FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 1:

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

To remove a symbol of grouping preceded by a:
i) Negative sign, change the sign of each term
ii) Plus sign, the sign of each term does not change
iii) Number, multiply each term by the number

If there are more than one symbols of grouping where one symbol is within another symbol of grouping,
remove the innermost symbol first.

EXAMPLES:

1. −(3𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦) = −3𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑦𝑦

2. 4𝑥𝑥 + (2𝑦𝑦 − 6) = 4𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 − 6

3. 7(𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦) = 7𝑥𝑥 − 21𝑦𝑦

To obtain the SUM or DIFFERENCE of two algebraic expressions, we add or subtract the numerical
coefficients of similar terms.

EXAMPLES:

Remove the symbol(s) of grouping and combine similar terms.

1. 2𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦 + [5(2𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦) − (3𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦 )] = 2𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦 + [10𝑥𝑥 − 15𝑦𝑦 − 3𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑦𝑦]

= 2𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦 + 7𝑥𝑥 − 10𝑦𝑦

= 9𝑥𝑥 − 11𝑦𝑦

2. 4𝑎𝑎 − {3𝑎𝑎 + 4[𝑎𝑎 − 2(𝑎𝑎 − 𝑏𝑏)]} + 5𝑏𝑏 = 4𝑎𝑎 − {3𝑎𝑎 + 4[−𝑎𝑎 + 2𝑏𝑏]} + 5𝑏𝑏

= 4𝑎𝑎 − {−𝑎𝑎 + 8𝑏𝑏} + 5𝑏𝑏

= 5𝑎𝑎 − 3𝑏𝑏
 PRACTICE SET:

Remove the symbol(s) of grouping and combine similar terms.

PRACTICE SET: SET:
PRACTICE
Remove
1. the
𝑥𝑥 − symbol(s)
Remove 3 the
− 2[2 −of3(grouping )] and combine
𝑥𝑥 −of𝑦𝑦grouping
symbol(s) similarsimilar
and combine terms.terms.

2. 4𝑎𝑎 − [2𝑎𝑎 − 3𝑏𝑏 − (𝑎𝑎 + 4𝑏𝑏)] + 𝑎𝑎 − 8

1. 𝑥𝑥 −3.
1.3 𝑟𝑟𝑥𝑥
−− 2[2
− {5𝑠𝑠
3− (𝑥𝑥−
−−2[2
3[𝑟𝑟 ()𝑥𝑥] −
−3(𝑦𝑦3𝑡𝑡
− 𝑦𝑦))] + 2𝑡𝑡 − 3(𝑟𝑟 − 2𝑠𝑠 − 𝑡𝑡)}
− 3𝑠𝑠
2. 4𝑎𝑎 2.
− [2𝑎𝑎 − [2𝑎𝑎
4𝑎𝑎 − − (3𝑏𝑏
3𝑏𝑏 − (𝑎𝑎)]++4𝑏𝑏𝑎𝑎)]−+8 𝑎𝑎 − 8
𝑎𝑎 +−4𝑏𝑏

3. 𝑟𝑟 −3.{5𝑠𝑠
𝑟𝑟 − [𝑟𝑟 −−(3𝑡𝑡
− {5𝑠𝑠 [𝑟𝑟 − 3𝑡𝑡) −
− (3𝑠𝑠 + 3𝑠𝑠
2𝑡𝑡)−+3(𝑟𝑟 − 3(𝑟𝑟
2𝑡𝑡 − 2𝑠𝑠 −−𝑡𝑡)}
2𝑠𝑠 − 𝑡𝑡)}

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

1. 7𝑥𝑥 − 6𝑦𝑦 − 7 2. 4𝑎𝑎 + 7𝑏𝑏 − 8 3. −𝑟𝑟 + 4𝑠𝑠 + 2𝑡𝑡

ANSWERANSWER
TO PRACTICE SET:
TO PRACTICE SET:
1. 7𝑥𝑥 − 1.
6𝑦𝑦7𝑥𝑥
− 7− 6𝑦𝑦 − 7 2. 4𝑎𝑎 + 2. − 8+ 7𝑏𝑏 −3.8 −𝑟𝑟 +3.
7𝑏𝑏4𝑎𝑎 4𝑠𝑠−𝑟𝑟
+ 2𝑡𝑡
+ 4𝑠𝑠 + 2𝑡𝑡
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 2:

MULTIPLICATION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

Laws of Exponents
𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛
1. 𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛+𝑚𝑚 2. (𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 )𝑚𝑚 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 3. (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏𝑛𝑛 4. = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−𝑚𝑚
𝑎𝑎 𝑚𝑚

𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 1 1
5. (𝑏𝑏 ) = 𝑛𝑛 6. 𝑎𝑎 0 = 1 7. 𝑎𝑎 −𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 8. 𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎−𝑛𝑛
𝑏𝑏

EXAMPLES

Find the product and simplify your answer.

We use distributive property of multiplication and laws of exponents

1. 4𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 2 (5𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 2 ) = 20𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 3 − 12𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 4 + 8𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 4

2. (4𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)(3𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦) = 4𝑥𝑥 (3𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦) + 3𝑦𝑦(3𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦)

= 12𝑥𝑥 2 − 20𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 9𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 15𝑦𝑦 2

= 12𝑥𝑥 2 − 11𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 15𝑦𝑦 2

PRACTICE SET:

Find the product and simplify your answer.

1. (2𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑦𝑦 2 )(3𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑦𝑦)

2. (2𝑟𝑟 + 3𝑠𝑠)(3𝑟𝑟 2 + 4𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 − 7𝑠𝑠 2 )

3. (5𝑥𝑥 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 3 + 7𝑥𝑥 − 1)

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

1. 6𝑥𝑥 3 − 8𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 15𝑥𝑥 2𝑦𝑦 2 − 20𝑦𝑦 3 2. 6𝑟𝑟 3 + 17𝑟𝑟 2𝑠𝑠 − 2𝑟𝑟𝑠𝑠 2 − 21𝑠𝑠 3 3. 5𝑥𝑥 4 − 𝑥𝑥 3 + 35𝑥𝑥 2 − 12𝑥𝑥 + 1
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 3:

DIVISION OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

I. Monomial by monomial

-- Associate common factor and apply laws of exponents

EXAMPLE

24𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧 3 24 𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧 3 2𝑥𝑥 3 𝑧𝑧 2
= =
12𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 3 𝑧𝑧 12 𝑥𝑥 𝑦𝑦 3 𝑧𝑧 𝑦𝑦

II. Polynomial by monomial

𝑎𝑎+𝑏𝑏 𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏
--- apply 𝑐𝑐
= 𝑐𝑐 + 𝑐𝑐

EXAMPLE

4𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 3 − 24𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 4 4𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 3 24𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 4

= − = 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 12𝑦𝑦 2
2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2

III. Polynomial by polynomial

We do the following steps.

1. Arrange the terms of each polynomial in descending powers of one of the literal factors and insert 0
coefficient for missing term(s).

2. Divide the first term of the dividend by the first term of the divisor to obtain the first term of the quotient.

3. Multiply the entire divisor by the first term of the quotient and subtract from the entire dividend to get a
remainder.

4. Use the remainder obtained in (3) as new dividend and proceed as in steps 1, 2, and 3.

5. Continue the process until a remainder has been obtained which is 0 or has degree less than the degree of
the divisor.
EXAMPLE

2𝑥𝑥 3 − 11𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 13𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑦 3

𝑥𝑥 − 4𝑦𝑦

2𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 : quotient

𝑥𝑥 − 4𝑦𝑦 2𝑥𝑥 3 − 11𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 13𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑦 3

2𝑥𝑥 3 − 8𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦
−3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 13𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑦 3
−3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 12𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2

𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑦 3

𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑦 3
0

SYNTHETIC DIVISION
--- Used when the dividend is a polynomial in one variable and divisor is of the form −𝑎𝑎 , for some nonzero
constant 𝑎𝑎 .

EXAMPLE

3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑥 3 + 10 − 8𝑥𝑥 2

𝑥𝑥 − 2
Arrange the terms of the polynomial in descending powers of the variable and insert 0 coefficient for missing
term(s).

2𝑥𝑥 3 − 8𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 10 ÷ 𝑥𝑥 − 2

Write down the coefficients of the terms. Place the constant term of the divisor to the right side.

2 -8 3 10 2

Bring down the first term on the third row and multiply it with the number on the box and place the product
under the second term on the second row. Add the numbers on the 2nd column.

2 -8 3 10 2

+ 4

2 -4
Multiply the 2nd term of the 3rd row with the number on the box and place the product next to the entry on
the 2nd row.

2 -8 3 10 2

+ 4 -8

2 -4 -5

Repeat the process until the last term is used up.

2 -8 3 10 2

+ 4 -8 -10

2 -4 -5 0 coefficients of the quotient whose degree is one

less than the degree of the dividend while the last

entry is the remainder.

QUOTIENT: 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 5 REMAINDER: 0

PRACTICE SET:

Find the quotient.

1. 36𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 5 𝑧𝑧 2 ÷ 6𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 6 𝑧𝑧 4

2. 35𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏3 − 20𝑎𝑎 3 𝑏𝑏2 ÷ 5𝑎𝑎 2 𝑏𝑏

3. 6𝑥𝑥 3 + 17𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 21𝑦𝑦 3 ÷ 2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦

4. 5𝑟𝑟 3 + 7𝑟𝑟 2 + 12 ÷ 𝑟𝑟 + 2

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

6𝑥𝑥 2
1. 2. 7𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 3. 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 7𝑦𝑦 2 4. 5𝑟𝑟 2 − 3𝑟𝑟 + 6
𝑦𝑦𝑧𝑧 2
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 4:

SPECIAL PRODUCTS

a, b, c, d : constants

1. (𝑥𝑥 ± 𝑦𝑦)2 = 𝑥𝑥 2 ± 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2

Example: (2𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦)2 = 4𝑥𝑥 2 − 12𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 9𝑦𝑦 2

2. (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦) = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑦 2

Example: (4𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑦𝑦)(4𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦) = 16𝑥𝑥 2 − 25𝑦𝑦 2

3. (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎)(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑥𝑥 2 + (𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

Example: (𝑥𝑥 + 3)(𝑥𝑥 − 7) = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 21

4. (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑) = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏)𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏

Example: (2𝑥𝑥 + 3)(5𝑥𝑥 − 4) = 10𝑥𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑥 − 12

5. (𝑥𝑥 ± 𝑦𝑦)3 = 𝑥𝑥 3 ± 3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦+3𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥2 ± 𝑦𝑦 3

Example: (2𝑥𝑥 ± 3𝑦𝑦)3 = 8𝑥𝑥 3 ± 36𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦+54𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 2 ± 27𝑦𝑦 3

6. (𝑥𝑥 ± 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 2 ∓ 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 ) = 𝑥𝑥 3 ± 𝑦𝑦 3

Example: (3𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑦)(9𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 4𝑦𝑦 2 ) = 27𝑥𝑥 3 − 8𝑦𝑦 3

PRACTICE SET:
PRACTICE SET:
Find the product.
Find the product.
1. (6𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)(3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦)
1. (6𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)(3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦)
2. (𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑧 2 𝑤𝑤)2
2. (𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑧 2 𝑤𝑤)2
3. (2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦 + 3)(2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦 − 3)
3. (2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦 + 3)(2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦 − 3)
4. (𝑥𝑥 + 2)(𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 4)
4. (𝑥𝑥 + 2)(𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 4)
5. (2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)3
5. (2𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)3

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:
1. 18𝑥𝑥 2 + 9𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑦 2 2. 𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 4 − 2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧 2 𝑤𝑤 + 𝑧𝑧 4 𝑤𝑤 2 3. 4𝑥𝑥 2 + 12𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 9𝑦𝑦 2 − 9
1. 18𝑥𝑥 2
+ 9𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑦 2
2. 𝑥𝑥 𝑦𝑦 −
2 4
2𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 𝑧𝑧3 2 𝑤𝑤 4
+ 𝑧𝑧 𝑤𝑤 2
3. 4𝑥𝑥 2 + 12𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 9𝑦𝑦 2 − 9
4. 𝑥𝑥 3 + 8 5. 8𝑥𝑥 3 + 36𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 54𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦2 + 27𝑦𝑦
4. 𝑥𝑥 3 + 8 5. 8𝑥𝑥 3 + 36𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦 + 54𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 + 27𝑦𝑦 3
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 5:

FACTORING
--- We do the reverse of the special products.

TECHNIQUES IN FACTORING

1. COMMON FACTOR

--- Bring out the common factor of all the terms

Example: 4𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 4 𝑦𝑦 3 = 2𝑥𝑥 3 𝑦𝑦 2 (2 + 3𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥)

2. DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES

--- Apply 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑦 2 = (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)

Example: 25𝑥𝑥 2 − 9𝑦𝑦 2 = (5𝑥𝑥)2 − (3𝑦𝑦)2 = (5𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦)(5𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)

3. PERFECT SQUARE TRINOMIAL

--- Apply 𝑥𝑥 2 ± 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 = (𝑥𝑥 ± 𝑦𝑦)2

Example: 4𝑥𝑥 2 − 24𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 36𝑦𝑦 2 = (2𝑥𝑥 )2 − 2(2𝑥𝑥)(6𝑦𝑦) + (6𝑦𝑦)2 = (2𝑥𝑥 − 6𝑦𝑦)2

4. OTHER TRINOMIALS

--- Apply 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏)𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 = (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑) or 𝑥𝑥 2 + (𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = (𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎 )(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏)

Example: 12𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 − 10 = (4𝑥𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥𝑥 − 2)

5. SUM AND DIFFERENCE OF TWO CUBES

--- Apply 𝑥𝑥 3 ± 𝑦𝑦 3 = (𝑥𝑥 ± 𝑦𝑦)(𝑥𝑥 2 ∓ 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 )

8 2 3 2 6𝑥𝑥 4
Example: 27𝑥𝑥 3 − 𝑦𝑦3 = (3𝑥𝑥 )3 − (𝑦𝑦) = (3𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦) (9𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦
+ 𝑦𝑦2 )
6. GROUPING OF TERMS

--- Group terms. Factor each group and then factor out the common factor.

Example: 𝑦𝑦 3 −OF
6. GROUPING
2
+ 5𝑦𝑦 − 10 = (𝑦𝑦 3 − 2𝑦𝑦 2 ) + (5𝑦𝑦 − 10)
2𝑦𝑦TERMS

--- Group terms. Factor each = 𝑦𝑦 2 (𝑦𝑦and

group ) + 5(𝑦𝑦
− 2then − 2)
factor out the common factor.
2
Example: 𝑦𝑦 3 − 2𝑦𝑦 2 + 5𝑦𝑦 − 10==((𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦−
3 2)(𝑦𝑦2 )+ 5)
− 2𝑦𝑦 + (5𝑦𝑦 − 10)

= 𝑦𝑦 2 (𝑦𝑦 − 2) + 5(𝑦𝑦 − 2)
PRACTICE SET: = (𝑦𝑦 − 2)(𝑦𝑦 2 + 5)
Factor the following completely.

1. 2𝑧𝑧 2 (𝑥𝑥 +SET:

PRACTICE 3𝑦𝑦) − 6𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)
2
2. (𝑥𝑥 +the
Factor 2𝑦𝑦) − 𝑧𝑧 2 completely.
following
3. 5𝑧𝑧 22 (−
1. 2𝑧𝑧 𝑥𝑥 30𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤
+ 3𝑦𝑦) +
− 45𝑤𝑤
2
6𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)
4. (𝑥𝑥
27(𝑥𝑥 23 − 2
− 𝑦𝑦) 3
2. + 2𝑦𝑦) − 𝑧𝑧 8(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦)
5. 5𝑧𝑧
35𝑥𝑥2 2 − 24𝑥𝑥 + 4
3. − 30𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 + 45𝑤𝑤 2
6. 27(𝑥𝑥
4. 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − −
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦)
−3𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏+ 𝑦𝑦)3
− 8(𝑥𝑥

5. 4𝑥𝑥 3 2−−12𝑥𝑥
7. 35𝑥𝑥 2
24𝑥𝑥 −+ 𝑥𝑥4 + 3

6. 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏

7. 4𝑥𝑥 3 − 12𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 + 3

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

1. 2𝑧𝑧(𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)((𝑧𝑧 − 3𝑥𝑥) 2. (𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 − 𝑧𝑧)(𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 + 𝑧𝑧) 3. 5(𝑧𝑧 − 3𝑤𝑤)2

4. (𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦)(19𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑦𝑦 2 ) 5. (7𝑥𝑥 − 2)(5𝑥𝑥 − 2) 6. (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)(𝑎𝑎 − 𝑏𝑏)

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:
7. (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(2𝑥𝑥 − 1)
1. 2𝑧𝑧(𝑥𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑦)((𝑧𝑧 − 3𝑥𝑥) 2. (𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 − 𝑧𝑧)(𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 + 𝑧𝑧) 3. 5(𝑧𝑧 − 3𝑤𝑤)2

4. (𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦)(19𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑦𝑦 2 ) 5. (7𝑥𝑥 − 2)(5𝑥𝑥 − 2) 6. (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑦𝑦)(𝑎𝑎 − 𝑏𝑏)

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 6:

Remainder and Factor Theorems

Consider a polynomial 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥). When 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) is divided by (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎), we can write

𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥) + 𝑅𝑅 (𝑥𝑥)

where 𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥) is the quotient and 𝑅𝑅(𝑥𝑥) is the remainder. Since the degree of (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎 ) is one, 𝑅𝑅 (𝑥𝑥) is just a
constant 𝑟𝑟 since its degree is zero. We can rewrite 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) as

𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)𝑄𝑄 (𝑥𝑥) + 𝑟𝑟.

If we evaluate 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) at 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎, we get 𝑃𝑃(𝑎𝑎 ) = (𝑎𝑎 − 𝑎𝑎 )𝑄𝑄(𝑎𝑎) + 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑟𝑟. So, when 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) is divided by (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎 ), the
remainder is just 𝑃𝑃(𝑎𝑎).

REMAINDER THEOREM
When we divide a polynomial 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) by (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎 ), the remainder is 𝑃𝑃(𝑎𝑎).

Example
Give the remainder when 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = 3𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 1 is divided by (𝑥𝑥 − 2).

Solution: 𝑃𝑃(2) = 3(23 ) + 22 − 4(2) − 1 = 19

Example
Give the remainder when 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = 4𝑥𝑥 3 − 5𝑥𝑥 + 1 is divided by

a) 𝑥𝑥 + 3

b) 2𝑥𝑥 − 1

Solution:

a) Since 𝑥𝑥 + 3 = 𝑥𝑥 − (−3), the remainder is 𝑃𝑃 (−3) = 4(−3)2 − 5(−3) + 1 = −92.

1 1 1 1
b) Since 2𝑥𝑥 − 1 = 2 (𝑥𝑥 − 2), the remainder is 𝑃𝑃 (2) = 4 (8) − 5 (2) + 1 = −1.
When the remainder 𝑟𝑟 is zero, the polynomial 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥) is divisible by (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎). That is, 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)𝑄𝑄(𝑥𝑥).

FACTOR THEOREM
(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎) is a factor of 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) if and only if 𝑃𝑃 (𝑎𝑎) = 0

Example

Is (𝑥𝑥 − 1) a factor of 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 9𝑥𝑥 − 9?

Solution: No because 𝑃𝑃(1) = −16 ≠ 0.

Example

Is (𝑥𝑥 + 1) a factor of 𝑃𝑃 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 9𝑥𝑥 − 9?

Solution: Yes, since 𝑃𝑃(−1) = 0

PRACTICE SET:

1. Determine if 2𝑥𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑥 2 − 21𝑥𝑥 + 18 is divisible by 𝑥𝑥 − 1.

2. Which of the following is a factor of 2𝑥𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑥 2 − 21𝑥𝑥 + 18?

a) 𝑥𝑥 − 2

b) 𝑥𝑥 − 3

c) 𝑥𝑥 − 4

ANSWER TO PRACTICE SET:

1. P(1) = -2, not divisible 2. b

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 7:

Linear Function
A linear function is a function of the form 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏. The graph of a linear function is a line with slope
𝑚𝑚 and 𝑦𝑦 − intercept 𝑏𝑏.

The slope 𝑚𝑚 of the linear function can be interpreted as the change in 𝑦𝑦 for every one unit change in 𝑥𝑥. Take
for example the linear function 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 3𝑥𝑥 + 1. When 𝑥𝑥 = 1, 𝑓𝑓(1) = 4. Using the slope 𝑚𝑚 = 3, we can
compute 𝑓𝑓(2) from 𝑓𝑓 (1) as follows 𝑓𝑓 (2) = 𝑓𝑓(1) + 3 = 4 + 3 = 7.

The slope 𝑚𝑚 can also be interpreted/computed as

change in 𝑦𝑦 rise
𝑚𝑚 = =
change in 𝑥𝑥 run
The 𝑦𝑦 − intercept 𝑏𝑏 is the point on the 𝑦𝑦 − axis where the graph of the linear function intersects the 𝑦𝑦 −
axis.

To draw the graph of 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏

a) get two points (𝑎𝑎, 𝑓𝑓(𝑎𝑎 )) and (𝑏𝑏, 𝑓𝑓(𝑏𝑏))

b) plot the two points

c) connect the two points with a straight line

Example

Sketch the graph of 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 3𝑥𝑥 + 1.

Solution:

a) Provide two points

when x=1, y=4

when x=4, y=13

b) plot the points (1,4) and (4,13)

c) connect the two points with a straight line

Example:

Jade owes her friend. To repay her debt, she paid her friend 150 per month. After 10 months, her remaining
debt was 6900. What was her original debt? How long will it take her to repay her debt?

Solution:

Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏 represents her debt at time 𝑡𝑡. Her initial debt is 𝑏𝑏 = 6900 + 150 (10) = 8400. The value
of 𝑚𝑚 is −150. So the mathematical model of her debt is represented by the linear function 𝑓𝑓(𝑡𝑡) = −150𝑡𝑡 +
8400. To determine how long it will take her to repay her debt, just solve 𝑓𝑓 (𝑡𝑡) = 0. The solution is 𝑡𝑡 =
8400
150
= 56.

Example:

The points (3,9) and (10,23) are points on the graph of a linear function. Give the explicit expression for the
linear function.

Solution:
 23−9 14
The form is 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏. Using the two given points, the slope is 𝑚𝑚 = 10−3 = 7 = 2. Substitute the
value of 𝑚𝑚 to get 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏. Using the point (3,9), we have 9 = 𝑓𝑓(3) = 2(3) + 𝑏𝑏. Solving for 𝑏𝑏, we get
𝑏𝑏 = 3. The desired function is 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥 + 3.

PRACTICE SET:

1. Give the linear function whose graph is shown below.

2. A high school had 1200 students enrolled in 2003 and 1500 students in 2006. If the student population, P,
grows as a linear function of time t, where t is the number of years after 2003.
a) How many students will be enrolled in the school in 2010?
b) Find a linear function that relates the student population to the time t.

ANSWERS TO PRACTICE SET:

2
1. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = − 𝑥𝑥 + 5 2. a) 1900 b) 𝑓𝑓(𝑡𝑡) = 100𝑡𝑡 − 199100
3
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ALGEBRA
BASIC AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS (BGEMs)

TOPIC 8:

Quadratic Function
A quadratic function has the form 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 where
𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0. The graph of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) is a parabola with vertex at (ℎ, 𝑓𝑓(ℎ))
𝑏𝑏
where ℎ = − .
2𝑎𝑎

When 𝑎𝑎 > 0, the parabola is opening upward.

When 𝑎𝑎 < 0, the parabola is opening downward.

The roots of 𝑓𝑓 are given by the quadratic formula

−𝑏𝑏 ± √𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

𝑥𝑥 =
2𝑎𝑎

Example

What is the maximum value of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = −2𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 + 3?

Solution
𝑏𝑏 2 1
The maximum value occurs at 𝑥𝑥 = − =− = since the graph is a parabola opening upward. So the
2𝑎𝑎 2(−2) 2
1 1 1
maximum value is 𝑓𝑓 ( ) = −2 ( ) + 2 ( ) + 3 = 3.5
2 4 2

Example

What are the roots of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥 + 1?

Solution
1
The function can be expressed as (2𝑥𝑥 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 1). So the roots are and 1.
2

Alternatively, one can use the quadratic formula to get

−(−3) + √9 − 4(2)(1) −(−3) − √9 − 4(2)(1) 1

𝑥𝑥 = = 1 and 𝑥𝑥 = =
2(2) 2(2) 2
Example

Find the equation for a quadratic function that passes through the points [0,1], [1,5] and [2,3].

Solution

𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐
If x = 0, y = 1, thus 1 = 𝑐𝑐

If x = 1, y = 5, thus 5 = 𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐

If x = 2, y = 3, thus 3 = 4𝑎𝑎 + 2𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐

Solving the equation above, we get 𝑎𝑎 = −3, 𝑏𝑏 = 7, 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐 = 1 Thus, the quadratic equation is

𝑦𝑦 = −3𝑥𝑥 2 + 7𝑥𝑥 + 1

PRACTICE SET:

1. Give the smallest function value of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥 + 9)(𝑥𝑥 − 5).

2. Give two numbers whose sum is 10 and whose product is as large as possible.

3. Give a quadratic function whose graph contains the points (−1,5), (0, −1), (2,11).

ANSWERS TO PRACTICE SET:

1. -49 2. 5, 5 3. y = 4x2 – 2x - 1