Merced College; Don Power

 

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA - CH 5, LECTURE

 

5.1  Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation

 

Exponents -  you know basic definition;

exponent form vs expanded form for 34

      Identify the base and exponent.

      Ex:  Is (a+b)2 = a2 + b2 ?

            Definition is?

            What is missing if you expand (a+b)(a+b) by FOIL?

            In general, if you can't remember algebra rules, try substitution (let a=2, b=3...)

 

Exponents

 

Properties:

      1.  Product:  ar * as = ar+s    When multiplying factors with equal bases, add the exponents

                  Why?  Exponents count factors.  So 23 * 24 = (2*2*2)*(2*2*2*2)  = 27

                  Don't change the base

 

      2.  Product-to-Power:  (ab)r = arbr        Distribute exponents to every factor

                        (i.e. across multiplication/division);  Ex: (2x5)3

                        Why?  Again, consider expanded form:  (2x5)3 = 2x5*2x5*2x5 = 23x15 = 8x15

                        Note:  This includes numerical factors

 

      3.  Power-to-Power:  (ar)s = ars       To raise a power to a power, multiply exponents

                        (don't change the base)

                        Why?  Exponents count factors.  So (23)4 = 23*23*23*23 = 212 by property 1

 

      4.  Quotient:  ar / as = ar-s          This corresponds to property 1

                  In practice, this can lead to negative exponents:  Ex:  x3 / x8

                  Except for scientific notation, it's better to avoid a negative  exponents (think cancellation):
                        you should leave a positive power in the denominator:  Ex:  x3 / x8 = 1 / x5

                  For each base ask:

                        How many factors are there in the numerator?

                        How many factors are there in the denominator?

                        How many of those factors get cancelled?

                        Finally, How many of those factors remain, and where are they (top or bottom)?

 

      5.  Quotient-to-Power:  (a/b)r = ar / br   (2x / y5)3 = (2x)3 / (y5)3 = (by rules 2,3) 23x3 / y15 = 8x3 / y15

 

Special exponents 0 and 1, negative exponents:

 

      6.  a1 = a and a0 = 1 (provided a¹0)     Isn't 23 / 23 = 1?  With subt of exponents we have 20 = 1.

     

      7.  (a/b)-r = (b/a)r          Neg exponents correspond to reciprocals

                        Why?  Since a0 = 1, we get: 1 / ar = a0 / ar = (by rule 6) a0−r = a−r

                        In particular:

                              a−r / 1 = 1 / ar       and      1 / a-r =  ar / 1

                         

                        Implication:  To clear a negative exponent, move the factor across the fraction bar

 

My suggested order of ops for clearing up exponents:

      1.  Distribute exponents to factors in parentheses (including numerical factors)

Caution:  not across terms:  if we have + or - in the parenthesis, we can't distribute the exponent.

Ex: (1+1)2 ≠ 12 + 12

      2.  Move factors with negative exponents

      3.  Combine factors with like bases:

                  Add exponents if on same side of fraction bar

                  Subtract exponents if on opposite sides of fraction bar

      4.  Evaluate exponents for numerical factors

 

Examples:         ,  

 

 

Scientific Notation

 

Tasks:

 

1.  Translate back and forth, for both large and small numbers

2.  Enter into calculator and read calculator display:

      Entry:  Use key marked E, EE, EXP, not e or ex  For 8.0 x 10−5, type  8  EE  (−)  5

      Reading:  Exponent of 10 follows E or is shown separated (or maybe raised)

 

3.   Multiply and divide using scientific notation

      Manually.   Issue:  translate result into scientific notation

            Ex:  8E-5 / (4E6 * 5E-8) = 0.4E−3 = 4E−4

      With calculator

            Ex: 

 

5.2  Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

 

Set up, if necessary; clear parentheses and combine like terms.

      I suggest underlining like terms, if needed, instead of introducing extra parentheses.

      Ex:  Subtract (-4x2+5x-3) - (2x2+x-7)

 

Vertical format is good for longer problems

 

Position function for a free-falling object on the earth's surface:  units feet, seconds, ft/sec

 

      h(t) = –16t2 + v0t +s0

     

      For our applications, we'll substitute values for t:  i.e., find h(2) etc.       

 

5.3 Multiplying Polynomials

 

General technique:  multiply every term in first polynomial times every term in second polynomial

            Multiply coefficients, copy bases, add exponents for like bases

      Justification:  distributive law

Ex:  Multiply, using FOIL:  (3x+2)(x-7)

      Vertical format is sometimes useful:   x3 - 3x2 + 4x - 3 times 4x2 + 3x -7

 

Special products:

 

Square of a binomial

Know the formula

Learn to do by FOIL, without writing out

      Ex:  (2x-3)2

 

Product of a Sum and Diff [of Same Two Terms] yields a difference of squares

      Know the formula

Avoid having to do FOIL

      Ex:  (2x-3)(2x+3)

 

Contrast the last two cases:

Remember which pattern contains a middle term, and remember how to calculate it

 

Application:  Calculate area of a side, or volume, if sides of rectangular solid are n, n+1, n+2

 

Application:  Calculate revenue R = xp  where price per unit is 50–0.001x

      Then find R(100)  (what does this mean?)

 

#109-110 relate to the general compound interest formula

#111-112  illustrate multiplication rules using geometry

 

 

5.4  Factoring:  Grouping and Special Products

 

General Procedure for Factoring     

 

      1.   First step:  factor out GCF

 

Ex:  Factor 6x5 - 12x4y + 18x3z + 6x2   [common factor]

Ex.  Factor  3x(x-4)+y(x-4)-z(x-4)  [common factor]

 

      2.   Count terms

 

            4 terms (or more):  factor by grouping (this lesson)

 

            3 terms :  "trinomial factoring"  (lesson 5.5)

 

            2 terms:  special forms (this lesson)

                  difference of squares

                  sum or difference of cubes

     

      3.   Check to see if you can factor further

 

Factoring by Grouping

     

 

      Possibilities

            Usually:  Grouping terms in pairs, factor out common factors

 

      Ex:    Factor  x3y3 + 2x3 + 5x2y3 + 10x2 

 

Common factor exists.  Usually, it's harder to factor if you don't pull out the common factor first.  In this unusual case, it's just as easy either way.

 

      Ex:    Factor  15x3 + 12x2 – 10x + 8

 

            Not factorable as is. (Why?)  Change the last sign to negative, and it can be done.

 

            Less often:  Combinations involving special factoring (hold these for later):

 

                  a.   Group terms in pairs, with one pair involving a difference of squares

 

                        Ex:   Factor  x2 – 4y2 – x + 2y

                        Ex:   Factor  y2 −16x2 + 2y + 8x 

 

                  b.   Grouping 3 terms as be a perfect square;

                              that perfect square minus a constant could be a difference of squares

 

                              Ex:  Factor  x2 – 6x + 9 – 4y2

                              Ex:  Factor  x2-8x+16-25y2

                              Ex:  Factor  x2+4xy+4y2-16

 

Special Factoring

 

Perfect squares:  you get them immediately if you follow the procedure in 5.5 below

 

      Ex:  Factor  32x2 -96xy +72y2  [always factor out common factor first]

     

Differences of squares:  you may have to factor out common factor to see the pattern

 

      Ex:  Factor  98x2-32y2

     

      Clearing fractions if they exist: How do you do factor out LCD when there is a fraction?

 

      Ex:  Factor          Start by putting over a common denominator, then factor out the denom.

                  We get  or   Finish as a difference of squares

     

Sum/ difference of cubes:

 

      Formula:  u3 ± v3 = (u ± v) (u2 –/+ uv + v2)

 

            We have a short, easy factor and a longer, harder one.  Notice how to construct the long one.

 

[Note:  We say a2+ab+b2 cannot be factored.  We mean it cannot be factored using rational numbers.  It does factor as a+sqrt(ab)+b)(a-sqrt(ab)+b) -- but this is not over rationals]

 

      Ex (easy):  a3 - 8

      Ex (hard):           Factor out the common y, and then do as a sum of cubes

                                                (It isn't necessary to add with a common denominator first)

 

      Ex:  x6 – 64                        In general, for difference of 6th powers:  do as diff of squares first.

                                                (If you do as diff of cubes first, it's harder to continue)

 

Ex (hard):           Add with a common denom to get   Then factor out denom, ...

     

 

 

 

5.5  Factoring Trinomials

 

Factoring trinomials with leading coeff of 1

      Key to getting the numbers:  Factor the const; add those factors to get middle coeff.

 

      Ex:  Factor  x2-5xy-24y2

Factor  x2-14xa+48a2

 

      Handling case with -x2   Ex 15-2x-x2

            Either (5     x)(3     x) and fill in signs, or

            Factor out "-" to start with

     

Def:  prime polynomial  Ex:  x2+4, x2-6  (Why in each case?)

 

Factoring other trinomials by trial and error

 

      Ex:  18a2+3ab-28b2

The first terms of the factors have to be factors of the first term - consider all factor pairs

      Factor pairs of 18 are 1,18 or 2,9 or 3,6

      The last terms of the factors have to be factors of the last term

            Factor pairs of 28 are 1,28 or 2,14 or 4,7

      Check each trial by calculating possibilities for the middle term:

            Specifically, write down the outer and inner products

            If testing (3a  4b)(6a  7b), these products are 21ab and 24ab

      Decide on the signs:

            From the last term, do we need the same or opposite signs?  Here, negative, so opposite signs

            Since we need +3ab for the middle term, we need the signs -21ab and +24ab

            Find where to insert the  - and + into the two factors

                  (3a - 4b)(6a + 7b)

      Mult out by FOIL to verify the solution:

           

Suggested Strategy:

      1.  Factor out any common factor

      2.  Write all factor pairs of the first and last coefficients

      3.  The first term to factor is the one with the fewest factor pairs;

            The second term to factor is the one with the most factor pairs.

4.  Start with factors that are closest together (from both sets of factor pairs).

5.  Write out the inner and outer products.

      Consider:  Do we need the same sign or opposite signs?

      Can we add/subtract the inner and outer products to get the middle term?

6.  Try swapping the second terms in the two parentheses before moving on to the next factor pair.

      7.  Don't check arrangements that would introduce common factors

This will reduce the nr of trials to be tested!

 

Additional trinomial examples

      20x2+44x-15

      12x2-67x+35

 

Alternate procedure,  splitting the middle term ("delayed grouping")

      Ex:  12x2-67x+35  [remember to factor out the common factor first -- otherwise...]

      This technique can confirm that a polynomial is prime (i.e. not factorable)

      Disadvantage:  finding all factor pairs if the product ac is large (as with this example)

 

Extension examples:

Factor the x6 into x3 times x3, etc:  cut the exponent in half

Fractional coefficients:  either

a.  Factor the numerator and denominator separately, or

b.  Factor out the LCD from the entire expression

Factoring and area

 

Additional sample problems:

Factor 4x2 -2x - 30

4x2-14xa+48a2  Common factor only

Show that 2x2 -7x + 15 is prime,  by both the trial-and-error and the alternate procedures.

 

 

5.6  Solving Equations by Factoring

 

 

Quadratic equation:  One of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0

      If we can factor, we can solve.

      We may need to rearrange to set everything equal to 0

      Repeated solutions:  We may get the same solution twice (if the quadratic is a perfect square)

 

Square root principle:  If a2 = b, then a = ±sqrt(b)         a and b may be any algebraic expressions.

      Ex:  Solve x2 = 13

 

Solving Non-linear Equations by Factoring (including quadratic equations)

 

      Zero-factor property:  For any real numbers a and b, a*b = 0 implies a=0 or b=0 (or both)

            If a product a*b = 0 then a = 0 or b = 0

            a and b may be numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions

            The same property also applies to three or more factors.

 

      Application:  any equation that can be factored, after being set equal to 0.

      Particular application:  quadratic equations (can be written in form ax2 + bx + c = 0):

 

      Cases:  1.  8x2 = 32      (missing x term)

Divide out common numerical factor of 8:  becomes diff of squares.

                  2.  5x2 = 15x    (missing constant)  Factor out common factor 5x.

                        Do not divide out common variable factor If we divide by x, we may be dividing by 0.

                  3.  x2 + x = 6    (no missing terms; factorable)

                  4.  x2 +2x +7 = 0  (not factorable; other techniques are available to solve -- later in course)

 

Applications

 

      Number problem (consecutive integers):  # 96, but also accept negative integers.

      Geometry:  # 100

      Free-falling object:  # 106

      Break-even analysis:  # 110

 

Recap from chapter 2:

 

Strategy for linear and quadratic equations

 

0.  Floating step:  collect like terms whenever possible

 

1.  Clear grouping symbols:  usually by applying the distributive law

            Ex:  x(x2 + 4x -5) = 20

 

2.  Clear fractions (optional unless you have a variable in the denominator):  multiply by the LCD.

                  Ex (fractions):  Solve  4x/5 + 5/4 = 3x/10-1/8

                  Ex (decimals):  0.3x +0.16 = 0.25x

                  Ex (variable in denominator):  5x + 1/3 = 2/x

     

      3.   Linear or quadratic?  (i.e. first degree or second degree?)

            If quadratic, set everything equal to 0 and factor to get two linear equations.

                  This also works for 3rd or higher degree polynomials

                  See the discussion of the zero-factor property in this lesson.

 

4.   Move terms with the var to one side of the equation, move other terms to the other side

First, identify which terms are out of place.

Then for each misplaced term,

      Either:

a.  Put the opposite of the misplaced term on both sides of the equation;  it can go

                        below the like terms on both sides, or

                        in-line on both sides (text's technique), or

                  b.  Move the misplaced terms across the "=" sign and change signs, or

                  c.  Add/subtract mentally

 

5.  Collect like terms:  If variables are involved, factor out the variable so it appears only once.

 

6.  Divide [or multiply by the reciprocal if you didn't clear fractions]

 

7.  Check by substitution

 

 

 

 

McKeague

 

 

5.2  More Expressions Involving Rational Exponents 

 

 

Factoring

      Factoring out the GCF (Exercise 50)

Text doesn't require student to discover the GCF, but it's useful to know this:

       The GCF is each base with its lowest exponent

For each factor, result of factoring is same as for dividing

      (so we factor by subtracting exponents)

Example (actual simplification problem from calculus):

         Calculus note:  This is the derivative of

 

      Factoring expressions quadratic "in form"

            "like" trinomials (Exercise 58)

this works if one exponent is half of the other -- let u = variable and smaller exponent

            "like" differences of squares (Exercise 60)

 

Fraction addition and subtraction, where LCD includes rational exponent (Exercise 68)

 

Application:  Formula for annual rate of return on investment

      Derivation (not in book):  A = P(1-r)t   r = (A/P)1/t -1

      Example:  Exercise 78:  Investment of $800 grows to $1600 after 5 years.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to:  Merced College; Don Power               Updated 10/02/08 by Don Power