GIKPKC7 94107

The Real Number System

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Introduction
3/2/98
Natural

Whole Numbers =
Integers (J)

Cardinal (N)
0,1,3,4,etc.

Zero

Rational (Q)

The Real
Number System

Decimals
Fractions

Negative

Irrational (I)
Surds
Complex Numbers

Unreal Number System

Terms:
Quadatic
Linear
Monic
Degree
Conjugate

Degree is 2
Degree is 1
Leading coefficient is 1
The leading terms power 3
a+b
& ab
Alpha
Beta
Delta
Gamma
Epsilon
Pi
Theta
Rho
Lambda
Sigma
Omega
Infinity

E.g. 2x2 3x + 3
E.g. 3x 8
E.g. x3 2x + 3
E.g. x3 2x + 3

Radian:

The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc equal in length to the radius
of the circle.
Equation:
Circumference (360) = 2. rad
Proof:
C(360) = 2..r units
2..r
C(360) =
rad
r
Luke Cole

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The Real Number System

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= 2. rad

Irrational - Surds
3
4

3/2/98
Top Numerator

Bottom Denominator

a2 = 9 a = 9

Remember:

Properties:
(1)
(2)
(3)

c a d b = c.d a.b
a
b

a
b

a = a
2

Rationalise the Denominator:

E.g. (1)

Rationalise the denominator of

So,

E.g. (2)

Rationalise the denominator of

So,

3
5

5
3 5
=
5

2 3 5
3 4 2

3
5

5
5

2 3 5
3 4 2
3 4 2

2 3 5

3 4 2
3 4 2
2 3 5 3 4 2
=
29
=

Irrationals on the Number Line:

Luke Cole

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The Real Number System

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Rationals Fractions & Decimals

4/2/98

Decimals:
Terminating
E.g.

1
= 0.25
4
1
= 0.125
8

Recurring
E.g.

1
= 0.333
3
1 = 0.142857142857
7

Changing Recurring Decimals to Fractions:

E.g.

Change 0.111 to a fraction

n = 0.111
10n = 1.111
(2) (1)
9n = 1
1
n=
9

(1)
(2)Note:
One recurring number = 10n
Two recurring numbers = 100n
Three recurring numbers = 1000n
Etc.

Luke Cole

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The Real Number System

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Index Laws
5/2/98
(1)

nm nn = nm + n

(2)

nm nn = nm n

(3)

(nm)n = nm.n

(4)

n0 = 1

(5)

na n
=
ba b

(6)

a1 =

(7)

n = n

(8)

(9)

1
a

1
a

m
n

or

ma

n
a

Luke Cole

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The Real Number System

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Factorising
9/2/98

Quadratics:
E.g.

x2 + 4.x + 3

So,
And,

a+b=4
a.b = 3
(x + 1)(x + 3)

Completing the Square

a2 2ab + b2 = (a b)2

Equation:
2

b
Add to complete the square on:
2

a2 + b.a

The Quadratic Formula

x

Equation:

b b 2 4.a .c
2.a

Proof:
a.x2 + b.x + c = 0
b.x c = 0
x2

a a
2

b.x b
c b
x

a 2.a
a 2.a

b
c

b
x


2.a
a

2.a
2

b
b 2 4.a .c

x

2.a
4.a 2

b
b 2 4.a .c
x

2.a
2.a
b b 2 4.a .c
x
2.a

Perfect Squares:
Equation:

(a b)2 = a2 2.a.b + b2
Luke Cole

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GIKPKC7 94107
Equation:

The Real Number System

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(a + b)2 = a2 + 2.a.b + b2

Difference of Two Squares:

Equation:

a2 b2 = (a b)(a + b)

Equation:

a2 1 = (a 1)(a + 1)

Sum and Differences of Two Cubes:

Equation:

a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a a.b + b)

Proof:
(a + b)(a2 a.b + b2) = a3 a2.b + a.b2 + a2.b + b3
= a3 + b3
Equation:

a3 b3 = (a b)(a2 + a.b + b2)

Proof:
(a b)(a2 + a.b + b2) = a3 + a2.b + a.b2 a2.b a.b2 b3
= a3 b3

Luke Cole

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Simultaneous Equations
17/2/97

Equations with Two Unknowns Variables:

E.g.

y = x2
(1)
y=x+2
(2)
Sub (1) into (2)
x2 = x + 2
x2 x 2 = 0
(x 2)(x + 1) = 0
x2=0
x+1=0
x=2
& x=1
Sub x = 2 & x = 1 into (2)
y=2+2
y=1+2
y=4
& y=1

x=2
& x=1
y=4
& y=1

Equations with Three Unknown Variables:

E.g.

ab+c=7
a + 2.b c = 4
3.a b c = 3
(1) + (2)
2.a + b = 3
(1) + (3)
4.a 2.b = 10
(4) 2
4.a + 2.b = 6
(5) (6)
4.b = 4
b=1
Sub b = 1 into (4)
2.a 1 =3
2.a = 4
a=2
Sub b = 1 & a = 2 into (1)
2 ( 1) + c = 7
2+c=7
c=4

a=2
b=1
c=4

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Luke Cole

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Inequalities
19/2/98
The inequality sign reverses when or by a negative.
Never write E.g. 4 > x > 5 (write x < 4 & x > 5), only E.g. 4 < x < 5.
E.g. (1)
Solve for x 3.x + 1 19
A

3.x 18
x6

E.g. (2)

Solve for x 3.y 4 > 5.y + 12

2.y 4 > 12
2.y > 16
y<8

Inequalities where the Denominator is the Pronumeral:

Find want doesnt work.

Solve as if it were a normal equation.
Check whether inside/outside works.

Or use Method 2

Method 1
E.g.
A

1
4
x
Here, x 0
Also, 1 = 4.x
1
Test, x =
8
4>8
Test, x = 1
1<4
Test, x = 1
1<4

x<0&x>

Luke Cole

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Absolute Values
20/2/98

All ways check answers, because they are not always right.
When you have absolute values on both sides of the equal or inequalities sign, theres
no need to do four possible solutions, two is enough.

Definition:

a = a
a= a

E.g.
E.g.

5 = 5
5 = 5

E.g.

E.g. 3 = 3
3 = ( 3)
=3

Alternatively

If a > 0, then a = a
If a < 0, then a = a
If a = 0, then a = 0

Properties:

a.b= a b

E.g.

a2 = a2

E.g.

a + b a + b

E.g.

3 2 = 3 2
6 = 3 2
6=6
2
5 = 52
52 = 52
3 + 5 3 + 5
2 3 + 5
28

Involving Absolute Valves:

If, a < 3

If, a > 3

Then, 3 < a < 3

E.g. x 2 5
5x25
3 x 7
Then, a < 3 & a > 3
E.g. Solve for xx 2 5
A

x25
x7
x3

Luke Cole

&

(x 2) 5
x25
&
x7

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The Real Number System

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Luke Cole

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The Real Number System

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Luke Cole

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