercept; the point (8,0) lies on the x-axis and is called the x-intercept.

An x-intercept happens when y is zero,

and a y-intercept happens when x is zero

Section 3.1
 149

EXAMPLES

5 Find the x and y intercepts and graph:  +  = !

4 + 30 = 8 =2 x y To find the x-intercept plug in 0 for y in

2 0 the equation and solve
"
40 + 3 = 8 = 0 8
To find the y-intercept plug in 0 for x in
3
the equation and solve
Plot the points that we just put into our
table on the graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

Find the x and y intercepts and graph:  = − + 

6

0 = −2 + 1  = .5 x y To find the x-intercept plug in 0 for y in the

.5 0 equation and solve
 = −20 + 1 =1 0 1
To find the y-intercept plug in 0 for x in the
equation and solve
Plot the points that we just put into our table on
the graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

Section 3.1
150

E VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LINES

LAWS & PROCESSES

There are a couple of particular kinds of lines that may give you a bit of trouble when you first
see them. For example:  = 4 is the equation of a line.

What is x when y is 4? Answer: 4 The points (4,4) (4,0)

What is x when y is 0? Answer: 4 and (4,-3) are part of the
What is x when y is -3? Answer: 4 line and help us graph it.

Since y is not in the equation, y can be anything it wants to be, but x is always 4. The graph is as
follows:

Here is the line x = 4; notice that it is vertical and hits where x is

4.

All equations that only have an ‘x’ will be vertical

The other special case, although it may look difficult at first, is very similar to the previous example.
Let’s look at  = −2:

The points (0,-2) (5,-2) What is y when x is 0? Answer: -2

and (-3,-2) are part of the What is y when x is 5? Answer: -2
line and help us graph it. What is y when x is -3? Answer -2

Here is the line y = -2; notice that it is horizontal and hits where y is -2.

All equations that only have a ‘y’ will be horizontal

Section 3.1
 151

EXAMPLES

7 Graph the line:  = −

 = 1  = −1 If you don’t remember if it is a horizontal line

 = −1  = −1 or a vertical line, pick a few y values and see
what x equals
Plot the points that we just came up with on the
graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

8 Graph the line:  = 

=1 =2 If you don’t remember if it is a horizontal line

 = −1  = 2 or a vertical line, pick a few x values and see
what y equals
Plot the points that we just came up with on the
graph with dots

Draw a line connecting the dots

Section 3.1
152

3.1 EXERCISE SET

1. Three types of bears are in a national park. The number of grizzly bears is 4 more than
2.4 twice the number of black bears, and the number of panda bears is50 more than the number
of black bears. There are a total of 874 bears in the park. How many of each kind are there?

2. An international phone call costs 35¢ to connect and 12¢ for every minute of the call. How long can a
person talk for $3.60?

3. A 52m rope is cut so that one piece is 18m longer than the other. What are the lengths of the pieces?

4. Original Price:$292.50 5. Original Price:

Discount:20% Discount: 40%
Final Price: Final Price: $73.90

Solve and graph.

2.7 6. 5(x-2) > 7x +8

3.1 Fill out the table for each of the following:

7. x + y = 9 8. 2x – y = 5 9. 5x + 4y = 9 10. x–7y = 13

x y x y x y x y
5 2 1 1
-4 0 0 3
3 -1 -3 2
0 0 0 0
7 4 5 -1

Graph the following lines, and label three points (your points may be different than mine).

11. 3x + y = 10 12. y = 2x 13. x – 4y = 7

14. x = 3 15. y = - 73 x + 4 16. 6x – 5y = 12

17. y = -4 18. 5x + 2y = 6

Preparation.

19. After reading a bit of section 3.2, try to find the slope between (4,1) and (7,11).

20. Solve for y:

2x + y = 7 5x + 3y = 6 2x – 7y = 11

Section 3.1
 153

Answers:
1. 205 Black, 414 Grizzly, 11. (0,10) (3,1) (-1,13) 16. (2,0) (0,-125) (7,6)
255 Panda
2. 27 minutes
3. 17m, 35m

4. $234

5. $123.17
6. x < -9

-9 0
7. 12. (0,0) (1,2) (2,4) 17. (0,-4) (2,-4) (37,-4)
x y
5 4
-4 13
6 3
9 0
2 7

8. 13. (7,0) (3,-1) (0,−74) 18. (0,3) (2,-2) ( 65 ,0)

x y
2 -1
0 -5
-1 -7
𝟓𝟓 0
𝟐𝟐
𝟗𝟗 4
𝟐𝟐

9. 14. (3,0) (3,1) (3,2) 19. m = 10

x y 3
1 1
0 𝟗𝟗
𝟒𝟒
-3 6
9 0
5
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 5
−
𝟓𝟓

10. 15. (0,4) (7,1) (14,-2) 20. y = 7 – 2x or y = -2x + 7

x y
20 1 6−5𝑥𝑥 5
y= 3
or y = − 3 x +2
34 3
2 −11 11−2x 2 11
7 y= or y = 7 x –
0 13 −7 7
−
7
6 -1

Still have questions? Video solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
154

3.2 Slope

OBJECTIVES
• Understand slope and how to calculate it
• Know the difference between slope = zero and undefined slope

A LINES (Overview)

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS

Graphing y vs. x Solution Sets Graphs

y1 − y 2
Slope m=
x1 − x2
Graphing with Slope:
Ax + By = C
Standard Form
Graphing with Slope:
y = mx + b
Slope-Intercept Form

Writing Equations Translation

EXAMPLE

3 + 2 = 4

 

=
 
x y

0 2 2 − (−1)
=
0−2
2 -1
3
=−
2

Section 3.2
 155

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

SLOPE: This refers to the steepness of a line as it goes up or down as observed left to right.
• Slope is typically represented by the letter “m”
• It is also referred to as the rate of change

B UNDERSTANDING SLOPE

LAWS & PROCESSES

We introduce this by bringing to mind a familiar road sign. This

sign warns of steepness, but take a look at what it is really saying. 7%
7
means the fraction 100 .The interpretation of the sign means that the road
falls vertically 7 feet for every 100 feet that you travel horizontally. In
this way the highway department uses fractions to denote the steepness
7% of roads. We are going to do the same thing with the steepness of lines,
or the slope.

The slope of the line between point A(-2,1) and B(3,3) is found B (3,3)
by taking how much it changes up and down (distance between 1 and 3
A (-2,1)
= 2) over how much it changes left and right (distance between -2 and

3 = 5). That makes a slope of 25 . We could say that “m =  ”.

  !" #$

 =
%&#  !" #$

There are some trends that you will observe as we calculate slope:

Trends with Slope

1. Bigger numbers for slope correspond to steeper lines.
2. Positive slopes head up as you go to the right.
3. (Opposite of #2) Negative slopes will head down as you go to the right.

Section 3.2
156

To get a feel for slope a little bit better, look at some of these slopes. You will notice that the
higher the number, the steeper it is. On the other hand, numbers get increasingly large in the negative
direction for lines that are heading down ever steeper.

m = undefined

COMMON MISTAKES

Sometimes, people refer to lines as

having “no slope.” Since this can be
misleading (does that mean straight up
or horizontal), we will avoid the term all
together:

A vertical line has undefined

slope and a horizontal line has a
slope of zero.

We will discuss why this is in the next

subsection.

m = undefined

C CALCULATING SLOPE

LAWS & PROCESSES

In the first example we obtained the 2 as the distance from 1 to 3. What operation finds distance?
Answer: Subtraction. Using subtraction, we find slopes a little more quickly. Let’s look at those three
examples, using subtraction this time:
1st Example: 2nd Example: 3rd Example:
3−1 2 7−1 −3 − 1 4
= =2 =−
3 − (−2) 5 1 − (−2) 5 − (−2) 7

Points: (3,3) & (−2,1) (1,7) & (−2,1) (5, −3) & (−2,1)
Section 3.2
 157

If we follow this pattern using ‘x’ and ‘y’, we make a formula for slope. We will call point #1
(x1,y1) showing that the x and the y come from the 1st point. Similarly we will call point #2 (x2,y2).
Now you can find the slope just like we did in the previous examples:

FORMULA FOR SLOPE

89 − 8:
7=
;9 − ;:

Sometimes this formula is written in a few different ways. Here are some of the others:

+,-./0 rise ∆y
= m= m=
 +,-./0 run ∆x

They all mean the same thing.

Remember how we said that “vertical lines have undefined slope and horizontal lines have zero slope”?

We will work two examples of this:

First: y = -2
For this graph, let’s use these points: (3,-2) and (-2,-2). It gives us the graph
of a horizontal line where y = -2. Putting those two points in to the formula
for finding slope, we get:
−2 − (−2) 0
= = =0
3 − (−2) 5

which means that all horizontal lines will have a slope of 0.

Second: x=2
Use these points: (2,-2) and (2,3). It gives us the graph of a vertical line
where x = 2. Now if we put the points in the slope formula, we get:

−2 − 3 −5
= = = UNDEFINED
2−2 0
(Division by zero is undefined.)

This means that all vertical lines have undefined slope.

Section 3.2
158

EXAMPLES

1 Calculate the slope of the line formed by the following points:

(:, 9<) =>? (−9, 9)

10 − 1 Plug in our values from the first set of points and from the
=
2 − (−1) second set of points into our slope equation
9
=
3
=3 Reduce our answer
Answer: The slope is 3

2 Calculate the slope of the line formed by the following points:

(−A, :) =>? (<, −:)

2 − (−2) Plug in our values from the first set of points and from the
=
(−3) − 0 second set of points into our slope equation
4
=
−3
4 Reduce our answer
=−
3
B
Answer: The slope is − A

Section 3.2
 159

3.2 EXERCISE SET

1. Three types of trees are in a local park. The number of aspens is 5 more than three times
2.4 the number of oaks, and the number of maples is 20 less than the number of oaks. There are a
total of 850 trees in the park. How many of each kind are there?

2. Solve for y: 3 − 11 = 5

3. If grading in a class is set up so that 10% is attendance, 10% is tutoring, 30% homework, and 50%
tests, what is a student’s grade if he has 80% attendance, 50% tutoring, 50% homework and 80% on
tests?

4. Original Price:$392.50 5. Original Price:

Discount:20% Discount: 45%
Final Price: Final Price: $73.90

6. Four consecutive odd integers add up to 328. What are the four numbers?

Fill out the table for each of the following:

E
3.1 7. 2 +  = 9 8.  = 5 + 2 9.  + 4 = 9 10.  = F  − 13
x y x y x y x y
5 2 1 2
-4 0 0 5
3 -1 -3 2
0 0 0 0
7 4 5 -1

Graph the following lines, and label three points (your points may be different than mine).
C
11. 3 + 2 = 10 12.  = 2 − 7 13.  = 
E
14.  = −6 15.  = −F − 2 16. 2 − 5 = 12

17. =5 18. 5 +  = 6

Find the slope between each pair of points.

3.2 19. (5, −2) (7,3) 20. (4,1) (−5,6) 21. (5, −1) (−3, −8)

22. (7,3) (−2,3) 23. (−5,2) (4, −3) 24. (−6,1) (−6,5)

25. Explain the difference between a slope of zero and an undefined slope.

Preparation

26. Find two points of each line and then use those points to find the slope.

F E
 = E − 8  =  + 4

Section 3.2
160

Answers
1. 173 Oaks, 524 Aspen,153 Maple 17. (0,5)(−2,5)(3,5)
2. 𝑦𝑦 = 3 𝑥𝑥 – 5 or 𝑦𝑦 = 5−3𝑥𝑥
11 11 −11
3. 68%
4. $314
5. $134.36
6. 79, 81, 83, 85
7. x y 8. x y
5 -1 2 12
-4 17 0 2
3 3 -1 -3
𝟗𝟗
0 - 𝟐𝟐𝟓𝟓 0 6
𝟐𝟐
𝟐𝟐 18. (0,6)(1,1) � , 0�
1 7 𝟓𝟓
4 5

9. x y 10. x y
1 2 35 2
𝟗𝟗
0 𝟒𝟒 42 5
-3 3 2 −85
7
9 0
0 -13
-11 5
28 -1
11. (𝟎𝟎, 𝟓𝟓) �𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 , 𝟎𝟎� (𝟐𝟐, 𝟐𝟐) 12. (𝟎𝟎, −𝟕𝟕) (𝟏𝟏, −𝟓𝟓) (𝟐𝟐, −𝟑𝟑)
𝟑𝟑
5
19. 𝑚𝑚 = 2
20. 5
𝑚𝑚 = − 9
7
21. 𝑚𝑚 = 8
22. 𝑚𝑚 = 0
23. 5
𝑚𝑚 = − 9
24. 𝑚𝑚 = 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
25. Undefined is vertical
Straight up and down
13. (𝟎𝟎, 𝟎𝟎)(𝟐𝟐, 𝟏𝟏)(𝟖𝟖, 𝟒𝟒) 14. (−𝟔𝟔, 𝟎𝟎)(−𝟔𝟔, 𝟏𝟏)(−𝟔𝟔, 𝟐𝟐)
0 is horizontal
Straight across
26. In class

Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.
15. (𝟎𝟎, −𝟐𝟐)(𝟕𝟕, −𝟓𝟓)(−𝟕𝟕, 𝟏𝟏) 16. (𝟔𝟔, 𝟎𝟎) �𝟎𝟎, − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏� (𝟏𝟏, −𝟐𝟐)
𝟓𝟓

Or scan:
 161

3.3 Graphing with Slope

OBJECTIVES
• Find slope from slope-intercept form of a line
• Use slope and y-intercept to graph lines

A LINES (Overview)

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS

Graphing y vs. x Solution Sets Graphs

y1 − y 2
Slope m=
x1 − x2
Graphing with Slope:
y = mx + b
Slope-Intercept Form
Graphing with Slope:
Ax + By = C
Standard Form

Writing Equations Translation

Parallel and Perpendicular Perpendicular =
Parallel = Same
Slopes Negative
Line Inequalities

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

EXAMPLES

SLOPE (Section 3.2):

y1 − y 2 ychange rise ∆y
m= m= m= m=
x1 − x2 xchange run ∆x

SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM: The second way to write the equation of a line consists of putting
‘y’ equal to everything else. You can get the slope-intercept form from the standard form by just
solving for y.

=  + 
‘m’ in this equation IS SLOPE. ‘b’ is the “y-intercept” because when x = 0, then y = b:
 =  0 + 
∴=
Section 3.3
162

A SLOPE FROM SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM

LAWS & PROCESSES

Getting slope from the Slope-Intercept form is so easy – you just have to look. Since the form of the line
is  =  + , and m is the slope, just look at the coefficient of x and you have the slope.
Equation: Slope:
y = -2x – 5 m = -2 Since this is so easy to recognize, it is often the preferred set up for
an 3
y= 7x+4 m= 7 3 equation
y = - 94 x – 13 m = - 94
x 1
y= 7
-2 m= 7

EXAMPLES

Convert this equation into slope-intercept form:

5
 + 
= 

3 + 4 = 8 Get the y’s alone on one side

3  3
4 = 3 + 8
4 = 3 + 8 Divide every term by the number attached to the y
 4  4  4
3
= +2
4

6 Convert this equation into slope-intercept form:

  
= 

  2 = 3 Get the y’s alone on one side

  
2 =  + 3
2 =  + 3 Divide every term by the number attached to the y
 2  2  2
1 3
= 
2 2

Section 3.3
 163

B GRAPHING WITH SLOPE AND Y-INTERCEPT

LAWS & PROCESSES

We can graph any line if we have a slope and a point. As we have already talked about, we can
find the slope from slope-intercept form pretty easily. Since  =  when  = 0, the starting point can
always be 0, .

EXAMPLES

Graph the equation:

7 

=   

1 Determine the slope and the y intercept from the equation

=
3
  !" # = 0, 2

Plot the y intercept

Trace out the next point by following the slope. In this

example go up 1 and over 3

Connect the two dots we just made

Section 3.3
164

Graph the equation:

8

=  + 

 = 4 Determine the slope and the y intercept from the

  !" # = 0,3 equation

Plot the y intercept

Trace out the next point by following the slope. In this

example go down 4 and over 1

Connect the two dots we just made

Section 3.3
 165

3.3 EXERCISE SET

2.4 1. Three types of horses are in a local ranch. The number of arabians is 8 more than twice
the number of quarter-horses, and the number of Clydsdales is 50 more than the number of
Quarter-horses. There are a total of 282 horses at the ranch. How many of each kind are
there?

2. What is the radius of a cone that has Lateral Surface Area of 197.92 in2 and a slant height of 9 in?

3. Solve and graph the solution: 3x – 1 > $% x + 9

4. Original Price:$392.50 5. Original Price:

Tax: 6% Tax: 7%
Final Price: Final Price: $73.90
Fill out the table for each of the following:
6. 2x - 3y = 9 7. y = &%x+2
3.1 x y x y
5 2
-4 0
3 -1
0 0
7 4

Graph the following lines, and label x and y intercepts (need the same points as my answers).
' )
8. 5x + 2y = 10 9. y = (x - 6 10. y = *x +1
*
11. x = 10 12. y =  ( x +4 13. 7x – y = 14

Find the slope between each pair of points.

14. (8,-2) (7,3) 15. (8,1) (-5,6) 16. (-3,-1) (-3,-8)
3.2 17. (7,9) (-2,3) 18. (-5,6) (4,6)
19. If a road rises 300 feet over a horizontal distance of 3600 feet, what is the slope?

Graph the following lines giving one point and the slope (your points may be different than mine).
+
20. y = 6x +10 21. y = 4x + 3 22. y = , x - 4
3.3
* *
23. x = -6 24. y =  ( x - 2 25. y = 'x - 3

- +. + /
26. y =  *  + 27. y =  '  + ' 28. y = 7
*
Preparation.
29. Find two points on each line and then find the slope.
3 + 5 = 9 2 + 9 = 10

30. Solve for y:

3 + 5 = 9 2 + 9 = 10
Section 3.3
166

Answers:
1. 56 Quarter-horses, 106 10. * 20. (0,10); m = 6
(0,1) ( , 0
Clydesdales, 120 Arabian )

2. radius = 7 in
3. x > 20

0 20

4. $416.05
5. $69.07 11. (10,0) no y-int 21. (0,3); m = 4
6.
x y

5 
5
-4 - 
9 3
6

0
15 7
7. x y 12. (0,4) ( %2
3
,0) 22. (0,-4); m = 4%
2 9
0 2
-1 - 
- 5 0

5
4
8. (0,5) (2,0) 13. (2,0) (0,-14) 23. (-6,0); m = undefined

9. (0,-6) ( %4
%
,0) 14. m = -5 24. (0,-2); m =  *
(
15. m =  -
+*
16. m = undefined
17. m = ,
*
18. m = 0
+
19. m = +, or 8.3%

Section 3.3
 167

25. (0, -3); m = 34 27. (9,0); m = - 14 29. In class.

26. (2,0); m = - 53 28. (15,7); m = 0 30. See the connection to

29?

Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
168

3.4 Graphing with Slope - Standard Form

OBJECTIVES
• Find slope from the standard form of a line
• Use slope to graph lines

A LINES (Overview)

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS

Graphing y vs. x Solution Sets Graphs

y1 − y 2
Slope m=
x1 − x2
Graphing with Slope:
y = mx + b
Slope-Intercept Form
Graphing with Slope:
Ax + By = C
Standard Form

Writing Equations Translation

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

EXAMPLES

SLOPE (Section 3.2):

y1 − y 2 ychange rise ∆y
m= m= m= m=
x1 − x2 xchange run ∆x

SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM (Section 3.3): There are two ways to approach writing an
equation for a line. The first way is written in this format:

=  + 
‘m’ in this equation IS SLOPE. ‘b’ is the “y-intercept” because when x = 0, then y = b:
 =  0 + 
∴=

Section 3.4
 169

STANDARD FORM: The second way to write the equation of a line is when it is in this format

B SLOPE FROM STANDARD FORM

LAWS & PROCESSES

If you practiced finding slope by picking points, then solving, for a few equations in standard form, you
might see something like this:
Equation Slope:
If you noticed, there’s a pattern emerging that you would be
3x – 5y = 10 m= 53 able to use as a shortcut.
2x + 9y = 4 m = - 92
Do you see how the change in y is always the coefficient of x?
5x + y = 15 m = -5
Do you see that the change in x is always the opposite of the
x-3y = 12 m= 1
3 coefficient of y?

For standard form, this is always the case. This means that:

STANDARD FORM FORMULA FOR SLOPE


 + 
=  =


EXAMPLES

Calculate the slope for the equation:

1
  
= 

4 Plug in our values for A and B into our equation for slope in
=
7 standard form
 Simplify the equation
=


4
=
7

Answer: The slope is .

Section 3.4
170

2 Calculate the slope for the following equation:

 + 
= . 

14 Plug in our values for A and B into our equation for slope in
=
2 standard form
14 Simplify the equation
=
2

 = 7
Answer: The slope is -7.

C GRAPHING WITH SLOPE

LAWS & PROCESSES

Graphing a line by calculating all the points and then “connecting the dots” can be time
consuming – we don’t want to have to do it for long. Graphing a line with slope is much faster.

If slope is really just the change in ‘y’ over change in ‘x,’ then all we need to do is find one
point, follow the slope to the next point, then connect the two dots.

Section 3.4
 171

EXAMPLES

Calculate the slope and graph the line:

3
  
= "

# 2 2
= = = Since the equation is in standard form, we can
$ 3 3 &
2 calculate slope using the formula  =  '
=
3
2 0  3 = 9 We can solve for a point by just putting in zero for ‘y’
3 = 9 or ‘x’. We’ll replace ‘x’ here.
) 3 ) 3
 = 3
There is a point at 0, 3

Now, the slope says that ‘y’ changes by +2, and ‘x’
changes by 3. So we go up 2 and over 3 and make the
new dot.

Now all we have to do is connect the dots.

Section 3.4
172

Calculate the slope and graph the line:

4   
= 2

# 4
= = Since the equation is in standard form, we can
$ 3 &
4 calculate slope using the formula  =  '
=
3
43  3 0 = 8 We can solve for a point by just putting in zero for ‘y’
43 = 8 or ‘x’. We’ll replace ‘y’ here.
) 4 ) 4
3=2
There is a point at 2,0

Now, the slope says that ‘y’ changes by +4 and ‘x’

changes by 3. So we go up 4 and over 3 and make the
new dot.

Now all we have to do is connect the dots.

Section 3.4
 173

Calculate the slope and graph the line:

5  +
= 

23 +  = 4

# 2
= = =2
$ 1

 = 0, ∴ 23 = 4
∴ 3 = 2

 = 2 and point at (2,0)

Calculate the slope and graph the line:

6  + 
= "

43 + 3 = 9

# 4
= =
$ 3

3 = 0, ⇒ 3 = 9
∴  = 3


 =  6 and point at (0,3)

Section 3.4
174

3.4 EXERCISE SET

Solve for y.
2.2 1. 2x + 3y = 9 2. 5x - 7y = 13 3. 5x + 3y = 10

Fill out the table for each of the following:


4. 4x - 3y = 9 5. y = 7x - 3
3.1
x y x y
0 2
-4 0
3 -1
0 0
7 11

Graph the following lines, and label x and y intercepts (Your points will need to match mine).

6. 3x + 2y = 10 7. y =   x - 2 8. y =2x

6
9. y = 7 10. y =  9x + 4 11. 7x – 2y = 12

Find the slope between each pair of points.

12. (5,-2) (-3,3) 13. (5,1) (-3,-4) 14. (3,-1) (-3,-1)
3.2
15. (7,9) (7,3) 16. (-5,2) (3,5)

17. A mountain rises from an altitude of 4700 feet to an altitude of 10,600 feet over a
horizontal distance of 17,700 feet. What is the slope?

Graph the following lines giving one point and the slope (Your point may not match mine).
6 7
18.  =  3  6 19. y = 2x + 3 20. y =  6 3  5
3.3

Graph the following lines giving one point and the slope (Your point may not match mine).
21. 6x +5y = 10 22. 3x - 4y = 6 23. x + 5y = 3
3.4
24. 2x - 7y = 14 25. 8x - 2y = 3 26. 2x + 6y = 10

Preparation.
27. Fill out the Slope Monster (on the next page)
6
28. Write down 5 equations of lines that have the slope: m= - <

Section 3.4
 175

Slope Monster
Equation Slope Equation Slope

2x – 5y = 7 4x – y = 7
9 9
y= x-4 y= x-4
= 7

5x – 3y = 7 8x – 3y = 12

2x + 7y = 19 - 4x + 7y = 19

x = 13 x = -19
< <
y= x-8 y= x-4
6 

y = 5x – 8 y = -3x – 8

-3x + 9y = 4 -10x + 6y = 4

y = -3 y = 15
6 ?
y=- x-4 y= x-4
>> >>

7x – 3y = 7 2x – 8y = 17
7 9
y= x-4 y= x+6
= 7

5x – 3y = 7 4x + 7y = 7

4x + 7y = 19 2x - 9y = 19

x=-3 x=7
< 9
y=- x-4 y= x-4
9 6

y = -2x – 8 y = 4x + 13

-3x + 6y = 4 -3x - 6y = 4

y = -5 y=7
6 6
y=- x-4 y = - x + 15
 9

Section 3.4
176

Answers:
1.  =  3 + 3
7
8. (0,0) 18. (0,-6); m = 6
6
9 >6
2. = 3
 
9 >@
3. = 3+
6 6

9. (0,7) no x-int 19. (0,3); m = 2

4. x y
0 -
3
-4 -


" 3

"

0
5. x y 10. (0,4) (7@,0) 20. (0,-5); m = =  7
6 6
2 4
0 -3
-1 -


A

0
6. (0,5) ( 6 ,0)
>@
11. (>7,0) (0,-6) 21. (0,2); m =  ?9



7. (0,-2) ( ,0)
7
12. m =  9 22. (2,0); m = 6
<
13. m = 9
<
14. m = 0
15. m = undefined
16. m = 6<

17. m = > or 26.6%

Section 3.4
 177

23. (3,0); m = − 5
1
25. (0,− 3); m = 4 27. Correct it in class.
2

24. 2
(7,0); m = 7 26. (5,0); m = − 1 28. In class.
3

Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
178

3.5 Writing Equations

OBJECTIVES
• Use basic translations to write equations of lines

A LINES (Overview)

LAWS & PROCESSES

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS

Graphing y vs. x Solution Sets Graphs

y1 − y 2
Slope m=
x1 − x 2
Graphing with Slope:
Ax + By = C
Standard Form
Graphing with Slope:
y = mx + b
Slope-Intercept Form

Writing Equations Translation

EXAMPLES

Question Solution

Write the equation of the line that has a slope: 
3
and goes through the point: ( 5, -2 ) = −5
5
and then graph the line.

Section 3.5
 179

B BASIC TRANSLATIONS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Since we can derive information, such as slope, from an equation, it isn’t that difficult to write an
equation if we have the slope. Being able to do this becomes quite significant, as you will see in the
next subsection.

There are really two kinds of set-ups for a basic translation problem from words to an equation:
either you are given two points, or you are given one point and the slope. Since you already know how
to calculate slope from two points, the first shouldn’t be much more difficult than the second. We will
approach each one, solving for an equation in standard form, and then in slope-intercept form.

Given Two Points

1. Use the points to find the slope
2. If asked to write in standard form:

a. Remember that = − . Use the slope to fill in A & B in  +  = 

b. Fill in x and y using one point
c. Solve for C
d. Re-write with only x and y as variables
3. If asked to write in slope-intercept form:
a. Fill in the slope for m in  =  + 
b. Fill in x and y using one point
c. Solve for b
d. Re-write with only x and y as variables

Given Slope and One Point

Follow the same process as if you were given two points,
but now you don’t have to find the slope.

Section 3.5
180

EXAMPLES

Write the equation of a line that goes through the points: (-2, -2 ) and ( 2, 4 ) and
1
present it in standard form. Graph the equation.

−2 − 4 −6 Calculate the slope from the two given points

= =  
−2 − 2 −4 Remember: = 
3  
=
2

Remember that − = 
Solve for A and B by using the slope


Standard Form:  +  = 
So if − = , then  = 3 and  = −2
 
32 + −24 =  Plug A, B, and the x and y from a point we are
−2 =  given into the standard form equation to solve
for C
3 − 2 = −2 Plug in our A, B, and C into the standard form
equation

Now graph the equation by plotting the two

points we have been given and connecting the
dots

Write the equation of a line that goes through the point ( -3, 4 ) and has a slope
2 
of . Present it in slope-intercept form and graph the equation.


 =mx+b Plug the point we have been given and the

2 slope into the slope-intercept equation.
4 = −  −3 + 
3
=2 Solve for b
2 Write out the final equation with the slope and
 =− +2
3 with the y-intercept filled in

Graph the equation using the y-intercept and

then counting out the slope

Section 3.5
 181

3.5 EXERCISE SET

Fill out the table for each of the following:

3.1 1. 2x - 5y = 11 x y 2. y = x+6 x y
5 2
-4 0
3 -1
0 0
7 4

Graph the following lines, and label x and y intercepts.

3. 4x - 2y = 10 4. y = - !"x - 6 5. y = 5x

Find the slope between each pair of points.

3.2 6. (3,-2) (7,3) 7. (9,1) (-7,6) 8. (5,-1) (-3,-8)

9. (-2,9) (-2,3) 10. (-5,2) (5,6) 11. (19,1) (6,1)

12. Explain the difference between a slope of zero and an undefined slope.

Graph the following lines giving one point and the slope.

3.3 13. -3x + 4y = 10 14. y = 2x - 7 15. y = !x - 4

16. y = 17 17. y = - 73 x - 2 18. 2x – 6y = 12

3.4 Write the equations of the lines with the slopes and points:

4
Ex. Write an equation of the line that has slope m = 7 , and goes through the point
(2,1). (answer is in Standard Form)
From the slope m = 74 , I know that the equation must look like:
4x – 7y = something, so I put in the point to see what it is.
4(2) – 7(1) = 1.

Thus the answer is 4x – 7y = 1.

Section 3.5
182

4
Ex. Write an equation of the line that has slope m = 7 , and goes through the point
(2,1). (answer is in Slope-Intercept Form)
From the slope m = 74 , I know that the equation must look like:
4
y= 7 x+b Put the point in to see what b is.
4
1= 7 (2) + b
1- 87 = b
- 17 = b
4 1
Thus the answer is y = 7 x- 7 .

19. Write an equation of the line that has slope m= -3, and goes through the point (-4,6).

20. Write an equation of the line that has slope m= 85 , and goes through the point (3,6).

21. Write an equation of the line that has slope m=- 23 , and goes through the point (1,-3).

22. Write an equation of the line that has slope m=- 54 , and goes through the point (5,-3).

23. Write an equation of the line that has slope m= 2, and goes through the point (0,5).

24. Write an equation of the line that has slope m=- 17 , and goes through the point (-4,7).

25. Fill out the Slope Monster (on the next page). Record the time it takes you to complete it.

Preparation

26. What are the similarities between the graphs of the following lines?
2x – 3y = 3 and 3x + 2y = 2

y = 2x – 5 and y = 2x + 7

Section 3.5
 183

Slope Monster
Equation Slope Equation Slope

2x – 5y = 7 4x – y = 7
 
y= x-4 y= x-4
# 

5x – 3y = 7 8x – 3y = 12

2x + 7y = 19 - 4x + 7y = 19

x = 13 x = -19
$ $
y= x-8 y= x-4

%

y = 5x – 8 y = -3x – 8

-3x + 9y = 4 -10x + 6y = 4

y = -3 y = 15

'
y=- x-4 y= x-4
&& &&

7x – 3y = 7 2x – 8y = 17
 
y= x-4 y= x+6
# 

5x – 3y = 7 4x + 7y = 7

4x + 7y = 19 2x - 9y = 19

x=-3 x=7
$ 
y=- x-4 y= x-4


y = -2x – 8 y = 4x + 13

-3x + 6y = 4 -3x - 6y = 4

y = -5 y=7



y=- x-4 y = - x + 15
( 

Section 3.5
184

Answers:
1. 6. m = 54 17. (0,-2) m = - 37
x y 5
7. m = - 16
5 - 𝟏𝟏𝟓𝟓
8. m = 78
-4 - 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝟓𝟓
9. m = undefined
13 3
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
10. m = 25
𝟐𝟐
0
11. m=0
23 7 12. Undefined is vertical
0 is horizontal

2. 13. (0,52) m = 34 18. (6,0) m = 13

x y
2 13
0 6
-1 𝟓𝟓
𝟐𝟐
- 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝟕𝟕
0
- 𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕 4
14. (0,-7) m = 2 19. 3x + y = -6 or y = -3x - 6
3. (0,-5) (52,0) 20. 5 33
5x – 8y = -33 or y = 8x + 8
2 7
21. y = − 3 x – 3 or 2x + 3y = -7
22. 4
y = − 5 x + 1 or 4x + 5y = 5
23. y = 2x + 5 or 2x – y = -5
1 45
24. x + 7y = 45 or y = − 7 x + 7

25. In class
2
15. (0,-4) m = 5
26. In class
18
4. (0,-6) (- ,0)
5

16. (0,17) m = 0 Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.
5. (0,0) (1,5)

Or scan:
 185

Chapter 3 Review 1

3.1 Graphing

Intercepts
“Pick & Stick” An x-intercept happens when y is zero,
1. Pick any number for ‘x’ (or ‘y’) and a y-intercept happens when x is zero.
2. Stick it in
3. Solve for ‘y’ (or ‘x’)
4. Graph point
Vertical and Horizontal Lines
5. Repeat All equations that only have an ‘x’ will be vertical.
All equations that only have an ‘y’ will be horizontal.

3.2 Slope

Formulas for Slope

  
   ∆

=  
= 
 
= 

= ∆
 

Vertical Line Horizontal Line

= 
=0

3.3/3.4 Graphing with Slope

Standard Form Formula for Slope


 ±  = ! = −

Slope-Intercept Form Slope

 = ! + $ ! = %&'(()%)'*+ &( 

Chapter 3 Review 1
186

3.5 Writing Equations

Given Two Points

1. Use the points to find the slope
2. If asked to write in standard form:
, Given Slope and One Point
a. Remember that
= − -. Use the slope
Follow the same process as if you were
to fill in A & B in ./ + 01 = 2 given two points, but now you don’t have
b. Fill in x and y using one point to find the slope.
c. Solve for C
d. Re-write with only x and y as variables
3. If asked to write in slope-intercept form:
a. Fill in the slope for m in 1 =
/ + 3
b. Fill in x and y using one point
c. Solve for b
d. Re-write with only x and y as variables

Parallel lines have equal slopes. Perpendicular lines have negative

2 2 reciprocals for slopes.
1 =− /+8 7 1 =− /−4
3 3
2 7
1 =− /+8 7 1 = /−4
7 2

Chapter 3 Review 1
 187

CHAPTER 3 REVIEW 1
1. Create a visual chart of all of the methods, formulas, and examples from studying how to graph these
linear equations.

Fill out the table for each of the following.

3.1 2. 2/ + 31 = 4 3. 9/ − 51 = −160
x y x y
4 -40
>? 32
@
-1 71.78
2 90
-2 212

Give three points along each of the given lines.

4. 1 = .25/ − 4 5. 7/ − 21 = −3 6. / − 1 = −2
Find the slopes of the given points.
> E F E E
3.2 7. B , 0D B , D 8. B−3, D B0, @D 9. (2,-3) (-6,-7)
@ @ G @

Graph each line and find the slope.

10. H F
1 = @/ + 1 11. 1 = I
/−2 12. 4/ − 31 = 2
3.3
J
13. 5/ − 91 = −18 14. 1 = 3/ + 4 15. 1= >?
/−1

Write the equation of the line with the given slope and point.

16. (2,-4) m = 0 17. K2,8L
= −5

3.4 18.
= G K1,3L 19.
= −2 K−4,2L
I
E >
20. (7,8)
= − @ 21. (-1,-3)
=E
H
22. (4,2)
M  23. (5,-1)
= −G

Write the equation of the line with the given points.

24. K0,7L 7 (3,8) 25. K0,1L 7 K−1, −4L

26. K8,3L 7 K−6,3L 27. K5, −1L 7 K2, −2L
28. K12,3L 7 K4, −2L 29. K−2,7L 7 K−2,5L

Chapter 3 Review 1
188

Answers
10. 𝑚𝑚 = 4 7
1. Make it good. (0,1) 11. 𝑚𝑚 = − 6 (0, −2)
3
x y 3.
2. x y
-4 4 -40 -40
10
-3 3 0 32
-1 2 22.1 71.78
2 0 90 194
5 -2 100 212

4. (−1, −4.25), (0, −4), (4, −3)

3 12. 4 1 13. 5
5. (−1, −2), �0, � , (1,5) 𝑚𝑚 = 3 �2 , 0� 𝑚𝑚 = 9 (0,2)
2

6. (−1,1), (0,2), (1,3)

21
7. 𝑚𝑚 = 5
8. 𝑚𝑚 = 0
1
9. 𝑚𝑚 = 2

9
14. m = 3 (0,4) 15. 𝑚𝑚 = − 10 (0, −1)
16. 𝑦𝑦 = −4
17. 𝑦𝑦 = −5𝑥𝑥 + 18 or 5x + y = 18
5 13
18. 𝑦𝑦 = 6 𝑥𝑥 + 6
or 5x – 6y = -13
19. 𝑦𝑦 = −2𝑥𝑥 − 6 or 2x + y = -6
2 38
20. 𝑦𝑦 = − 3 𝑥𝑥 + 3
or 2x + 3y = 38
1 5
21. 𝑦𝑦 = 2 𝑥𝑥 − 2 or x – 2y = 5
22. x = 4
4
23. 𝑦𝑦 = − 5 𝑥𝑥 + 3 or 4x + 5y = 15
1
24. 𝑦𝑦 = 3 𝑥𝑥 + 7 or x – 3y = -21 Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.
25. 𝑦𝑦 = 5𝑥𝑥 + 1 or 5x – y = -1
26. 𝑦𝑦 = 3
1 8
27. 𝑦𝑦 = 3 𝑥𝑥 − 3 or x - 3y = 8
5 9 Or scan:
28. 5x – 8y = 36 or 𝑦𝑦 = 8 𝑥𝑥 − 2
29. 𝑥𝑥 = −2
 189

CHAPTER 3 REVIEW 2
Fill out the table for each of the following.

3.1 1.
     1 x y 2. 4  5
 5 x y

4 -3 -40 

-2 -2
1 0
 



  3

Give three points along each of the given lines


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

Find the slopes of the given points

 
3.2 6. 3,2 1,1 7. # , 2$ # , 5$ 8. (-1,-2) (-3,-5)
! !

Graph each line and find the slope.

9.   

   2 10.
     11. 2  3
 8
3.3

12. 3  11
 6 13. 4 
 2 14.
   2

Write the equation of the line with the given slope and point.

15. 2, 7    16. 5,8   0

3.4 17.     2, 3 18.     4,2


! 
19. (7,8)     20. (-1,-3) 

21. (4,2)   3 22. (8,-1)   

Write the equation of the line with the given points.

23. 4,7 " (3,8) 24. 0,3 " 1, 4

25. 8,7 " 6,3 26. 7, 2 " 15, 2
27. 3,4 " 2, 3 28. 2,7 " 2,5

Chapter 3 Review (2)

190

Answers
  
1. 2.
9.    0,2 10.   #0, $
x y x y   

-3 3 -4 

!
-2 
 -2 
0 1 0 -1

2  
 2


4  5 3


3. 4,5, 0,2, 4, 1

%    
4. #1, $ , #0, $ , #1, $ 11.     4,0 12. 

2,0
!  
5. #1,  $ , #0, $ , #1, $

6.   
!
7.   

8. 


13.   4 0, 2 14.     0,2

 
15.
    
or 2x – 3y = 25
16.
 8
 
17.
      or 5x +6y = -8
18.   4
! !
19.
     
or 7x + 3y = 73
 !
20.
    
or x – 6y = 17
21.
 3  14 or 3x + y = 14
 
22.
   or 2x + 5y = 11

23.  
 11 &'
   11
24. 7x – y = -3 or y = 7x + 3
 
25. 2x – 7y = -33 or
   !
!
26. y = -2
27. 7x – y = 17 or y = 7x - 17
28. x = -2

Chapter 3 Review (2)

 191

Chapter 4:
EXPONENTS &
POLYNOMIALS

Overview
Exponents and Scientific Notation
4.1 Laws of Exponents, Scientific Notation
Polynomials
4.2 Intro to Polynomials; Add/Subt.
Polynomials
4.3 Multiply Polynomials
4.4 Division of Polynomials
192

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES from the field…

“Soon after high school I married and a year and a half later I had
my first baby. I loved being a mother and was perfectly content to
stay at home with my children. However, after 9 ½ years I
discovered that my marriage was not at all what I had believed it to
be and I became a single mother of 4 small children ages 8 and
younger. I found myself in the position of needing to support myself
and my children financially. Not surprisingly, with only a high
school education I could not find a job that would allow me to
support myself and my children, so I decided to return to school 12 years after high school graduation.
I was more scared of returning to school than I was of getting a divorce (and that scared me more than
anything had in my entire life up to that point), and the idea of doing “college math” was the scariest
part of college in my mind.”

“For as long as I remember I have struggled to understand and learn math concepts. I remember very
clearly in the 5th grade my teacher, Mr. Clark, telling me in front of the entire class that I was stupid and
I would never amount to anything. I was totally humiliated, and I’m sure I cried myself to sleep that
night. A few years ago when I was telling my Mom what had happened she asked me why I didn’t tell
her then and I realized it was because I believed him, and I didn’t want my Mom and Dad to know that I
was stupid. I never did learn my times tables and in high school I didn’t get past pre-algebra and from
the 5th grade on I never received higher than a C in a math class.”

“So now returning to college as a single mother, I started out in the 2nd to lowest math class available to
me, Beginning Algebra. The only thing lower was Basic College Mathematics, but that class was full. I
remember the first day of class. The professor passed out a pre-test. I looked at the test and wanted to
cry, there were 20-30 questions and out of all of them I think I figured out 1 answer. I sat there
thinking, ‘this is exactly what I thought college would be like’ and I was certain that I would fail.”

“Well to make what could be a very long story shorter I struggled and worried but kept trying all
through the semester. I did everything the professor told us to do including completing each and every
assignment on time, showing all my work on each problem and not trying to take short cuts, taking the
opportunity to spend a great deal of time in the math lab and utilizing the help from the tutors there,
making a visual chart for each chapter, and never missing class. I was pleased with my grade at the end
of the semester. For the first time in my life I received an A in a math class. It was an awesome feeling.
For the first time I had tasted success in school and I liked it and nothing else would ever be good
enough again. The foundation for learning that I received in my pre-college algebra class completely
changed my college career and I can honestly say that it changed my entire outlook on life. Doing well
in school changed how I felt about myself as a person. I no longer accept or assume that I am stupid or
incapable of learning. I still struggle and I have to work very hard for the grades that I receive but mine
is a success story. Although I am not yet finished with my education I was recently accepted into the
nursing program at my university with a 3.9 GPA.”

Karin Rice, 2007

 193

4.1 Laws of Exponents, Scientific Notation

OBJECTIVES
• Learn and apply laws of exponents, including the zero and one rule, the
product rule, the quotient rule, the negative exponent rule, and the
power rule

A A REVIEW OF EXPONENTS: (see section 1.3)

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

EXPONENT/POWER: The shorthand to explain how many times something is multiplied by itself
(remember, the number being multiplied by itself is called the base.)

Example: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 128 is the same as 2 = 128

7
ROOT: Like working an exponent backwards, roots find out what number or variable was raised to a
power.

Example: We know that 27 = 128, so to work it backwards, we say:

2 = √128 or if 128 was cut into 7 equal parts multiplied
together, then those parts would all be 2’s.

B THE LAWS OF EXPONENTS: Zero & One, Product, Quotient, Negative Exponent, Power

LAWS & PROCESSES

Sometimes we have exponential expressions that can be simplified. We have five rules that help us
simplify these exponential expressions that we will call the LAWS OF EXPONENTS. Again, these rules
or “laws” are shortcuts. We will learn the first four in this section.

Simplifying Exponential Expressions

Apply the LAWS of EXPONENTS as outlined below until:
1. All exponents of zero and one are gone
2. All products and quotients with the same base are united
3. No negative exponents are left
4. All powers being raised to powers are multiplied
There’s no order in which we use these rules. We simply apply them as needed.

Section 4.1
194

LAW HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE

ZERO AND ONE RULE

Anything to the power of zero = 1
(if a ≠ 0) and
 = 1 and
 =
7 = 1 and 7 = 7
Anything to the power of one = itself

PRODUCT RULE
Exponents being multiplied with the
 ∙
 =
   ∙   =  
same base are added.

$
=  $ =  
 
=
 where >
QUOTIENT RULE  OR
Exponents being divided with the "
same base are subtracted.
 1 1
(if a ≠ 0) OR = =
 $  $  
  AND
= where n > m
 #

=   =   = 1
 

NEGATIVE EXPONENT RULE

All negative exponents can be 1 1
converted to a positive exponent by
 =   =
simply taking the reciprocal.
 
(if a ≠ 0)
AND AND
This must be done to all negative
exponents in order to consider a
1 1
problem simplified, with the =
 = 
exception of scientific notation (see
  
section 4.2)

POWER RULE
To raise a power to a power, we
multiply the exponents.
%
 & =
∙ %  & =  ∙ =  '
IMPORTANT: Every base in the
parentheses ( ) receives the power.

Section 4.1
 195

LAW WHY? (HOW IS IT A SHORTCUT?) COMMON ERRORS

Zero and One
A tendency to want to
(See explanation in quotient rule) 
7 ≠ 0; multiply by zero when
seeing a degree of zero

A tendency to
want to multiply,
not add, the
Since   =  ∙  and   =  ∙  ∙ 
 ∙  ≠ ' exponents
Product

Then we know….
Product and
 ∙  = $
  ∙ *  =   *  ≠ %*&$ quotient rules
 ∙  ∙  ∙  ∙  = $ apply only to
exponents
w/same base.
$  ∙  ∙  ∙  ∙  
= =  = 
 ∙∙ 
OR
, A tendency to want to
 ∙  1 ≠ 
Quotient

= = =    divide when exponents

 $ ∙∙∙∙    work as simple whole #
AND quotients

  ∙  ∙ 
= = 1 or   = 1
  ∙∙

In the quotient rule we learn: The negative exponent rule

states we can’t have
Negative Exponent


 ∙ 1 1 1
negative exponents in a
= = = −2 
≠ simplified expression.
 $  ∙  ∙  ∙  ∙     $ 2  However, negative
What if we don’t subtract larger-smaller exponent:

−2 coefficients have always
- . −2 =  been acceptable and are not
We get / =  $ =   instead of:  reciprocated and made
-
  
= 0 Hence, 0 =  
positive. Hence the -2 stays
- /#. - - negative and stays on top.

Remember,
  =  ∙ 
%2&2 ≠ 2 2 every base in the
Power

%  & = %  &%  &%  & =  ' vs. parentheses

 ∙   ∙   ∙  %2&2 = 22  2 = 16 2 receives the
power.

Section 4.1
196

EXAMPLES

1 Using the Laws of Exponents, simplify the following:

PROBLEM SOLUTION LAW(S) USED

5 5 One Rule

  One Rule

(2x)0 1 Zero Rule

8 ∙ 8, 8, = 8 Product Rule

 ∙    =  , Product Rule

1 1
4 4 =  = Negative Exponent Rule
4 16
6 7 = 6 $
Product Rule
OR
6  ∙ 6 7 or
67
= 6 7 = 6 $ Negative Exponent and Quotient Rules
6 

- 89
'' =   = 1 Quotient & Zero Rules
- 89
:
: $ = :  Quotient Rule
:$
;%$& = ;
Quotient Rule
; OR
$ or
; ;$
= ;$ = ; Negative Exponent Rule, then Quotient Rule
;

1 1 1
 = = Quotient & One Rule
     
 or
OR
 
 =   = - Quotient, Negative Exponent, & One Rules

%3  & 3∙  ∙ = 3  ' = 9 ' Power Rule

2∙  ∙ * ∙ > 2∙ =

%2  *  > 2 & 2  ' * , > = 8 ' * , > Power Rule

5∙  ∙ * ∙ =

%5  *  & $- ?
5  2 * ' = Power Rule & Negative Exponent Rule
@9

Section 4.1
 197

Remember…
Simplifying Exponential Expressions
As you do these problems ask yourself…
1. Do I have any exponents of zero and one?
2. Do I have any products and quotients with the same base?
3. Are there any negative exponents?
4. Are there any powers being raised to powers?
Once you can answer no to all of these, your exponential expression
problem is finished.

One more thing…

2 Simplify the following expressions:

%−1& = 1 %−1&,7 = 1
%−1& = −1 %−1&,, = −1

This is an interesting pattern:

Exponent Expanded Evaluated
%−1& %−1& -1

%−1& %−1&%−1& 1

%−1& %−1&%−1&%−1& -1

%−1&2 %−1&%−1&%−1&%−1& 1

The pattern develops a RULE:

Rule for Negative Bases

When a base is negative…
an even exponent yields a positive answer
an odd exponent yields a negative answer

EXAMPLES

3
%−& = %−1& = −1∙ ∙ = −1   =  

Again, in this problem, 1) we see that the power goes to all the bases. 2) We have to recognize
that the negative ( − ) is also a base and can be expressed as −1, and 3) we recognize again that
when a base does not have a power written next to it, we can assume that power is 1.
Section 4.1
198

In examples 4 & 5, note that the every number in the parentheses receive the power, including the bases
in a quotient, the whole numbers and the variables, and the top and bottom of the fraction.


4 - ? 8∙0 - ?∙0 0 - 8. 7- 8.
A B = = =
@? @ ?∙0 @ 8. @ 8.


C. C.∙%#0& C#9 20 '2
5
A2B = 28∙%#0& = 2#0 = C9 = C9

There is an alternative way to do this problem…


C. 2  28∙0 20 '2
A2B = AC. B = C.∙0 = C9 = C9

CTHE SCIENTIFIC NOTATION: Reminder

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION: To save us the hassle of writing too many 0’s before or after a
number that is really big or really small, then we just multiply the main part of the number by 10a, and
“a” can be any number that you need it to be.

Example: 53,400,000,000 = 5.34x1010

Between 1-10 place

Notice how all those decimal places just get sucked up into the exponent. It is
official scientific notation when the first number is between 1 and 9.

I. Multiplying and Dividing in Scientific Notation

Steps of Multiplying and Dividing Sci. Notation

1. Combine number with numbers (× or ÷)
2. Combine base 10 with base 10 (× or ÷ using laws of exponents)
3. Write answer in scientific notation if it’s not already

Section 4.1
 199

EXAMPLES

6 Evaluate %D. F × GHD &%I. J × GHGK &

4.8 × 3.7 = 17.76 Step 1: Combine numbers with numbers

102 × 10$ = 102%$& = 10 Step 2: Combine base 10 with base 10

17.76 × 10 Put the first two steps together
17.76 = 1.776 × 10 Step 3: Write answer in scientific notation if needed
17.76 × 10 = 1.776 × 10 × 10
= 1.776 × 10

COMMON ERRORS
.'
1. Don’t convert 1.776 x 10 to 8N . Remember in Scientific Notation it’s ok to have negative
exponents.
2. When converting 17.76 to scientific notation, be careful. It is easy to make an error on the new
exponent of base 10 (i.e in the above example we could easily get 10 instead of getting
10…can you see how?)

EXAMPLES

O.K × GHO
7 Evaluate
GO.K × GHK

2.5
= 0.2 Step 1: Combine numbers with numbers
12.5

10
= 10$ = 10 Step 2: Combine base 10 with base 10
10$
= 0.2 × 10 Put the first two steps together

0.2 = 2.0 × 10 Step 3: Write answer in scientific notation if needed

0.2 × 10 = 2.0 × 10 × 10
= 2.0 × 102

Section 4.1
200

4.1 EXERCISE SET

Find the equation of the given line.

 
3.5 1. = − and goes through (0,2) 2. = and goes through (2,5)
2 $

Use positive exponents to express the following.

 T #8
4.1 3. 4.
$ :  f  5.
d #] - #0 @ #8.

Use negative exponents to express the following.

  
6. 7. 8.
-. P/ 2.

Perform the indicated operation and simplify.

R0
9.  ' Q   
10. 2 Q 2 2 11. 12.
: 
R.

 7 - @ #0
13. *  Q * $ 14. #/
Q 15. %8S − 7S& Q S , 16.
- #? T 8.

- #
17. %U&2 Q %U& 18. %−1&$ Q %−1& 19. %
$ :  & Q %
 :  & 20.
-?

V W#0 X#Y ? Z/ [ #Y \#]R 8] ^ Y _ 8

21. 22. 23. %−1& Q A B 24.
V#? W8. X#8. . `. _ #8. #.8 R 0

25. %ab& 26. %86& 27. %6&$ 28. %4  * , &

 2 
  ? #/ 0 [ /
29. A B 30. A  B 31. A,d [ B 32. A B
Y c #0
 8. e [ Y QV#8

Multiply. Round to four decimal places.

33. 4.2 × 10 Q 1.8 × 102 34. 3.02 × 107 Q 7.301 × 10$

Divide. Round to four decimal places.

7× .$×9 $.$,×# ,.,7×80

35. 36. 37. 38.
2×/ .$×] .$×? 2.2×#8]

Preparation
39. Classify each of the following as a monomial, binomial, trinomial, or polynomial.
a) x + 3m b) x + 2y + z c) 5  *>

Section 4.1
 201

Answers:
3
1. 𝑦𝑦 = − 4 𝑥𝑥 + 2 or 3x + 4y = 8 22. 𝑄𝑄 4
3 19
2. 𝑦𝑦 = 5 𝑥𝑥 + 5
or 3x - 5y = -19 23. −𝑚𝑚2
𝑔𝑔5 𝑟𝑟 16 𝑒𝑒 13 𝑎𝑎21 𝑡𝑡 8
3. 𝑘𝑘 9 24.
𝑗𝑗 8 𝑜𝑜9 𝑏𝑏2
𝑎𝑎5 25. 𝑔𝑔7 𝑓𝑓 7
4.
𝑏𝑏3 𝑐𝑐 2
𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 12 26. 512𝑑𝑑3
5.
𝑧𝑧
1
6. 𝑥𝑥 −2 27.
7776𝑥𝑥 5
64
7. 3𝐵𝐵 −5 28.
𝑥𝑥 6 𝑦𝑦 27

𝑐𝑐 24
8. 4−2 29.
8

9. 𝑥𝑥 9 30. 𝑚𝑚8 𝑛𝑛6

𝑘𝑘 20 𝑙𝑙 48
10. 128 31.
6561𝑗𝑗 12

27ℎ3
11. r 32.
343𝑗𝑗 9

12. a 33. 7.56 × 108

1
13. 34. 2.2049 × 104
𝑦𝑦 2

14. 𝑚𝑚13 35. 2 × 102

1
15. 36. 1.5 × 10−3
𝑘𝑘 6
𝑥𝑥 11
16. 37. 1.6407 × 10−11
𝑦𝑦 3 𝑧𝑧 12

17. 𝑡𝑡 4 38. 2.2998 × 1032

18. -1 39. In class.

𝑎𝑎7
19. Still have questions? Video
𝑏𝑏4
1 solutions available: Click here.
20.
𝑥𝑥 11
Or scan:
ℎ11
21.
𝑓𝑓15
202

4.2 Intro to Polynomials; Add/Subtract Polynomials

OBJECTIVES
• Recognize polynomials and the different types
• Recognize terms, coefficients, and degrees
• Simplify polynomials by combining like terms

A POLYNOMIALS AND TERMS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

POLYNOMIAL: “Poly” means many, and “nomial” means term, so a polynomial is something with
many terms.
TERM: A term is simply a quantity. It can be expressed as any of the following…
7 x 7x 7xy 7xy2 7

A Number A variable A number A number An A fraction
and a and multiple exponential
variable variables expression

Principles About Terms

1. Terms are separated by plus (+) and minus (-) signs.
a. Hence 7 − 5 has two terms, and   + 5 − 6 has three terms

2. The sign before the term always goes with it.

a. Hence the two terms in 7 − 5 are 7 and −5, and the three terms
in   + 5 − 6 are   , 5 , and -6.

The family of polynomials includes the monomials, binomials, and trinomials. Monomials,
binomials, and trinomials are all polynomials with either one, two, or three terms respectively:

MONOMIAL BINOMIAL TRINOMIAL

Mono = One Nomial =
Bi = Two Nomial = Term(s) Tri = Three Nomial = Term(s)
Term(s)
“Two Terms” “Three Terms”
“One Term”

So… are there “quadnomials, heptnomials, sexnomials, septnomials, octnomials”, indicating

polynomials with 4,5,6,7,8 terms? No: Anything with 4 or more terms we just call a polynomial.

Section 4.2
 203

EXAMPLES

MONOMIAL BINOMIAL TRINOMIAL POLYNOMIAL

(One Term) (Two Terms) (Three Terms) (Four or more terms)
7 7+ 7 − 2 +   + 2   − 2 + 17
x − ++1
-7x 14 − 2 2 +  − 4 2 +  − 4 + 14
2
-7x yz  − 6   + 5 − 6 2  +  + 2 −  + 3
7 1 4 1
+ 4  2   − 4 + 2   − 4 +  − 7
2 2 5 2

B ANATOMY OF A POLYNOMIAL: Coefficients & Degrees of Terms, Degree of Polynomial

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

COFFICIENT: This is the number to the left of the variable in every term. Every term has a
coefficient. If no number is written we assume it’s a 1 as with the second term below.
Example: In the polynomial: 5  +  − 5
The coefficient of the 1st term = 5, the 2nd term = 1, and the 3rd term = -5

**Remember, the sign before the term goes with it in indicating the sign of each coefficient.

DEGREE: This is the small number to the upper right of the variable in every term. If no degree is
indicated next to a variable we assume it’s a 1 as with the second term below.
Example: In the same polynomial: 5  +  − 5
The degree of the 1st term = 2, the 2nd term = 1, and the 3rd term = 0

**The degree of a term with no variable like the 3rd term above ( − 5 ) is always zero. When we speak of
the degree of a term we are speaking of the degree of its variable(s) not the degree of its coefficients.
Since there is no variable with -5, it can be defined as −5 

**When a term has more than one variable, the sum of their degrees is the degree of the term
i.e. the degree of 2  is 3

DEGREE OF POLYNOMIAL: The greatest degree of any one term in the polynomial. Hence,
the DEGREE OF POLYNOMIAL 5  +  − 5 is 2.

Section 4.2
204

EXAMPLE

1 Find the following for this polynomial:   −  +   −  +   − 

Coefficient of Each Term 4 -12 9 -7 1 -10

Degree of Each Term 5 1 3 2 2 0
Degree of Polynomial 5

C POLYNOMIAL ETIQUETTE: Descending Order

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

Principles of Descending Order

1. It is common practice to write all answers to polynomial problems in
descending order.
2. Descending order is defined as largest to smallest
3. It is the degrees of the terms that we are ordering from largest to smallest.

EXAMPLES

2 Write in descending order:  −  +  − 

Answer:  +  −  − 

3 Write in descending order:  −  −  +  −  + 

Answer:  +  +  −  −  − 

Section 4.2
 205

D EVALUATING POLYNOMIALS

Evaluating a polynomial is simply substitution & simplification – putting one value in for another &
applying the order of operations.

Example: Evaluate the polynomial 2  − 3 + 5, when   −1

Everywhere there’s an x you’ll substitute in a -1…
2  − 3 + 5
2 −1! − 3 −1! + 5
You’ll now simplify by applying the order of operations:
2 −1! − 3 −1! + 5
2 1! − 3 −1! + 5
2+3+5
10

EXAMPLES

4 Evaluate the polynomial  −  +  , when    and   −

  − 2 + 3 
2! − 2 2! −1! + 3 −1!


4 − 2 2! −1! + 3 1!
4+4+3
11
Answer: 11

E POLYNOMIAL LIKE TERMS: Identify, Collect, Combine

We’ve worked with LIKE TERMS already in Ch.1 and Ch.2. Here’s a review.

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

LIKE TERMS: Terms with the same variable and degree combination. Take the following terms for
example: 2  , −2, 3  . Are any like terms? No. While they are similar, the variables and degrees
have to be exactly the same. The only thing that can differ is the coefficient.

COMMON ERRORS: Sometimes it is easy to mistakenly combine things that look a lot alike. For
example,  and   and    and     are all different. They are not like terms.

IDENTIFY LIKE TERMS: When you have a series of terms, it is important to identify like terms
so they can be collected and combined. It’s simple organizing. Using shapes and symbols like circles,
squares, and underlines is helpful and keeps us from losing one along the way.

Section 4.2
206

EXAMPLES

5 Simplify:  +  −  −  +  + 

Identify: Using symbols, we organize   ’s with ’s,

5  + 11 − 7 − 4 + 12 + 3 
’s with ___’s, and numerical values with ’s.

Collect: Write like terms next to each other. Now we

5  + 3  + 11 − 4 − 7 + 12
can clearly see which terms combine.
Combine: How many   ’s, ’s, and numbers do we
8  + 7 + 5
have?

Answer: $ +  + 

6 Simplify:  −  +  +  + $ − 

2  − 5 + 3  + 7  + 8  − 2 Identify: Organize like terms using symbols.

2  + 7  − 5 − 2 + 3  + 8  Collect: Write like terms next to each other.

9  − 7 + 11  Combine: Add/Subtract like terms.

Answer:  −  + 

LAWS & PROCESSES

In Section 1.8 we learned how to simplify a problem by 1) distributing parenthesis and 2) combining
like terms. Adding and subtracting POLYNOMIALS is the same process.

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

1. Distribute parentheses. In addition, parentheses can just be dropped.
In subtraction, the minus sign becomes a (−1) distributor.
2. Combine like terms.

Section 4.2
 207

EXAMPLES

7 Add:  −  + ! +  +  − !

Distribute Parentheses: Because it’s addition and

5 & − 3  + 10 + 9 & + 4  − 3 there’s no distributor, we can just drop the ( ).
5 & − 3  + 10 + 9 & + 4  − 3 Identify: Organize like terms using symbols.

5 & + 9 & − 3  + 4  + 10 − 3 Collect: Write like terms next to each other.

14 & +   + 7 Combine: Add/Subtract like terms.

Answer:  +  + 

8 Subtract:  −  − ! −  +  − !.

Distribute Parentheses: The 2nd set of parenthesis has a

5 & − 3  − 10 − 9 & − 4  + 3!
distributor of −1 which changes the sign of every term.

5 & − 3  − 10 + 9 & − 4  + 3 Identify: Organize like terms using symbols.

5 & − 9 & − 3  − 4  − 10 + 3 Collect: Write like terms next to each other.

−4 & − 7  − 7 Combine: Add/Subtract like terms.

Answer: − −  − 

A Negative One – ! Distributor

In the example above we had a −1 distributor around the 2nd set of parentheses:
− 9 & + 4  − 3!
This is the case in all subtraction of polynomial problems.
The negative sign in front of the polynomial behaves like a −1.
When we distribute that −1, we get:
−1! 9 & ! + −1! 4  ! + −1! −3!
which changes the sign of every term:
−9 & − 4  + 3

Section 4.2
208

4.2 EXERCISE SET

Simplify.
+
,2 34 2 5
4.1 1. 5!+. 2. 2 +.  +/ !0 3. 1 8
67
4. Express in scientific notation: 15,966,000,000,000

5. Express in decimal form: 2.97 * 10+,

Perform the indicated operation.

:./*:3; ,.,*:37
6. 5.3 * 10+& 9 1.01 * 10/ 7. 3<
8.
0 *: ... *:=

Classify the following as monomials, binomials, trinomials, or polynomials.

4.2 9.   − 10 + 25 10. 18&  .  ,

11. −2  0 ! −  12. & +    +   −  . + 5

Identify each term. Name the coefficient and degree of each term, as well as the degree of the
polynomial.

13. 9 + 3k 14.   + 8 + 16 15. 13 . +   + 5 + 3 16. −2 > − 14 + 3

Write in descending order.

17. - + 7 + 3-  18. 3  + 5 +  & + 2 . + 4

Evaluate.

19.   − 10 + 25 20. 3& + 4 − 10 − 19

when x = 4 when a = –5

21. & +    +   −  . + 5 22.  . − 3   +   + 

when a = –1 and b = 3 when x = 2 and y = –4

Simplify. Write your answer in descending order.

23. 5  + 3 +  − 9 24. 4 − 6 ? + 17 + 15 ? + 3 −  .

25. :, − 4:& + 5  − 2:& 26. 4@ − 12@! + 5@  − 4

> . :
27. − / − 5 + 4  − 9 .  +  / 28. 
  +  & −    + .  . + 7

Section 4.2
 209

Add the polynomials.

29. 3 − 2! +  + 5! 30. 4! + 2 − 5!

31. −7  + 5 − 17! + 3  − 4 + 12! 32. 5 & −  . + 3  − 5! + 4 & + 4 . + !

Subtract the polynomials.

33. 5 + 2! − 4 + 3! 34. 3  −  + 7! − 9  +  + 8!

35. 4 > +   + 6! − 6 > − 5 ? + 11  −  + 17! 36. 6. −  . +   ! − −. + 2 . −   !

37. 5 & −  . + 3  − 5! − 4 & + 4 . + ! 38.   +  + 1! − −  − 2 + 3!

Find a polynomial that describes the perimeter of these shapes.

39. 4-  + - − 15 40. r
r +1

3- + 2 t + r
3

t

3r +t
Preparation:

1.7 41. Match the following three equations with the property that is being used.

9(x – 2) = 9x – 18 Commutative Addition

3ab + 4t = 4t +3ab Associative Multiplication

2(x5) = (2x)5 Distributive

Section 4.2
210

Answers:
1
1. 18. 𝑥𝑥 4 + 2𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 5
125𝑎𝑎3
64
2. 19. 1
𝑥𝑥 18 𝑦𝑦 48
ℎ14 𝑘𝑘 4
3. 20. 2006
81
4. 1.5966 × 1013 21. -21
5. .00000000297 22. 84
6. 5.353 × 104 23. 5𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 − 9
7. 3 × 10−3 24. 9𝑥𝑥 5 − 𝑥𝑥 3 + 24𝑥𝑥
8. 3 × 10−11 25. 5𝑏𝑏 20 + 𝑏𝑏19 − 6𝑏𝑏14
9. Trinomial 26. 5𝑘𝑘 2 − 8𝑘𝑘 − 4
10. Monomial 27. −9𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 + 4𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 5𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥
1
11. Binomial 28. 𝑥𝑥 4 + 3 𝑥𝑥 3 + 2𝑦𝑦 2 + 7𝑦𝑦
12. Polynomial 29. 4𝑥𝑥 + 3
13. 9: coefficient = 9, degree = 0 30. 6𝑎𝑎 − 5
3k: coefficient = 3, degree = 1 31. −4𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 17𝑦𝑦 − 17
degree of polynomial = 1 32. 9𝑥𝑥 4 + 3𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 − 5
14. 𝑥𝑥 2 : c = 1, d = 2 33. 𝑥𝑥 − 1
8x: c = 8, d = 1 34. −6𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 1
16: c =16, d = 0 35. −2𝑦𝑦 7 + 5𝑦𝑦 5 − 10𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑦𝑦 − 17
degree of polynomial = 2 36. 7𝑎𝑎3 − 3𝑏𝑏 3 + 2𝑏𝑏 2
15. 13𝑥𝑥 3 : c = 13, d = 3 37. 𝑥𝑥 4 − 5𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 − 5
𝑥𝑥 2 : c = 1, d = 2 38. 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 2
5x: c = 5, d = 1 39. 8𝑠𝑠 2 + 8𝑠𝑠 − 26
3: c = 3, d = 0 40. 2𝑡𝑡 2 + 𝑡𝑡 + 6𝑟𝑟 + 4
degree of polynomial = 3 41. In class.
16. −2𝑏𝑏 7 : c = –2, d = 7
Still have questions? Video
−14𝑏𝑏: c = –14, d = 1 solutions available: Click here.
3: c = 3, d = 0
Or scan:
degree of polynomial = 7
17. 3𝑠𝑠 2 + 𝑠𝑠 + 7
 211

4.3 Multiply Polynomials

OBJECTIVES
• Multiply monomials with monomials
• Multiply monomials with any polynomial
• Multiply binomials with binomials
• Multiply any polynomial with any polynomial
• Recognize special products of polynomials including sum &
difference and square binomials

There are four types of multiplication of polynomials (see A-D). However, they all stem from learning
the first type:

A TYPE I: MONOMIALS × MONOMIALS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Multiply MONOMIAL × MONOMIAL

1. Multiply numbers with numbers (coefficients)
2. Multiply like variables with like variables (x’s with x’s, y’s with y’s)

EXAMPLES

1 Multiply



4
5 At a closer look, everything is being multiplied by everything else.

4∙∙5∙ Because of this, we can apply the commutative law
4∙5∙∙ and place numbers with numbers and like variables with like variables.
20 
Answer: 

2 3 4

4  
6  
4  
2  
2  
6  
4  

4
6   ∙  
4
2  ∙     ∙ 
2
6
4   ∙   ∙  
24  8   48 
24  8    48 

Section 4.3
212

From here on out in this section, any polynomial refers to a polynomial other than a monomial,
like binomials and trinomials. The other three methods are now extensions of the monomial ×
monomial method.

B TYPE II: MONOMIALS × ANY POLYNOMIAL

LAWS & PROCESSES

Multiply MONOMIAL × POLYNOMIAL

3. Multiply the monomial (the distributor) times each term in the polynomial.
4. Format it such that you have: (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) + …
keeping the sign of each term with it in the parenthesis

EXAMPLES

5 Multiply: 
  

3
5  4 3 is the monomial distributor, being multiplied to the polynomial

Multiply 3 times each term in the polynomial to get

3
5 
3
4
(mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) +…
3 ∙ 5  ∙   3
4  Now handle each (mono)×(term) just like you did in part A with
numbers times numbers and like terms times like terms. Simplify if
15   12 needed.

Answer:    

6 Multiply: 
  

4
  4
4 is the distributor here, not just
4. The sign before the
term goes with it.

4
 
4
4 The (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) +…format helps keep
our signs organized so we don’t lose a negative.

4
1  ∙  
4
4  Multiply numbers times numbers and like terms times like
terms.
4   16
Answer:    

Section 4.3
 213

7 Multiply: 
    !

2 
3   6  8 mono × (any polynomial)

2  
3   
2  
6 
2  
8 (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) +… In this case
there are three sets of terms

2
3   ∙   
2
6   ∙  
2
8   Multiply numbers times numbers and like terms
times like terms
6   12   16 
Answer:       

C TYPE III: BINOMIALS × BINOMIALS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Multiply BINOMIAL × BINOMIAL

$  %
&  '=
Everything in the 1st parentheses
goes to
$
&  '  %
&  '=
Everything in the 2nd parentheses
$&  $'  %&  %'

1. Multiply each term in the 1st set of parentheses by each term in the 2nd set of
parentheses.
2. Format it as in TYPE II: (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) + …
keeping the sign of each term with it in the parentheses

EXAMPLES

8 Multiply:
  
  "

  3
  7 binomial × binomial

Multiply each term in the 1st set of parentheses by each


  7  3
  7 term in the 2nd set of parentheses.


 

7 
3
 
3
7 Format as (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) + …
   7  3  21 Multiply each term
   4  21 Combine like terms to simplify
Answer:     

Section 4.3
214

Multiply:
  
  
9

4  2
2  3
4
2  3  2
2  3 Everything in first set of parentheses goes to
everything in the second set

4
2 
4
3 
2
2 
2
3 Distribute
8   12  4  6 Simplify
8   16  6
Answer: !    

ADDITIONAL INFO
What is the F.O.I.L. Method?

The F.O.I.L. Method is a mnemonic device (tool for memorization).

It is no different than the rule: everything in the 1st parentheses goes to
everything in the 2nd parentheses where

$  %
&  '= $
&  '  %
&  '= $&  $'  %&  %'

F = First, O = Outside, I = Inside, L = Last

In
$  %
&  '…
First terms =$ ∙ & , Outside terms =$ ∙ ' , Inside terms = % ∙ &, and Last terms = % ∙ '
Hence, $&  $'  %&  %'.

It is our recommendation that if you are familiar with the F.O.I.L. Method and comfortable with it, to
use it. However, if you are new to F.O.I.L. the effort to memorize it may be more challenging than just
applying the principle Everything in the 1st parentheses goes to everything in the 2nd parentheses.

At this point, it is good to remember that all multiplication of polynomials types come back to
the simplicity of monomials × monomials. A binomial × binomial is just four monomial × monomial
problems in one. It is helpful to remember this in our final type. Remember also that the expression
“any polynomial” refers to any polynomial with more terms than one.

D TYPE IV: ANY POLYNOMIAL × ANY POLYNOMIAL

LAWS & PROCESSES

Multiply ANY POLYNOMIAL × ANY POLYNOMIAL

Apply the same principle as a binomial × binomial problem: Everything in the 1st parentheses
goes to everything in the second parenthesis.

1. Multiply each term in the 1st set of parentheses by each term in the 2nd set of parentheses.
2. Format it as in TYPE II: (mono)×(term) + (mono)×(term) + …
keeping the sign of each term with it in the parentheses.

Section 4.3
 215

EXAMPLES

10 Multiply:
  
    

  2
   5  6 Everything in the 1st ( ) goes to


   5  6  2
   5  6 Everything in the 2nd ( )


   

5 

6 
2
   
2
5 
2
6 Follow (mono)×(term) +…format

   5   6  2   10  12 Multiply the (mono)×(mono)’s

   5   6  2   10  12 Use symbol method for like terms
   7   16  12 Combine like terms
Answer:   "     

11 Multiply:
    
     (trinomial × trinomial)

2   5  1
   5  1

2   5  1
   5  1

2 
   5  1  5
   5  1  1
   5  1

first term second term third term

2  
   
2  
5 
2  
1 
5
   
5
5 
5
1 
1
   
1
5 
1
1

2   10   2   5   25   5     5  1
2   10   2   5   25   5     5  1
2   5   26   10  1
Answer:         

The following section teaches shortcuts. It is critical to understand that none of these shortcuts
can be applied to all binomials × binomials problems – only the specific circumstances indicated.
Everything learned in section 4.5 about how to multiply binomials x binomials will yield correct
answers to these problems without learning any of the shortcut methods. However, studying the
shortcuts of these binomial × binomial products can be helpful in understanding some of our work in
our next chapter on factoring.

Section 4.3
216

E BINOMIAL × BINOMIAL: SUM × DIFFERENCE

When multiplying polynomials, occasionally we’ll run into a binomial × binomial that looks like these:

  7
  7
2  4
2  4
  
  

Notice that each pair of binomial × binomial has two things in common:
1. The two terms in the 1st binomial match the two terms in the 2nd binomial (except the sign)
2. One binomial is a sum (addition) and the other is a difference (subtraction).

EXAMPLES

Let’s multiply these three sets of binomials and look for a pattern (shortcut) to the answers.

12
  7
  7 13
2  4
2  4 14
  
  


 

7 
7

2
2 
2
4 
4
2

 

 



7
7 
4
4 


   7  7  49 4   8  8  16         
   49 4   16   

We see a pattern:
1. The middle terms created by multiplying always cancel each other out.
2. The answer is always the
1)* *+,-2 
2.' *+,-2 .

So here’s a summary of what you’ve found:

LAWS & PROCESSES

A Pattern for BINOMIAL × BINOMIAL

in a SUM × DIFFERENCE
The product of the sum and difference of the same two terms will always follow the format:

/  0
/  0 1 /  0  where A is the 1st term and B is the second term.

1. A = 1st term. Square it.

2. B = 2nd term. Square it.
3. Set up answers as /  0 

Using the standard binomial × binomial steps will yield the same answer as well.

Section 4.3
 217

EXAMPLES

15 16 17

  7
  7
2  4
2  4
  
  
/ 1  ; 0 1 7 / 1 2 ; 0 1 4 / 1  ; 0 1 
/ 1   ; 0  1 49 / 1 4  ; 0  1 16 / 1   ; 0  1  

/  0   1    49
/  0   1 4   16
/  0   1     

Remember…this only works when the binomial × binomial terms are exactly the same and are in a sum
& difference. Notice that in example 16 it does not make any difference if the problem is expressed as a
(difference) × (sum) or a (sum) × (difference)

F BINOMIAL X BINOMIAL:
BINOMIAL

Sometimes we run into binomial × binomial’s that look like these:

  3
  5
2  

What do these three binomial × binomial’s have in common?

• They’re all being squared.

EXAMPLES
Now, let’s multiply them, again using our binomial × binomial knowledge to see what patterns emerge.

18 19 20

  3
  5
2  

  3
  3
  5
  5
2  
2  


 

3 
3


 

5 
5

2
2 
2
 

2

3
3 
5
5 


 
  3  3  9   5  5  25 4  2  2   


   6  9    10  25 4   4   

We see a pattern:
1) Each
34567489 1 34567489 : 34567489 …see Common Mistakes Section below.
2) The answer is always a trinomial.

3) The trinomial answer is always the
1;< *+,- = 2
1;< *+,->2?@ *+,-A  >2?@ *+,-A
4) The = is determined by whether the binomial is a sum or a difference to begin with.

Section 4.3
218

COMMON MISTAKES

People often take
  3 and incorrectly say the answer is    9

1. They apply the Law of Exponent Power Rule from Section 4.1 which states that everything in
the parentheses receives the power. This is only true for monomials, and we have a binomial.
2. When they do this they just square the  and square the 3 to get   I ---an incorrect answer
3. It is critical to remember that anything being squared is really that thing times itself,
i.e.
  3 =
  3
  3. Even the Power Rule is just a short cut around this fact,
i.e.
3 =
3
3.

LAWS & PROCESSES

A Pattern for BINOMIAL × BINOMIAL

in a
JKLMNKOP :
The product of a
BINOMIAL will always follow the format:

/ = 0 1 / = 2/0  0  where A is the 1st term and B is the 2nd term.
1. A = 1st term. Square it.
2. B = 2nd term. Square it.
3. Multiply 2
/ ∙ 0.
4. Set up answer as
/ = 2/0  0  .
5. The = is determined by the sign of B.
Using the standard binomial × binomial steps will yield this same answer as well.

EXAMPLES

21
  5 22
2  
/ 1  ; 0 1 5 / 1 2 ; 0 1 
/ 1   ; 0  1 25 / 1 4  ; 0  1  
2
/ ∙ 0 1 2
5 1 10 2
/ ∙ 0 1 2
2 1 4
/ = 2/0  0  1    10  25
 / = 2/0  0 1 4   4   

Remember: this only works for
BINOMIAL . If you find memorizing this shortcut difficult you can
always use your skills of multiplying a binomial × binomial remembering how crucial it is to convert

BINOMIAL 1
BINOMIAL :
BINOMIAL

Section 4.3
 219

4.3 EXERCISE SET

Simplify.

RS T UV WX ^
4.1 1. 2. Z T WY ]
S WY V T [ \

Perform the indicated operation. Write your answer in both scientific notation and decimal form.
._:Y _.:TY
3. 1.23 : 10^ ∙ 4.36 : 10 4. 5.
.:WT .`:Ta

Identify each term. Name the coefficient and degree of each term, as well as the degree of the
polynomial.

6. 4g   2g   3g  2 7. 3h  4h 8. 3i   5

The area of the black circle is b  b  . The area of the trapezoid is  b  b  . Find
the area of the white section between the black circle and the outer trapezoid.

9.

Perform the indicated operations.

4.2 10. 2 
3  4 11. 
3  4 
2   


12. 3d  
2d   7d     d  13. 3-
c   2-  1

4.3 14.
3)  1
)  4 15.
)   2
)  2

16.
$  %
2$  $  3 17.
&   2&  1
2&   &  3

Perform the indicated operations.

18.
  3
  3 19.
2  1
2  1

20.
3-.  1
3-.  1 21.
3$  4%
3$  4%
 
3  1
22.
c  3
c  3 23.
24.
2  1 25.
c  2
26.
d   1 27.
c   2-

Preparation:

`e T 
28. 29.
6   2    f 


Section 4.3
220

Answers:

𝑘𝑘𝑥𝑥 5 𝑔𝑔
1. 20. 9𝑚𝑚2 𝑛𝑛2 − 1
𝑓𝑓 3
4𝑎𝑎2
2. 21. 9𝑎𝑎2 − 16𝑏𝑏 2
𝑏𝑏3
3. 5.3628 × 101 , 53.628 22. 𝑘𝑘 6 − 9
4. 8.685 × 104 , 86852.59 23. 9𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 1
5. 1.254 × 10−2 , .01254 24. 4𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 1
6. 4𝑞𝑞 3 : coefficient = 4, degree = 3; 25. 𝑘𝑘 2 + 4𝑘𝑘 + 4
−2𝑞𝑞 2 : coefficient = -2, degree = 2 26. 𝑧𝑧 4 − 2𝑧𝑧 2 + 1
3𝑞𝑞: coefficient = 3, degree = 1 27. 𝑘𝑘 6 + 4𝑘𝑘 3 𝑚𝑚 + 4𝑚𝑚2
−2: coefficient = -2, degree = 0 28. In class.
degree of polynomial = 3 29. In class.
7. 3𝑝𝑝2 : c = 3, d = 2
4𝑝𝑝: c = 4, d = 1
degree of polynomial = 2
8. 3𝑗𝑗 3 : c = 3, d = 3
−5: c = -5, d = 0
degree of polynomial = 3
9. −8𝑦𝑦 2 + 6𝑦𝑦 + 8
10. 𝑥𝑥 − 4
Still have questions? Video
11. −2𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 4 solutions available: Click here.
3
12. −4𝑧𝑧 3 − 2 𝑧𝑧 2
Or scan:
13. −6𝑚𝑚3 + 3𝑚𝑚𝑘𝑘 2 + 3𝑚𝑚
14. 3𝑠𝑠 2 + 11𝑠𝑠 − 4
15. 𝑠𝑠 3 + 2𝑠𝑠 2 − 2𝑠𝑠 − 4
16. 2𝑎𝑎3 + 𝑎𝑎2 − 3𝑎𝑎 + 2𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 3𝑏𝑏
17. 2𝑐𝑐 4 − 3𝑐𝑐 3 − 3𝑐𝑐 2 + 7𝑐𝑐 − 3
18. 𝑥𝑥 2 − 9
19. 4𝑥𝑥 2 − 1
 221

4.4 Polynomials: Division

OBJECTIVES
• Divide polynomials by monomials

A TYPE I: POLYNOMIALS ÷ MONOMIALS

LAWS & PROCESSES

Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial

1. Place the monomial under each term in the polynomial.
!"! #$%
2. Simplify each new term of  & dividing numbers with
!"! #$%
numbers and like variables with like variables. Use the law of
exponents.

In order to accept Step 1 as a logical manipulation of numbers to look different, yet remain the same,
  
we must accept the fact that  
  

   
For example,   5 while   4  1  5 Hence,   5

EXAMPLES

 
1 Divide:


35  20  Step 1: Place the monomial under each term in the polynomial

5  5 
35  20  Step 2: Simplify each new term. Divide numbers with numbers and
  
5 5 like variables with like variables.
7  4  Using the quotient rule (4.1) we subtract top-bottom exponents
7  4 The zero rule says    1 and we know anything times 1 ’s itself
Answer:   

Section 4.4
222

2 Divide: '$(  )$  *$ + , -$ .

24/0 48/ 10/1 Step 1: Place the monomial under each term in the
 
4/1 4/1 4/1 polynomial.
24 01 48 1 10 11 Step 2: Simplify each new term. Divide numbers with
/  /  /
4 4 4 numbers and like variables with like variables.
5 Not all fractions cancel out – reduce them as much as possible.
6/  12/
 /
2
5 In simplifying, use the zero and one rule for exponents if
6/  12/ 
2 needed.

Answer: ($  *$  

** 4 )( 4 *) 4 4

3 Divide:
 4

15
 5 6 8 0 5  18 1 5 3 5 Step 1: Place the monomial under each
  
3 5 3 5 3 5 3 5 term in the polynomial.

15
 6
8 0 
18 1

3 

Step 2: Simplify each new term. Divide
 5   5   7   5
3 3 3 3 numbers with numbers and like
variables with like variables.
8
5  5 0   1 5  6 5   1  5  Not all fractions reduce completely
3
8
5  5 0   1 5  6  1 Use the Zero and One Rule to finish up
3

)
Answer: ) 4(    4  (  *

Section 4.4
 223

4.4 EXERCISE SET

Simplify.
N : O9P QR :
4.1 1. / J  K  L M / J 1 K  L M1 2. J K  J 1 K  L 3.
Q S ON 9=

Simplify. Write your answer in descending order.



4. -8
.9:
5. ;  4;  3;  1  < 9=

Find a polynomial that describes the perimeter of the shape.

4.2 
6. T

T  T


Find a polynomial that describes the area or volume of these shapes.

4.3 7. 8.

3  4
2  2

   3  4
4  2

3
9. 10.
2>

2>
>  4

Perform the indicated operations

11. 4  2    2  5  3 12. >   4>  12>  ->   >  3> .

13. 45  35   5-45  5. 14. 12?-6?  8?  ?  12.
15. 8@-3A  9A  12. 16. -3C  4.-C  4.
17. -2D  4.-D  ;. 18. -4E  1.-4E  E  6.

19. -7/  3.-2/  3/  6. 20.  F  1&  F  1&

21.
-8G  6.-8G  6. 22. (? H  1.-? H  1.

23. -7  1. 24. -I   5 > .

Section 4.4
224

Perform the indicated operations.

4.4 25. 9?1 , 3? 26. -6  12. , 3

27. -2 5  35  5  2. , 2 28. -565 1  445   645  165. , 85
29. -4F
  9F   3F  . , 3F  30. -65   35   5. , 25

Preparation:
Is there anything you can factor out of the numerator to make these problems easier?

U :  1UV 6U : W P U: W : X U : WX : U : X P
31. 32.
 U:

Section 4.4
 225

Answers:
𝑎𝑎5 𝑢𝑢2
1. 22. 𝑚𝑚4 𝑛𝑛4 − 1
𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑖 4 𝑜𝑜 2
𝑒𝑒 6 𝑜𝑜 3
2. 23. 49𝑥𝑥 2 + 14𝑥𝑥 + 1
𝑖𝑖 5
𝑟𝑟 3 𝑒𝑒 2
3. 24. 𝑤𝑤 4 𝑥𝑥 4 − 2𝑤𝑤 2 𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧 2 + 𝑦𝑦 4 𝑧𝑧 4
𝑎𝑎4 𝑐𝑐 3

4. 3𝑠𝑠 2 + 6𝑠𝑠 + 3 25. 3𝑚𝑚3

5. 4𝑗𝑗 2 − 3𝑗𝑗 − 1 26. 2𝑥𝑥 + 4

1 9 3 𝑦𝑦 2 1
6. 𝑠𝑠 3 − 2 𝑠𝑠 2 + 𝑠𝑠 + 2 27. 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 2 𝑦𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥
11
7. 12𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥 − 8 28. −7𝑦𝑦 3 + 𝑦𝑦 2 + 8𝑦𝑦 − 2
2
4
8. 𝑥𝑥 4 + 4𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 4 29. 𝑏𝑏10 − 3𝑏𝑏 5 − 𝑏𝑏 2
3
3 1
9. 4𝑧𝑧 4 − 16𝑧𝑧 2 30. −3𝑦𝑦 4 − 2 𝑦𝑦 2 + 2

10. 𝜋𝜋(𝑥𝑥 3 − 6𝑥𝑥 2 + 9𝑥𝑥) 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 31. In class.

𝜋𝜋𝑥𝑥 3 − 6𝜋𝜋𝑥𝑥 2 + 9𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 32. In class.

11. −3𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥

12. 2𝑧𝑧 3 + 7𝑧𝑧 2 − 13𝑧𝑧

13. 7𝑦𝑦 2 𝑥𝑥 + 9𝑦𝑦

14. −72𝑚𝑚4 + 96𝑚𝑚3 − 12𝑚𝑚2 + 144𝑚𝑚

15. 24𝑔𝑔ℎ3 + 72𝑔𝑔ℎ − 96𝑔𝑔

16. 3𝑝𝑝2 − 8𝑝𝑝 − 16

17. 2𝑙𝑙 2 + 2𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 + 4𝑙𝑙 + 4𝑗𝑗

18. 16𝑘𝑘 3 − 8𝑘𝑘 2 + 25𝑘𝑘 − 6 Still have questions? Video

solutions available: Click here.
19. 14𝑎𝑎4 + 21𝑎𝑎3 + 48𝑎𝑎2 + 9𝑎𝑎 + 18
Or scan:
1 2
20. 𝑏𝑏 − 1
4

21. 64𝑓𝑓 4 − 36
226

Chapter 4 Review

4.1 Exponents and Their Laws

ZERO AND ONE RULE PRODUCT RULE
Anything to the power of zero = 1 (if a ≠ 0) Exponents being multiplied with the same base
Anything to the power of one = itself are added.

∙  = 

 = 1 4 = 1
 =      =  
 =  4 = 4
2 ∙ 2 = 2 2 ∙ 2 = 2

QUOTIENT RULE NEGATIVE EXPONENT RULE

Exponents being divided with the same base are All negative exponents can be converted to a
subtracted. (if a ≠ 0) positive exponent by simply taking the reciprocal.
(if a ≠ 0)

1
= 
 
=

 
  1 1
=  =     = = 
    

3 6 1 3  4 
= 3 = 6 4 =   = 
3 6  4 4 3
POWER RULE Simplifying Questions
To raise a power to a power, we multiply the 1. Do I have any exponents of zero and one?
exponents. Every base in the parentheses ( ) 2. Do I have any products and quotients with
receives the power. the same base?
(
) = 
∙ 3. Are there any negative exponents?
4. Are there any powers being raised to
(  ) =   (  ) =   powers?
(3 ) = 3  (3 ) = 3

These same rules apply when you are multiplying or dividing with scientific notation:

Steps of Multiplying and Dividing Sci. Notation

1. Combine number with numbers (× or ÷)
2. Combine base 10 with base 10 (× or ÷ using laws of exponents)
3. Write answer in scientific notation if it’s not already

Chapter 4 Review 1
 227

4.2 Intro to Polynomials; Add/Subtract Polynomials

Principles About Terms

1. Terms are separated by plus (+) and minus (-) signs.
a. Hence 7 − 5 has two terms, and   + 5 − 6 has three terms

2. The sign before the term always goes with it.

a. Hence the two terms in 7 − 5 are 7 and −5, and the three terms in
  + 5 − 6 are   , 5 , and -6.

A. Terms are broken into 3 parts; the coefficient, the variable(s), and the exponent(s) .
5  − 2  + 1
B. Like terms are defined as having the same number of variables and are added or subtracted using
coefficients.
3  + 2  = 5  4   − 2  +    = 5   − 2 

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

1. Distribute parentheses. In addition, parentheses can just be dropped. In
subtraction, the minus sign becomes a (−1) distributor.
2. Combine like terms.

When adding or subtracting polynomials be sure the sign is properly distributed before
combining like terms.

(3  − 2  + 1) + (2  − 3  − ) (4  + 2  − 1) − (4  +   − 3)

3  − 2  + 1 + 2  − 3  −  4  + 2  − 1 − 4  −   + 3

4.3 Multiplying Polynomials

A. Monomials × Monomials: Multiply numbers with numbers and like variables with like
variables.
3   ∙ 3  = 9   

B. Monomials × Polynomials: Distribute the monomial in by multiplying it to each monomial

inside of the polynomial.
Chapter 4 Review 1
228

3(  + 2  − 4 + 1)
3  + 6  − 12  + 3
C. Binomials × Binomials: Multiply each term in the 1st ( ) by each term in the 2nd ( ).

(2 + 3)(3 + 5)
6  + 10 + 9 + 15
6  + 19 + 15
D. Binomials × Polynomials: Multiply each term in the 1st ( ) by each term in the 2nd ( ).

(− + 2)(3  + 2 − 4)

−3  − 2  + 4 + 6  + 4 − 8
−3  + 4  + 8 − 8

Special Products

(sum) × (difference) (binomial)2

(% + &)(% − &) = % − &  (% + &) = % + 2%& + & 

(3 − )(3 + ) (7  − 2)

9  −   49  − 28   + 4 

Note: The answer will always be in the form Note. The answer will always be in the form
% − & . % + 2%& + & .

4.4 Polynomials: Division

A. Polynomials ÷ Monomials: Divide each monomial within the polynomial by the monomial.

(3  − 6 + 12) ÷ 3

3  6 12
− +
3 3 3
4
−2+


Chapter 4 Review 1
 229

Chapter 4 Review 1
1. Create a visual chart of all the methods, formulas, and examples of how to simplify exponents
and polynomials.

Simplify or evaluate.

2. 3 ∙ 3 3. ()
4.1 

*+ ,+ - *. /*. 34
.
4. 5.
/+ ,*0 1+ 1*. 2 + (,*+ 3
+ )*5

 
62 . ,*7 94 : *5
6. ( ) 7. ( )
6 + 2 *7 8 . ,*+ 9;

Perform the operation and write your answer in scientific form. Round to three decimal places.
. = . . = *0
8. 9.
.>>= .? .= *7

Evaluate the polynomials at the given values.

4.2 10.  − 3 + 2, for  = 5 11.   + 2  − 4 , for  = −3

Add or subtract the polynomials. Write answer in descending order.

12. (−3  + 7) + (  + 2 − 6) 13. (4  − 1 +  + 3  ) + (  −  + 5)

14. (3@  − @ + 2@  ) − (−@  + 4@ + @  ) 15. (−3A − 9A ) − (−12A − 5A + 4)

Perform the indicated operations.

4.3 16. (3)( − 5) 17. (−  ) (4 + 6 − 2)
18. (5B  − 1)(3B + 1) 19. (6C + 4)(−5C + 3)
20. (D − 7)(D + 6) 21. (EF + 2)(F − 3E)
22. (@ + 2G)(G  − 2@) 23. (2H − 3)(2H + 3)
24. (4I − 2)(4I + 2) 25. (J + 3K )(J − 3K )
26. (5A + 1) 27. (−L + 2)
28. (2M + 2N) 29. (O + 3)(O  − 3O − 4)
30. (P + P )(P − P + P − 1) 31. (2  + 7  − )(  + 3 + 2)

Divide the polynomials.

4.4 32. (−80Q  + 35Q  − 50Q  ) ÷ 10Q  33. (33  − 18  + 3) ÷ 3

34. (24  − 2  ) ÷ 2 35. (8R 

− 2@ 
+ )
÷ 

Chapter 4 Review 1
230

Answers:
1. Make it neat, thorough, and organized. 26. 25𝑝𝑝4 + 10𝑝𝑝2 + 1
1
2. 9
27. 𝑞𝑞 2 − 4𝑞𝑞 + 4
4
3. 9
28. 4𝑟𝑟 2 + 8𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 + 4𝑠𝑠 2
𝑎𝑎9 𝑝𝑝
4. 29. 𝑡𝑡 3 − 13𝑡𝑡 − 12
𝑚𝑚2 𝑡𝑡 3 ℎ5 𝑦𝑦 2
𝑔𝑔5 𝑚𝑚5
5. 30. 𝑢𝑢6 − 𝑢𝑢2
𝑎𝑎2
9𝑥𝑥 2 𝑧𝑧 6
6. 31. 2𝑥𝑥 6 + 13𝑥𝑥 5 + 25𝑥𝑥 4 + 13𝑥𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥
16𝑦𝑦 16
16 7
7. 32. −8𝑤𝑤 2 + 2 𝑤𝑤 − 5
𝑎𝑎12 𝑏𝑏20 𝑐𝑐 4
8. 3.207 × 10−27 33. 11𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 1
9. 3.019 × 10−3 34. 12𝑦𝑦 2 − 𝑦𝑦
10. 12 35. 8𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 2𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 + 𝑧𝑧 2
11. 3
12. −2𝑦𝑦 2 + 2𝑦𝑦 + 1
13. 4𝑥𝑥 3 + 4𝑥𝑥 2 + 4
14. 2𝑗𝑗 4 + 3𝑗𝑗 2 − 5𝑗𝑗
15. 3𝑝𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑝 − 4
16. 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 15𝑥𝑥
17. −2𝑎𝑎3 − 3𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑎
18. 15𝑑𝑑3 + 5𝑑𝑑 2 − 3𝑑𝑑 − 1
19. −30𝑒𝑒 2 − 2𝑒𝑒 + 12
Still have questions? Video
2
20. 𝑔𝑔 − 𝑔𝑔 − 42 solutions available: Click here.
21. ℎ𝑖𝑖 2 − 3ℎ2 𝑖𝑖 + 2𝑖𝑖 − 6ℎ
22. 2𝑘𝑘 3 + 𝑗𝑗𝑘𝑘 2 − 4𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 − 2𝑗𝑗 2
Or scan:
23. 4𝑙𝑙 2 − 9
24. 16𝑚𝑚6 − 4
25. 𝑛𝑛12 − 9𝑜𝑜6
 231

Chapter 4 Review 2
Simplify or evaluate.


4.1 1. 5 ∙ 5 2. 


   

3. 4.
 

  
 

   
   
 

5.   6.  
 
   

Perform the operation and write your answer in scientific form. Round to three decimal places.
. !"# $.#"!"#

7. 8.
.!"#
 .#"!"#


Evaluate the polynomials at the given values.

4.2 9. E & 3E ( 2, for E F 2 10. &1  ( 41  & 1, for 1 F &2

Add or subtract the polynomials. Write answer in descending order.

11. %&'  ( 5) ( %3'  & 2' & 6) 12. %3- ( 7- & -) ( %8- & 6- )

13. %30  & 0 ( 20) & %&30  ( 0 ( 20  ) 14. %&1 & 91  ) & %&21  & 51 ( 3)

Perform the indicated operations.

4.3 15. %3 ( 1)%3 & 3) 16. %5 & 2)%5 ( 6)
17. %&6 ( 46)%&26 & 36) 18. %38  & 28)%48  ( 1)
19. %9 ( 8)%9 & 8) 20. %2: ( 4)%2: & 4)
21. %7;"# & 5-" )%7;"# ( 5-" ) 22. %6< & 1)
23. %11= ( 3) 24. 4>%> & 1)%> ( 1)
25. 2?%? ( 6) 26. %@ ( 3)%@  & 2@ ( 3)
27. %A  & 1)%A  & 2A  ( 5) 28. %B ( 1)%C  & 1)
29. %71 & 4) 30. %D  ( 1  )%' ( 0  )

Divide the polynomials.

4.4 31. %5:  & 35:) G 5: 32. %H  & H  ( 3H  & 2H) G 4H

33. %42;  ( 21; & 72) G 6 34. %39; & 65; I ( 52; $ ( 26;  ) G 13; 
232

Answers:
"
1. "
25. 2?  ( 24?  ( 72?
"J
2. 
26. @  ( @  & 3@ ( 9

3. 27. A J & 3A  ( 7A  & 5
 
 
4. 28. B C  & B ( C  & 1


"   
5. 29. 491  & 561 ( 16
 

  
6. 30. D  ' ( D  0  ( 1  ' ( 1  0 


7. 7.644 ! 10I 31. : & 7

" "  "
8. 7.642 ! 10 32. H &  H (  H & 

$
9. 0 33. 7;  (  ; & 12
10. 26 34. 3; J & 5;  ( 4;  ( 2;
11. 2'  & 2' & 1
12. - ( 3- ( 7-
13. 30  & 20  ( 30 
14. &71  ( 41 & 3
15. 3  & 23 & 3
16. 5 ( 45 & 12
17. 26 & 56 & 126
18. 128  & 58  & 28
19. 9  & 64
20. 4:  & 16
21. 49; # & 25-
22. 36< & 12< ( 1
23. 121= ( 66= ( 9
24. 4> & 4>
 233

Chapter 5:
FACTORING: THE FIVE
METHODS

Overview

5.1 Intro to Factoring (Methods 1 & 2)

5.2 More Factoring (Method 3)
5.3 Factoring (Method 4)
5.4 Factoring (Special Cases)
5.5 Factoring: A holistic approach
5.6 Solving Equations by Factoring;
Word Problems
234

5.1 Intro to Factoring (Methods 1 & 2)

Pull Out the Common Factor & Grouping

OBJECTIVES
• Factor polynomials by pulling out a common factor
• Factor polynomials by grouping

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

FACTOR: Factors are numbers that can multiply together to get another number.
Example: 2, 3, and 5 are all factors of 30 because 2 × 3 × 5 = 30. At the same time, we could
say that 10 is a factor of 30 because 10 × 3 = 30. So if you want to know the factors of 30, the
answer is any whole number that will multiply by another number to get 30. They are:
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, & 30, because each of these factors can get to 30 by multiplying by another
factor.

TO FACTOR A POLYNOMIAL: Factors do not have to be monomials. In Chapter 4 we

learned about multiplying polynomials – multiplying two (or more) polynomials to get another
polynomial. The polynomials you multiplied together are factors of the final polynomial. To factor a
polynomial means to break it up into the pieces that can be multiplied together to be that polynomial.

Example: The polynomial (6  − 9 ) can be factored into two smaller pieces: (3 )(2 − 3).
So (3 ) and (2 − 3) are both factors of (6  − 9 ). If you multiply the two factors, they will
equal the original polynomial.

A THE FIVE METHODS OF FACTORING:

LAWS & PROCESSES

There are several methods of factoring which can be used in different situations, depending on
the polynomial you are trying to factor. This chapter deals with the first two methods of factoring.

THE 5 METHODS of FACTORING

Method Type of Polynomial used on:
1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.) All
2: Grouping 4 Terms
3: ax2 + bx +c , where a = 1 Trinomials, where a = 1
4: ax2 + bx +c , where a ≠ 1 Trinomials, where a ≠ 1
5: Special Cases Binomials & Trinomials

Section 5.1
 235

EXAMPLES

Before we learn the methods of factoring let’s practice identifying what methods are possibilities
for the following polynomials by using the chart above. Just look at the type of polynomial as see
which method we should try using to factor it.

Polynomial Factoring Methods Possible

  + 4  + 2 + 8
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 2: Grouping

 + 6 + 9
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 3: ax2 + bx +c, where a= 1

16  – 16 + 4
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 4: ax2 + bx +c, where a≠ 1

54  – 6
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 5: Special Cases (because it’s a binomial)

 – 5 + 6
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 3: ax2 + bx +c, where a= 1

2  + 8  – 6 − 12
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 2: Grouping

36 − 25
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 5: Special Cases (because it’s a binomial)

35  + 42  – 14 – 77  – 14 + 7
Method 1: Pull out common factor
(only method because it has 6 terms)

6  + 25 + 25
Method 1: Pull out common factor
Method 4: ax2 + bx +c, where a≠ 1

This does not mean each of these methods will work, but by doing this we see what methods we
need to explore for each polynomial, and which ones we don’t. Note how we applied method 1 to
everything because it can be tried on all types of polynomials.

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

CHECKING ANSWERS: In one sense, factoring is the opposite of multiplication, and so when
we achieve an answer in factoring we can multiply it out to check its validity.
Example: If asked to factor  + 6 + 9 and we get the answer ( + 3)( + 3), we can
then multiply the answer ( + 3)( + 3) to check if it equals the original polynomial  +
6 + 9.
( + 3)( + 3)
= ( )( ) + ( )(3) + (3)( ) + (3)(3)
=  + 3 + 3 + 9
=  + 6 + 9

If the answer doesn’t match the original problem, then either your factoring or your check is incorrect

PRIME: Not every polynomial is factorable. When a polynomial cannot be factored using any of the
five methods, we say it is prime or unfactorable.

Section 5.1
236

B METHOD 1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.)

The first method you should try on EVERY factoring problem is method 1, pulling out the
common factor. This will simplify the polynomial before you try any other methods.

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

COMMON FACTOR: A factor that two or more terms share in common.
Example: Two terms, 24 and 36, have the following factors:
24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
Common Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, & 12

Example: Two terms, 5  and 15 , have the following factors:

15  : , , , 
15 : , 3, , 15,
Common factors: , , &

GREATEST COMMON FACTOR: The biggest factor that ALL terms share in common. From
here on we will refer to this as the “C.F.” It is the greatest numerical value and greatest variable
combination they share in common. When they share both variables and numbers in common, the C.F. is
expressed as a combination of both.

Example: From the above example, the C.F. (greatest common factor) of 24 and 36 is 12.

Example: From the above example, the C.F. of 5  and 15 is 5 .

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 1:
Pull Out the Common Factor
1. Identify the greatest common factor (C.F.) that ALL of the terms in
the polynomial share in common.
2. Place the C.F. under each term in the polynomial.
"#$#"%&'
3. Simplify each term that is now in the form: ! *
(.).
4. Write answer in this format: C. F. (Simplified Polynomial)

REMEMBER: On which types of polynomial do we try method 1? Every polynomial. This important
method needs to be considered in every factoring problem.

Section 5.1
 237

EXAMPLES

1 3 − 6: Step 1: Identify the C.F. that 4 − 5  2

C. F. = 3 ALL terms share C. F. =

; <= >? @?A

− −
Step 2: Place the C.F. under
  each term in the polynomial
? ?
 − 2: Step 3: Simplify each new term 4 − 5

3( − 2:) Step 4: Answer format (4 − 5)

CHECK ANSWERS:
3() + 3(−2:) Multiply Answer (4) + (−5)

3 − 6: Check if it equals original 4 − 5 

problem

3 15  − 5  + 30  Step 1: Identify the C.F. that 21   + 35   − 7  4

C. F. = 5 ALL terms share C. F. = 7 

B@? C @? D E?A 21   35   7 
− + + −
Step 2: Place the C.F. under
@? @? @?
each term in the polynomial 7  7  7 
3 − + 6
 Step 3: Simplify each new 3 + 5 − 1
term
5 (3  − + 6) Step 4: Answer format 7 (3 + 5 − 1)

CHECK ANSWERS:
5 (3  ) + 5 (− ) + 5 (6) Multiply Answer 7 (3 ) + 7 (5) + 7 (−1)

15  − 5  + 30  Check if it equals original 21   + 35   − 7 

problem

COMMON QUESTIONS
What if I don’t get the C.F. correct? It’s not a big deal. It just means you will have to keep pulling out
factors until you get everything out. It’s a little slower than getting the Greatest Common Factor out
first, but it works.

What if two out of three terms has a common factor? It’s not a common factor unless it is common to
ALL terms. You can only factor out something if every term shares it.

What happens when terms cancel each other out? Sometimes we think that if something cancels out,
it equals zero, but check out this example:

Example: In example 4, the C.F. = 7 . When we divided each term by the C.F. we saw this:
B? D A @?A D F?A
+ − F?A . The last term, F?A
F?A F?A
does not disappear, it equals 1.
F?A

Section 5.1
238

B METHOD 2: Grouping

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 2:
Grouping
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Break the 4 terms into a (binomial) + (binomial)
3. Pull out the C.F. from each binomial to get C. F. (binomial) J
C. F. (binomial)
4. If the two (binomial)’s are identical, then they are now a common factor,
so you can pull that out to get (binomial)(C. F. JC. F. ).

REMINDER: On which types of polynomial do we use method 2? Only polynomials with four terms.
However, remember to do method 1 (pull out C.F.) before you try method 2.

EXAMPLES

5 PROBLEM STEPS EXTRA HELP

 + 3  + 4 + 12
Step 1: Check for C.F. (none in this Most students are fine up
case) through the point of
(  + 3  ) + (4 + 12)
Step 2: Break the 4 terms into a pulling out the C.F. from
(binomial) + (binomial) each binomial where we
(  + 3  ) + (4 + 12)
get:
 ( + 3) + 4( + 3)
C.F. = x2 C.F.= 4 At this point, it can help to
let ( + 3) = G, so we
?C ? D >? B
Step 3: Pull out the C.F. from each
!? D + ?D
*+! > + >
* binomial to get
C. F. (binomial) J C. F. (binomial)
have:
 G + 4G
When we pull out a
( + 3) + 4( + 3)

Common Factor of A we
 ( + 3) + 4( + 3)
get:
?DH >H
! + *
Step 4: The two binomials are now
identical, so they are a C.F. of the
? D (?K) >(?K) H H
! + *
whole polynomial. You can factor the
(?K) (?K) binomial out with the left over C.F.’s ?DH >H
H H
forming another binomial. +
(C.F.)(left over) Answer format: (Binomial)x(Binomial)
( + 3)(  + 4) = (C.F. Binomial)(left over C.F.’s) G(  + 4)
( + 3)(  + 4) Now if we remember that
G = ( + 3)
CHECK ANSWER:
1) Multiply Answer (  ) + (4) + 3(  ) + (4) we can say…
G(  + 4) =
 + 3  + 4 + 12
( + 3)(  + 4)
2) Check if it equals original

Section 5.1
 239

6 PROBLEM STEPS EXTRA HELP

7  + 28 +  + 4
Step 1: Check for C.F. (none in this In Step 3: when
case) (A K >)
(7  + 28 ) + ( + 4)
Step 2: Break the 4 terms into a (A K >)
(binomial) + (binomial) cancel each other out,
(7  + 28 ) + ( + 4)
it doesn’t just cease to

exist – it equals 1
C.F.= 7x C.F.=none
7  28
Step 3: Pull out the C.F. from each Hence, what’s left over in
L + M + ( + 4)
7 7
binomial to get step 3 after pulling out the
C. F. (binomial) J C. F. (binomial) common parentheses of
( + 4)
7 ( + 4) + ( + 4)
F?(A K >) (A K >)
+ (A K >)
7 ( + 4) + ( + 4) Step 4: The two binomials are now (A K >)

F?(A K >) (A K >)

identical, so they are a C.F. of the
+ (A K >)
is 7x and 1,
whole polynomial. You can factor the
(A K >)
which now drop into the
binomial out with the left over C.F.’s 2nd ( ) in the Step 4
forming another binomial. answer format:
( + 4)(7 + 1)
(C.F.)(left over) Answer format: (Binomial)x(Binomial)
( + 4)(7 + 1) = (C.F. Binomial)(left over C.F.’s)
You can check by multiplying.

7 PROBLEM STEPS EXTRA HELP

2  + 10  – 3 – 15
Step 1: Check for C.F. (none in this Note: When we broke the 4
case) terms into a (Bi) + (Bi) we
took the signs of each term
(2  + 10  ) + (– 3 – 15)
Step 2: Break the 4 terms into a
(binomial) + (binomial)
with them and left a +
between the two parentheses:
(2  + 10  ) + ( – 3 – 15) (2  + 10  ) + ( – 3 – 15)
This helps us keep track of
C.F.= 2  C.F.= −3 our negative #’s.
Step 3: Pull out the C.F. from each Note: In order for factoring
? C BE? D N? NB@
! + *+! + *
binomial to get by grouping to work, after we
? D ? D N N C. F. (binomial) J C. F. (binomial) pull out the C.F. in step 2,
each parentheses must be
2  ( + 5) – 3( + 5)
EXACTLY the same. This
happened because we pulled
out a C.F. of −3 rather than
2  ( + 5) – 3( + 5) Step 4: The two binomials are now just 3. Had we not done this,
? D (?K@) N(?K@)

+
identical, so they are a C.F. of the the two parentheses would be
whole polynomial. You can factor the different:
(?K@) (?K@) binomial out with the left over C.F.’s (x +5) and (–x –5)
forming another binomial. Sometimes it is necessary to
Answer format: (Binomial)x(Binomial) pull out a negative sign with
(C.F.)(left over)
( + 5)(2  – 3) = (C.F. Binomial)(left over C.F.’s) the C.F to make the
parentheses the same.
You can check by multiplying.
Section 5.1
240

8
PROBLEM STEPS EXTRA HELP
2 + 16  + 6 + 24


2  16  6 24 Step 1: Check for C.F.: 2 Remember: Checking for a

+ + + Common Factor is a
2 2 2 2 Factor it out. Don’t forget to carry it
into the answer (see arrow) possibility in every
2(  + 8  + 3 + 12) problem.

(  + 8  ) + (3 + 12)
Step 2: Break the 4 terms into a Note: Once pulled out it is
(binomial) + (binomial) very easy to accidentally
(  + 8  ) + (3 + 12) discard it. Draw an arrow
to help you remember to
C.F.= x 2
C.F.= 3 bring it down into the

8 3 12

Step 3: Pull out the C.F. from each answer.
O +  P+L + M binomial to get
3 3 C. F. (binomial) J C. F. (binomial) Note: Factoring by
grouping doesn’t always
 ( + 8) + 3( + 4) work with 4 terms. We
will not be factoring these.
Step 4: The two binomials are NOT
identical, so the polynomial is not
2(  + 8  + 3 + 12) factorable by grouping. However,
don’t forget the 2 that you factored
out to begin with.
You can check by multiplying.

Section 5.1
 241

5.1 EXERCISE SET

Perform the indicated operations.

4.3 1. 3(4:  − ) 2. ( + 4)

3. ( + 1)(  − 3 − 4) 4. (− + 1)(3 − 7)

5. (−4U − 16U + 6U) V (−2U)

Identify which method(s) you should try in factoring the following.

5.1 6. 3  + 7.  − 4 + 4 8. 5  + 10  – 2 – 6

9. 14  + 7  − 21 10.  : − : + 3:  −   11. −4W  − 5WX

Identify the greatest common factor between the terms.
12. 18, 24, 48 13. 3 , 9  , 6 14. −14Q  , −7Q

15.  :, −:, 3:  16. 125  , 50  , 10 17.  > , 4  , 2  , 8

Factor the following by pulling out the greatest common factor if there is one. If not, the
expression is prime. Check your answers.
18. 9R + 3 19. −18 @ − 6

20. 2 > − 3  + 7 21. −S  − 7 − 2

22. −12 : + 8 :  − 16:  23. 19   − 38  + 57

24. 2 > + 6  − 10  25. −39Q @ − 18Q  − 81Q

Factor the following by grouping if possible.

26. 3  − 9  + 4 − 12 27. −2  − 2  − 3 − 3

28. 4  − 20  − 6 + 10 29.  + 5  − 2 − 10

30.  + 5 + : + 5: 31. 8  + 18  − 20  − 45

32.  + 3  − 12 − 36 33. −4T  + 2T   − 6T + 3 

34.  +  − − 1

Section 5.1
242

Story Problem.

35. This pasture has an area described by the polynomial, 10  + 4  − 15 − 6. Its length and width
are described by binomials. Find a solution set that will give the given area.

Preparation.

36. Multiply the following.

( + Y)( + ) ( + Z)( + [) ( + \)( + ]) ( + )( + ^)

37. Given binomials like those in #36, notice that all of your answers simplified to trinomials. Describe
how you get the middle term of those trinomials.

Section 5.1
 243

Answers
1. 12𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 2 − 3𝑎𝑎2 26. (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(3𝑥𝑥 2 + 4)
2. 𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 16 27. (𝑥𝑥 + 1)(−2𝑥𝑥 2 − 3)
3. 𝑥𝑥 3 − 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑥 − 4 28. 2(2𝑥𝑥 3 − 10𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥 + 5)
4. −3𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥 − 7 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
5. 2𝑚𝑚2 + 8𝑚𝑚 − 3 29. (𝑥𝑥 2 − 2)(𝑥𝑥 + 5)
6. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 30. (𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 + 5)
Method 5: 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 31. (2𝑥𝑥 2 − 5𝑦𝑦)(4𝑥𝑥 + 9)
7. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 32. (𝑥𝑥 2 − 12)(𝑥𝑥 + 3)
Method 3: 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐, 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑎 = 1 33. (−2𝑑𝑑 + 𝑦𝑦)(2𝑑𝑑 2 + 3𝑦𝑦)
8. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 34. (𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 2 − 1)
Method 2: 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 35. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 1: (2𝑥𝑥 2 − 3)
9. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 2: (5𝑥𝑥 + 2)
Method 4: 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐, 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 1 36. In class.
10. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 37. In class.
Method 2: 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺
11. Method 1: 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹
Method 5: 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
12. 6
13. 3
14. −7𝑠𝑠
15. 𝑏𝑏
16. 5𝑥𝑥
17. 𝑦𝑦
18. 3(3𝑘𝑘 + 1)
19. −6𝑦𝑦(3𝑦𝑦 4 + 1)
20. 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.
21. −1(𝑧𝑧 2 + 7𝑎𝑎 + 2)
22. −4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎(3𝑎𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 4𝑏𝑏) Or scan:

23. 19𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 3)

24. 2𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 3𝑎𝑎 − 5)
25. −3𝑠𝑠(13𝑠𝑠 4 + 6𝑠𝑠 2 + 27)
244

5.2 Factoring: Method 3

Trinomials: ax2 + bx +c, where a =1

OBJECTIVES
• Factor polynomials of the form
  +  +  where
= 1

A THE FIVE METHODS OF FACTORING: Review

LAWS & PROCESSES

THE 5 METHODS of FACTORING

Method Type of Polynomial used on:
1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.) All
2: Grouping 4 Terms
3: ax2 + bx +c , where a = 1 Trinomials, where a = 1
4: ax2 + bx +c , where a ≠ 1 Trinomials, where a ≠ 1
5: Special Cases Binomials & Trinomials

B METHOD 3: x2 + bx +c, where a = 1

As you can see in the table, there are two methods of factoring when the polynomial is a
trinomial of the form
  +  + . The letters a, b, and c represent the coefficients of each term. For
example, in the polynomial   − 3 + 2, we would say
= 1,  = −3, and  = 2.

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 3:
ax2 + bx +c where a = 1
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Place the trinomial in descending order or   +  + .
3. Find factor pairs of c.
4. Find the two factors of c that add up to b.
5. Answer format:  ± 
 ± 
 The x is the square
root of the first term. The two factors are from step 3, and their
accompanying signs determine the ±.

Section 5.2
 245

EXAMPLES

1 Factor:  −  + 

  − 5 + 6 Step 1: Place the trinomial in descending order or

  +  +  - - already done
Factors of 6 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 2: Find factor pairs of c.
16 1+6 =7 Step 3: Find the two factors of c that add up to b.
23 2+3 =5
−1  −6 −1 + −6 = −7
−2  −3 −2 + −3 = −5

√first term = √  = , factors are − 2 and − 3 Step 4: Answer format:  ± 
 ±

 ± 
 ± 
 
 where x is the square root of the first
 −  − + term, and the factors come from Step 3.
 − 2 − 3 Check answer by multiplying.
 + −3 + −2 + −2−3
  − 3 − 2 + 6
  − 5 + 6
Answer:  −  − +

2 Factor: , + - + -

9 + / + 6/ Step 1: Place the trinomial in descending order or

/ + 6/ + 9   +  + 
Factors of 9 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 2: Find factor pairs of c.
19 1 + 9 = 10 Step 3: Find the two factors of c that add up to b.
33 3+3=6
−1  −9 −1 + −9 = −10
−3  −3 −3 + −3 = −6

√first term = √/ = /, factors are 3 and 3 Step 4: Answer format:  ± 
 ±
 ± 
 ± 
 
 where x is the square root of the first
- + +- + + term, and the factors come from Step 3.
/ + 3/ + 3 Check answer by multiplying.
// + /3 + 3/ + 33
/ + 3/ + 3/ + 9
/ + 6/ + 9
Answer: - + +- + + or - + +

Important Points:
• It is critical to take the signs of the factors found in step 3 into the answer to determine the ± signs.
• Always make sure the trinomial is in descending order so you can see clearly what b and c are.
• Does  – 3 – 2 =  – 2 – 3? YES. Multiply them out to prove it. Hence, it makes no
difference in which order you place the two binomials.
Section 5.2
246

3 Factor:  −  − 2
2  − 6 − 20 Pull Out Common Factor – when you do, you
will end up with a trinomial where
= 1, so
C.F. = 2
you can still use method 3.
2  6 20
− −
2 2 2
Step 1: Place the trinomial in descending order
2  − 3 − 10 or   +  + 
Factors of −10 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 2: Find factor pairs of c.
10  −1 10 + −1 = 9 Step 3: Find the two factors of c that add up to b.
−10  1 −10 + 1 = −9
−2  5 −2 + 5 = 3
−5  2 −5 + 2 = −3

√first term = √  = , factors are − 5 and 2 Step 4: Answer format:  ± 
 ±

 ± 
 ± 
 
 where x is the square root of the first
 − 5 + 2 term, and the factors come from Step 3.

BUT don’t forget the common factor from

the beginning:
 −  + 
Answer:  −  + 
You can check by multiplying.

4 Factor: 3 − 4 + 5

 6 − 7  + 12 Step 1: Place the trinomial in descending order

or   +  +  - - already done
Factors of 12 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 2: Find factor pairs of c.
34 3+4=7 Step 3: Find the two factors of c that add up to
−3  −4 −3 + −4 = −7 b.

√first term = √ 6 =   , factors are − 3 and − Step 4: Answer format:  ± 
 ±

4 
 where x is the square root of the first
 ± 
 ± 
 term, and the factors come from Step 3.
 − + − 3
Answer:  − + − 3
You can check by multiplying.

Important Points:
• The first term in   +  +  form is not always an   . In example 4, it’s  6 .
• The first term in each ( ) in the answer must, when multiplied, = the first term in the original trinomial
• It is not necessary to write all the factors of c. It is only requisite to find the two when multiplied = c, yet
when added = b. Note in example 4, we did not list all the factors of c.

Section 5.2
 247

5.2 EXERCISE SET

Identify the greatest common factor between the terms.

5.1 1. 24, 96, 336 2. 120, 480, 960 3. 77, 154, 968

4. −13  , −12
, −25  5. 12
 , 16
 , 96
 6. 14/ F, 28/F , 77/

Factor the following by pulling out the greatest common factor if possible.
7. −3  + 6  8 − 27 9 8. 78  − 28 + 4  8 + 2  8 

9. 12:6 + 56: − 48< 10. 3  + 27 9 − 33 6

Factor the following by grouping if possible.
11. 28 9 − 12  + 7 − 3 12. 6 9 + 3  + 2 + 1

13.  9 − 3  +  − 3 14. 16 9 + 52  − 52 − 169

15. 2
  − 2
 8 + 3 − 38 16. 2 9 + 2  8 − 3 − 38

17.  9 − 3  − 9 + 27 18.  6 + 4 9 + 2 + 8
Factor the following using the = + > + ?, @ABCB = = 5 method.

5.2 19.   + 2 − 24 20.   + 11 + 18

21.   − 8 + 15 22.   −  − 20

23.   + 16 + 63 24.   − 4 − 60

25. 3  + 27 + 24 26.   − 7 − 60

27.   + 6 − 27 28. 7  − 7 − 14

Story problem.

29. This box’s volume is described by the polynomial THIS SIDE UP

4 9 − 12  − 72. Its height is described by a monomial and
its length and width are described by binomials. Find a
solution set using prime factors.

Preparation: The following are trinomials in the form = + > + ? @ABCB = ≠ 5.

30. Multiply the following polynomials together.

+ +  + 4  − 53 + + E + 5 + 5

Section 5.2
248

Answers
1. 24
2. 120
3. 11
4. −𝑏𝑏
5. 4𝑎𝑎2
6. 7𝑚𝑚
7. −3𝑥𝑥 2 (1 − 2𝑦𝑦 + 9𝑥𝑥)
8. 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥(7𝑦𝑦 − 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥)
9. 4(3𝑝𝑝24 + 14𝑝𝑝2 − 12𝑠𝑠)
10. 3𝑟𝑟 2 (1 + 9𝑟𝑟 − 11𝑟𝑟 2 )
11. (7𝑥𝑥 − 3)(4𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)
12. (3𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)
13. (𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 3)
14. (4𝑥𝑥 2 − 13)(4𝑥𝑥 + 13)
15. (2𝑎𝑎2 + 3𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)
16. (2𝑥𝑥 2 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)
17. (𝑥𝑥 2 − 9)(𝑥𝑥 − 3)
18. (𝑥𝑥 3 + 2)(𝑥𝑥 + 4)
19. (𝑥𝑥 + 6)(𝑥𝑥 − 4)
20. (𝑥𝑥 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 + 2)
21. (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 − 5)
22. (𝑥𝑥 − 5)(𝑥𝑥 + 4)
23. (𝑥𝑥 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 + 7)
24. (𝑥𝑥 − 10)(𝑥𝑥 + 6)
25. 3(𝑥𝑥 + 8)(𝑥𝑥 + 1)
26. (𝑥𝑥 − 12)(𝑥𝑥 + 5)
27. (𝑥𝑥 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 − 3)
28. 7(𝑥𝑥 − 2)(𝑥𝑥 + 1)
29. ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒ℎ𝑡𝑡: 4𝑥𝑥
Still have questions? Video
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙ℎ: (𝑥𝑥 + 3) solutions available: Click here.
𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ: (𝑥𝑥 − 6)
30. In class Or scan:
 249

5.3 Factoring: Method 4

Trinomials: ax2 + bx +c, where a ≠ 1

OBJECTIVES
• Factor polynomials of the form
  +  +  where
≠ 1

A THE FIVE METHODS OF FACTORING: Review

LAWS & PROCESSES

THE 5 METHODS of FACTORING

Method Type of Polynomial used on:
1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.) All
2: Grouping 4 Terms
3: ax2 + bx +c , where a = 1 Trinomials, where a = 1
4: ax2 + bx +c , where a ≠ 1 Trinomials, where a ≠ 1
5: Special Cases Binomials & Trinomials

B METHOD 4: ax2 + bx +c, where a ≠ 1

Always check for a common factor before you start trying other methods of factoring. This is
especially important for trinomials of the form
  +  +  when
≠ 1 because sometimes you can
take out a common factor to reduce the trinomial to the form
  +  +  when
= 1.

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 4:
ax2 + bx +c where a ≠ 1
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Place the trinomial in descending order or
  +  + .
3. Multiply
∙ .
4. Factor the product of
∙  to find the two factors that add to .
5. Break  into two terms equal to the two factors found in step 4.
6. You now have four terms. Factor by grouping.

Section 5.3
250

EXAMPLES

Factor:   
1
2   3 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)

= 2,  = 3 Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending
 = 1 order - -already done

∙  = 2 ∙  3 = 6 Step 3: Multiply
∙  .
Factors of 6 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of
∙  to find the two
 3  2 3 + 2 = 1 factors that add to . (We don’t need all the factors of

∙  , just the one that works)
2   3 Step 5: Break  into two terms equal to the two
factors found in step 4.
2  3 + 2 3
2 3 + 2 3 Step 6: Factor the four terms by grouping.
2 3 + 1
Answer:   + 
You can check by multiplying.

Important Point:
You might wonder what would happen if you wrote the two terms from Step 5 in a different
order. For example, from Example 1, would the answer be the same if we wrote 2  + 2 3 3
instead of 2  3 + 2 3? Try it and see. You will find that you get the same answer, just written
in a different order.
This leads to the question, is (2 3 + 1 the same as  + 12 3? Think back to
Chapter 1.7 and the commutative property of multiplication – you can multiply the two polynomials in
any order. If you don’t believe it, try multiplying them out and see!

EXAMPLES

2 Factor:  +  + 

6  + 25 + 25 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)

= 6,  = 25 Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending
 = 25 order - -already done

∙  = 6 ∙ 25 = 150 Step 3: Multiply
∙  .
Factors of 150 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of
∙  to find the two
15  10 15 + 10 = 25 factors that add to .

6  + 25 + 25 Step 5: Break  into two terms equal to the two

factors found in step 4.
6  + 15 + 10 + 25
32 + 5 + 52 + 5 Step 6: Factor the four terms by grouping.
2 + 53 + 5
Answer:  +  + 
You can check by multiplying.

Section 5.3
 251

3 Factor:   

12  13 4  Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)

= 12,  = 4 Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending
 = 13 order - -already done

∙  = 12 ∙  4 = 48 Step 3: Multiply
∙  .
Factors of 48 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of
∙  to find the two
16  3 16 + 3 = 13 factors that add to .

12  13 4  Step 5: Break  into two terms equal to the two
factors found in step 4.
12  16 + 3 4 
43 4 + 3 4 Step 6: Factor the four terms by grouping.
3 44 + 
Answer:   + 
You can check by multiplying.

4 Factor:  +  + 

16 + 4 + 16  Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 4)
= 4 4 + 1 + 4  
44  4 + 1) Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending

= 4,  = 1 order
 = 4

∙  = 4 ∙ 1 = 4 Step 3: Multiply
∙  .
Factors of 4 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of
∙  to find the two
 2   2  2 +  2 = 4 factors that add to .

4"4  4 + 1# Step 5: Break  into two terms equal to the two

factors found in step 4.
4"4  2 2 + 1#
4"22 1 12 1# Step 6: Factor the four terms by grouping.

42 12 1 or 42 1
Answer:    or  
You can check by multiplying.

Section 5.3
252

Factor: $  %
5
8  12 60 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 4)
= 42  3 15 Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending

= 2,  = 15 order
 = 3

∙  = 2 ∙ 15 = 30 Step 3: Multiply
∙  .
Factors of 4 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of
∙  to find the two
– 30  1 – 30 + 1 = – 29 factors that add to .
– 15  2 – 15 + 2 = – 13
– 10  3 – 10 + 3 = – 7
–6  5 –6+ 5 =– 1
42  3 15 No factor pairs add to 3, so factoring is impossible
by method 4. However, the polynomial is not prime
because there was a C.F.
Answer:   
You can check by multiplying.

Section 5.3
 253

5.3 EXERCISE SET

Identify the greatest common factor between the terms.

5.1 1. 14, 49, 112 2. 15, 39, 52 3. 457  8, 807  8  , 1058 

Factor the following by pulling out the greatest common factor.

4. 49 ) + 21  14  5. 24    + 96    72   

6. 15    *  12    * + 9    7. 18+ 6+ + 14+, + 2-.
Factor the following by grouping if possible.

8. 8  + 2  12 15 9. 3  15  + 5 25
10. 2  + 3  + 2 + 3 11.  +   1

Factor the following using the / + 0 + 1, 23454 / =  method.

5.2 12.   5 84 13.   6

14.   2 35 15.   15 + 54
16.   18 + 81 17.   8 33

Factor the following using the / + 0 + 1, 23454 / ≠  method.

5.3 18. 10  7 6 19. 8  + 2 3

20. 3 + 16 + 5  21. 26 + 116 + 12
22. 2  5 25 23. 6  + 25 + 14 
24. 2.  21. + 40 25. 6 + 16  + 20
26. 5  14 3  27. 7  30 + 8

Preparation: Apply the rules learned in Section 4.3 about Special Cases of Multiplication for
Binomials to answer the following problems.

4.3 28.  5 + 5 29. 
 + 

Section 5.3
254

Answers
1. 7
2. 𝑥𝑥
3. 5𝑘𝑘
4. 7𝑥𝑥 2 (7𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 2)
5. 24𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 2 (𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 4𝑦𝑦 − 3𝑥𝑥)
6. 3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 3 (5𝑧𝑧 2 − 4𝑧𝑧 + 3)
7. 2(9𝑝𝑝3 − 3𝑝𝑝2 + 7𝑝𝑝4 + 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟)
8. 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺
9. (3𝑥𝑥 2 + 5)(𝑥𝑥 − 5)
10. (𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)(2𝑥𝑥 + 3)
11. (𝑥𝑥 2 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 1)
12. (𝑥𝑥 − 12)(𝑥𝑥 + 7)
13. (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 2)
14. (𝑥𝑥 − 7)(𝑥𝑥 + 5)
15. (𝑥𝑥 − 9)(𝑥𝑥 − 6)
16. (𝑥𝑥 − 9)(𝑥𝑥 − 9)
17. (𝑥𝑥 − 11)(𝑥𝑥 + 3)
18. (5𝑥𝑥 − 6)(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)
19. (2𝑥𝑥 − 1)(4𝑥𝑥 + 3)
20. (5𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 3)
21. (2𝑚𝑚 + 3)(𝑚𝑚 + 4)
22. (2𝑥𝑥 + 5)(𝑥𝑥 − 5)
23. (3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦)(2𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑦𝑦)
24. (2𝑠𝑠 − 5)(𝑠𝑠 − 8)
25. 2(4𝑥𝑥 − 1)(2𝑥𝑥 + 3)
26. (5𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦)
27. (𝑦𝑦 − 4)(7𝑦𝑦 − 2)
28. In class.
29. In class.
Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
 255

5.4 Factoring: Method 5

Special Cases

OBJECTIVES
• Factor binomials that are a difference of two squares
• Factor perfect square trinomials

A THE FIVE METHODS OF FACTORING: Review

LAWS & PROCESSES

THE 5 METHODS of FACTORING

Method Type of Polynomial used on:
1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.) All
2: Grouping 4 Terms
3: ax2 + bx +c , where a = 1 Trinomials, where a = 1
4: ax2 + bx +c , where a ≠ 1 Trinomials, where a ≠ 1
5: Special Cases Binomials & Trinomials

B METHOD 5: SPECIAL CASES: Sum & Difference of Squares

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

SQUARE ROOTS (√ ): They look scary, but simply are shortcuts asking the question, “What
number or expression times itself equals the number or expression under the radical sign,√ ?”
Examples: √4 = 2 because 2 × 2 = 4 √  =  because  ∙  =  

PERFECT SQUARE ROOTS: An integer or variable multiplied times itself equals the expression
under the √ .
Examples: √16 = 4 , √100 = 10, √  = ,    = 
Each of these perfect square roots can be reduced to an integer or variable (or a combination
of the two).

NON-PERFECT SQUARE ROOTS: No integer or variable multiplied times itself equals the
expression under the √ .
Examples: √13, √85, , √ 
None of these square roots can be reduced down to an integer or variable. Nothing times
itself will equal the value under the radical sign.

Section 5.4
256

DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES: This means just what it says: a difference (one number
subtracting the other) of two squares (two terms whose coefficients and variables are perfect squares).
Examples:    16 4   9 36     25   1
Can you see how each of these terms is a perfect square? Another important thing to note: each term has
a different sign. As long as only one of the numbers is negative, it will work. For example, 16   
can be rearranged to be    16 by the commutative property of addition.

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 5: Special Cases

Difference of Two Squares
!'  ( " = !'  ("!'  ("
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
CHECK: Is this a binomial of the form !$  %  "? Are both terms perfect squares?
2. Take the square root of each term (don’t include signs)
3. Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"
or )√1st term  √2nd term1!√1st term  √2nd term"
4. Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible

COMMON MISTAKES

While a difference of two squares is a wonderful shortcut, do not make the mistake of using the same
shortcut on a sum of two squares. The sum of two squares is always prime if there is no common
factor.

EXAMPLES

1 Factor:    

3  363 = !  121" Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 3)

 =  ; √121 = 11 Step 2: Take the square root of each term

!  11"!  11" Step 3: Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"
No more factoring possible. Step 4: Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible
Answer: !  &&"!  &&"
You can check by multiplying.

Section 5.4
 257

2 Factor: 234  & 5

49   16  Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case none)

49  = 7 ; 16  = 4 Step 2: Take the square root of each term

!7  4"!7  4" Step 3: Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"
No more factoring possible. Step 4: Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible
Answer: !74  25"!74  25"
You can check by multiplying.

3 Factor: 52  

   36 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case none)

  =   ; √36 = 6 Step 2: Take the square root of each term

!   6"!   6" Step 3: Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"
No more factoring possible. Step 4: Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible
Answer: !5  "!5  "
You can check by multiplying.

You may run into some problems that aren’t quite what they seem. See the following examples.
EXAMPLES

4 Factor: 4  &

   16 At first glance, this looks like a sum of squares which

= !  "  !16" would be prime. However, we know that by the
= !16"  !  " commutative property of addition that we can rearrange this
= &  4 binomial. Now you can see it is a difference of squares and
can be factored as normal.
√16 = 4 ;   = 
!4  "!4  "
Answer: !2  4"!2  4"
You can check by multiplying.

5 Factor: 34  &8

9   18 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 9)

3!   2"
  =  ; √2 = 1.414 … Step 2: Take the square root of each term
--This is when we realize that this binomial is not a perfect
square. Therefore, no more factoring is possible.
Answer: 3!4  "
Section 5.4
258

6 Factor: 52  &

  1 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case none)

  =   ; √1 = 1 Step 2: Take the square root of each term

!   1"!   1" Step 3: Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"
Step 4: Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible
Prime   =  ; √1 = 1 --Check for common factor (none)
--Take the square root of each term (only the second
binomial is a difference of perfect squares)
!   1" !  1"!  1" --Answer format: !$  %"!$  %"

Answer: !5  &"!5  &"!5  &"

COMMON QUESTION: WHY IS THE SUM OF SQUARES PRIME?

This question is best answered by an experiment in checking our answers. Remember, in one
sense, factoring is the opposite of multiplication. So if there’s nothing that when multiplied equals the
sum of two squares, it’s going to be prime.
Example:    4 – We must have in our (binomial)×(binomial) answer an ! = 2"! = 2"
to make the   and 4 in    4. The question then is what signs go in between them replacing
the □’s to make it work? There are only three options:
3. !4  "!4 – " same as
1. !4  "!4  " 2. !4 – "!4 – "
!4 – " !4  "
!"  !2"  2!"  2!2" !"  !2"  !2"!"  !2"!2" !"  !2"  2!"  2!2"

   2  2  4   – 2 – 2  4   – 2  2  4

   4  4   – 4  4   – 4
The only conclusion is that the Sum of Squares is impossible to factor, because no two factors
when multiplied can ever equal the sum of the squares.

C METHOD 5: SPECIAL CASES: Perfect Square Trinomials

This method is a shortcut that only applies to some trinomials, not all. Factoring methods 3 & 4
(Sections 5.2 & 5.3) take care of all trinomials. This shortcut is worth taking a look at, but if you find it
too difficult or too hard to remember, you can always fall back on methods 3 & 4.

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIALS: This is what results when a binomial is squared – a

binomial times itself. You will remember from 4.3 the following formula: !$ ? %" = $ ? 2$%  % .
It is this trinomial that is a perfect square trinomial, because it is a square of a binomial.
Example: !3  4" = 9   24  16

$ % $ 2$% %

Section 5.4
 259

We’ve worked with squaring binomials to get the perfect square binomials, but not we will go
backwards. We will start with a perfect square trinomial and factor it down to a binomial squared.

LAWS & PROCESSES

Factoring Method 5: Special Cases

Perfect Square Trinomials
!' ? (" = ' ? '(  (
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. CHECK:
• Is it a trinomial?
• Are the first and last terms perfect squares?
• Is the middle term 2 × √first term × √second term ?
• Is the last term positive?
• If the answer is YES to all of the above, continue. If not, try another method.
3. Take the square root of the first and last terms. √first term = $, √second term = %
4. Answer format: !$ ? %" the sign is decided by the first sign in the trinomial

or )√first term ? √second term 1

EXAMPLES
The hardest part is recognizing the perfect square trinomials. Once you know what it is, the rest is easy.
This is an exercise in recognizing perfect square trinomials.

Checklist to recognize a Perfect Square Trinomial.

Perfect
POLYNOMIAL Tri- Ends = Middle term Last term is Square
nomial Perfect = 2AB positive Trinomials
Squares
16y2 + 24y + 9 YES

16y2 + 25y + 9 NO NO
4x2 + 12x +9 YES

4x2 + 12x – 9 NO NO

x2 – 20x + 100 YES

x2 + 20x – 100 NO NO

x2 + 25x + 100 NO NO

x2 + 20x +96 NO NO NO

Section 5.4
260

7 Factor: & 5  25  3

16   24  9 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)
Step 2: Check the criteria for perfect square trinomials
16  = 4 = $ ; √9 = 3 = % Step 3: Take the square root of the first and last terms (A & B)
!4  3" Step 4: Answer format: !$ ? %"

Answer: !25  "

8 Factor: 84  24  &8

8   24  18
Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 2)
!4   12  9"
Step 2: Check the criteria for perfect square trinomials
4  = 2 = $ ; √9 = 3 = % Step 3: Take the square root of the first and last terms (A & B)
Step 4: Answer format: !$ ? %". The answer will have a
!2  3" negative sign because first term in the polynomial in
also negative.

Answer: !4  "

9 Factor: C4  &C4  

25   15  36 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)
25  = 5 = $ ; √36 = 6 = % Step 2: Check the criteria for perfect square trinomials – the
2$% = 2!5"!6" = 60 ≠ 15 middle term does not qualify

Answer: Prime

10 Factor: 4  D4  &DD

   20  100 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, 2)
Step 2: Check the criteria for perfect square trinomials

  =  = $ ; √100 = 10 = % Step 3: Take the square root of the first and last terms (A & B)
!  10" Step 4: Answer format: !$ ? %". The answer will have a
negative sign because first term in the polynomial in
also negative.

Answer: !4  &D"

Section 5.4
 261

Important Notes:
• Perfect square trinomials can make factoring faster if you can recognize them
• Perfect square trinomials can always be factored using methods 3 or 4 instead.
o Example: Let’s factor the polynomial in Example 7 using method 4, and see if we get the
same answer.

16   24  9 Step 1: Check for a common factor (in this case, none)
E = 16, F = 9 Step 2: Place the trinomial in descending
G = 24 order - -already done
E ∙ F = !16" ∙ !9" = 144 Step 3: Multiply E ∙ F .
Factors of 144 Sum of Factor Pairs Step 4: Factor the product of E ∙ F to find the two
12 × 12 12  12 = 24 factors that add to G.

16   24  9 Step 5: Break G into two terms equal to the two
factors found in step 4.
16   12  12  9
4!4  3"  3!4  3" Step 6: Factor the four terms by grouping.
!4  3"!4  3" = !4  3"

Now you can see how much faster it can be if you recognize the perfect square trinomial
to begin with.

Section 5.4
262

5.4 EXERCISE SET

Factor the following by pulling out the greatest common factor if possible.

5.1 1. 8 H  48   64  2. 3I  JG   2I  J K G   5I  J  G  7I  J  G 

Factor the following by grouping if possible.

5.1 3. 12J  G  15JG  8J   10 4. 84   35   12  5

Factor the following using the L4  M4  N, OPQRQ L = & method.

5.2 5.    2  63 6.    20  75

Factor the following using the L4  M4  N, OPQRQ L ≠ & method.

5.3 7. 12   7  10 8. 14   17  6

Story problem.

9. An alien spaceship has traveled 10   19  15 miles from their

&D4  &D4  &C
home planet. Their speed and time can both be represented by
binomials. Find two suitable binomials that will represent them. (Recall
that S = TU, and you have been given distance.)

Determine if the following are differences of squares, then factor. If unfactorable, explain why.

5.4 10.    36 11. 16   9

12. 4   9 13. 54   24
14. 25  4  15. 25VW  81
16. 27  3 17.  K  4
18. 2   1 19. 16   49
Determine if the following are perfect square trinomials. If they are, factor using method 5. If
they are not or you are unsure, use method 3 or 4.

20.    10  25 21. 4   12  9

22. 3   5  2 23. 6   84  294
24. 9   66   121 25. 2  16  32
26. 4   16  16 27. 4   30  100

Preparation: The following polynomials have been factored already. Determine if they are
completely factored. If not, finish factoring the polynomials.

28. 4!   6  9" 29. !   4"!   4"

30. 3!  8" 31. 7!100   16"

Section 5.4
 263

Answers
1. 8𝑥𝑥 3 (𝑥𝑥 3 + 8𝑥𝑥 − 6)
2. 𝑗𝑗 2 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘(3𝑏𝑏 2 − 2𝑗𝑗𝑘𝑘 4 𝑏𝑏 + 5𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 − 7𝑗𝑗𝑘𝑘 2 𝑏𝑏 2 )
3. (3𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 + 2)(4𝑘𝑘 2 + 5)
4. (7𝑚𝑚2 𝑛𝑛2 − 1)(12𝑚𝑚 + 5)
5. (𝑥𝑥 − 9)(𝑥𝑥 + 7)
6. (𝑥𝑥 + 5)(𝑥𝑥 + 15)
7. (3𝑥𝑥 − 2)(4𝑥𝑥 + 5)
8. (−2𝑥𝑥 + 3)(7𝑥𝑥 + 2)
9. rate: (2𝑥𝑥 + 5) time: (5𝑥𝑥 − 3) 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
rate: (5𝑥𝑥 − 3) time: (2𝑥𝑥 + 5)
10. (𝑥𝑥 + 6)(𝑥𝑥 − 6)
11. Prime – sum of squares
12. (2𝑥𝑥 + 3)(2𝑥𝑥 − 3)
13. 6(3𝑥𝑥 + 2)(3𝑥𝑥 − 2)
14. (2𝑦𝑦 + 5)(2𝑦𝑦 − 5)
15. (5𝑔𝑔4 + 9)(5𝑔𝑔4 − 9)
16. 3(3 + 𝑚𝑚)(3 − 𝑚𝑚)
17. 𝑦𝑦(𝑦𝑦 4 + 4)
18. Prime – 2 is not a perfect square
19. (4𝑥𝑥 + 7)(4𝑥𝑥 − 7)
20. (𝑥𝑥 + 5)2
21. (2𝑥𝑥 − 3)2
22. (𝑥𝑥 + 2)(3𝑥𝑥 − 1)
23. 6(𝑥𝑥 − 7)2
24. (3𝑦𝑦 2 − 11)2
25. 2(𝑚𝑚 + 4)2
26. 4(𝑥𝑥 − 2)2
27. 2(2𝑥𝑥 − 5)(𝑥𝑥 + 10)
28. In class.
29. In class.
30. In class.
Still have questions? Video
31. In class. solutions available: Click here.

Or scan:
264

5.5 Factoring
A Holistic Approach

OBJECTIVES
• Recognize what method to use to factor a variety of polynomials

A FACTORING: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

We have learned several methods of factoring, and each method is used in different
circumstances. If you are unsure what to do when factoring a polynomial, this chart will be helpful.

Steps to Factoring Polynomials

ALWAYS
check for a common factor

Then look at the number of terms.

2 terms 3 terms 4 terms

Is it a perfect square trinomial?

Is the binomial Factor by
is a difference of grouping
two squares?
yes no

≠
no Polynomial
yes
 ± 2
 +   looks like:
= 
±  =
Polynomial   +  + 
prime looks like:  +
Factor:  + 

 −   =

+ 
− 
Factor by finding factors of Use the ac method. Multiply a
c that add to b. Answer in and c and find factors that add
the form:  +  +  to b. Split the middle term into
two, then factor by grouping.

Check all of your factors using this chart to

make sure you have factored completely.

You can ALWAYS check your answer by multiplying.

Section 5.5
 265

EXAMPLES

1 Factor:  −  + 

Check for a common factor. • 94  − 4 + 1
How many terms? • Three terms
Is it a perfect square trinomial? • Yes, it follows the form
 + 2
 +  
where
= 2 and  = −1
Factor knowing that
 ± 2
 +   = 
+ . • 92 − 1
Check – can any of the factors be factored? • The factors are 9 and 2 − 1. Both are
prime.
Check by multiplying. •
Answer:  − 

2 Factor:  − 
Check for a common factor. • None
How many terms? • Two terms
Is it a difference of two squares? • Yes, 81 and  are both perfect squares
Factor knowing that
 −   = 
+ 
−  • 9 +   9 −   
Check – can any of the factors be factored? • Yes, 9 −    can be factored
How many terms? • Two terms
Is it a difference of two squares? • Yes, 9 and   are both perfect squares
Factor • 3 + 3 − 
What are all the factors of the original polynomial? • 9 +   3 + 3 − 
Check – can any of the factors be factored? • No, all factors are now prime.
Check by multiplying. •
Answer: 9 +   3 + 3 − 

3 Factor:  +  + ""

Check for a common factor. • No common factors

How many terms? • Three terms
Is it a perfect square trinomial? • Not a perfect square trinomial
What is the first coefficient? ( = 1 or  ≠ 1) •  = 1, polynomial looks like  +  + .
Factor – find factors of c that add to b. •  = 77 =  & ";  = 18 =  + "
Factored form:  + 11 + 7
Check – can any of the factors be factored? • No, all factors are now prime.
Check by multiplying. •
Answer:  +  + "

Section 5.5
266

5.5 EXERCISE SET

Factor the following. If non-factorable label as prime.

5.5 1. 1 −  2. 2  − 8 + 8
3. 13 + 2 + 18  4. 81 +
5. −2(  + 21( − 40 6. 6  + 25  + 14 
7. −5 + 2 + 2  − 5 , 8.  − 
9. 16  − 9 10. 4  + 30 − 100
11. 28  + 65 + 28 12. 4- + 16
13. , + 3  − 4 − 12 14. . , + .  − 4. − 4
15. 2 ,  + 4   − 30  16. 16/ , + 48/  + 36/ + 108
17. 4 - + 12 − 4 , + 12  18. 3  + 5 − 17
19. 0 − 81 20. 12 ,  − 27  ,
21.  − 3 − 18 22.  0 − 12
23. 16 + 40 + 25 24. / + 8/  + 16
25. 23.  − 23 26. 9  + 3
27. 4  + 256 28. 18 , + 54  + 6 + 18

Story Problems.
Billy Bob’s
29. A billboard along the side of I-15 has an area represented by the Hamburgers
polynomial 9 0 − 100. Find 2 binomials that represent the length and
width of billboard. Recall that
.5 = 65789: & ;<=9:.

30. A telephone booth with a square bottom has a volume of 1000 , + 800  + 160 . Its
height is represented by a monomial and its length and width by binomials. Find a monomial
and two binomials that will represent these three dimensions.

Preparation:

31. Solve the following equations for the variable:

a.  = 4 b. 25 −   = 0

Section 5.5
 267

Answers
1. (1 + 𝑦𝑦)(1 − 𝑦𝑦)
2. 2(𝑥𝑥 − 2)2
3. (2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(9𝑥𝑥 + 2)
4. Prime
5. (−2𝑠𝑠 + 5)(𝑠𝑠 − 8)
6. (3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦)(2𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑦𝑦)
7. 𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)(2𝑥𝑥 − 5)
8. (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)
9. 𝑏𝑏(16𝑏𝑏 − 9)
10. 2(2𝑥𝑥 − 5)(𝑥𝑥 + 10)
11. (4𝑥𝑥 + 7)(7𝑥𝑥 + 4)
12. 4(𝑎𝑎5 + 4)
13. (𝑥𝑥 + 2)(𝑥𝑥 − 2)(𝑥𝑥 + 3)
14. (𝑟𝑟 − 2)(𝑟𝑟 + 2)(𝑟𝑟 + 1)
15. 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 5)
16. 4(4𝑧𝑧 2 + 9)(𝑧𝑧 + 3)
17. 4𝑥𝑥 2 (𝑥𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 + 3)
18. Prime
19. (𝑥𝑥 4 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 2 + 3)(𝑥𝑥 2 − 3)
20. 3𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥(2𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦)(2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)
21. (𝑥𝑥 + 3)(𝑥𝑥 − 6)
22. (𝑦𝑦 4 + 𝑘𝑘 6 )(𝑦𝑦 2 + 𝑘𝑘 3 )(𝑦𝑦 2 − 𝑘𝑘 3 )
23. (4𝑎𝑎 + 5)2
24. (𝑧𝑧 2 + 4)2
25. 2𝜋𝜋(𝑟𝑟 + 1)(𝑟𝑟 − 1)
26. 3𝑥𝑥(3𝑥𝑥 + 1)
27. 4(𝑏𝑏 2 + 64)
28. 6(3𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 3) Still have questions? Video
29. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 1: 3𝑦𝑦 4 + 10 solutions available: Click here.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 2: 3𝑦𝑦 4 − 10
Or scan:
30. ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒ℎ𝑡𝑡: 40𝑥𝑥
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙ℎ: 5𝑥𝑥 + 2
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ: 5𝑥𝑥 + 2
31. In class.
268

5.6 Solving Equations by Factoring

OBJECTIVES
• Learn the principle of zero products
• Use the principle of zero products to solve equations
• Solve real-life situations using factoring

A THE PRINCIPLE OF ZERO PRODUCTS

DEFINITIONS & BASICS

PRINCIPLE OF ZERO PRODUCTS: If
∙  = 0, then either  or  or both are equal to

zero.

Consider the equation used to define the above principle:
∙  = 0

What do we know about the variables? We know that at least one of those variables must equal zero. For
example, if a is zero, then it doesn’t matter what b is; the equation will still be true. The same is true if b
is zero, or both a and b are zero. This is the logic behind the principle of zero products.

We can also apply this principle to larger factors being multiplied together.

 + 3 − 3 = 0

This means that either + 3 or − 3 equals 0 or they both equal 0. Please note that could have up to
2 answers. In order to solve this we will split them up into separate equations and solve for x separately.

 + 3 − 3 = 0

+3=0 −3=0
−3 − 3 +3 + 3
= −3 =3
Therefore, we can say that = −3  3 which we generally write in the form = −3,3.

This is all done by the principle of zero products. In order to use this principle, the equation must be
equal to zero.

Solving Equations by Factoring

1. Arrange the equation so that it is equal to zero.
2. Factor the polynomial.
3. Set each factor equal to zero.
4. Solve each new equation for the variable.
5. Check your answer by substituting your answers
into the original equation

Section 5.6
 269

EXAMPLES

1 Solve by factoring: − −  = 

2  + 7 + 5 = 0 Step 1: Arrange equation so that it equals zero.

2 + 5 + 1 = 0 Step 2: Factor the polynomial.
2 + 5 = 0 +1=0 Step 3: Set each factor equal to zero.
2 + 5 = 0 +1=0 Step 4: Solve each new equation for the variable.
−5 − 5 −1 − 1
2 = −5 = −1

=−



Check = − Step 5: Check you answer by substituting your answers

into the original equation.
5 5 
−5 − 7 −  = 2 − 
2 2
35 25
−5 + = 2 
2 4
 

= 

Check = −1
−5 − 7−1 = 2−1
−5 + 7 = 2
2=2

Answer:  = −, − 

2 Solve by factoring:  −  = −!

 − 8 + 16 = 0 Step 1: Arrange equation so that it equals zero.

 − 4 − 4 = 0 or  − 4 = 0 Step 2: Factor the polynomial.
−4=0 −4 =0 Step 3: Set each factor equal to zero.
−4=0 −4 =0 Step 4: Solve each new equation for the variable.
+4 + 4 +4 + 4
= 4 = 4 Since the two factors are the same, there is only one answer.

Check = 4 Step 5: Check you answer by substituting your answers into

4 − 84 = −16 the original equation.
16 − 32 = −16
−16 = −16
Answer:  = $

Section 5.6
270

3 Solve by factoring: %% +  +   = &

3 ' + 15  + 18 = 0 Step 1: Arrange equation so that it equals zero.

3  + 2 + 3 Step 2: Factor the polynomial.
3 = 0 +2=0 +3=0 Step 3: Set each factor equal to zero.
3 = 0 +2=0 +3=0 Step 4: Solve each new equation for the variable.
=0 −2 − 2 −3 − 3
= −2 = −3

Answer:  = −%, −, &

You can check all three answers by substituting into the original equation.

COMMON MISTAKES

• A common pitfall is that students assume to be equal to the other number in the factor.

Example:  + 14 + 33 = 0
 + 11 + 3 = 0
= −11 and −3 not 3 and 11

• Another common mistake is forgetting to get the equation to equal zero.

Example:  + 3 − 10 = 18

Right Wrong

+ 3 − 10 = 18 
+ 3 − 10 = 18
− 18 − 18  + 5 − 2 = 18
 + 3 − 28 = 0
 + 7 − 4 = 0 + 5 = 18 − 2 = 18
−5 − 5 +2 + 2
+7=0 −4=0 = 13 = 20
−7 − 7 + 4 + 4
= −7 = 4

= −7, 4

B THE CONNECTION

You may well be wondering what this has to do with anything in “real life.” Let’s start with a graph of a
quadratic equation.

Section 5.6
 271

( =  − 4 All quadratics (equations in which the highest power is 2, like this

one) are in the shape of a parabola. The equation ( =  − 4
describes the shape on this graph. Remember from chapter 3 that
to solve for the x-intercepts, we replace the ( with a 0 to get 0 =
 − 4. Now this is a familiar polynomial in an equation that we
can solve. We can factor to 0 =  + 2 − 2, and we find that
−2, 0 2, 0 = −2, 2. You can see on the graph that this is exactly where the
parabola intersects the y-axis. This is the reason quadratics have
two answers while linear equations (of the form ( = ) + )
only have one answer – because of the number of times the graph
crosses the y-axis.

( =  + 6 + 9
Here is a graph of a quadratic that only has one answer. Look at
the equation that describes the graph: ( =  + 6 + 9. You’ll
notice this is a perfect square trinomial. By substituting 0 for ( to
find the x-intercepts, we get 0 =  + 6 + 9, which factors to
0 =  + 3 . This means that = −3, and that is the only
−3, 0
answer because it is the only x-intercept.

You’re still thinking, “What does this have to do with anything?” Here is an example from physics:

Wiley Coyote ran off a cliff. His motion is described by the

+ equation + = −5,  + 5, + 10, where + is the distance he travels
in meters and , is the time in seconds that he travels. The
question is, how long does it take him to hit the ground? In others
words, what is time , when the distance is 0. We can substitute 0
in for + and factor the equation. We get 0 = −5, + 10, + 1,
−1, 0 which means , = −1, 2. Before we say that this is our final
, answer, let’s remember what , really stands for: time. Since we
2, 0
can’t have a negative time, then , = 2 is the only answer. What
does this mean? It means it takes Wiley Coyote 2 seconds to fall
from the cliff. On the right is the graph of this situation. The left
side of the graph is shaded because usually it wouldn’t be
included in the graph because it is the area of “negative time.”
However, now you can see that if negative time existed, then =
−1 would be a valid answer.

Section 5.6
272

Now let’s look at some non-graphical examples. Recall from chapter 2 the process of solving story
problems:

D- Data. Write down all the numbers that may be helpful. Also, note any other clues
that may help you unravel the problem.
V- Variable. In all of these story problems, there is something that you don’t know,
that you would like to. Pick any letter of the alphabet to represent this.
P- Plan. Story problems follow patterns. Knowing what kind of problem it is, helps
you write down the equation. Find a formula or draw a picture that helps you describe
what is happening.
E- Equation. Once you know how the data and variable fit together. Write an equation
of what you know. Then solve it. This turns out to be the easy part.
*In quadratic equations, you usually get two answers. Only choose the answers
that make logical sense, i.e. don’t choose a negative distance or a negative time.

EXAMPLES

4 Jim is building a box for his rock collection. When all of his rocks are laid out, they
take up an area of 96 square inches. He wants the length of the bottom of the box to
be 4 inches longer than the width. What should the length and width of the box be?

Area = 96 in , length is 4 in. D – What data is presented in the problem?

more than width
length = 4 V – What do we need to find? Assign them each a
width = 7 variable.
Area = 4 ∙ 7 P – Do we know a formula that describes this? Draw a
picture to help you see what’s happening.
7

4
Since the length is 4 inches more than
the width, we can say, 4 = 7 + 4.

Area = 4 ∙ 7 and 4 = 7 + 4, so E – Write an equation that fits the information. Then solve
Area = 7 + 4 ∙ 7 the equation.

96 = 7 + 4 ∙ 7
96 = 7  + 47
0 = 7  + 47 − 96
0 = 7 + 127 − 8
7 = −12, 8
Since we can’t have a negative
distance, the answer is 7 = 8.
Since 4 = 7 + 4, 4 = 8 + 4 = 12.
Answer: length = 12 inches, width = 8 inches
Section 5.6
 273

5 The area of Janet’s triangular garden is  ;<  . The base of the triangle is 3 feet less
than the height. What are the dimensions of the garden?

Area = 27 ft  , base is 3 feet D – What data is presented in the problem?

less than height
base =  V – What do we need to find? Assign them each a
height = @ variable.
1 P – Do we know a formula that describes this? Draw a
Area = A  ∙ @
2 picture to help you see what’s happening.


Since the base is 3 feet less than the
height, we can say,  = @ − 3.
B
Area = A  ∙ @ and  = @ − 3, so E – Write an equation that fits the information. Then solve

B the equation.
Area =  ∙ @ − 3 ∙ @
1
27 = ∙ @ − 3 ∙ @
2
1
27 = @ − 3@
2
1 3
27 = @ − @
2 2
Clear the fractions by multiplying
everything by 2: 54 = @ − 3@
0 = @ − 3@ − 54
0 = @ − 9@ + 6
@ = −6, 9
Since we can’t have a negative
distance, the answer is @ = 9.
Since  = @ − 3, then  = 9 − 3 = 6.
Answer: height = 9 feet, base = 6 feet

Section 5.6
274

6 Calvin the contractor got bored with building average hot tubs so he decided to
build a new hot tub in the shape of a right triangle. The hypotenuse of his hot tub is
10 feet and one leg is 2 feet longer than the other leg. What are the lengths of the
two legs?

Hypotenuse = 10 ft, one leg is two feet D – What data is presented in the problem?
longer than the other leg

Short Leg =
V – What do we need to find? Assign them each a

Long Leg =  variable.
Hypotenuse = J

Pythagorean Theorem
 +   = J  P – Do we know a formula that describes this? Draw a

picture to help you see what’s happening.
 J

Since b is 2 feet more than the a, we
can say,  =
+ 2.

 +   = J  E – Write an equation that fits the information. Then solve

 + 
+ 2 = 10 the equation.

 +
 + 4
+ 4 = 100
2
 + 4
+ 4 − 100 = 0
2
 + 4
− 96 = 0
Pull out the common factor
2
 + 2
− 48 = 0
2
− 6
+ 8 = 0

= 6, −8
Since we can’t have a negative
distance, the answer is
= 6.
Since  =
+ 2, then  = 6 + 2 = 8.
Answer: short leg = 6 ft, long leg = 8 feet

Section 5.6
 275

5.6 EXERCISE SET

Factor the following.
1. 4  + 36 2. O  − 64
5.5
3.  + 4 + 4 4. 5  − 4 − 1
5.  − 25 6. ' + 5  − 9 − 45
7. −6 + 16
 + 20
8. ' − 3  + 2
9. 2 ' +  − 98 − 49 10.  + 16 + 63
11. 25  − 100 + 100 12.  + 8 − 48

The following are identical to the previous twelve problems, except that they are now equations.
Now that you have factored them, solve for the variable.
13. 4  + 36 = 0 14. O  − 64 = 0
5.6
15.  + 4 + 4 = 0 16. 5  − 4 − 1 = 0
17.  − 25 = 0 18. ' + 5  − 9 − 45 = 0
19. −6 + 16  + 20 = 0 20. ' − 3  + 2 = 0
21. 2 ' +  − 98 − 49 = 0 22.  + 16 + 63 = 0
23. 25  − 100 + 100 = 0 24.  + 8 − 48 = 0

Factor the following and solve for the variable.

25. 4  + 16 + 16 = 0 26.  = 9
27.  − 14 + 14 = −35 28. (  + 16 = 0
29. 3  − 36 = 3 30.  − 169 = 0
31. 4  + 36 − 15 = 25 32. ' + 3  − 4 − 12 = 0
33. 100  + 80 + 16 = 0 34.  − 4 = 0
35. 6  = −36 − 54 36.  − − 20 = 0
Story Problems.

37. The energy of an object is dependent on its mass and can be described by the following equation:
K = 2) − 12), where K stands for energy and ) stands for mass. If the energy of the object is 14
units, what is the mass of the object?

38. The area of a window is 192 in . The width of the window is four inches more than half the length
of the window. What are the dimensions of the window?

39. A cone has a surface area of 36L cm and a slant height of 9 cm. What is the radius of the cone?
(See section 2.2 for formulas)

Section 5.6
276

40. Jefferson’s back yard is in the shape of a right triangle. One leg of the triangle is seven feet longer
than the other, with a hypotenuse of 17 feet. What are the lengths of the two legs?

41. Carl is building a right triangle hot tub that has a leg ten feet more than twice the other leg. The
hypotenuse is 25 feet. What are the lengths of the two legs?

Section 5.6
 277

Answers:
1. 4𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 + 9) 28. 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
2. (𝑟𝑟 + 8)(𝑟𝑟 − 8) 29. 𝑥𝑥 = −3, 4
3. (𝑥𝑥 + 2)2 30. 𝑥𝑥 = −13, 13
4. (5𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 1) 31. 𝑥𝑥 = −10, 1
5. (𝑥𝑥 + 5)(𝑥𝑥 − 5) 32. 𝑥𝑥 = −3, −2, 2
6. (𝑥𝑥 + 5)(𝑥𝑥 – 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 3) 33. 𝑥𝑥 = −2/5
7. 2(4𝑎𝑎 − 1)(2𝑎𝑎 + 3) 34. 𝑥𝑥 = −2, 2
8. 𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 − 2)(𝑥𝑥 − 1) 35. 𝑥𝑥 = −3
9. (2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 7)(𝑥𝑥 + 7) 36. 𝑥𝑥 = −4, 5
10. (𝑥𝑥 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 + 7) 37. 𝑚𝑚 = 7
11. 25(𝑥𝑥 − 2)2 38. 𝑙𝑙 = 16 in, 𝑤𝑤 = 12 in
12. (𝑥𝑥 + 12)(𝑥𝑥 − 4) 39. 𝑟𝑟 = 3 cm
13. 𝑥𝑥 = −9, 0 40. 8 feet, 15 feet
14. 𝑟𝑟 = −8, 8 41. 7 feet, 24 feet
15. 𝑥𝑥 = −2
1
16. 𝑥𝑥 = − 5 , 1
17. 𝑥𝑥 = −5, 5
18. 𝑥𝑥 = −5, −3, 3
3 1
19. 𝑎𝑎 = − 2 , 4
20. 𝑥𝑥 = 0, 1, 2
1
21. 𝑥𝑥 = −7, − 2 , 7
22. 𝑥𝑥 = −9, −7
23. 𝑥𝑥 = 2
24. 𝑥𝑥 = −12, 4
25. 𝑥𝑥 = −2 Still have questions? Video
solutions available: Click here.
26. 𝑥𝑥 = −3, 3
27. 𝑥𝑥 = 7 Or scan:
278

Chapter 5 Review 1

THE 5 METHODS of FACTORING

Method Type of Polynomial used on:
1: Pull Out the Common Factor (C.F.) All
2: Grouping 4 Terms
2
3: ax + bx +c , where a = 1 Trinomials, where a = 1
2
4: ax + bx +c , where a ≠ 1 Trinomials, where a ≠ 1
5: Special Cases Binomials

5.1 Intro to Factoring (Methods 1 & 2)

Factor: Check Answers:

Numbers that can multiply together You can always check your answer by multiplying
to get another number. to see if you get the original polynomial.

Factoring Method 1:
Pull Out the Common Factor
1. Identify the greatest common factor (C.F.) that ALL of the terms in the polynomial share in
common.
2. Place the C.F. under each term in the polynomial.

3. Simplify each term that is now in the form:  .. 
4. Write answer in this format: C. F. Simplified Polynomial

Factoring Method 2: Grouping

1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Break the 4 terms into a binomial + binomial
3. Pull out the C.F. from each binomial to get C. F. binomial ± C. F. binomial
4. If the two binomial ’s are identical, then they are now a common factor, so you can pull that
out to get binomial C. F. ±C. F. .

5.2 Factoring: Method 3

Factoring Method 3:
ax2 + bx +c where a = 1
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Place the trinomial in descending order or
 + 
+ .
3. Find factor pairs of c.
4. Find the two factors of c that add up to b.
5. Answer format: 
±  
 
±  
 The x is the square root of the first term. The two
factors are from step 3, and their accompanying signs determine the ±.
Chapter 5 Review 1
 279

5.3 Factoring: Method 4

Factoring Method 4:
ax2 + bx +c where a ≠ 1
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. Place the trinomial in descending order or
 + 
+ .
3. Multiply ∙ .
4. Factor the product of ∙  to find the two factors that add to .
5. Break 
into two terms equal to the two factors found in step 4.
6. You now have four terms. Factor by grouping.

5.4 Factoring: Method 5 – Special Cases

Factoring Method 5: Special Cases

Difference of Two Squares
+, − ., = + + . + − .
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. CHECK: Is this a binomial of the form 0 − 1  ? Are both terms perfect squares?
3. Take the square root of each term (don’t include signs)
4. Answer format: 0 + 1 0 − 1
or 2√1st term + √2nd term9√1st term − √2nd term
5. Repeat these steps until no factoring is possible

Factoring Method 5: Special Cases

Difference of Two Squares
+ ± . , = +, ± ,+. + .,
1. Check for method 1 first (Pull out C.F.)
2. CHECK:
• Is it a trinomial?
• Are the first and last terms perfect squares?
• Is the middle term 2 × √first term × √second term ?
• Is the last term positive?
• If the answer is YES to all of the above, continue. If not, try another method.
3. Take the square root of the first and last terms. √first term = 0, √second term = 1
4. Answer format: 0 ± 1  the sign is decided by the first sign in the trinomial

or 2√first term ± √second term 9

Chapter 5 Review 1
280

5.5 Factoring: A Holistic Approach

Steps to Factoring Polynomials

ALWAYS
check for a common factor

Then look at the number of terms.

2 terms 3 terms 4 terms

Is it a perfect square trinomial?

Is the binomial Factor by
is a difference of grouping
two squares?
yes no

=≠>
no Polynomial
yes 0 ± 201 + 1  looks like:
= 0 + 1  ==>
Polynomial
 + 
+ 

prime looks like:
 +

Factor: 
+ 
0 − 1 =


0 + 1 0 − 1
Factor by finding factors of Use the ac method. Multiply a
c that add to b. Answer in and c and find factors that add
the form: 
+ 
+ to b. Split the middle term into
two, then factor by grouping.

Check all of your factors using this chart to

make sure you have factored completely.

You can ALWAYS check your answer by multiplying.

Chapter 5 Review 1
 281

5.6 Solving Equations by Factoring; Story Problems

Solving Equations by Factoring

1. Arrange the equation so that it is equal to zero.
Principle of Zero Products 2. Factor the polynomial.
If ∙  = 0, then either = or A or both are 3. Set each factor equal to zero.
equal to zero. 4. Solve each new equation for the variable.
5. Check your answer by substituting your answers
into the original equation

Solving Story Problems

D- Data. Write down all the numbers that may be helpful. Also, note any other clues that may
help you unravel the problem.
V- Variable. In all of these story problems, there is something that you don’t know, that you
would like to. Pick any letter of the alphabet to represent this.
P- Plan. Story problems follow patterns. Knowing what kind of problem it is, helps you write
down the equation. Find a formula or draw a picture that helps you describe what is happening.
E- Equation. Once you know how the data and variable fit together. Write an equation of what
you know. Then solve it. This turns out to be the easy part.
*In quadratic equations, you usually get two answers. Only choose the answers that make
logical sense, i.e. don’t choose a negative distance or a negative time.

Chapter 5 Review 1
282

CHAPTER 5 REVIEW 1

1. Create a visual chart of all of the methods, formulas, and examples from studying how to factor
polynomials.

Identify the greatest common factor between the terms.

5.1 2. 112, 148, 246 3. 3F  , 5F  F H , 4F H I 4. 12JK L MK , 24JH LH MK , 30JH L MN

Factor the following by grouping.

5. 6
H  10
  3
 5 6. 21
H - 14
 - 12
 8

7. 5
H  20 
  3
 12 8. 28
 7
H  4 


Factor the following using method 3 or method 4.

5.2-3 9. 2
  3
 1 10. 3
 - 12
- 63

11. 2
  32
 96 12. 14
  29
- 15

13. -4
 - 24
 108 14. 7
 - 35
 42

Factor the following using method 5.

5.4 15. -
  64 16.
  2
 1

17. 49
 - 28
 4 18.
K I  - 9Q 

19. -16
 - 4 20. 8I   72I  162

Factor the following.

5.5 21. 18
  24
 8 22.
  7
- 18

23. -18
H  15
  24
- 20 24. -20
 - 19
- 3

25. -3 
I  3 
I 26.
 - 15
 56

27.
 - 23
 132 28.
 - 4
- 45

29. 14
H  16
  35
 40 30. -4
  52
- 168

31. 24JH - 6J L - 63JL 32. 49
 - 121

33. 35
K I   42
K I  15
H I   18
H I 34. 4
 - 36
I  81I 

Chapter 5 Review 1
 283

Solve for the variable by factoring.

5.6 35.
 - 13
 22 = -20 36. -6
 - 11
 10 = 0

37. -5
H - 10
 = 5
38. 8
H  32
  2
 8 = 0

39. 100 -
 = -21 40. 4
H  4
 - 25
= 25

Story Problems.

41. Henry shoots a rocket in his 10th grade science class. He found
that the motion of the rocket can be described by the equation I =
144 -
 , where I is the vertical distance and
is the horizontal
distance. If this equation were to be graphed, find where the x-
intercepts would be on the graph.
*Fun Note: The positive answer to this question is actually
the horizontal distance that the rocket flew from the peak of
its path to the ground.

42. A triangle has an area of 14 square inches. The height of the triangle is three inches more than the
base. What are the base and height of the triangle?

43. Jill has a small treasure box that is 6 inches long. It can hold a volume of 72 inches cubed, and the
width of the box is 5 inches less than twice the height of the box. What are the dimensions of the box?

44. Jessie is mowing her back yard that is in the shape of a right triangle. The shortest side is 7 meters
shorter than the second side, and the hypotenuse is 13 meters long. What are the lengths of the two
sides?

Chapter 5 Review 1
284

Answers
N 
1. This is your last one, make it good 36.
= -,H
2. 2 37.
= -1,0
3. F  38.
= -4
4. 6JH L MK 39.
= -11, 11
N N
5. (2
  1)(3
 5) 40.
= - , -1,
 
6. (7
 - 4)(3
- 2) 41. (-12, 0), (12, 0)
7. (5
  3)(
 4 ) 42. base = 4 inches, height = 7 inches
8. (
  4)(7
 1) 43. height = 4 inches, width = 3 inches
9. (
 1)(2
 1) 44. 5 meters, 12 meters
10. 3(
- 7)(
 3)
11. 2(
 4)(
 12)
12. (2
 5)(7
- 3)
13. -4(
- 3)(
 9) or equivalent
14. 7(
- 3)(
- 2)
15. (8 
)(8 -
)
16. (
 1)
17. (7
- 2)
18. (
 I  3Q)(
 I - 3Q)
19. -4(4
  1), not a special case
20. 2(2I  9)
21. 2(3
 2)
22. (
 9)(
- 2)
23. (-3
  4)(6
- 5)
24. -1(5
 1)(4
 3) or equivalent
25. -3
I(  )( - ) or equivalent
26. (
- 7)(
- 8)
27. (
- 11)(
- 12)
28. (
- 9)(
 5)
29. (2
  5)(7
 8)
30. -4(
- 7)(
- 6)
31. 3J(4J  7L)(2J  3L)
32. (7
- 11)(7
 11)
33.
H I(7
 3)(5I  6)
34. (2
- 9I)
35.
= 6, 7

Chapter 5 Review 1
 285

CHAPTER 5 REVIEW 2

Identify the greatest common factor between the terms.

5.1 1. 52, 104, 182 2. 6

, 9
, 3  , 36  3. 54   , 72  
, 162 

Factor the following by grouping.

4. 14   10
 21  15 5. 6  3  2  1

6. 40
  20   40  15 7. 7  28    4

Factor the following using method 3 or method 4.

5.2-3 8. 8
 29  12 9. 9  
 6

10. 28
 25  3 11. 18
 36  1134

12. 8
 10  33 13. 18
 45  28

Factor the following using method 5.

5.4 14. 144

 168  49 15. 3
 363

16. 16   81 17. 72   8

18. 8
 24  18 19. 1  9

Factor the following.

5.5 20. 8
 63  8 21. 14  6

22.    7
 12 23. 12
 28  3  7

24. 3  9  12

25. 25
 1

26. 
 10  9 27. 21
 7   14

28. 9
 18 29. 25
 14  36

30. 
 8  16 31. 
 4

32. 10
 22  72 33. 5  2
 2   

Chapter 5 Review 2
286

Solve for the variable by factoring.

5.6 34. 0  3   
 4 35. 9
 12  4  0

36. 12  7  
37. 3
 4  0

38. 13  15

 2 39. 8  8
 63

Story Problems.

40. A company’s profit can be modeled by the equation   

 8  9, where P is the profit in
thousands of dollars, and x is the number of products sold in thousands. How many products would the
company have to sell order to break even (a profit of zero)?

41. Kathy found a place online that sells picture frames that are twice as high as they are wide. She has
a picture whose area is128 cm
. What dimensions of picture frame should she order? This can be solved
without factoring, by simply getting the variable by itself and simplifying. Solve that way and by
factoring to see that they yield the same answer.

42. Jeffrey has a cylindrical oatmeal container with a surface area of 128π square inches. He wants to
know the radius of the top part. He does know that the height is 12 inches. What is the radius? (See
section 2.2 for formulas)

43. Amanda completed her degree as an architect and just finished her first building. If you look at the
front of the building it is in the shape of a right triangle and one side is 3 meters longer than half of the
other side. The hypotenuse is 15 meters. What are the lengths of the two sides?

Chapter 5 Review 2
 287

Answers
1. 26 31. !2 + "!2 − "
2. 3
32. 2!5 + 9"! − 4"
3. 18 
33. !
+ 5"! − 2"

4. !2
+ 3"!7 + 5" 34.  = −  , 0, 1

5. !3 − 1"!2 − 1" 35. =


Not factorable by grouping; just GCF.
6. 36.  = 4,3
5!8
 − 4  + 8 + 3"

7. ! + 4"!7 + 1" 37.  = − ,0

#

8. −1! + 4"!8 − 3" or equivalent 38. = ,

$ 

#
9. ! + 3"! + 3" or ! + 3" 39.  = −8,

10. −! + 1"!28 − 3" or equivalent 40.  = 9; they have to sell 9,000 products
11. 18! − 7"! + 9" 41. 8cm × 16cm
12. !2 − 3"!4 + 11" 42. radius = 4 inches
13. !6 + 7"!3 + 4" 43. 9 meters, 12 meters
14. !12 + 7"

15. 3! + 11"! − 11"

16. !4
+ 9"!2 + 3"!2 − 3"
17. 8!3 + 1"!3 − 1"
18. 2!2 − 3"

19. !1 + 3"!1 − 3"

20. !8 − 1"! + 8"
21. 2!3 − 7"
22. !
− 3"!
− 4"
23. !4 − "!3 + 7"
24. −3
!
− 3 + 4"
25. !5 + 1"!5 − 1"
26. ! − 9"! − 1"
27. 7! + 1"! + 2"
28. 9! − 2"
29. Prime
30. ! − 4"

Chapter 5 Review 2