Sample Lessons: Algebra II

Courtney Cleveland
Edge Project

Lesson 14:xs on Both Sides

Example: Two cab drivers approach a traveler at an airport. The first cab driver says I charge $10 up front
plus $2 per mile. The second cab driver says I charge $15 up front plus $1.50 per mile. For what length of trip
will the two drivers change the same amount.
Solution: Let x = length of trip that makes the cab fares equal (in miles).
We can represent this word problem with the following equation:

10 + 2x = 15 + 1.5x

What results is an equations with xs on both sides. What we need to do is combine like terms. What that means
is we need to move the terms from one side to another. Lets begin by moving the 1.5x from the right-hand side
to the left-hand side. We can do this by subtracting 1.5x from BOTH sides in order to maintain equality. We get
the following:
10 + 2x 1.5x = 15 + 1.5x 1.5x
We can simplify:
10 + 0.5x = 15
Next, subtract 10 from both sides:
10 10 + 0.5x = 15 10
Simplify:
0.5x = 5
Then solve:
0.5x 5
=
0.5 0.5
x = 10
So, after 10 miles, the two cab fares will be equal.
Example: Solve the following equation:
12 + 3x = 3(x + 5)
First, start by distributing the 3 on the left-hand side.

12 + 3x = 3x + 15

Then, move the 3x from one side to the other by subtracting 3x from both sides.

12 + 3x 3x = 3x + 15 3x

When simplifying, notice what happens, both x terms vanish:

12 = 15

This is what we call a false equation which is an equation that doesnt have any solutions. An identity is an
equation where any number we put in for x will satisfy the equation.

Lesson 15:Distance Problems

The following lesson will explain two common types of distance problems, how to solve for when two objects will
meet when these objects are traveling in the same direction or when they are traveling in opposite directions.

1
Example: One Chasing the Other
The second-rate superhero daydreamed that he defeated Victor the Vile (but imaginary) Villain in battle then
drove out of town at a speed of 60 mph. According to the daydream, 2 hours after the clash, Victor began to chase
after him at a speed of 80 mph. How many hours did it take Victor to catch the superhero?

The first set, of course, is to make x equal the thing we are trying to solve for, which is the time (in hours) it
will take Victor to catch the superhero.

x = time for Victor to catch superhero (in hours)

Next, lets set up the equation in words. The key fact to remember when writing an equation for a distance
problem is that speed multiplied by time equals distance.

Its a pretty obvious fact, really. If something is going 60 mph, then in 1 hour it will travel 60 1 or 60 miles;
in 2 hours it will travel 60 2 or 120 miles; and so on. To get the distance traveled, we multiply the speed by the
time. We know that Victor and the superhero started out in the same place (the scene of their battle), and we
know that Victor is going to catch the superhero. That means the two will travel the same distance. Since the
distances traveled are equal, we can set up the equation like this.

Victors Distance = Superheros Distance

Now we need to put in the numbers and xs. Since speed multiplied by time equals distance, we can write an
expression for the Villains distance by multiplying 80 mph (his speed) by the number of hours he will be driving,
which is x, to get 80x. And we can do the same thing for the superhero. His speed is 60 mph, but his driving time
is not x. The superhero got a 2 hour head start, so his driving time is x + 2. The expression for his distance, then,
is 60(x + 2). Heres the finished equation.

80x = 60(x + 2)
The equation has xs on both sides, and the x on the right side is inside parentheses. The first step is to
distribute on the right to free that x.

80x = 60x + 120

The next step is to get the xs on the same side so they can be combined. Lets move 60x to the left side.

80x 60x = 120

Combine like terms.

20x = 120
This leaves just one operation to undo. Dividing both sides by 20, we get

x = 6.
So, it will take Victor 6 hours to catch the superhero.

This problem was an example of a very popular kind of distance problem, where one driver is chasing another.
The equation for a chase problem will usually have the distances of the two drivers equal to each other, so keep
that in mind. Also, remember to use the fact that speed multiplied by time equals distance.

Lets do an example of a somewhat different kind of distance problem, which is also quite popular.

Example: Moving Toward Each Other

Golf groundskeepers 1 and 2 have way, way too much time on their hands. Late at night, when the fairways
are empty, they love to drive around in golf carts. If the two are 200 feet apart and headed straight toward each
other, and 1 is traveling at 10 feet per second and 2 is traveling at 8 feet per second, how many seconds will it take
them to meet?

The first step is to make x represent what we are trying to find, which is the time (in seconds) it will take the
two groundskeepers to meet.

x = time to meet (in seconds)

Since the groundskeepers are going different speeds, their distances traveled must be different. That means
we cant make the two distances equal in our equation. But since they start out 200 feet apart, the sum of their
distances traveled has to equal 200 feet when they meet. So the equation can be set up like this

Distance of 1 + Distance of 2 = 200

Next, we put in the numbers and xs. Distance is equal to speed multiplied by time. Groundskeeper 1s speed
is 12 feet per second and his time is x, so his distance is 12x. Groundskeeper 2s speed is 8 feet per second and his
time is also x, so his distance is 8x. That gives us the following equation,

12x + 8x = 200
From here, we just solve normally. There are two x terms that need to be combined. Adding the coefficients
gives us

20x = 200
Dividing both sides by 20, we get

x = 10
So it will take the groundskeepers 10 seconds to meet.
This was an example of another popular type of distance problem, where the drivers are moving toward each
other. The equation for a moving toward problem will have the two distances added together. And the total is
made equal to how far apart the drivers were originally.
Lesson 16:Reducing Rational Expressions and Exponents
In this chapter, we are going to learn about fractions with xs. They are called algebraic fractions, or rational ex-
pressions. We will start by learning how to reduce them. Remember, arithmetic fractions (ones with just numbers)
can be reduced by factoring and canceling.

Factoring and Canceling

Example: Arithmetic Example
10
Simplify 12 .
The first step is to factor the top and bottom. As you know, factor means to rewrite the number as a multiplication.
The numbers being multiplied are called factors. We can factor 10 as 5 2 and 12 as 6 2. So,
10 52
=
12 62
It is best, however, to factor into prime numbers. Just to refresh your memory, a prime number is a number that
cannot be broken down into a multiplication of smaller whole numbers. So 2 and 5 are prime numbers. The only
way to write them as multiplication of whole numbers would be as 5 1 and 2 1, which isnt really breaking them
down at all. But 6 is not a prime number, because it can be factored further as 3 2. To factor the denominator
into prime numbers, then, we should write it as follows:
52
322
The next step of the reducing process is to mark out or cancel the numbers that are the same on the top and
bottom. There is one pair of 2s that can be canceled. That leaves us with 5 on top and 3 times 2, or 6 on bottom.
Thus, 65 is fully reduced since there are no additional terms to cancel.

Its always important to understand why a method works, so lets talk about that for a second. It turns out
that the factoring and canceling method is just a shortcut for dividing the top and bottom of a fraction by the
number being canceled. Instead of marking out that number, you could have divided the top and bottom by that
number and would get the same answer.

Example: Now with xs

Now let us apply this same method of factoring and canceling on an algebraic fraction (one with xs). Well start
with an easy one.
9x
15x
The first step is to factor everything on top and bottom into prime numbers. We cant break down the xs any
further (because we dont know their value), so we will treat the x as a prime number.
33x
53x
The second step is to cancel everything common to the top and bottom. We have a pair of 3s that can be
canceled. But what about the pair of xs? Since x stands for a number, we can cancel it like any other number.
Remember, canceling is just a shortcut for dividing, so all we have done is divide the top and bottom by 3 and by
x. After canceling, we are left with a 3 on top and a 5 on bottom, so that our answer is 35 .

Since we factored into prime numbers and canceled everything possible, we know that 35 is fully reduced. That
9x
means that the fractions 15x and 35 are equivalent. In other words, 15x
9x
is always equal to 53 , no matter what
9x
number x represents. The one exception is when x equals 0. That makes the denominator of 15x equal 0, which
isnt allowed since division by 0 is impossible.

Example: When everything cancels

Lets do another example.

8x
16x
Once again, the first step is to factor everything on the top and the bottom into prime numbers. Remember, xs
are treated as prime numbers.
222x
2222x
The second step is to cancel everything possible. We can cancel three pairs of 2s and the pair of xs. There is
a 2 left on the bottom, so the denominator will be 2, but what about the top? We have canceled everything from
the top. What does the numerator become? 0? No. Think about what canceling really means. It is a shortcut for
dividing. So by canceling, we are actually dividing 8x in the numerator by three 2s and an x, or 8x. But since
8x divided by 8x equals 1, the new numerator should equal 1 (not 0). Our fraction, therefore, reduces to 21 . A lot
of people get confused when all the factors on top (or bottom) cancel. Just remember that when all the factors
cancel, a 1 should go in their place.

Lesson 20:Rational Equations

Now that we have covered some basics on fractions, lets learn to solve fractional equations, which are equations
with xs in the bottom of fractions.

Let us start with an example:

Solve:
5.25
=3
x
Notice this equation has an x stuck in the bottom of the fraction. The question is how do we get it out? There
is really only one way to get the x out. We have to multiply both sides of the equation by x itself. This is the first
time we have multiplied both sides of an equation by an x. It is perfectly legal. We are treating both sides equally
and since x is just a number, the typical rules for clearing a denominator still apply. So, we get

5.25 = 3x
 From here, the equation can be solved using our familiar techniques. We just divide both sides by 3 and get
that x = 1.75.
Example: When x is added or subtracted
Solve:

8
x+7
We have an x in the bottom once again, however, this time, the x isnt multiplied by a number, it has a number
added to it. The procedure for solving, though, remains the same. We clear the denominator by multiplying both
sides of the equation by the denominator, x + 7. The following results:

8 = 14(x + 7)
Notice that we have to put parentheses around x + 7 to show that we are multiplying by the entire quantity.
We distribute the 14 to get

8 = 14x + 98
Finally, subtract the 98 from both sides and then divide by 14 on both sides to get
45
x= .
7
Lesson 21: More on Rational Equations
In the last lesson we learned to solve equations that have an x in the bottom of a fraction. But sometimes, an
equation will have more than one x in the denominator.
Example:
5 8
+ =6
4x 3x
We will review two methods for solving this problem.
Method 1: Adding the fractions first

The first method is to add the fractions first. That leaves the equation with just one fraction, which can be
cleared in the normal way. To add the fractions, we have to make their denominators the same. The lowest common
denominator here is 12x. To make 4x equal 12x, we need to multiply by 3. Of course, we need to multiply the top
of the fraction by 3 as well. To make 3x equal 12x we need to multiply by 4 (bottom and top). The following results:

35 48
+ =6
3 4x 4 3x
15 32
+ =6
12x 12x
With the denominators the same, we can add the fractions.
47
=6
12x
Now that theres just one x in the bottom, we can clear the fraction by multiplying both sides of the denominator,
12x to get

47 = 6(12x)
Then, dividing both sides by 72, we get
47
x=
72
Method 2: Clearing both fractions as once
 With this method, instead of adding the fractions, we will clear both fractions at once in the very first step. to
clear both fractions at once, we just multiply both sides of the equation by the lowest common denominator of the
fractions. The following results:
 
5 8
12x + = 6 12x
4x 3x
Notice that we put parentheses around everything on the left hand side. Thats to show that the entire side is
multiplied by 12x. The next step is to distribute the 12x to get the fractions outside the parentheses.
5 8
12x + 12x = 72x
4x 3x
We can factor, cancel, and simplify to get

15 + 32 = 72x

47 = 72x

47
x=
72
Notice that both methods produce the same answer, as expected.
A Final Example:
Some equations with xs in the bottom can be pretty tough. For example, they may have three (or more) fractions
with xs in the bottom.
Solve for x:

5 1 7
= +
2x 4 4x 6x
We can solve here by either adding all the fractions first (method one) or by clearing all three fractions at once
(method two). We are going to use method two in this example. To clear, we need to find the LCD of all three
fractions. Remember, the formal method for finding the LCD is to list the prime factors from all the denominators
with no extras. Lets factor the denominators so we can see those factors. The 4x and 6x are easy to factor into
primes. The first denominator has to be factored by reverse distributing.
5 1 7
= +
2(x 2) 22x 32x
The next step is to list the factors to be included in our LCD. We will start with the first denominator. It has
the factors 2 and (x-2), so our LCD need to have these as well.

LCD = 2 (x 2)
Moving to the second denominator, it has two 2s and one x. Our LCD has just one 2, so we need to put in
another 2. And the LCD needs an x too, because the LCD doesnt have one of those yet. Thus, we have

LCD = 2 2 x (x 2)
Now for the third denominator. It has one 3, one 2, and one x. The LCD already has two 2s, so theres no
need to put in an extra 2. And it already has an x, so we dont need to put in another x either. However, the LCD
does not have a 3, so we need to put in a 3.

LCD = 2 2 3 x (x 2) = 12x(x 2)
Multiplying all the factors, we get the LCD of 12x(x 2).
Now we are ready to clear all three fractions at once by multiplying both sides of the equation by 12x(x-2).
  
5 1 7
12x(x 2) = 12x(x 2) +
2(x 2) 22x 32x
This is pretty messy, but we will take it one step at a time. Lets simplify the left side first. All we have to do
is multiply the two quantities by factoring and canceling. We get the following:
1 7
30x = 12x(x 2) + 12x(x 2)
22x 32x

30x = 3(x 2) + 2(x 2) 7

After simplifying both sides, the fractions have all been eliminated. From here, solving is easy. We can simplify
the right by distributing.

30x = 3(x 2) + 14(x 2)

30x = 3x 6 + 14x 28

30x = 17x 34

13x = 34

34
x=
13
Lesson 26: Dividing Powers

Lets start with an example:

x6
x4
To carry out the division, we just reduce the fraction by factoring and canceling. On top, x6 is six xs multiplied,
and, on bottom, x4 is four xs multiplied.
xxxxxx
xxxx
Now for the canceling, there are four pairs of xs that can be canceled. That leaves us with a 1 on the bottom
2
and two xs on top, which gives us x1 or x2 .

When multiplying powers, we can use the shortcut of adding their exponents. In order to divide, all we have to
do is subtract the exponents and we get the exponent of the answer. Of course, it is possible to divide powers with
bases other than x. And the method is always to subtract the exponents and make the result the exponent of the
answer. Here are a few examples:

35
= 352 = 33
32
78
= 786 = 72
76
z9
= z 94 = z 5
z4
x2
= x210 = x8
x10
So we can divide powers no matter what their bases are. We have to be careful, though. To divide powers,
their bases have to be the same.
 Lets look at one more special case.

x3
x3
We know that the answer is 1 since any number divided by itself is one. But, let us check with our exponent
rules.

x3
= x33 = x0
x3
Since anything to the zero power is 1, the answer checks out. Negative Exponents

In the beginning of the lesson we saw that we can end up with negative exponents. It turns out that x8 = 1
x8 .
Here are a few other examples:
1
x5 =
x5
1
27 =
27
1
y 4 =
y4
Its not too hard to see why this rule works. When subtracting exponents, we only get a negative result when
there are more factors in the bottom of the fraction than in the top. That means all the factors on top cancel
(leaving a 1), but some factors on bottom are left over.

So with exponents of 1, 0 or a negative number, we can use the adding exponents shortcut to multiply powers
and the subtracting exponents shortcut to divide powers on any problem that might come up.

Lesson 28: Combining Fractions with Powers

Example:

14x4 3x2

9x5 7x6
These fractions can be multiplied in the usual way. We need to factor and cancel first, then multiply that tops
and bottoms. Factoring the fractions is pretty easy, since no reverse distributing is required.

2 7 x4 3 x2

3 3 x5 7 x6
We are allowed to cancel anything on top with anything on bottom of either fraction (since all the factors will
end up in the same fraction anyway). So we can cancel a pair of 7s and a pair of 3s.

2 x4 x2

3 x5 x6
The easiest way to cancel the powers is to add up all the xs on the top and bottom mentally, then subtract.
Thus, the fully reduced answer is:

2
3x5
Dividing Fractions with Powers
 Next, lets do a division example involving fractions with powers. Since division is so similar to multiplication,
well make this one harder.

x2 + 6x + 8 3x + 12

5x 10x2
As always, the first step is to invert and multiply.

x2 + 6x + 8 10x2

5x 3x + 12
Now everything on the top and bottom of both fractions needs to be factored.

(x + 2)(x + 4) 2 5 x2

5x 3(x + 4)
With everything factored, we are ready to cancel. There is a pair of (x + 4)s and a pair of 5s that will cancel.
There is also an x2 on top and an x on bottom. The x on bottom will cancel with one of the xs in the x2 . This
leaves us with,
x + 2 2x

1 3
So, our final answer becomes

2x(x + 2) 2x2 + 4x
= .
3 3
Note multiplying and dividing fractions requires factoring and canceling while adding and subtracting fractions
with xs requires a common denominator with a simplification step at the end.
Lesson 33: Adding and Subtracting Irrationals

Let us start with an example:

2+ 6
We multiply irrationals by multiplying the numbers under the radical signs, and we divide irrationals by divid-
ing the numbers under the radicalsigns.
But, we do not add irrationals by adding the
numbers
under the radical
signs. So, in this example, 2 + 6 6= 8, in fact, there is no way to further simplify 2 + 6. The only way to
add or subtract irrationals is if they have the same number under the radical sign.

Example:

5+ 5=2 5
This is a lot like combining xs.

Example:

4 2+6 2

This is just four 2s added to six more 2s for a total of ten 2s. To combine the terms, we just add the
coefficients.

4 2 + 6 2 = 10 10
Subtractions can be handled in the same way.

7 35 3=2 3
Third roots, fourth roots, and so on can also be combined in this way, as long as the number under the root
matches.

Lesson 38: Quadratic Equations

We have spent the last two chapters learning all about powers and roots. In the next two chapters, we are going
to learn how to solve equations that have powers and roots in them.

First, we should make a point about the equations that we have been solving up until now. They have all had
just plane xs (like x, 3x, 5x and so on), meaning that none of the xs was raised to a power. But, technically,
since x is the same as x1 , we could say that all of the xs in the previous equations were raised to the first power.
Thats why these equations are actually called first-degree equations. The word degree just means exponent,
so first-degree equations are equations where all the xs are raised only to the first power.

In this chapter, we are going to learn how to solve second-degree equations, which, as you might guess, are
equations where x is raised to the second power. For example, x2 = 36 or 3x2 + 2x = 15.

Both of these have an x2 term. Thats how we know that they are second degree. Notice, though, that
2
3x + 2x = 15 contains a plain x as well. That is not unusual. A lot of second-degree equations also contain xs
raised to the first power. The way to tell the degree of an equation, then, is to look at the highest power of x. The
equation 3x2 + 2x = 15 qualifies as second degree because the x in the 3x2 has an exponent of 2. Second-degree
equations are also called quadratic equations. The leading term of the equation is the highest order term and all
other terms are called lower ordered terms.

Now that we know the proper names for everything, it is time to learn to solve quadratic equations. Quadratic
equations are quite a bit harder than first-degree. There are several different types of equations in the quadratic
category that we will learn how to solve in the following two chapters. Some quadratic equations are fairly easy
and we are going to start with these.

Example:

x2 = 36
To solve any equation, we have to figure out how to get x by itself on one side. Our basic strategy has always
been to undo the operations that are done to x. In this case, the x is raised to the second power. Since powers can
be undone by roots, what we have to do is take the second (or square) root of the left side. Of course, whatever
we do to one side of an equation must also be done to the other side: that golden rule of algebra is still vital. So
to solve here, we should take the square root of both side.

x2 = 36
The root undone the power, leaving just x on the left.

x= 36
On the right side, the square root of 36 is 6.

x=6
But we are not quite done yet (even simple quadratic equations can be a little complicated). Think about it. Is
6 the only number that when squared equals 36? How about -6? Since two negatives multiply to equal a positive,
-6 works too: (6)(6) = 36. That means that x2 = 36 actually has two solutions: 6 and -6. It turns out that
every number except 0 has two square roots.

Since every number except 0 has two square roots, almost all quadratic equations have two solutions. The reason
is that to solve a quadratic equation, we have to undo a second power by taking the square root of both sides. And
that almost always gives two answers. When solving quadratic equations, be careful to find both solutions.

So far, all of the solutions to our equations have been rational numbers: whole numbers, fractions, or decimals
(positive or negative). But thats only because until this lesson, we have solved first-degree equations. Quadratic
equations, as it turns out, can have irrational numbers for solutions. For example:

x2 = 5
This is quadratic because it has an x2 . To solve, we just undo the square by taking the square root of both sides.

x2 = 5
That makes the left side equal to x. On the right
side, 5 has
two square roots, a positive and a negative. Our
final, simplified answers are the irrational numbers 5 and 5.
Lesson 39: Undoing Quadratic Equations

We are learning how to solve quadratic (second-degree) equations, which are equations that have an x2 term,
such as x2 = 25. The equation x2 = 25 is really simple because it has only one operation done to x. But quadratic
equations can also have several operations. Just like the first-degree equations that we have been solving throughout
this book.

We will look at several examples.

Example 1:

Solve 5x2 + 3 = 23
First, subtract 3 from both sides.

5x2 + 3 3 = 23 3

5x2 = 20
Next, divide both sides by 5 in order to isolate the x.

x2 = 4
Since the square root undoes the square, we must take square roots of each side.

x2 = 4
We get the following solutions:

x = 4andx = 4
Example 2:

Solve (x 6)2 + 1 = 14
Let us begin by subtracting 1 from each side.

(x 6)2 + 1 1 = 14 1

(x 6)2 = 13
 Next, we undo the square by taking the square root of everything on both sides.

p
(x 6)2 = 13

Since 13 has two answers, we get two equations:

x6= 13

So adding 6 to both sides gives us x = 6 + 13

And,

x 6 = 13

So adding 6 to both sides gives us x = 6 13. These are our two answers. There is no way to further simplify
them, so we can leave them as is.

Lets look quickly at one last example.

Example 3:

Solve 5x2 3x2 4 = 60

The first step is to combine our like terms. Just like when we combine terms with just an x, we will subtract
the coefficients on the x2 terms.

2x2 4 = 60
We need to add 4 to both sides.

2x2 = 64
Then we need to divide both sides by 2.

x2 = 32

Then, we take the square root of both sides to get x = 32 and x = 32. But, we can simplify 32.

The simplifying process will be faster if we factor 32 as 16 2 or 42 2.

x= 42 2 and x = 42 2
Now we split these into roots by reversing the multiplication rule.

x= 42
2 and x = 42 2

Since the square root undoes the square, we end up with x = 4 2, 4 2.

All lessons are from Algebra 2 A Teaching Textbook written by Greg Sabouri and Shawn Sabouri.