Help yourself to

algebra
 Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2019 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation

https://archive.org/details/helpyourselftoalOOOOneil
Help yourself to

algebra

Hugh Neill

LONGMAN
c uMU C Q f> /b 7 .
Pearson Education Limited
Edinburgh Gate, Harlow,
Essex, CM20 2JE, England
and Associated Companies throughout the world.

© Longman Group Limited 1996

All rights reserved; no part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without either the prior written permission of the
Publishers or a licence permitting restricted copying
issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd,
90 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1P OLP.

First published 1996

Eighth impression 2003

Set in Times
Printed in Singapore (KHL)

ISBN 0 582 29068 6

The Publisher’s policy is to use paper manufactured

from sustainable forests.

ll
 Contents
1 How to use this book 1

2 Making things simpler 3

3 Fractions 7

4 Brackets 11

5 Fractions with brackets 15

6 Linear equations 18

7 Simultaneous equations 23

8 Expanding brackets 27

9 Factorising 29

10 Changing the subject of a formula 34

1 1 Quadratic equations (1) 41

12 Quadratic equations (2) 43

13 Linear inequalities 49

14 Multiplication and division 51

15 Indices 55

1 6 Revision exercises 59

17 Answers 63

iii
Preface

Many teachers and lecturers claim that their students do not have
enough skill in algebra as they start advanced courses in mathematics.
This book is intended to enable students to improve their algebraic
skills, and by doing so, increase their confidence when applying it to
other parts of mathematics, or to problems or modelling.

There are plenty of exercises in this book. The purpose of the exercises
is to give practice in manipulation and equation solving. The exercises
are graded, and most types of exercise have a worked example with a
full commentary to provide assistance.

I have made extensive use of the text of New General Mathematics in

this publication. I wish to thank the authors J B Channon and H C Head
and the estate of the late A McLeish Smith for permission to do so. I
would also like to thank Sue Maunder for checking the manuscript and
Longman Education for their speed in producing this book.

While many of the exercises were taken from New General

Mathematics, the responsibility for any errors is mine.

Hugh Neill
June 29, 1995

IV
1 How to use this book
Assumptions made

This is not a book about applications or about problems. It is a book

designed to help you with algebraic manipulation.

The assumption is that you are not a beginner, and that you have been
taught some algebra, but forgotten it, or you need to improve it for
some reason, such as more advanced study of mathematics.

Learning a technique

Suppose that you need to learn how to carry out a particular technique.
Look for the chapter which includes the technique, and study the worked
examples carefully, preferably with a pen in your hand.

Write down the steps as you go, and check each step carefully. Ask
yourself: why was this particular step chosen? Do I agree with the
working? Why is it like that?

Remember that mathematics is not disconnected, and if you can learn

general principles of how to do algebra, you will make better progress.

Try the exercises

If you get stuck with a particular problem, then look back at a worked
example similar to the one you are having difficulty with, and try to
isolate the place where you are having difficulty.

Look at the answer. Sometimes, but not always, the general form of the
answer can give you a clue. Remember that sometimes there can be
different forms of the same answer, and it may be that your answer is
correct, but you may not recognise it as correct.

There are plenty of exercises in the book. Do as many as you need to

perfect a technique. There is no point in doing more questions just
because they are there!

1
Help yourself to algebra

Short cuts

In many cases the examples are worked in more detail than you need to
give in a solution. If you can skip lines, do so; but don’t make errors
by doing it! It is better to write more steps, and to get the solution
correct, than to skip steps, get things wrong and subsequently lose
confidence.

2
2 Making things simpler
One of the processes most frequently needed in algebra is to make
complicated algebraic expressions simpler. Mathematicians use the
somewhat awkward word ‘simplify’ for this process.

It is important that at each stage the simplified expression is the same

as the original expression.

Here are some examples. Remember that 2x means 2x x.

1 Simplify 2x + 7x.

2x + lx

This is an example of adding like - 9x

terms.

2 Simplify 3m - 9m - 2m + 16m.

3m - 9m - 2m + 16m

This is only a bigger version of = 8m

the first example.

Remember that terms like 3x and 4 are ‘unlike’ and that 3x + 4 cannot
be simplified further.

3 Simplify 7h -4 — 3h + 11.

7h-4-3h+l\

Collect the terms with h, and the = 4/z + 7

numbers separately.

4 Simplify 7x + 3y - 4 + 2x - y .

7x + 3y - 4 + 2x - y

Collect the terms with x, y and the = 9x + 2y - 4

numbers separately.

3
Help yourself to algebra

Remember that ab means axb.

5 Simplify 3xy + 4xy.

3 xy + 4 xy

Collect the like terms in xy. = Ixy

Remember that when you multiply three numbers, it doesn’t matter in

which order you multiply them. This means that 6vu, which means
6xvxn is the same as 6uv, so that terms in uv and vu are like
terms. Although there is no need to do so, it can make like terms easier
to recognize if you write the letters in alphabetical order.

6 Simplify 8uv-6vu.

8nv — 6vu

It doesn’t matter whether you give = 2 uv

2nv or 2vu as answer.

7 Simplify 9ab + Abe — 5ba + 3be.

9ab + Abe - 5ba + 3be

The terms in ab and be are not = Aab + Ibc
like terms so they cannot be
simplified further.

Indices are used to write expressions like xx, which means rxx, as
x". Similarly x3 means xxxxx. Using this notation xy2 means
x x y x y.

8 Simplify 3a2 -2a + a3 - a2.

3a2 -2a + a3 - a2
Only the terms with the same
= 2a2 -2a + a3
powers are like terms.

4
 Making things simpler

9 Simplify 7 x 3a - 25a + 5a x 2.

7x3 a- 25 a + 5ax2
As in arithmetic, multiplication = 2\a-25a + \0a
(and division) must be earned out
before addition and subtraction.

Collect like terms. = 6a

10 Simplify 4ax3 — 1.

4a x 3 - 1
Multiply first, giving 12a, and 12a-1
then it will not simplify further.

Exercise 2
Simplify the following expressions, where possible.

1 6d + d 2 Se + 5e -le
3 1 In — 3n — 6 n + 9 n — 5 n 4 9a + 10b - 5a + 4b
5 8/z-3-5/z + 9 6 7x + 5y —4
7 1 lx + 9y - 7x 8 \3a + 2b - 9a + lb
9 5f — 3g — lf + 9g + 3f - 4g 10 1m - 2n + 6 — 5m + In + 3
11 3x + 2-7x —4 + 5x + 6 12 a-lb+ 3c+ Sb+ 2a
13 5h + %k + 2-3k-2h 14 6m + 3n -1 — 6m + 4
15 a-2b - 4a + 3c + 4a + 5b 16 6p -2q + 4r-6p + 3s + 5q
17 3xy + 4xy 18 9ab - 5ab
19 \lhk-9kh 20 \0ab + lbc
21 led. - Sdc + 3cd 22 9xy + 5yx —13xy
23 4ab + 10be - ab-lcb 24 5ab - 2 ab + 3 be - ba
25 lfg + Sgf-9fg + 3gh 26 5uv-2vw-3vu +4vw - uv
27 3ab - bc + 5 cd + 3cb - 4dc 28 4mn + lmn — Smu — 6vu
29 8ab - 3cd - 5 ba + 5cd + 2 ac 30 1 p -2q + 4r -3p — r + 2s
31 3a2 + 6 a + 5 + 2 a‘ + a + 3 32 2b2 + 3b + 5 + 4b2 -b-4
33 8c2 -2c + 7-6c2 +5c-2 34 5x2 + 6x - 4x2 - x + 3
35 y2 -3 + 9y + 6y2 -5y + 6 36 4z3 + 8z - 3 + 5z2 + 7 - 2z

5
Help yourself to algebra

37 3m x 5 38 4 x 8a
39 Ih x 3 40 i of 206
41 28* + 7 42 3nx2 + 5 n
43 4x5p-3p 44 4a x 3 + 5
45 2x76 -3 46 3 + 2 x 5m
47 4* + 3* x 3 48 \ly-5yx2
49 21 - 2 x 7a 50 8m x 0
51 3a x1 52 5? +1
53 4x8x-7*x3 54 jofl5a6
55 21/wz-5-3 56 6u x 4 — 2 x lu
57 2xxx3xy 58 pxqxO
59 3a x 46 60 3a + 46
61 pq + O 62 7x-3 x 4x +5* x 2
63 28cd x 6 64 mx5xmx3
65 4nxln 66 6u x 5 + 3 x 4u - 2u
67 7vx2 + 5x8v-6vx9 68 5x6a-4ax0-4ax7

6
3 Fractions
In algebra, letters represent numbers. You must therefore expect to
encounter and manipulate fractions, just as you would with numbers.

The rules about cancelling are the same as with numbers. If you find
yourself in difficulties, ask yourself what you would do in a similar
situation involving numbers.

1 Express ^ in its lowest terms.

15ac

6 ab
15 ac
Divide both the numerator and 2b
denominator by 3a. The fraction
5c
is now in its lowest terms.

2 Express —y in its lowest terms.

d

dx
d2
Divide both the numerator and x
denominator by d. The fraction is d
now in its lowest terms.

You can also add and subtract algebraic fractions exactly as you would
with numbers.

8b
3 — over a common denominator,
5

3a 8b
5 ~ 5
The two denominators are the 3a 8b _ 3a- 8b
same, 5. So you simply subtract 5 5 ~ 5
the numerators.

7
Help yourself to algebra

4 Put —--— over a common denominator.

Sab Sab

_9__ 8
Sab Sab

The two denominators are the _9_8 _ 1

same, Sab. So you simply Sab Sab 5 ab
subtract the numerators.

If the denominators are not the same, then you must express them with
the same denominator, using the least common multiple, LCM.

5 — over a common denominator.

9

5a 2b
9

The LCM is 18. Then you get the 5a 2b 3 x 5a —2 x 2b

following expression. 6 9 18

The numerator of this expression 15a — Ab

then simplifies. 18

6 — over a common denominator.

be

d e
ab be
The LCM is abc. Then you get d e _ ex d-ax e
the following expression. ab be abc
The numerator of this expression cd - ae
then simplifies. abc

When you multiply and divide fractions the rules are again the same as
for numbers.

8
 Fractions

4 ab 6m
7 Simplify -x-.
9 acm

4 ab 6m
X —
9 acm
Start by cancelling the numbers.

SO
4 ab 8 abm

X
= —X

u
9 acm 3 acm
Now divide the numerator and 8b
denominator by am.
3c

16 cd 24 c
8 Simplify
21 mn 35 n

16 cd 24c
21 mn ' 35n
Start by using the same technique 16 cd 35 n
as with numbers. -x-
21 mn 24 c
Then cancel the numbers. 16 cd 3 5n 10 cdn
-x-= — x-
21mn 24c 9 mnc
Now divide the numerator and 10 d
denominator by nc. 9m

Exercise 3

Express the following fractions in their lowest terms.

3a 5m 2x
1 3
8a 1m 10x
12 a 4b 9e
4 6
\6a 12 b 12e
2 mx 16 ab labc
7 8 9
8 my 20 be 21 be

9
Help yourself to algebra

8 dk 42 a2 15m
10 1 1 12
12 dh 56 a 20 mn
2
24 amx 108% xyz
13 14 15 2
30 anx 144jc2 xy z

Put each of the following fractions over a common denominator.

5a 3a 5b 3b 2c 4c
16 — +— 17 18 -1-
11 11 8 8 5 5
3% X 2m 3n 5a 3b
19 — +— 20 21 —

4 6 3 5 6 8
a 2b 5% 3% 7 _|_ 3
22 - +— 23 24
m m a a mn mn
2c 3d 4a 3b c 3 a a 5a
-1-
25 26 -1— 27
uvw uvw 5 10 2 4 3 6
a 2b 3c X 5a 3c
28 -1- 29 Cl + 30
2 3 4 4 12 8
c 2d 5e 2d 4 3
3 1 + 32 u- 33
4 3 6 5 m n
m n 2 5 4 3
34 35 36 —+—
2a 3a au bu ac ce
_3_ + _5_2_ P_ „fL + JC 4a 3
37 38 39 —x—
mn mx nx ab ac be 9 2
5a 9 6m 12 lx 9
40 x - 41 X 42 —x—
6 a 4a m 12 14
5 16m 20 18m 16h 35k
43 -X 44 - x- 45 -x-
24 15 27c 25 21k 32m
9
21am 3 9 abc 16m 18am x
46 x— 47 48
4 7m 10a 21 5 6

4x _ 12% 15 5 3ab 12b

49 50 51
5 35 8a 6a 14 7
8a 32 b
52
5 mn 15 mn

10
4 Brackets
The terms inside a bracket are meant to be taken as a whole. However,
there are times when you need to remove brackets.

When you remove brackets:

• if you multiply or divide a bracket by a positive number, the

signs of all the terms inside the brackets remain unchanged;

• if you multiply or divide a bracket by a negative number, you

must change the signs of all the terms inside the brackets;

• if there are brackets inside other brackets, start by removing the

innermost brackets.

1 Remove the brackets and simplify Ig + (3g - 4h) - (2g - 9h).

7g + {3g-4h)-{2g-9h)

The second bracket is 7g + 3g-4h-2g + 9 h

multiplied by -1, so all
the signs change.

Now simplify by 8g + 5 h
collecting like terms.

A long line over the top of an expression counts as a bracket.

2 Remove the brackets and simplify 6x - y - 3z - 2x + 5y - 4z.

6x - y - 3z - 2x + 5y - 4z

The second bracket is 6x-y-3z-2x-5y + 4z

multiplied by -1, so all
the signs change.

Now simplify by 4x -6 y + z
collecting like terms.

11
Help yourself to algebra

3 Remove the brackets and simplify 3(a + 2b) - 2(a - 3b).

3(a + 2b) — 2(a - 3b)

The second bracket is 3a + 6b -2a + 6b

multiplied by -2, so all
the signs change.

Now simplify by a +12 b

collecting like terms.

4 Remove the brackets and simplify 2x p + 2q-3r-3x3p + 2q.

2x p + 2q-3r-3x3p + 2q

The second bracket is 2p + 4q-6r — 9p-6q

multiplied by -3, so all
the signs change.

Now simplify by —7 p — 2q — 6 r
collecting like terms.

5 Remove the brackets and simplify 2x - [3x - {(x + 4) - (2x - 3)}j.

2x - ^3x - {(x + 4) — (2x - 3)}j

Start with the innermost = 2x - [3x - {x + 4 - 2x + 3}]

brackets.

Simplify in the inside = 2x - [3x - {-x + 7}]

bracket.

Remove the next bracket. = 2x - [3x + x - 7]

Simplify. = 2x - [4x - 7]

And so on. = 2x - 4x + 7
= —2x + 7

12
 Brackets

6 Remove the brackets and simplify ab - 2a2 + 2(a2 - l[ab - 3b2)

ab - 2a2 + l\a2 - l(ab - 3Z?2)}

Start with the innermost

= ab-2a2 +2{a2 -2ab + 6b2}
brackets.

Remove the next bracket.

= ab - 2a2 + 2a2 - 4ab + \2b2
Simplify.
= -3ab + \2b2

Exercise 4

Rewrite the following expressions without brackets.

1 h + (k — m + n) 2 h-(k + m- n)
3 a —b —c 4 5a + b-5c
5 4x-(3y + 2) 6 6-p-(3q-lr)
7 2m + 6h - k - 5n 8 (4a — b) + (3c - 7)
9 4a - (5x - 2y) + 3b 10 (3e + f)-(2g-h)

In each of the following, remove the brackets and simplify.

11 la - (5a + 2b) 12 5m — (m-3n)

13 4 x + y-x 14 lx - 8x - 5y
15 8m + (3n - 8m) 16 m + 3v + (2m - 3v)

17 8m - 6u + 3v - 2v 18 6a - (4 - a) - 3
19 (4m+ 6)-(6m+ 8) 20 (4m - v + w) + (m - 2v -- w)
21 4a2 + 3a -1 - 2a2 -4a+ 3 22 (3x-5y + l)-(4x + y--3)
23 {p-q)-{p + q) + {p-q) 24 (5a + 3b) + (a- 3b) -6a- b
25
£

N?
£
1
l

26 2a2 — ^l + <22j — 7rz + (<3 + 7) 27 (4 + a) — (6 + 2b) + (5 --3c)

28 (3g-2h) + (4h-3k)-(5k- 4 g)
29 (e2 +4e)-(2e-3)-[5 + 3e
2)
30 4/m — 5mn — 6nl + 3/m - 5In — 4nm

13
Help yourself to algebra

Rewrite the following expressions without brackets.

31 3 (u + v + w) 32 -4(1 — m — n)

33 2xx + 3y + 2z 34 5(3a + b-2c)

35 3(5p-2q-3r + 4s) 36 —3(2c + 3d -5)

37 j (2u - 8v + 6) 38 | (12c -20c? -4c)

39 2(3m + n) - 3(u + 2v) 40 5(3a-4b) + 2(3c + 5d)

In each of the following, remove the brackets and simplify.

41 3a + 2(a + 2b) 42 6x + 3(2y - x)

43 lu - 5(m - v) 44 5d-3xe + 2d
45 5m - 8n + 5(2n — m) 46 1 1m - 3 x 3m + 2v
47 2(a - 3b) + 3(a + b) 48 4 x 3m - 2
49 4(3m - 2) 50 2(h + 5k) + 5(h + 2k)
51 2 (b + 2c) + 3(b — 2c) 52 6(a - 2b) - 3(2a + b)
53 4(x-2y)-3{2x-y) 54 5xm + 3v — 3xm + 4v
55 5a-lb- 4 (a -2 b + c) 56 a + 3(2a + 3b- c) — c
57 3(4a-86 + l)-4(3a- 6b +1)
58 4xm + n-3x 3m — 2n + 5 x m — 2n
59 4x3a-b-3x2a + b
60 3(2u - v) - 4(v + 2w) - 5(w + 2m)
61 2[(x + 2) + (x + 3)] 62 3{(3x-5)-(2x-6)}
63 5(2x + 5-3x-2) 64 4[2(2x + l)-3(x-2)]
65 [x(x - 2y) - 2y(x + y)] 66 3 (a(a + b) + b(a + b)}

14
5 Fractions with brackets
The notation where the horizontal line acts as a bracket, for example, in
x+3
x + y is useful when you come to work with fractions like . The

fraction line acts as a bracket, a fact that you need to remember when
you are working with fractions.

3(2*-r) x + 2y
1 Express as a single fraction.
8 8

3(2 x-y) x + 2y
~8 8~

When you put the fractions over 3(2x-y)-(x + 2y)

the LCM, 8, remember to replace
8
the fraction bar by a bracket.

Multiply out the brackets. _ 6x-3y - x-2y

8
Collect like terms. 5x - 5y
8

2 Express as a single fraction.

2x + 3 x-1
4 3

When you put the fractions over 3(2x + 3) - 4(x - 1)

the LCM, 12, remember to replace 12
the fraction bar by a bracket.

Multiply out the brackets. _ 6x + 9-4x + 4

12

Collect like terms. 2.x +13

12

Sometimes the fractions may be written in a different form.

15
Help yourself to algebra

3 Simplify |(* + y) - f(—x + 2y).

Ux+y)~H-x+2y)

Write it in fraction form. The 2(x + y) _ 3(-x + 2y)

LCM is 15.
3 5

When you put the fractions over 10(;t + y) - 9(-x + 2 y)

the LCM, remember to replace the
15
fraction bar by a bracket.

Multiply out the brackets. 1 Ox + 1 Oy + 9x - 18_y

15

Collect like terms. 19x-8y

15

Exercise 5

Simplify each of the following expressions.

2a-3 a + 4 36 + 4 26-6
1 -1- 2 -+
2 2 3 3
£

4c -3 2c+ 1 2x + 1
l

3 4
10 10
z + 5 + 3z - 5 2n + l 5n + 6
5 6
3 4
5u-3 u- 3 u-v u+v
7 -1- 8
4 6 6 8
3a-2 n
9 -1- 2 a 10
2
13x + y 3c -2d 2c — 3d
11 4x — 12
10 15
6h + 5k 4h- 6k 4a + 66 a - 46
13 14 -1-
7 21 9 6
3(a - b) 4(a + b) 3{u + 2v) 5(2u - v)
15 16
2 3 4 + 6

16
 Fractions with brackets

17 |(3m + 2n) —|(2m-n) 18 | (6 - 3c) + J (4A + 3c)

a + 3b - 2c 5a - 3b + 2c 3u + 4v + 7 „
19 20 — 3v
3 6 5
^ , 5m - 3 2m - 5 4m + 1
6 3 12
3a-b 2b+ c 2a + 4b-9c
22 +
2 4 12

23 x-^(x + 3) + ^(x-3) + 2

24 J(5«-3&)-4-~~ + ^(a + 3/7)

^ 3(2m - 3n) 4(3m + n) 3m — 17n

2 9 18

17
6 Linear equations
You know how to solve equations of the type 3x = 18. You divide both
sides by 3, to get the solution x = 6. To solve more complicated
equations the technique is to change them, little by little, into simpler
equations until you get them into a form that you recognise. The trick
is to make your changes effective, so the equations really do become
simpler.

One major aim is to isolate the term or terms involving jc so that they
are on one side of the equation, and everything else is on the other.

Examine the following examples. Look at what is done at each step to

make the new equation simpler.

1 Solve the equation 3x + 4 = 25.

3* + 4 = 25
Subtract 4 from both 3x = 21
sides.

Divide both sides by 3. x-1

It is important to check your answer.

3x7 + 4 = 25 ^

2 Solve the equation 2x + 2 = 5x - 4.

2x + 2 = 5.x - 4
Subtract 5x from both —3x + 2 — — 4
sides.

Subtract 2 from both —3x = -6

sides.

Divide both sides by -3. x-2

Now check. 2 x 2 + 2 = 6 and 5x2-4 = 6|/

Look very carefully at Example 2. If you can get an equation to a form

such as 2x + 2 = 5x — 4 with no fractions or brackets, solving it should

18
 Linear equations

be completely routine. If this is true, then you should be trying always

to get an equation into this form, and let the routine take over.

In equations where there are fractions, try to eliminate them, usually by

multiplying by a suitable number.

In equations with brackets, multiply them out.

The methods which are given are not the only methods you could use.
You can often do one or more lines at once.

3x 2
3 Solve the equation
5 3 '

3x _ 2
5 ~3

Multiply both sides by

15 to clear the fractions.

Cancel the expressions on 9x = 10

both sides.

Divide both sides by 9. 1

x= 9

Now check. 3 10 2
-x— - ✓
5 9 3

4 Solve the equation -^ + 3x = 3(x + 2).

0.3

— + 3x = 3(x + 2)
0.3

Multiply both sides by 3

■ + 3x 3 x 3(x + 2)
to remove the 0.3. 0.3

Simplify the expressions 10x + 9x = 9(x + 2)

on both sides.

Simplify the expressions 19x = 9x +18

on both sides.

Subtract 9x from each lOx = 18

side.

19
Help yourself to algebra

Divide both sides by 10. x — 1.8

Now check.
— + 3x1.8 = 11.4 and
0.3
3(1.8 + 2) = 11.4 ✓

5 Solve the equation — - — = ^

2 3 6

3x x _ 5(* - 4)
3~ 6

Multiply both sides by 6 3x x 5(*-4)

to remove the fractions. 6x =6x
V 2 6
Simplify the expressions 9x - 2x = 5(x - 4)
on both sides.

Simplify the expressions lx = 5x - 20

on both sides.

Subtract 5x from both 2x = -20

sides.

Divide both sides by 2. x = -10

Now check. 3 x -10 -10 -90 + 20 -70
2 3 6
4 5(—10 — 4) -70
and -
6 6

6 Solve the equation ——— - *--■^ = 2

2x-11 x+5
3 6
Multiply both sides by 6 f 2x-ll x + 5^j
to remove the fractions. 6x = 12
l 3 6 J
Simplify the expressions 2(2* - 1 !)-(* +5) = 12
on both sides.

Simplify the expressions 4x-22-jc-5 = 12

on both sides.

20
 Linear equations

Simplify the expressions 3.x-27 = 12

on both sides.

Add 27 to both sides. 3x = 39

Divide both sides by 3. x = 13

Now check. 2x13-11 13 + 5

= 5-3 = 2,/
3 6

Exercise 6

Solve the following equations, and check the solutions.

1 la = 3a + 20 2 577 -12 = 3
3 7c - 6 = c 4 8d - 44 = 0
5 7=9-3m 6 8 = 4n + 5
7 20-21 = 31 8 1 + 2u = 22 - 5u
9 5 = ll-6v + 9 10 2 jx-4 = 10-3}x
1 1 3 + 2y - 24 = 14 - 3y 12 2k — 3k + 4-5k

13 8-/z = 5-4/i + 3 14 2a + 20 = 5 a + 6

15 %+4d-l=4-d 16 2c = 20 - 3e - 9

17 2x +19 - 5x = x - 5 18 12- 3a - 3 = 9- 5 a

19 20 a-l0^-l0j-^a
1 2 b~4 2 = 1J+ 4 b
21 10 + 3x-7 = 7x + 8-6x 22 7 = 9 + 3x - 5

23 1 + 3m + 5 = m + 18 — 4m 24 5 n + 7 + 2n — 8 + 3n + 5

X x 1 a 1 a 3
25 26 —+—=—+-
2 ~ 3 2 2 4 4 2
3m „ m 3
27 -1 = — + - 28 3^-| = 4j
5 3 5
9u 3 2u 7
29 5d + l=d +3 30
3 6 10 _ 5 _ 5 10

31 1,3x - 2.3 = 0.9x -1.5 32 l.lfl = 0.5a + 0.9

33 2.03m-0.5 = 1.98m 34 3.2n + 0.99 = 3.13/» + 1.2

21
Help yourself to algebra

x-5 x-3 4t + 3 _ t + 3
35 36
2 4 5 ~ 2
2d + 1 d-5 . 5e- 1 7g + 4 _Q
37 -+-= 0 38
6 3 4 8

7m + 2 9m - 2 _ ^ 4« + l . _ 2n + 5
39 40
””3 5 3 2 6

4x - 3 9x-6 3 3(2a + l) 5(a + 5)_Q

41 42
2 8 4 4 6

1
43 f (4m-5)-^ (3m-4) 6
44 j (2m + 5) = j (2m + 7) -
6m - 3 2m +1 _ 2a -1 a+5 _ ,
45 46
7 _ 3 3 4 _ 2
lx -1 j _ 4x + 2 2(5f - 3) 3(5? - 2) _ 8
47 48
4 ~2 “ 3 3 5 ~ 15
3a-1 , 7a-3 5a+ 2
49 l(3*-l)-8i = f(2x 5) 50
4 6 ~ 3
4m 17_6m —1
51
3 21 _ 7
52 f(4d _ 1)_ 2 ~ f (2^ + 1)
n 11 5/7 -1 7£~5 | b-{ 4fr-3
53 + 1in~ 54
5 20 4 5 5 3

22
7 Simultaneous equations
There are two algebraic methods which you should know for solving
simultaneous equations: the method of substitution, and the method of
elimination. It doesn’t matter which you use; choose the one which is
simpler for you.

Here is an example of the method of substitution.

\y = * +1
1 Solve the simultaneous equations <
\x + y = 3

(y = x+\
[.v + y = 3

The technique is to find either x or x + (x +1) = 3

y from one equation and substitute
it into the other.

Use the technique for linear x= 1

equations to solve for x.

Substitute this value in one of the y = x +1 = 1 + 1 = 2

original equations to find y.

The solution is
x = l, y = 2

Now check by substituting in the 2=1+1

%/
other original equation. 1+2=3

It may not always be so easy to make the substitution to start the

process.

23
Help yourself to algebra

2 Solve the equations 2x + y = 7, 3x - 2y = 7.

2x + y = 7
3x — 2y -7

Rewrite one of the equations in the y = 7-2x

form y = ... .In this case, the
first is easier.

Substitute this value of y in the 3x - 2(7 - 2x) = 7

other equation.

Solve for x. x=3

Substitute this value in one of the y = 7-2x = 7-2x3-\

original equations to find y.

Solution: x = 3, y = 1

Check. 3x3-2xl=7 ✓

It is usually only worth using substitution if one of the coefficients in

the original equations is 1. If the numbers are bigger, the method of
elimination is usually better. This method consists of using
multiplication to make the coefficients of one of the unknown letters
equal, and then adding the equations or subtracting one equation from
the other to eliminate that letter.

3 Solve the equations 3x + 2y~ 12, 5jc — 3y = 1.

3x + 2y = 12
5jc — 3_y = 1

Multiply the first equation by 3 9x + 6y = 36

and the second by 2. Notice that
lOx -6y - 2
the coefficients of y in the
equations both involve 6.

Add the equations together. 19x = 38

Solve this equation. x—2
Substitute this value in one of the 3 x 2 + 2y = 12, leading
original equations to find y. to y - 3

24
 Simultaneous equations

This gives the final result. Solution: x = 2, y = 3

Check. 5x2-3x3=l ✓

You could have solved the previous pair of equations by eliminating x

instead of y.

4 Solve the equations 3x + 2y = 12, 5x-3y = l.

3x + 2y = 12
5x - 3y = 1

Multiply the first equation by 5 15x + lOy = 60

and the second by 3. The
15x-9y = 3
coefficients of x in both equations
are equal.

Subtract the second equation from 19y = 57 leading to

the first, and solve. y=3

Substitute this value in one of the 3x + 2 x 3 = 12, leading

original equations to find x. to x = 2

This gives the final result. Solution: x = 2, y = 3

Check. 5x2-3x3=l ✓

If there are fractions or brackets in the original equations, then use

suitable multiples to clear the fractions, and multiply out the brackets
and proceed as before.

5 Solve the equations ~x + ^y - 4, ^y-yx = -^.

2x + 3 y= ^
-L y-1 r = i
4 y 3 X 6

Clear fractions by multiplying one 3x + 2y = 24

equation by 6 and the other by 12. -4x + 3y = 2
Rewrite the second equation.

Now solve in the usual way and Solution: x = 4, y = 6

check the result, as described in
earlier examples. These checking
steps have been omitted.

25
Help yourself to algebra

Exercise 7

Solve the following pairs of simultaneous equations.

1 y = x + 3, x + ;y = 5 2 y - 2x - 4, 3x + _y = 11
3 2x + y = 0, x + 2y = 3 4 x + y = 4, 2x — y = 5
5 y - 2x = 1, 3x - 4y = 1 6 3x + 2y = 10, 4x-y = 6
7 x + 2_y = 7, 3x-2y = —3 8 4x — 3y = l,x — 2y = 4
9 5x + 2_y = 2, 2x + 3;y = -8 10 4x + 3y = 9, 2x + 5y — 15
11 3x — 2_y = 4, 2x + 3;y = -6 12 5y -2x = 6, 3y - 4x = 12
13 5x + y = 0, 3x - 2y = 13 14 5x + y = 7, 2x + 3y = —5
15 4a = 5b + 5, 2a = 3b + 2 16 6h = 2k + 9, 3h + 4k - \2
17 2p-5q = S,3p-7q-\\ 18 2r + 3s = 29,3r + 2s = \ 6
19 2x + 5y + 1 = 0, 3x + ly = 1 20 3a = 2b + 1, 5a = 3b + 3
21 4x = y + 7, 3x + 4y + 9 = 0 22 5v = 11 + 3m, 2u + 7v = 3
23 5d-2e- 14, 5e = J + 12 24 6x - 5;y = -7, 3x + 4y = 16
25 3/ ~ 4g = 1, 6/ - 6g = 5 26 4e + 3f = 4, 2e = 5/ + 15
27 4p + 2g + 8 = 0, 6p = 2g - 27 28 4m = 3n, &m — 9n = 7
29 5/z+ 10/: = 28, \5h = 20^ — 121 30 8v + 4z = 7, 6y - 8z = 41

31 x- — = 1, —+ — = 2-| 32 * + Z = i *-Z = li
2 2 3 6 2 2 2 6 2
33 3(x + y) = 7(y - x), 5(3x -y) = x + 3
34 7(a + b) = b - a, 4(3a + 2b) = b -8
35 /~2g + 3 = 2/-3g + 2 = l
36 1.5x-0.7y = 0.1, 0.3x + l.lj = 2.5
37 2.3m + 1.8n = 5.1, 0.9m + 2An -= 0.3
5x y 1 2x 3y 2
38
8 2 ~ 4’ 3 5 15
1 / o \ ~ m+n 1
39 — (m - 3n) = 2,-= —

40 3(3/ + 2g) = 5 - /, 4g + 5 = 2(g - 5/)

26
8 Expanding brackets
When you remove the brackets from an expression like (a + b)(c + d),
each term in the first bracket must multiply each term in the second
bracket.

To see why this is true, for the moment give (c + d) the name X, and
follow the working in Example 1.

1 Remove the brackets from (a + b)(c + d).

(.a + b)(c + d)

Let X = (c + d). =(a+b)X

Multiply out the bracket. - aX + bX

But X = (c + d). = a(c + d) + b(c + d)

Multiply the brackets. = ac + be + ad + bd

The working in Example 1 gives the justification for the statement in

the first paragraph. You will usually shorten the work as in Example 2.

2 Remove the brackets from (a + b)(c + d).

(a + b)(c + d)

Expand the first bracket. = a(c + d) + b(c + d)

And the second bracket. = ac + be + ad + bd

This process of removing brackets is called expanding the brackets.

3 Expand (2x-l)(3x + 2).

(2x — l)(3x + 2)

Expand the first bracket. = 2x(3x + 2) - l(3x + 2)

And the second bracket. — 6x2 + 4x - 3x - 2

Simplify if possible. = 6x2 + x - 2

27
Help yourself to algebra

4 Expand (2a + 3b)(3a - 4b).

(2a + 3b)(3a - 4b)

Expand the first bracket. - 2a(3a — 4b) + 3b(3a — 4b)

And the second bracket. = 6a2 - Sab + 9ba - 12b2

Simplify if possible. = 6a2 + ab - 12b2

Expand (2x -1)2.

(2x — l)2

Rewrite in full as the = (2x-l)(2x-l)

product of brackets.

Expand the first bracket. = 2x(2x — l) - l(2x — 1)

And the second bracket. = 4x2 - 2x - 2x + 1

Simplify if possible. = 4x2 - 4x +1

Exercise 8

Expand each of the following.

1 (a - c)(b - d) 2 (x + y)(p-q) 3 (a-2b)(c + 2d)

4 (2x-y)(p + 2q) 5 (2h-3k)(h-k) 6 (a-c)(b-c)
7 (a + 3 )(a + 4) 8 (b + 2 )(b + 5) 9 (m + 3 )(m — 2)
10 (n - l)(n + 2) 11 (x + 2)2 12 (y + i)(y-4)
13 (c-2)(c + 5) 14 (d~3)(d-4) 15 (p-2)(p-5)
16 (x-4)2 17 (y + lXy + 7) 18 (a - 4)(a + 6)
19 (b - 3)(b - 7) 20 (c + 5)(c -1) 21 (3 + d)(2 + d)
22 (5 - x)(2 + x) 23 (3 — y)(4 — y) 24 (m + 2 n)(m + 3 n)
'R'

"R

25 (a - 3b)(a + 2b) 2 6
m

27 (p + 2q)2
i

28 (m + 5n)(m - 3n) 29 (a + 5)(2a-3)

30 (3x + 4)(x - 2) 31 (2h-k)(3h + 2k) 3 2 (5x + 2y)(3x + 4y)
33 (3a-2b)2 34 (5 h + k)2 35 (5a - 2b)(2a - 3b)

28
9 Factorising
You know how to expand brackets. There are times when you need to
carry out the process in the other direction. This is called factorising.
The final result must be a product of a number of terms or brackets.

The first type is when there is a factor which multiplies all terms.

1 Find the factors of 2x + 4y.

lx + 4 y

2 is a factor of both terms. — 2(x + 2y)

2 Find the factors of ax + lay - 4az.

ax + lay - 4az

a is a factor of all three terms. = a(x + 2y - 4z)

3 Find the factors of la - a(l - x).

la - a(l - x)

a is a factor of both terms. = c{2-(l-x)\

Simplify the square bracket. — a(—5 + x)

The second type results in factors such as (a + b)(c + d)

4 Find the factors of ap - 2bq + aq- 2bp

ap - 2bq + aq- 2bp

Group the terms in pairs, so that = (ap - 2bp) + (aq - 2bq)

each pair has a common factor.

Take out the factors p and q. = p(a - lb) + q(a - 2b)

Then, provided that the terms in = (p + q)(a-2b)

brackets are identical, you can
complete the factorisation.

29
Help yourself to algebra

It is very important that the factors in brackets which appear in the

middle step must be the same in order to continue. In the previous case
the factor is (a - 2b).

5 Find the factors of x2 - 2xy - 2zy + xz ■

x2 - 2xy - 2zy + xz

Group the terms in pairs, so that = [x1 - 2xy) + (-2zy + xz)

each pair has a common factor.

Take out the factor in each pair. = x(x-2y) + z(x-2y)

Then, as (x - 2y) in both parts of = (x + z)(x-2y)

the expression, you can complete
the factorisation.

2
6 Find the factors of a - be + ab + ac.

a - be + ab + ac

Group the terms in pairs, so that = (a2 + ab^j + (ac - be)

each pair has a common factor.

Take out the factor in each pair. = a(a + b) + c(a - b)

Then, as the brackets in both parts There are no factors.

of the expression are not the same,
you cannot continue.

You will also need to find the factors of expressions such as

x - 5x + 6. That is, you will need to be able to write x - 5x + 6 in
the form x~ -5^ + 6 = (x-2)(x-3). Carrying out this process is
rather like doing a puzzle. You need to look at all the evidence
available, and come to a conclusion. You should also realise that it isn’t
always possible to find factors of expressions like x2 -5x + 6: for
example, there are no factors of x2 + 2x + 2.

30
 Factorising

7 Find the factors of x2 + 6x + 5.

The term in x2 must arise from brackets of the form

(■*. ){x.)■
All the signs in x2 + 6x + 5 are positive, so the brackets must
be of the form (x +.. ,)(x + ...).
The only factors of 5 are 1 and 5, so if there are factors they
must be (x+l)(x + 5).
Check by multiplying out that (x + l)(x + 5) is correct.
Then x2 + 6x + 5 = (x + l)(x + 5).

8 Find the factors of x2 - 6x + 8.

The term in x arises from the brackets (x.)(x.).

The arrangement of signs shows that the brackets are of the
form (x-...)(x
The factors of 8 are 8 and 1, or 4 and 2. This suggests that
there are two possibilities, (x - 8)(x - 1) and (x - 4)(x - 2).
Checking shows that x2 - 6x + 8 = (x - 4)(x - 2).

9 Find the factors of x -x-6.

The term in x2 arises from the brackets (x.)(x.).

The constant term, -6, is negative, so the brackets must be of
the form (x -.. .)(x + ...).
The factors of 6 are 6 and 1, or 3 and 2. This suggests that
there are four possibilities, (x-6)(x+l), (x + 6)(x-l),
(x — 3)(x + 2) and (x + 3)(x-2).
Checking these possibilities one by one shows that
x2 — x —6 = (x —3)(x + 2).

When the expression to be factorised is more complicated, the principle

is the same, but you have more possibilities to consider. With practice,
you can discard some of the possibilities quite quickly.

31
Help yourself to algebra

I 0 Find the factors of 6x2 -5x-6.

Looking at the multiple of x2, the signs and the constant term
suggests the following possibilities.
The first terms in each bracket must be (6x.)(*.) or
3
( *. )0.)•
One of the signs is positive and one is negative.
To get the final 6, the last terms must be one or other of the
forms (.6)(.1) and (.3)(.2).
Checking shows that 6x2 - 5x - 6 = (2x - 3)(3x + 2).

II Find the factors of x2 + 2x + 2.

The only possibility is x2 +2x+ 2 = (x + l)(x + 2). Checking

shows it doesn’t work. There are no factors of x2 + 2x +2.

The example which follows is an important special case. It is called the

difference of two squares.

1 2 Find the factors of x2 - 9.

Checking possibilities shows that x2 - 9 = (x- 3)(x + 3).

In general, the form x2 - y2 - [x -y){x + y), where x and y can

themselves be algebraic expressions, is very useful.

1 3 Find the factors of x2 - (2x + l)2

x2 -(2x + l)2

Use the difference of two {x + (2x + 1)}{x - (2x +1) j

squares.

Simplify each bracket. = {3x + l}{-x-l}

32
 Factorising

Exercise 9

Factorise each of the following expressions.

1 3x - 6 y 2 p2 +2p
3 pq-rq 4 2 a - ab
5 2c + 4c2 6 ap + bp
7 3m + m(u - v) 8 2a- a(3x + y)
9 x(3 -a) + bx 10 (4m-3n)p-5p
11 a(m +1) + b(m + 1) 12 a(n + 2) - b(n + 2)
13 ax - x(b - 4c) 14 5x(a — b) — 2y(a - b)
15 3h(5u - v) + 2k(5u - v) 16 m(u — v) + m2
17 d(3h + k)-4d2 18 5a2 + a[b - c)

Factorise each of the following expressions, where possible.

19 mx + nx + my + ny 20 hu + hv — ku-kv
21 am + 2bm + 2bn + an 22 2ce + 2 df -de- 4c/
23 am — an + m — n 24 a + rz" + n + 1
25 3sx -5ty + 5 tx - 3sy 26 hk - 2km + 3hn - 6mn
27 2gk-3gl + 2hk-3hl 28 3ce + 4df - 2de - 6c/
29 a2 + 8a +15 30 b2 -76 + 10
31 c2+4c —21 32 d2 — 3d - 14
33 c2 + 2e — 8 34 w + 5w + 6
35 x~ +5x-6 36 y2 -5y +6
37 z2 -5z~6 38 2d2 + 3d+ \
39 2c2—3e + l 40 2/2-/-l
41 x2 — 4 42 x2 +4x +5
43 4x2 - 9 44 a2 + 7a +10
45 a2+lab + \0b2 46 a2b2 + lab +10
47 x2-2xy-\5y2 48 m2 + 10m — 24
49 n2 — lOn - 24 50 v2 -llv + 24
51 m~+4m-21 52 m +4mn —21n
53 m2n2 + 4mn-2\ 54 3a2 -4a + l
55 3b2+b-2 56 3c2 + c + 2
58 i 2
57 x2-l i-y
59 9-4c2 60 25k2 -16
61 3 — 3x2 62 81 - w2
63 81 + w2

33
 10 Changing the subject of a formula
Changing the subject of a formula is about solving equations which
contain letters; this is very similar to solving equations with numbers.
The technique is to change them, little by little, into simpler equations
until you get them into a form that you recognise and can solve.

As with ordinary equations, the aim is to isolate the term or terms

involving jc so that they are on one side of the equation, and everything
else is on the other.

Work through the following examples. Look in particular at what is

done at each step to make what follows simpler.

1 Solve for x the equation a + x — b.

a+x=b
Subtract a from both sides to x = b—a
isolate x.

2 Solve for x the equation ex - d.

cx - d
Divide both sides by c. d
x=—
c

3 Solve for x the equation ax + b = cx.

ax + b = cx
Subtract ax from both sides to b = cx- ax
begin the process of isolating x.

Find the multiple of x on the b = x(c-a)

right-hand side. This will often
involve a factorisation.

Divide both sides by this multiple. b

x=
c-a

34
 Changing the subject of a formula

Example 3 shows an important new feature, which doesn’t arise in

ordinary equations. When the equation is in the form b = cx-ax with
the x’s isolated on one side, you need to factorise to find the multiple of
x on that side. Then you can divide by it.

Example 4 shows the same feature.

4 Solve for x the equation ax + b-cx + d.

ax + b-cx + d
Subtract b from both sides to ax = cx + d - b
begin isolating x.

Subtract cx from both sides to ax - cx = d - b

complete the isolation of x.

Factorise to find the multiple of x x(a -c)-d-b

on the left-hand side.

Divide both sides by this multiple, d-b

(a — c). (a-c)

Solving equations of the form ax + b = cx + d, without fractions and

brackets, should become routine. Once you can solve this type of
equation, you should aim with more complex equations, to get them
into this form.

When the equations are more complicated, you may need to multiply by
something to remove fractions, remove brackets, square to remove
square roots and so on. But always have the aim to get to the form
ax + b-cx + d which you know you can solve.

35
Help yourself to algebra

5 Solve for x the equation — + 2 = b

X

a
—b 2 — b
X

Multiply both sides by x to fa 3 .

x —b 2 = bx
remove the fraction. V* )

Simplify the expressions on each a + 2x-bx

side.
Subtract 2x from both sides to a = bx - 2x
begin isolating x.

Find the multiple of x on the a = x(b - 2)

right-hand side.

Divide both sides by this multiple, a

x=
(6-2). b—2

6 Solve forx the equation — +c - d .

b+x

a +c~ d
b+x

Multiply both sides by (b + x) to fa 3

(b + x) x-be = (b + x)d
remove the fractions. \b + x y

Simplify the expressions on each a + [b-b x)c = bd + xd

side.

Simplify the expressions on each a + be + xc = bd + xd

side.

Subtract xc from both sides to a + be = bd + xd - xc

begin isolating x.

Subtract bd from both sides to a + be - bd - xd - xc

complete isolating x on the right.

Find the multiple of x on the a + be - bd = x(d - c)

right-hand side.

36
 Changing the subject of a formula

Divide both sides by this multiple, a + bc - bd

(d-c). x=-
d-c

When there are square roots involved, you may need to square the
original equation.

7 Solve for x the equation Va - x -b .

-~ja- x - b

Square both sides to remove the a- x = b

square root sign.

Add x to both sides. a = b2 + x

Subtract b from both sides to a-b = x

complete isolating x on the right.

In the following example, it is better to delay the squaring process.

8 Solve for x the equation fa —~Jx = b.

yfa - 4x = b

This equation is slightly different. ~Ja = b + ^/x

Notice that you can isolate -Jx by
adding fx to both sides.
L?

Subtract b from both sides.

-o
II
1

2
Square both sides.
x = [4a -b}

37
Help yourself to algebra

9 Solve for x the equation —1-1-- = 1

x- a x-b

x b
-H-= 1
x-a x-b

Multiply by (x-a)(x — b) to x(x - b) + b{x — a)

clear the fractions. = (x - a)(x - b)

Simplify the expressions on both x - bx + bx - ab

sides.
=x - ax — bx + ab

Subtract x2 from both sides. -bx + bx- ab

= -ax - bx + ab

Simplify the expressions on both -ab - -ax — bx + ab

sides.

Subtract ab from both sides. -2 ab = -ax - bx

Find the multiple of x on the -lab = — x(a + b)

right-hand side.

Divide both sides by this multiple. lab

x —
a+b

1 0 Solve for x the equation alx2 - a2 - a.

1 2 2
a/x —a = a

Square both sides. 2 2 2

x - a = a
2 0 2
Subtract a from both sides. x -la
Take the square root of both sides, x = ±a^Jl
remembering to include the
negative square root.

38
 Changing the subject of a formula

Exercise 10

Solve for x the following equations.

1 x+ a-b 2 a—x — b 3 ax = b

4 ax + bx - c 5 ax + b - x 6 a=b
X
X X
7 —+ b=c 8 — +b-c 9 —+— = 1
X a a b

10 ‘ + *- = 1 1 1 a(x + b) = c 12 ax — b(c + x)
X X

a(b - x) = cx X x . x(a - b) = b(c - x)

13 14 —+ — = b 15
2 a 3a
a 2b + 3x
16 17 18 Vx = a
b-x~C a~ 3 b- 2x

19 V(2x) =a 20 2-Jx = a 21

22 =a 23 afx = b 24 ^(ax) = b

25 31- 26 x 2 = a_4 27 x2 = a

28 \l x + a — b 29 lx + a - b 30 -1ix'2 + a2 = b
b
31 a/ x2 + a = 3a 32 “-1 =
x 2x
33 a^j[x-Tj = 34 a-\[x - 1 = b
a b
35 (ax - b)(bx + a) = [bx2 + a^Ja 36
a-x b+x
a b
37 38 a[a2 - xj = b[b2 -x)
b-x a+x
2 2
x a ^L+Z_ = 1
39 - = 1 40
x+a x+b a2 V

41 i2 + bx = a + b 42 4b2 +2 ax = x + a

43 2^x7+b2=2x + b 44 a/x2 - a2 + a = x
x+a x-b _ x
45 ^x2^ a — x- a 46
a b b

39
Help yourself to algebra

x- a
47 48 -=-
x-b x-b x+a x+b x-a
2 1 2
49 50 x - a + -Jb(x - a)
x+a 2x-a

In each of the following questions, solve the equation for the letter
printed in bold faced type after each question. If there are two letters,
solve for each in turn.
p_N + 2
51 N 52 k ~ ^rt b
D ~ v-b
53 C = 2 nr r 54 P=aW+b W
n PRT
55 s = tf(a+0 n, 56 A-P + P, T
100
57 S = 2nr(r + ti) h 58 v2 = u2 + 2 as s , ll
L _ 2 a_
59 L- Wh W 60 R
~ a(W + P) E ~ R-r
[3h
61 R= X 62 D= h
fQ + bx 2
I
63 S = 47rr2 r 64 T = 2n M
MH

65 A= - u2 j u 66 d = a3/. H

wd f d^
67 M= / 68 l
Tl 2, 1 { 2
(T -t)nRn
69 H= t 70 H = -~(R2-r2) r
275 2 g{ >
Pbh a + 2b ,
71 T= b, a 72 x = —--h a
4 + a2 3 (a + b)
73 = w^a2 - x2 x 74 A = nrfh2 + r2 h
2,2
75
W l 1 1 2
T = JH + H, l 76 — + — = — u
U V f

l P2 -2Q1
77 V= s 78 A=
3Uk 2 P2 + Q2

79 A ~ Ttr^h2 + r2 + nr2 h 80 r_f, r , 2

r~J+lT+q

40
11 Quadratic equations (1)
An equation such as x -4x + 3 = 0, which has terms in x , x and a
constant term is called a quadratic equation.

This chapter gives practice on solving equations using a technique based

on factorising. The next chapter shows a second method.

The important step in this method is to notice that if two numbers

multiply together to give 0, one of the numbers must be 0. Notice how
this is used in the examples which follow.

1 Solve the equation x - 4x + 3 = 0.

x1 - Ax + 3 = 0

Factorise the expression, if you (x - l)(x — 3) = 0

can.
Two numbers multiply to give 0, Either (x -1) = 0 or
so one of them must be 0. (x — 3) = 0

Then solve these equations. x = 1 or x = 3

2 Solve the equation 2x2 - 5x + 2 = 0.

2x2 — 5x + 2 = 0

Factorise the expression, if you (2x - l)(x - 2) = 0

can.
Two numbers multiply to give 0, Either (2x -1) = 0 or
so one of them must be 0. (x — 2) = 0

Then solve these equations. x = j or x = 2

Notice that the expression may not have factors. Or, it may have
factors, but you cannot find them. In either ol these situations, use the
formula given in the next chapter.

41
Help yourself to algebra

Exercise 11

Solve each of the following quadratic equations using factorisation.

1 a1 - 3a + 2 = 0 2 b2 +56 + 6 = 0
3 c2 -c- 2 = 0 4 d2 + 2d — 3 - 0
5 c2 -7c+ 10 = 0 6 m — 4m = 0
7 n2 + 5n = 0 8 /72+ 7/7 + 12 = 0
9 q2 + 2q — 8=0 10 x2 - 2x + 1 = 0
11 y2-5y + 4 = 0 12 a2 - 9a = 0
13 b2 - 9 = 0 14 c2 =25
15 u2 — 8m - 9 = 0 16 v2 +2v-35 = 0
17 x2 - 6x + 9 = 0 18 >-2 +837 + I6 = 0
19 z2 - 4z = 0 20 z2 -4 = 0
21 /z2 — 15/2 + 54 = 0 22 /z2-15/7-54 = 0
23 2m2 - 5m = 0 24 2 m2 — 5m + 3 = 0
25 2/7/2 — 5m — 3 = 0 26 3/7" + n = 0
27 a2 + a — 90 28 b2-b = 72
29 3x2 + 4x + 1 = 0 30 9h~ =6/7-1
31 \6k2 +Sk + 1 = 0 32 2c2 + 5c + 3 = 0
33 3J2-5J-2 = 0 34 4c2 -20c+ 25 = 0
35 9/2 + 12/ + 4 = 0 36 4a2 -11a = 3
37 b2 +lb = 44 38 7m2 = 3m
39 5«2 + 2/7 = 0 40 2p2 -11/7 + 5 = 0
41 5</2 + 1 \q + 2 = 0 42 25z2 = 9
43 6/ = j+ 1 44 6/i2 + 13/7-5 = 0
45 16r2 =49 46 4/72 -49 = 0
47 8s2 + 14^ = 15 48 6 x2 = 7x + 20
49 12 y2 +y-35 = 0 50 63 z= 49 + 18z2

42
12 Quadratic equations (2)
Completing the square is a technique which forms the basis for getting
the well-known formula for solving quadratic equations.

Completing the square involves expressions such as x + 6x and

x -8.x. What number do you add to x + 6x to make it into a form
(x + aY, where a is a number you must find? What number do you add
to x2 -8.r to make it into a form (x + b)2, where b is a number you
must find?

The answer, which you should learn, comes from looking at the
coefficient of x. Halve it, and that is the value you want for a. But
beware: this rule works only for expressions starting x . It doesn’t
2 2
work for expressions starting 2x or 3x .

1 What number do you add to x + 8x to make it into a perfect

square?

x2 + 8x

Find the coefficient of x, and x2 + 8x + \6 - (x + 4)2

halve it, giving 4.
The number added is 16.

2 The expression x2-9x + k is a perfect square of the form

(x + a) . Find k, and find a.

x2 - 9x + k

Find the coefficient of x, and

x2 - 9x + (4 y)2 =(x-4 Y)2
halve it, giving — 4j.

This leads to the values of k

k = (4i)2=20^; a = -4j
and a.

Completing the square can enable you to solve quadratic equations.

43
Help yourself to algebra

2
3 Solve the quadratic equation x -8x + 3 = 0.

x2 - 8x + 3 = 0

Subtract 3 from both sides. x2 — 8x = —3.

Completing the square on the x2 - 8x +16 = 13

left-hand side requires 16 to be
added, so add 16 to both sides.

Rewrite the left-hand side. (x - 4)2 = 13

Square root both sides, (x — 4) = ±Vh3

remembering the ± sign.

Add 4 to both sides. x = 4±Vl3

2
Sometimes you need to make an additional step if the coefficient of x
is not equal to 1.

4 Solve the quadratic equation 2x2 - 14x + 9 = 0.

2x2 - 14x + 9 = 0
Divide by 2 to make the x2 -7x + 4 j = 0
coefficient of x equal to 1.

Subtract 4~ from both sides. x2 - 7x = ~4j-

Add (3-^-)~ = 12^ to both x2 -7x + 12^ = 7f

sides to complete the square.

Rewrite the left-hand side. 3

4

Square root both sides,

remembering the ± sign.

Add 3 \ to both sides. X = 34- +

J2-

44
 Quadratic equations (2)

Solve the quadratic equation cue2 + bx + c = 0.

ax1 + bx + c - 0
Divide by a to make the 2 b c n
x + -x+ =0
coefficient of x2 equal to 1. a a
c 2 b c
Subtract - from both sides. X H-X =-.
a a a

2 b b2 b2 c
Add f-D to both X H-X H-y =-~-
\2a 4 a1 a 4a 4a a
sides to complete the square.

Rewrite the left-hand side, and

1 b Y b2 — 4ac
express the right-hand side as x+
a single fraction. 2a 4 ai

Square root both sides,

b ' ~Jb2 -4ac
remembering the ± sign. x+■ =+
2a j 4 a1

Simplify the denominator on

the right-hand side.
( *+—
b\ =±-—
Jb2 4 ac
V 2 a) 2a

Subtract — from both sides. -b , ^[b2 - 4ac

2a x = —±-
2a 2a
Re-organise the right-hand
-b±^lb2 4 ac
side. x=
2a

6 Use the quadratic equation formula to solve the equation

2x2 -5x-4 = 0.

2xJ - 5x - 4 = 0

Compare the equation Put a = 2, b = —5 and

ax + bx + c = 0 with the c = -4.

equation 2x — 5x - 4 = 0.

45
Help yourself to algebra

Substitute these values of a, b The solutions are

and c into the formula
-(-5)±V(-5)2-4.2.H)
x-
-b±\lb2 — 4 ac 2x2
x —-.
2a
Simplify the right-hand side. 5 ± V25 + 32
x =-
4
Simplify the right-hand side. 5 ± a/57
x =-
4

Completing the square can also be useful for finding the greatest or
smallest value of a quadratic expression.

7 Find the minimum value of a: -6x + 3.

Completing the square enables (,x2 - 6x + 9) - 6 =

2
you to write x — 6x + 3 in
the following form. (x-3)2 -6

Looking at the right-hand The minimum value of the

side, the minimum value of x2 —6x + 3 is —6.
the perfect square is 0, so the
smallest value of the
expression is -6.

8 Find the maximum value of 3 + 8.x - x2.

Completing the square relies

3 -l- Sx - x2 = 3 - (jc2 - 8x)
on * having a coefficient of
1, so re-write in this form.

Complete the square with 16, 3 - (x2 - 8.x) =

and then adjust so the
expression stays the same. 19-[x2 -8x + 16)

Re-write the right-hand side. 19 - (jc - 4)2

Looking at the right-hand The maximum value of the

side, the maximum value of
19-(jx-4)2 js 19.
the expression is 19.

46
 Quadratic equations (2)

Exercise 12

In each ot questions 1 to 24, add the term which will make the given
expression into a perfect square, Then write the result as the square of an
expression in a bracket.

1 a~ + Sa 2 b2 + \0b 3 c2 -4c

4 d2 -6d 5 x2 + 5* 6 y2 - 3y
7 z2-lz 8 m2 + 2m 9 n2 — n

10 u2 — jw 1 1 v2 + 4 v 12 h2 +| h

13 k2 — \^k 14 S2-4fg 15 a +ja

16 b2-\b 17 C2-1jC 18 m2 — 8 m

Solve the following quadratic equations. Some of them factorise, so if

you can see the factors, solve them that way, but otherwise you will
have to complete the square. Do not put your answers into decimal
form.

19 a2 -4ai-21 = 0 20 b2-b- 12 = 0

21 c2 — 4c - 2 = 0 22 d2 +2d -2 = 0

23 h-+4aj + 4 = 0 24 p2 -10p-15 = 0

25 q~ + 10 q + 22 = 0 26 t2 -6t + 9 = 0

27 m2 + 6m + 7 = 0 28 2e2-e-\ = 0

29 3 nr = 6m + 2 30 2d2 -4d+\ =0

Use any method to solve the following quadratic equations. Do not put
your answers into decimal form.

31 y2 + y - 8 = 0 32 x2 - x - 6 = 0

33 a2 - 6a - 3 = 0 34 2b2 - %b - 11 = 0

35 2c2 - 3c — 9 = 0 36 jc2 -10* + 23 = 0

37 h2 = 3h + 40 38 4c2 - 8c + 1 = 0

47
Help yourself to algebra

39 d2 = \2d-35 40 e2 =3e + ll

41 x1 + 5x = 15 42 3 m2 — 5m + 2 = 0

43 4h2 = 8h + 3 44 3k2 =9k-2

45 b2 = 116 + 26 46 5 f2 =20 f - 8

47 5e2 + 15e + 1 = 0 48 y2 - 9y + 15 = 0

Find the maximum or minimum value of each of the following

expressions by completing the square.

49 a2 —4a —21 50 b2 - b-\2

51 c2 -4c-2 52 d2 + 2d-2

to

O
53 54

►—i
U\
n2 + 4n + 4 -a

+3
1

1
55 2x — x2 56 3-2y — y2

57 5 + 4 z-z2 58 5 + 4z-2z2

48
13 Linear inequalities
Solving inequalities is, in many ways, just like solving equations. You
carry out operations to both sides of the inequality to make it simpler at
each stage. However, there is one important difference.

• When you multiply or divide by a negative number, you must

change the direction of the inequality.

1 Solve the inequality x - 4 < 9.

x-4 < 9

Add 4 to both sides. x<\3

2 Solve the inequality 4 - 2x < 8.

Method 1

4 - 2jc < 8

Subtract 4 from both sides. -2x < 4

Divide both sides by -2 , x >-2

remembering to change the
direction of the inequality.

Method 2

4-2x <8

Subtract 4 from both sides. -2x<4

Add 2x to both sides, to make the 0<2x + 4

coefficient of x positive.

Subtract 4 from both sides. -4 <2x

Divide by the positive number 2. -2 < x

Rewrite the inequality. x >-2

49
Help yourself to algebra

3 Solve the inequality 3(x + 4) > 2(2 - 3x) + \ .

3(x + 4) > 2(2 - 3x) + j

Multiply both sides by 2 to 6(x + 4) > 4(2 - 3x) + 1

eliminate the fractions.

Multiply out the brackets. 6x + 24 > 8 - 12x + 1

Simplify the right-hand side. 6x + 24 > 9 — 12x

Add \2x to both sides. 18x + 24 >9

Subtract 24 from both sides. 18x > —15

Divide both sides by 18.

Exercise 13

Solve the following inequalities.

1 x-2 <3 2 x-3< 5

3 X+3 > 6 4 x +1 > 3

5 3-x <1 6 2-x<3
7 2 > x—4 8 2x > 6
9 2>x-4 10 3x -1 < 2
11 —2x < -6 12 1 - 3x < 4
13 3x + 4 <1 14 5x + 6 > 3 + 2x
15 5 - 2x >1 16 5 - 5x < x-4
17 5x — 2 > 19 - 2x 18 2(x — 3) > 5
19 2(x + 3) > 3(2 - x) 20 2(x - 3) > 5x
21 i(x-3) < ^x 22 y(3x-2)<|(.
x lx 1
23 —2(x - 3) > —3(x + 2) 24 —1— <-
3 4 5 2

50
14 Multiplication and division
You multiply algebraic expressions by an extension of the rule for
multiplying out brackets. It helps to organise the work carefully to
avoid errors. People often use a layout similar to the one for long
multiplication of numbers.

Notice the similarity of this process to long multiplication in

arithmetic. A separate column is kept for each power of a.

1 Multiply 2a3 - 3a" + 2a - 3 by 2* +3.

The row starting 4.x4

2a"3 -3a +2a-3
comes from multiplying
2a+ 3
2a3 — 3.x" + 2x - 3 by
2x. 4a4 - 6a3 + 4a2 — 6a
The row starting + 6a3 + 6a3 -9a2 +6a —9
comes from multiplying
it by 3. 4a4 -5a2 -9

Then add the columns to The product is 4a4 - 5a2 - 9.

get the product in the
bottom row.

2 Multiply a2+2ay + 4y2 by 2a-3y.

This is very similar to a2 + 2 xy + 4y2

the first worked example.
2a — 3 y
Multiply a2+2.xy + 4y2
2a3 +4a2y + 8ay2
first by 2a, then by
-3y. -3a2y -6xyz -12y3

2a3 -a3y + 2ay2-12y3

Then add the results to The product is

get the product. 2a3 - a3y + 2xy2 - 12y3.

51
Help yourself to algebra

3 Multiply x + y-2 by x-y +

Once again, terms which x + y-2

are like one another are x-y + 2
arranged underneath one
another in columns. x2 + xy - 2x

- xy - y2 +2y
+ 2x + 2y - 4

x2 -y2+4y + 4

Then add the results to The product is x2 —y2 +4y +4.

get the product.

4 Divide -18^3 +17^-11 by 3 - 2.

Notice the gap left for the - 6d2 -4d +3

‘missing’ d2 term.
3d-2) -18 d3 +17J-11
Start by dividing 3d into
-18d3 + 12d2
- 18d3\ result -6d2 .
-\2d2 + \7d
Multiply 3d -2 by
- 6d and subtract the -12 d2 +8 d
result from -18(73 9d-\\
giving -12d . 9(7-6
Now divide 3d-2 into - 5
- 12d2 + lid; result

-4d; and so on. The quotient is -6d2 -4(7 + 3,

and the remainder is -5.

52
 Multiplication and division

5 Divide 5a3 -3b3 +\9ab2 -2\a2b by a2 + 3b2 -4ab.

5a - b

a" — 4ab + 3b~^j 5a2 -21 a2b + 19ab2 - 3b3

5a3 -20a2b + \5ab2

- a2b + 4ab2 -3b3

- a2b + 4ab2 - 3b3

The quotient is 5a-b, and there

is no remainder.

Exercise 14

Multiply

1 jt2-3x + l by 2x + 3
2 2y2+y-3 by 3y-4

3 3z -5z-2 by 3z + 5
4 a2 + a — 3 by 2a + 6
5 2 b2-3b-\ by 3b-2
2 2 by 3m + 2 n
6 m — mn + n
7 3a2 —ab - b" by 2a — 2b
8 x2 — 2 xy + 3y2 by 2 x-y

9 c2 + 3cd - d2 by 2c + d
10 2h2 +4hk-k2 by 3h-6k

11 m+n+1 by m —n—\
12 u + v-l by u+v+1

13 2a- b + 3 by 2a + b-3

14 2 + 3m- 2 n by 3 + 3m + 2n

15 m3 + 2 + m- 3m2 by 3m +1

16 2n2 -1 + 3n + n3 by 2n - 3

17 a3 — 2 a~ — 2a + 5 by a2 — a+2

2u + v-3w by u — 2v — 3w
18

53
Help yourself to algebra

CM

in
19 Cj by c + 2d -5e

1
1 by a~ — ad + d2
20 a3 + a2d - d3

Divide

21 <3 —a2 — 3 a + 2 by a-2

22 m + 2m — m + 6 by m+3
23 2x3 + lx2 - 2jc - 10 by 2* + 3
24 3m3 — lu2 + 1 1m - 7 by 3m-1
25 2m3 - 9m2n + 5m/?2 + 6/?3 by 2 m - 3n
26 2x3 +3x2y - ixy2 + y3 by 2x - y
27 2b3 +lb2c -6c3 by 2b + 3c
28 a3 - lad2 + 6d3 by a + 3d
29 9x3 — 1 6jv — 10 by 3x + 2
30 y2 +15 + 6_y3 by 2y + 3
31 3o3 - la2b + 4b ' by 3 a2 — ab — 2 b2
32 4nv - Imu2 + 3u3 by 2m + mu — 3m
33 9h3 +Sk3 -22hk2 by 3/? - 4k
34 3 lm2n - 9 n3 + 10m3 by 5m + 3n
35 6b2 - 1 - 1 lb + 9b3 by 3Z?2 +4//-1
36 8 - 1 la2 + 6a3 - 9a by 2a2 - 3a - 4
3 3
37 m —n by m—n
3 3 2 , 2
38 m + n~ by m - mn + n
39 6u3 + 4v3 - 23mv2 + 7?/2v by 2u2 - v2 + 5mv
40 \9mn2 — \lm2n + 4m3 —5 n3 by m + n -3mn

54
15 Indices
When x and y are positive whole numbers the rules for indices are

• ax x ay - ax+> Rule 1

• ax +ay =ax~x Rule 2

• (ax)y=axy. Rule 3

Meanings can also be found for powers when x and y are any numbers,
positive, negative or fractions.

These rules, which won’t be proved are:

• a" = Rfa Rule 4

o

Rule 5
•

a
II

Rule 6

• a- = sfa^ or [{[a) Rule 7

Simplify 3a2x2a4.

3a2 x2a

This means 3 x a2 x 2 x a 4, so = 6 a6
multiply the numbers and use
Rule 1.

2 Simplify 3ax(2a)~.

3a x (2a)2

This means 3a x 2a x 2a, so = 12a3

multiply the numbers and use
Rule 1.

55
Help yourself to algebra

3 Simplify 252.

252

Using Rule 4, this means V25 . =5

4 Simplify 162.

16^

Using Rule 7, this means . = 43 = 64

5 Simplify 3~4.

s-4

1 _ 1
Using Rule 6, this means .
~ 34 ” 81

6 Simplify 9 2.

3
9 2

1 1 1
Using Rule 6, this means \-
9t _ 9I ~ 33 _ 27
Then use Rule 7.

7 Simplify 3.v°.

3x°

This means 3xx°. Then use =3x1=3

Rule 5.

56
 Indices

Exercise 15

Simplify the following expressions.

1 2ax3a2 2 2a x(3a)“ 3 (2a)2 x 3a

1
4 42 5 2V 6 125^

7 t/26 8 V 9 2-2
1 1
10 3"3 11 92 12 9 2
13 (25a2)' 14 2a_1 15 (2a)-1
3
16 42 17 2-2 x 23 18
(V
19 1CT2 20 n 21 3a-2

22 (3a)-2 23 24
f 2)4
1 3
25 26 27 32 x 32
(if ar*
1 3
28 29 32 x 3 2 30 0.04^

31 2a-1 x 3a2 32 (2a) 1 x 3a2 33 2a_I x (3a)

1 5
34 16“* 35 22 x22 36 (2‘)"’

37 125"2 38 3* x 3"* 39 16*

40 0.02V 41 2a x 3a~2 42 2ax(3a)-"

3 1
43 4 2 44 45
3-2

47 V 1’ 48 3,-1 X31-"
46 2 x 2-3 4

49 64 50 ^8a-6 51 2x2 x 3x~^

52 0.125“^ 53 54 il\6a~]2
(f)4

57
Help yourself to algebra

55 4a3bx 3ab 1 56 4a3b x (3ab) 57

i/(I25T
15a2b~2
58
5a3b~3
59 (2x)- x (2x3 j2 60 (I)4
Re-write the following expressions using positive indices only.

_2
61 a-2 62 b~x 63 c 3
64 xy_1 65 66 a~2b3

67 ab~3 68 M“3 69 2x~^

2
70

Solve for x the following equations.

71 x^ = 2 72 x^ = 3 73 x_1 =2

74 x~2 =9 75 2x3 = 54 76 x"* = 5

77 x~3 =9 78 2x~3 = -16 79 5x = 40x 2

80 x = 9^9x2

58
16 Revision exercises
Revision exercise 1

1 Factorise a~ + 5a - 14.

2 Solve the equation -—- + -—- = 0

3 2

3 Solve the equation 3x2 - 13x + 10 = 0.

4 Factorise x2 -25y2.

5-x 1
5 Solve the equation
4 x

, _ . , . . 3m+ 2 2m+ 5 1
6 hxpress as a single traction - -b —
4 3 6

[2x + 3y = 4
7 Solve the simultaneous equations
I 3x — y = -5

kl
8 Solve for / the equation e =
I + ci

9 Simplify 3x+y x 3x~y x 9~x.

10 Solve the inequality 2 - 3x <-10.

Revision exercise 2

21 h
1 Solve for r the equation V = nh r-
3)

2 Factorise a -2bc -2ab + ac.

1 2 6
3 Solve the equation-1-= ---
x — 1 2x-l 3x-l

59
Help yourself to algebra

\ (lx \ 4x-5 1
4 Solve the equation —I—+ 8

[ 2x = 3y + 4
5 Solve the simultaneous equations
I x — 2y + 3 = 0

6 Simplify 9 2.

7
,
Solve the equation
10
-
10 ,
= 1.
x—2 x+3

8 Solve the inequality 4{x — 1) < 3(x - l).

9 Factorise 9x2 - 16y2.

10 Simplify ^(x + 2y)-^{2x-5y).

Revision exercise 3

1 Solve the equation (x - l)7 = x -1.

2 Factorise 4x2-17xy + 4y2.

3 Factorise 6ax -6y — 9ay + 4x.

2 Hg-V1
4 Solve for H the equation E =
2 Hg

5 Solve the equation 3xl - 5jc +1 = 0 giving your answers correct

to 2 decimal places.

6 Express 1—— - ——— as a single fraction.

7 Solve the equation 10 3 H— = 29.

V xj

8 Solve the equation 10x2 +10 = 29x.

60
 Revision exercises

4x -5y = 2
9 Solve the simultaneous equations
5x + 4y = 23

10 Simplify ~Jx2y

Revision exercise 4

1 Simplify (3a)~x4a.

2 Solve the simultaneous equations x - y = 2x - 3y = 5.

3
I (
Solve tor d the equation v = jgdll + — .
3/z >

4 Solve the equation 2x - 4x - 3 = 0 giving your answers correct

to 2 decimal places.

5 Solve the equation (x-2)(x- 3) = 2.

2 1
6 Express — + — as a single fraction.
x 2

1 Factorise completely x4 - y4.

x-1 2(x — 2) _
8 Solve the equation
2 3

9 Solve the inequality ^{3x —1)> y(4x-l).

10 Find the remainder when —2x+l is divided by x — 3.

Revision exercise 5

1 Multiply jc2-2x + 4 by x + 2.

2 Factorise a~ + 2ab + b~ - c2 .

61
Help yourself to algebra

x-1 2(x-2)
3 Solve the equation

4 Simplify (x3y2) 2 x(xy)~

5 Solve the equation -x + 12x - 3 = 0 giving your answers correct

to 2 decimal places.

2x x -1 1
6 Solve the equation
x+3 x+1 2

7 Eliminate E from the equations E = 2c fi+l)

V mj
(
= 3k 1
v
-
2
-

m
and

solve the resulting equation for m.

8 Find the quotient and the remainder when x4 is divided by

x2 — 2x + 2.

9 Factorise 12x 2-7xy-12y2.

10 Solve the inequality -3(x + 1) > \x.

62
17 Answers

Exercise 2, page 5

1 id 2 6e 3 6/?
4 4 a + 14 b 5 3h + 6 6 lx + 5_y — 4
7 4x + 9 y 8 4a + 9b 9 / + 2g
10 2m + 5n + 9 11 x+4 12 3a + b + 3c
13 36 + 56 + 2 14 3n + 3 15 a + 3b + 3c
16 3g + 4r + 3s 17 Ixy 18 4 ab
19 8 hk 20 10ab+Ibc 21 2c d
22 xy 23 3ab + 3bc 24 2ab + 3be
25 6fg + 3 gh 26 uv + 2 vw 27 3 ab + 2 be + cd
28 11 mn — 8 mu — 6 VM 29 3 ab + 2 cd + 2 ac
30 4p-2q + 3r + 2s 31 5a” + la + 8
32 6 b + 2b + 1 33 2c1 + 3c + 5 34 x1 +5x + 3
35 ly2 +4y + 3 36 2z3+5z2+8z + 4
37 15 m 38 32 a 39 21 h
40 5k 41 4x 42 11 n
43 17 p 44 12 a + 5 45 146-3
46 3+ 10m 47 13x 48 7?
49 21-14a 50 0 51 3a
52 5r + l 53 llx 54 5 ab
55 Imn 56 10 u 57 6 xy
58 0 59 12 ab 60 3 a + 4b
61 PQ 62 5x 63 led
64 15 m2 65 28 n2 66 40 u
67 0 68 2a

Exercise 3, page 9

3 5
3 l
1 8 2 7 5
3 l 6 3
4 4
5 3 4

X 4a a
7 8 9 —
4y 5c 3

63
Help yourself to algebra

2k 3a 3
10 11 12
3A 4 4n
4m 3 z
13 14 15
5n 4x y
8a 2b _ b 6c
16 17 18
11 8 ~ 4 5
11* 10 m - 9n 20a - 9 b
19 20 21
12 15 24
a + 2b 2x 10
22 23 24
m a mn
2c + 3d 8a-3b + 5c a
25 26 27
uvw 10 4
6a-8b + 9 c 4a + x 10a - 9c
28 29 30
12 4 24
3c + 8d - lOe 5u - 2d 4n — 3m
31 32 33
12 5 mn
3m — 2 n 2b - 5a 4c + 3a
34 35 36
6a abu ace
3x + 5n-2m pc - qb + ra 2a
37 38 39
mnx abc 3
15 18 3x
40 41 42
2 a 8
2m 8m 5h
43 44 45
9 15c 6m
9a 24cm 3 amx
46 47 48
4 35 b y
7 9 a
49 50 51
3 4 8
3a
52
4b

Exercise 4, page 13

1 h+k—m+n 2 h—k—m+n 3 a-b + c

4 5a + b - 5c 5 4x-3y -2 6 6- p-3q + lr
7 3m + 6h-k — 5n 8 4a - b + 3c - 7 9 4a-5x + 2y + 3b
10 3e + f-2g + h 11 2a - 2b 12 4m + 3 n
13 3x + y 14 -x + 5y 15 3n
16 3u 17 2u - 5v 18 la-1

64
 Answers

19 -2m — 2 20 5m -3v 21 2a1 + la-4

22 -x - 6y + 4 23 p-3q 24 -b
25 ZW-yz 26 a 2 -6a+ 6 27 a-2b-3c + 3
28 2 g + 2h — 8 k 29 -2e2 +2e-2 30 bn - mn + nl
31 3u + 3v + 3w 32 -41 + 4m + 4m 33 2* + 6;y + 4z
34 15a+ 56-10c 35 \5p-6q-9r + \2s
36 -6c — 9d + l5 37 u — 4v + 3 38 9c-\5d-3e
39 6m + 2n-3u- 6v
40 I5a-20b + 6c + l0d 41 5a ■+■ 4 b
42 3x + 6 y 43 2m + 5v 44 -d - 3e
45 2n 46 2m — 6v 47 5a - 3b
48 12 m —2 49 12mz - 8 50 Ih + 20 k
51 5b - 2c 52 -15 b 53 —2x - 5y
54 2 u + 3v 55 a + b -4c 56 la + 9b- 4c
57 -1 58 0 59 6a
60 —4m — 7v — 13w 61 4x +10 62 3x + 3
63 —5x + 35 64 4x + 32 65 x2 - 4xy - 2y2
)
66 3 a2 + 6 ab + 3 b‘

Exercise 5, page 16

3a +1 5b-2 2c-4
1 3
2 3 5
4 x—3 lz-5 X -7n+ 10
5 D
2 4 12
17m -15 u—7v 11a-2
7 8 9
12 24 4
b +1 -x-y 13c - 12J
10 1 1 12
2 3 30
2/z + 3£ 11 a a —lib
13 14 15
3 18 6
29m + 8v 6m + 25m 56b-33c
16 17 18
12 12 24
-a + 3b - 2c 3m -1 lv + 7 2m + 5
19 20 21
2 5 4

65
Help yourself to algebra

5a-2b — 3c 13x + 6 6a - lb
22 23 24
3 15 2
3m - Sn
25
2

Exercise 6, page 21

1 5 2 3 3 1

5 2 6 3
4 3 4

7 4 8 3 9 2-

10 2- 11 7 12 1
3
13 0 14 41
4 3
15 5
16 2- 17 6 18 0

19 8 20 15 21 22
22 1 23 2 24 4
25 3 26 5 27 6

28 \1 29 30 2-
3 H
31 2 32 33 10

34 3 35 7 36 3
3
37 4
38 2 39 0
40 2 41 4 42

43 44 2 45 4

46 5 47 3f 48 4

49 4 50 5| 51 if
52 2 3
2 53 3
54 8

Exercise 7, page 26

1 * = 1, y = 4 2 x = 3, y = 2 3 * = -y,y = '
4 * = 3, y = 1 5 ^= -l,y = -l 6 x = 2,y = 2

66
 Answers

cn

so

to
H
II

II
9

x
II

v
x = 2, y = -4

II
1

UJ1
10 x = 0, y = 3 11 x = 0, j = -2 12 x = -3, y = 0
13 x = 1, y = -5 14 x ~ 2, _y — —3 15 <3 = 2-j, 6 = 1
16 h = 2,k = \\ 17 P = -!,<? =-2 18 r = -2, $ = 11
19 x = 12,y = -5 20 a = 3, b - 4 21 x = \,y = - 3
22 u = -2, v = 1 23 d — —2, e = 2 24 x = \±,y = 3
25 f = 2\,g = l\ 26 e = 2\,f = -2 27 p = -3^,q - 3
28 m = -lj, n = -2j 29 h = ~2\,k = 4±
30 x = 2j,y = -3j 31 x = 3, y = 4

32 x — 2, y = —3 33 x — 2, y — 5 34 a = -3, b = 4

35 / = 4, g = 3 36 x— y=2 37 m - 3, n — -1

38 x - 2, y = 2 39 m = 3, n = -1 40 /=-u = 2i
Exercise 8, page 28

1 ab - ad — be + cd 2 xp-xq + yp-yq
3 ac + 2 ad - 2 be - 4bd 4 2xp + 4xg -yp- 2yq
5 2h2 — 5hk + 3k2 6 ab - ac — bc + c2
7 a + la + 12 8 6 2 + 76 + 10 9 m +m-6
10 n2 —5n — 14 11 x2 +4x + 4 12 /-3y-4
13 c2+3c-10 14 d2-ld + \2 15 p2 -7/7 + 10
16 x2 — 8x+ 16 17 y2 +&y + 7 18 a2 + 2a- 24
19 b2-\0b + 2\ 20 c2 + 4c —5 21 6 + 5<7 +
22 10 + 3x - x2 23 \2-7y + y2 24 m + 5mn + 6«
25 a2-ab-6b2 26 x2 - Ixy + 12;y2 27 p2 +4pq + 4q2
2 2 29 2a2 + 7a - 15
28 m + 2mn — 15 n
30 3x2 -2x-8 31 6h2 + hk - 2k2 32 15x2 +26xy + 8j'

33 9a2 -12^6 +462 34 25h2 + 10M + &2

35 I0a-\9ab + 6b2

67
Help yourself to algebra

Exercise 9, page 33

1 3(*-2 y) 2 p(p + 2) 3 q(p - r)

4 a(2-b) 5 2c(l + 2c) 6 p(a + b)
7 m( 3 + u-v) 8 a(2 — 3x - y) 9 x{3 -a + b)
10 p(4m - 3n - 5) 11 (a + b)(m + 1) 12 (a - b)(n + 2)
13 x(a - b + 4c) 14 (5x - 2y)(a - b) 15 (3h + 2k)(5u-v)
16 m(u — v + m) 17 d(3h + k — 4 d) 18 a(5a + b-c)
19 (.m + n)(x + y) 20 {h - k)(u + v) 21 (a + 2 b)(m + n)

22 (2c - d)(e -If) 2 3 (a + 1 )(m - n) 24 (a + l)(a“ + lj

25 (3s + 5r)(;c - y) 26 (k + 3n)(h - 2m) 27 {2k-3l)(g + h)

28 (3c - 2d)(e - 2f) 29 (a + 3)(a + 5)
30 (b - 2){b - 5) 31 (c + 7)(c-3) 32 (<f-7)(d + 2)
33 (c + 4)(e-2) 34 (w + 3)(w + 2) 35 (x + 6)(a: - 1)
36 (y- 2X>-3) 37 {z - 6)(z +1) 38 (2d + 1 )(d +1)
39 (2e-l)(e-l) 40 (2/+l)(/-l) 41 (a: - 2)(x + 2)
42 No factors 43 (2x-3)(2x + 3) 44 (a + 5)(a + 2)
45 (a + 5£>)(a + 2b) 4 6 (.ab + 5 )(ab + 2) 47 (x-5y)(x + 3y)
48 (m + 12)(m-2) 4 9 (n - 12)(n + 2) 50 (v - 8)(v - 3)
51 (m + 7)(m - 3) 52 (m + ln)(m - 3n) 5 3 (mn + l)(mn - 3)
54 (3a - l)(a - l) 55 (3b-2)(b + \) 56 No factors
57 (x - l)(x + 1) 58 (i-yXi+4 59 (3-2c)(3 + 2c)
60 (5* - 4)(5* + 4) 61 3(1 - x)(l + x) 62 (9 - w)(9 + w)
63 No factors

Exercise 10, page 39

b
1 x = b-a 2 x-a-b 3 x=—
a
c b a
4 x -- 5 x =- 6 x=—
a+b 1-a b
a ab
7 x= 8 x = a(c - b) 9 x= -
c-b a+b

68
 Answers

be
10 x=a+b 11 x = --b 1 2 x =-
a a-b
ab 6 ab be
13 x— 14 x= - 15 X=
a+c 5 a
. a x b(ia-2)
16 x-b — 17 1 8 x = a2
c 2a+ 3
2 2
a a
19 x=— 20 x—— 2 1 x = 2 a2
2 4
. 9 b2 b2
22 x = 4 a~ 23 X= 24 x=—
a a
25 x = ab3 26 x - ±a2 27 x - ±4a

28 x = b2 — a 29 x = {b - a)2 30 x = ±^b2 -

b . b2
31 x = ±2a^2 32 x = a- 33 x = 1 H—v
2 a2
(b + lV a
34 x= 35 36 x = 0 if a
l a ) a-b
a+b
37 x = b -a 38 x = a2 + ab + b2 39 x =-
2

40 x — ± — ^Jb2 - y2 41 x = 2a + b
b v
3b
42 x = ±^Jb2 — a2 43 x=— 44 x=a
4

2 ab b
45 x — -a 46 x- 47 x=—
2a — b 2

48 x =- 49 x = 2a 50 x = a or x = a + b
b
c
51 N = PD - 2 52 i> = ^ 53 r=
k + rt 2k
P-b 2s 2s - an
54 W =- 55 n— / =
a a +1 n
100 A 100 (A-P)
56 P= T= 57 h
100 + RT PR 2 nr
2 2 LaP
V —U
58 -; u = ±a/v — 2 as 59 W=
2a h — La
r, 2a£ P + RZQ 2D2
60 R=— +r 61 x= 62 h=
L a - R2b

69
Help yourself to algebra

An2! 2 2A
63 64 M= 65 u = ±fv-
2\n HT2 m
A7r ,_ d 4M w</'
66 H = 67 l— —l- 68 / =
2 wJ 2(W - 5)
275//
69 r = r- 70 r = ±jV-^
nRn w
T~^a2+4^j \Pbh b(3x-2h)
71 ■; a = ± -4 72 a=
Ph Tl h — 3x

I 2 y2 74 1 a2
73 x = +fa-2 h ~ —-J 2 2 '
V w \n r

yf
75 H = T2- — ; / = ± 2 Vr2 - // 76 u = —
4 w 2v — /

2+A
77 5 = 2\l9nV2 78 p=±a
\-2A:

■2Anr
79 h =± 80 q = ±^r2 -rf
nr

Exercise 11, page 42

1 2,1 2 -3,-2 3 2,-1

4 1,-3 5 2,5 6 0,4
7 0,-5 8 -3,-4 9 2,-4
10 1,1 1 1 1,4 12 0,9
13 3,-3 14 5,-5 15 -1,9
16 5,-7 17 3,3 18 -4,-4
19 0,4 20 -2,2 21 6,9
22 -3,18 23 0,22 24 ui
25 -1,3 26 0,-2 27 9,-10
28 -8,9 29 30 l l
-1’ —1 3’ 3
l l 2-2
31 4’ 4 32 -Wi 33 z'> 3
34 2- 2 — 35 2 2 36 3J, -2
3’ 3 4
o

37 4,-11 38 0,f 39
l

40 5,2 41 -2-2
z', 5 42 ±!
43 1 l 44 1 -21 45
2’ 3 3’ ^2 ±i?

70
 Answers

46 +3 2'
— 47 1 -2- 48 2f-f
49 \1
1 3 ’ -ll
1 4 50 2- 1 -

Exercise 12, page 47

1 16; (a + 4)2 2 25; (b + 5)2 3 4; (c-2)2

4 9; (d - 3)2 5 6
6i; (-r+27) 2j;
7 12{; (z-3i)2 8 1; (m + l)2 9
b {"-if
10 b (w-{)2 11 12
64 ’ (V + k) 9 : (/7 + l)
13 14 5|; (*-2i)2 15 (a + J_
emi2
16 (b~if 17 M)2 18 16; (m-4)2
19 -3,7 20 -3,4 21 2 ± V6
22 -1 + v'3 23 -2,-2 24 5±2a/T0
25 -5 ± v'3 26 3,3 27 -3±V2
28 -i,l 29 30 i±Vi
-1 + V33
31 32 -2,3 33 3±2-j3
2
8±Vl52
34 35 -If 3 36 5±a/2
4
8 + V48
37 -5,8 38 39 5, 7
8
3 ± V-53 -5±V85 2 i
40 41 42 3 ’ 1
2 2
8±Vll2 9 ± a/57
43 44 45 -2,13
8 6
20 ± V240 -15±V205 9 ± V2l
46 47 48
10 10 2
49 -25 50 -12- 51 -6
52 -3 53 0 54 -40
55 1 56 4 57 9
58 7

71
Help yourself to algebra

Exercise 13, page 50

1 x <5 2 x<8 3 x>3

4 x>2 5 x>2 6 x>-l
7 x <6 8 x>3 9 x<6
10 x<\ 11 x>3 12 x>-l
13 x<-\ 14 x>-l 15 x<2
16 x>\\ 17 x>3 18 X >52
19 x>0 20 x < -2 21 X > -9

22 x <2 23 x > -12 24 x < -5

Exercise 14, page 53

1 2x3-3x2-7x + 3 2 6y3 -5y2 - 13_y + 12

3 9z3 — 3 lz —10 4 2a3 + 8a2 — 18
5 6b3 -13b2 +3b + 2 6 3 m3 — m2 n + mn2 + 2 n3
7 6a3-8a2b + 2b3 8 2x3 -5x2y + 8xy2 -3y3
9 2c3 +lc2d + cd2 -d3 10 6h3 -21 hk2 + 6k3
11 m2 — n2 — 2n — 1 12 u~ + 2 uv + v2 — 1
13 4a2 -b2 +6b-9 14 6 + 15m — 2 n + 9 m2 — 4n2
15 3m4 - 8m3 + 7m+ 2 16 2n4 + n3 — 1 In + 3
17 a5-3a4+2a3+3a2-9a + l0
18 2u2 -2v2 +9h’2 -3uv-9uw + 3vw
19 c2 -4d2 +25e2 -\0ce 20 a5 + a<74 - d5
21 a2 + a -l 22 m2 — m + 2
23 x2 + 2x - 4, rem. 2 24 m -2w + 3, rem. -4
25 m2 —3mn — 2n2 26 x2 +2xy-y2
27 £>2 + 27>c - 3c2 , rem. 3c3 28 — 3<3r/ + 2d~
29 3x2 - 2x - 4, rem. -2 30 3y2 -4^ + 6, rem. —3
31 a-2b 32 2m - u

33 3h2 + 4hk - 2k2 34 2 m2 + 5 mn — 3 n2

35 3b-2, rem. -3 36 3a-1, rem. 4
37 m2 + mn + n2 38 m+n
39 3«-4v 40 4m - 5n

72
 Answers

Exercise 15, page 57

CO
6 a3 2 3 12a
4 2 5 3 6 5
7 4 8 4 9 l
4
10 l 1
27 11 3 12 3
2 1
13 5a 14 1 5
a 2a
16 8 17 2 18 16
l 3
19 20 21
100 H 2
a
1 1
22 23 9 24
9 a2 a
25 9 26 2 27 9
28 9 29 l
3
30 0.2
3a
31 6a 32 33 18a
2

34 l l
64
35 8 36 16

37 1 1
25
38 1 39 8
6 2
40 0.09 41 42
a 9a
43 l 44 2- 45 9
8

46 1 47 2 48 1
4

1 2 6
49 32
50 ~2 51 2
a X

27
2
52 2 53 64
54 ~T
a
12a4 4a
55 56 57 J
b 9b
15 b 64
58 59 4x5 60 27
a
1 1 i
61 62 63
a‘1 b c3

X 1
64 65 66 2
y xy a

73
Help yourself to algebra

a 1 2
67 68 69 1
b3 a3b3 X2

3
70 2 71 4 72 27
y5
1 74 l 75 3
73 2 3
i 1 1
76 25
77 27
78 2
79 4 80 81

Revision exercise 1, page 59

1 (a + l)(a - 2) 2 5 3 1, 3}
m — 12
4 (x - 5y)(x + 5y) 5 1, 4 6 -
12
ea
7 x = —1, y — 2 8 9 1
k~e
10 x>4

Revision exercise 2, page 59

3V + nlr
1 (a - 2b)(a + c)
37th2
4 2 5 x = 17, y = 10
7 7,-8 8 x<l 9 (3x-4y)(3x + 4y)
-x +16 y
10

Revision exercise 3, page 60

1 1, 2 2 3 (2x - 3y)(2 + 3a)

K
1

11-3x
4 // = 1,2 5 1.43, 0.23 6
2g(l-E) 4

7 -10 8 2-5 ’ 2- 9 x = 3, y = 2
^2
10
y
V 2
or y~2

74
 Answers

Revision exercise 4, page 61

d=v^-3gh
1 36a3 2 = 10, y = 5 3
8
4+x
4 -0.58,2.58 5 1,4 6
2x
7 (x - y)(x + y)(x2 + /) 8 -1

9 x<\ 10 22

Revision exercise 5, page 61

1 x3+8 2 (a + b + c)(a + b -c)

3 11 4 y 5 11.74, 0.26

6k + 2c
6 1,3 7 m =- 8 x~ + 2x + 2, — 4
3k-2c
9 (3*-4y)(4;c + 3y) 10

75
DATE DUE
 Help yourself to
algebra

Help yourself to algebra is designed for students starting

advanced courses in mathematics, who need to improve
or practise their algebraic skills.

The book provides:

• Chapters focussed on individual techniques

• Worked examples with commentaries to illustrate most

types of equation and the general principles behind them

• Graded exercises, with answers, to give practice in

manipulation and equation solving

Through clear explanation and plenty of practice, the

book aims to increase confidence firstly in the technique
of algebra and then in the application of algebraic skills to
other areas of mathematics.

H LONGMAN

ISBN 0-5&E-E10L&-L