1 Sets of real numbers

1.1 Sets of real numbers

Set = collection of objects
Natural numbers: N = {0, 1, 2, 3, . . .}
Integer numbers: Z = {.. . , −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .}
Rational numbers: Z = m : m, n ∈ Z, n 6= 0 = {numbers with terminating or repeating decimals}
√ n
Irrational numbers: 2, π, e, . . .(numbers with nonrepeating decimals)
Real numbers: R
Operations with sets: union (∪), intersection (∩)
√ √ √
Exercise 1 For the set {−5, −3.5, 0, 3/4, 3, 5, 9}, indicate the numbers that are natural numbers, integers,
rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers.
√
Exercise 2 Locate the numbers −4.5, −2 14 , −0.75, 12 , 2, π and 4.1 on the real number line.

1.2 Opposite, reciprocal, absolute value

Opposite of a number x is the number −x.
1
Reciprocal of a number x 6= 0 is the number x.
√
Exercise 3 Find the opposites and reciprocal of the numbers −3, π, 43 , 2, and 0.
Absolute value of x is the distance from x to 0 on the number line:

x, if x ≥ 0
|x| = dist (x, 0) = .
−x, if x < 0
√ √
Exercise 4 Find the absolute value of the numbers −3, 7, 0, π, 43 , − 2, 1 − 2.
Exercise 5 For the given rational numbers, convert between the decimal representation and fractional representa-
tion: 23 , 0.345, 2 14 , 2.34(56), 1.23 × 10−3 .

1.3 Graphing inequalities

Exercise 6 Graph {x ∈ R : x ≤ 3} on the real line.
Exercise 7 Graph {x ∈ R : x < 3} on the real line.
Exercise 8 Graph {x ∈ R : x ≤ −2 or x > 3} on the real line.
Exercise 9 Graph {x ∈ R : 1 < x ≤ 2} on the real line.

1.4 Properties of real numbers

Addition Multiplication
Commutative a+b=b+a a·b=b·a
Associative a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c a · (b · c) = (a · b) · c
Identity a+0=a a·1=a
Inverse a + (−a) = 0 a · a1 = 1
Distributive a · (b + c) = a · b + a · c
Substraction = addition of the opposite (a − b = a + (−b))
Division = multiplication by the reciprocal (a ÷ b or ab = a · 1b )
Order of operations:
0. Work inside the innermost parentheses (if any).
1. Powers, exponents
2. Multiplication and division (left to right order)
3. Additions and subtractions (left to right order)
h i
5·(−3)−10 −5(−4)+2(−3) 3(−2+7)−(−5) 2−4(3−8)
Exercise 10 Evaluate: a) −4−1 b) 2(−1)−5 c) 4−2(−3) d) 6 − (−3) 6−5(1−3)

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2 First degree equations and inequalities
Equation = a statement involving the equality of two expressions containing one or more variables.
To solve an equation = to find the value(s) of variable(s) for which the equality is true (called solutions).
Equivalent equations: equations with the same solution set.

2.1 First degree equation: ax + b = 0 (a, b ∈ R, a 6= 0)

To solve the equation, isolate the variable x.

Exercise 11 Solve: a) 5x + 3 = 2 b) 43 x + 5 = −4 c) 7x − x + 4 − 2x = 4 d) 3(2y − l) + y = 5y + 3.

2.2 First degree inequalities: ax + b < 0 (a, b ∈ R, a 6= 0)

To solve, proceed similarly to solving an equation (but remember that multiplying by a negative number reverses
the inequality sign!)

Exercise 12 Solve and then graph the solution set: a) 3x − 5 ≤ 7 b) −2y − 3 < 7 c) 3(2x − 4) − 7x ≤ −3x
d) −2 ≤ 5x − 7 ≤ 13.

2.3 Equations with absolute value

|x| = a ⇔ x = a or x = −a (if a ≥ 0, and no solution otherwise!)

Exercise 13 Solve: a) |x| = 5 b) |2a − 1| = 7 c) |5x − 3| + 12 = 5 c) |3a + 1| = |2a − 4| d)

|4x − 1| = |1 − 4x|

2.4 Inequalities with absolute value

If a > 0, then

|x| < a ⇔ −a < x < a

|x| > a ⇔ x > a or x < −a

To think about: what happens if a < 0?

Exercise 14 Graph the solution set for a) |2x − 5| < 3 b) |x − 3| > 5 c) |4t − 3| ≥ 9 d) |7x − 1| < −2

2.5 Formulas and word problems

To solve word problems, first set up you notation (x = ...), then write an equation (from the word problem), and
then solve it. Finally, answer the question of the problem. To help you setup the equation, look for constructions
like this:

in words algebraic expression

the sum of a and b a+b
the difference of a and b a−b
the product of a and b a·b
a
the quotient of a and b b
a more than b b+a
twice the sum of a and b 2(a + b)
the sum of twice a and b 2a + b
a less than b b−a
5
Exercise 15 Solve for the indicated variable: a) P V = nRT for T b) C = 9 (F − 32) for F c) 9x − 3y = 6
for y d) −2.5 < x−µ
s < 2.5 for x.

Exercise 16 Twice the sum of a number and 3 is 16. Find the number.

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Exercise 17 The sum of two consecutive even integers is 12 more than their positive difference. Find the two
integers.

Exercise 18 A rectangle is 3 times as long as it is wide. The perimeter is 40 feet. Find the dimensions.