1

UNIT 7

ALGEBRA 2

Solving simultaneous linear equations

A system of equations refers to a number of equations with an equal number of variables. At this
point we will only look at the case of two linear equations in two unknowns. The situation gets
much more complex as the number of unknowns increases, and larger systems are commonly
attacked with the aid of a computer.

A system of two linear equations in two unknowns might look like

3x + 2y = 8
x – 3y = 6

This is the standard form for writing equations when they are part of a system of equations: the
variables go in order on the left side and the constant term is on the right. When we talk about
the solution of this system of equations, we mean the values of the variables that make both
equations true at the same time. There may be many pairs of x and y that make the first equation
true, and many pairs of x and y that make the second equation true, but we are looking for an x
and y that would work in both equations. This process of solving a system of equations is called
solving the equations simultaneously.

Depending on the structure of the two equations, different methods may be used. Usually the
method used is a method of convenience.

1. Method of substitution: this method involves rearranging one of the equations so that we
have either

(i) y in terms of x, in which case we then substitute this expression for y into the second
equation,

OR

(ii) x in terms of y, in which case we substitute this expression for x into the second
equation.

The choice depends on which gives the simpler expression after rearranging.
 2

Example

Solve simultaneously: x + 2y = 6 (1)

3x + 4y = 10 (2)

Rearranging (1) we get x = 6 – 2y

Substitute this expression for x in equation (2)

3(6 – 2y) + 4y = 10

18 – 6y + 4y = 10

-2y = 10 – 18

– 2y = - 8

y=4

substituting this value of y into one equation we get

therefore x = 6 – 2(4)

x=-2

solution: x = -2, and y = 4

Example

Solve simultaneously:

x + 2y = 8 (1)

3x + y = 9 (2)

From (2) y = 9 – 3x

Substitute in (1) x + 2(9 – 3x) = 8

x + 18 – 6x = 8
 3

– 5x = 8 – 18

-5x = -10

x=2

substituting x = 2 in (2) we get

y=9–6=3

solution: x = 2, y = 3

2. Method of elimination

In this method, we try to eliminate one of the variables, by adding or subtracting the two
equations. To do this, the coefficients of the variable that is to be eliminated must be the
same in each equation.

Example

Solve: 5x + 2y = 11 (1)

4x + 2y = 10 (2)

Since the coefficient of y is + 2 in both equations we can subtract the equations

That gives x = 1

Substitute this value of x into (1)

5(1) + 2y = 11

2y = 11 – 5

y = 6/2 = 3

solution: x = 1, y = 3
 4

Example

Solve: 2x + 5y = 1 (1)

3x + 8y = 2 (2)

We can try to eliminate x. Multiple (1) by 3: 6x + 15y = 3 (3)

Multiply (2) by 2: 6x + 16y = 4 (4)

Subtract: (3) – (4) - y = -1

y=1

substituting y = 1 in (1) 2x + 5(1) = 1

2x = 1 – 5

2x = - 4

x=-2

solution: x = -2, y = 1

Example

Solve 5x + 2y = 14 (1)

3x – 4y = 24 (2)

Multiply (1) by 2 10x + 4y = 28 (3)

Add (2) and (3) 13x = 52

x=4

substitute in x = 4 in (1) 5(4) + 2y = 14

2y = 14 – 20
 5

2y = - 6

y=-3

Solution: x = 4, y = -3

Exercise 7.1

Solve the following pairs of equations.

1. 3x – 2y =12 2x + y = 1
2. 2a + b = 7 5a – 3b = 1
3. 3x + y = 9 4x + 2y = 6
4. 2x + 3y = 7 5x – 2y = 8
5. 6x + 5y = 7 4x – 3y = - 27
6. 2x + 3y = 11 3x – 5y = 26
7. 3p – 4q = 5 6p – 4q = 2
8. 7x – 3y – 8 = 0 5x + 7y + 8 = 0
9. 6x – 5y – 12 = 0 5x – 4y – 11 = 0
10. x – 6y + 23 = 0 y = 4x

Quadratic equations

Recall: A binomial expression is a sum of two terms; a + b.

A trinomial expression is a sum of three terms, while a multinomial is more than

three.

A quadratic expression is another name for a polynomial expression of the 2nd

degree, i.e. where the highest power is 2.
A quadratic function is a polynomial function of the form, f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
where a ≠ 0.
It takes its name from the Latin quadratus for square, because quadratic functions arise
in the calculation of the area of a square. A quadratic function is also referred to as a
degree 2 polynomial or a 2nd degree polynomial, because the highest exponent of x
 6

is 2. The graph of such a function is a parabola and may have a maximum or

minimum value depending on whether the coefficient of x2 is negative or positive.

b
1. If a > 0, then this function will have a minimum value that occurs when x = .
2a

b
2. If a < 0, then the function will have a maximum value that occurs when x = .
2a

b
3. The line x = is called the axis of symmetry of the function.
2a

If the quadratic function is set equal to zero, then we get a quadratic equation. The solutions
are the values of x which make the equation equal to zero. These are called the roots of the
equation or the zeroes of the function.

Example

Consider the function f(x) = 2x2 + 6x – 5

(i) This is a quadratic function since its higher power is 2.

(ii) This function will have a minimum value since the x2 coefficient is 2.

b 6 3
(iii) The axis of symmetry is x = = =
2a 2 ( 2) 2

3
(iv) The minimum value of the function occurs when x =
2

3 2 3
(v) This value is f(x) = 2( ) + 6( )–5
2 2

9
= 2( )–9–5
4

 19
=
2

Example

Consider the function f(x) = 7 - 8x – 4x2

(i) This is a quadratic function since its highest power is 2.

 7

(ii) The function will have a maximum value since the x2 coefficient is negative (- 4).

b 8
(iii)The axis of symmetry is x = = = -1
2a 8

(iv) The maximum value of the function occurs when x = -1.

(v) This maximum value is f(x) = 7 – 8(- 1) – 4 (-1)2 = 7 + 8 – 4 = 11

Exercise 7.2

Determine which of the following will be a quadratic function. If it is a quadratic function, state
whether it will have a maximum or minimum value and calculate this value.

1. f(x) = 5x2 – 2x + 4 6. f(x) = 6x2

2. f(x) = 3x + 7 7. f(m) = 1 - 4m - 3m2

3. f(y) = y2 + 8y + 16 8. f(p) = 6 + 5p - p2

4. f(t) = t3 + t2 + 5 9. f(y) = 4y2 - 7y – 2

5. f(x) = x2 + x5 10. f(x) = 2x – 9

Multiplying binomials

Multiply 2x + 3 by x + 5.

(2x + 3)(x + 5) = 2x(x + 5) + 3(x + 5)

= 2x2 + 10x + 3x + 15

= 2x2 + 13x + 15

Multiplying two binomial expressions give a quadratic expression.

Recall: when two terms are multiplied together, they are factors of their product

Therefore the factors of 2x2 + 13x + 15 are (2x + 3) and (x + 5)

Multiply 3x – 2 and x - 2

(3x – 2)(x – 1) = 3x(x – 1) – 2(x – 1)

 8

= 3x2 – 3x – 2x + 1

= 3x2 – 5x + 1

The factors of 3x2 – 5x + 1 are (3x – 2) and (x – 1).

Find the product of x and (6x + 5)

Finding the product is the same as multiplying the two terms.

x(6x + 5) = 6x2 + 5x

This is a quadratic expression whose constant term is 0

When writing trinomials, ax2+ bx + c, it is common to write the term in „x‟ in the middle. It
therefore becomes known as the middle term.

Exercise 7.3

Find the quadratic product for each of the following:

1.(a) (2x + 1)(x + 3) (b) (2x – 1)(x + 3)

(c ) (2x + 1)(x - 3) (d) (2x – 1)(x – 3)

2. (a) (3x + 2)(x + 4) (b) (3x – 2)(x + 4)

(c) (3x + 2)(x – 4) (d) (3x – 2)(x – 4)

3. (a) (x + 2)(x + 3) (b) (x – 2)(x + 3)

(c) (x + 2)(x – 3) (d) (x – 2)(x – 3)

4. (a) (x + 4)(x + 6) (b) (x – 4)(x + 6)

(c) (x + 4)(x – 6) (d) (x – 4)(x – 6)

 9

5. (a) (3 + 5x)(1 + 2x) (b) (3 – 5x)(1 + 2x)

(c) (3 + 5x)(1 – 2x) (d) (3 – 5x)(1 – 2x)

6. (a) (x + 5)(x + 5) (b) (x – 5)(x + 5)

(c) (x + 5)(x – 5) (d) (x - 5)(x - 5)

It is important to note how the signs inside the brackets affect the final answer.

 When the two brackets have different signs, the constant will be negative.

 If the signs in the two brackets are the same, the constant will be positive.

How is the middle term (the ‘x’ term) affected by the signs in the bracket?

Exercise 7.3

Multiply each of the following:

(1) (3x – 2)(2x – 1) (2) (7x – 2)(5x + 4)

(3) (x – 1)(3x + 8) (4) (5x – 4)(x – 1)
(5) (2x + 3)(2x + 5) (6) (x + 7)(2x – 3)
(7) (x + 4)(x – 3) (8) (4x + 2)(2x – 5)
(9) (x + 3)(x – 3) (10) (2x + 5)(2x – 5)

Factorization of the quadratic function

Case 1: When a = 1: f(x) = x2 + bx + c

In this case, you will find two numbers that multiply to give the constant term "c", and add
together to give "b", the coefficient on the x-term.

Example

Factorize: x2 + 5x + 4
 10

The factors of 4 are 1 and 4 or 2 and 2. We need to choose the pair of factor which when
multiplied together will give 4 and at the same time which when added together will give 5. The
factors needed are 4 and 1. Also, since the ‘c’ is positive, + 4, the two brackets must have the
same sign. It must be a plus sign, since ‘b’ is positive.

therefore x2 + 5x + 4 = (x + 4)(x + 1)

Example

Factorize x2 – 5x + 4

Again we are looking for the factors of 4 which when added together will give – 5

The factors we need are -1 and - 4

Therefore x2 – 5x + 4 = (x – 4)(x – 1)

Example

Factorize f(x) = x2 + 5x – 4

Now since our constant term is negative, one of the factors must be negative and one must be
positive. The factors of – 4 will be +2 and -2, or +1 and – 4, or – 1 and + 4.

But +2 - 2 = 0; +1 – 4 = - 3; and -1 + 4 = 3.

This means that x2 + 5x – 4 cannot be factorized since the factors of - 4 cannot be added or
subtracted to give an answer of + 5 .

Not all quadratic functions can be factorized.

Exercise 7.4

Factorize the following.

1. x2 + 5x + 6 2. x2 – x - 6

3. x² + x − 6 4. x² − 5x + 6
5. x² + 7x + 6 6. x² − 7x + 6
7. x² + 5x − 6 8. x² − 5x − 6
9. x² − 10x + 9 10. x² + x − 12
 11

11. x² − 6x − 16 12. x² − 5x − 14
13. x² − x − 2 14. x² − 12x + 20
15. x² − 14x + 24

Case 2: when a > 1,

Consider the function f(x) = ax2 + bx + c.

To factorize such an expression into its linear factors, if they exist, we use the following steps:

1. Obtain the product of ac, ignoring the sign, |ac|.

2. Write down all the possible pairs of factors of ac.

3. (i) If c is positive, select the two factors of ac whose sum is equal to b, both factors
must have the same sign as b.

(ii) If c is negative, select the two factors of ac which when subtracted gives b, the
numerically larger of these factors will have the same sign as that of b, the other factor
will have the opposite sign.

(iii) denote the two factors as f1 and f2

4. The function ax2 + bx + c can now be written as ax2 + f1x + f2x + c. This is then
factorized as in previous work.

Example

Factorize 3x2 + 5x – 2

In this case, a = 3; b = 5; c = - 2.  |ac| = 6

Possible factors of 6 = (6, 1) and (3, 2)

c is negative,  the required factors must subtract to give 5

 f1 = 6 and f2 = - 1

 3x2 + 5x – 2 = 3x2 + 6x – x – 2

Grouping and factorising: 3x(x + 2) – (x + 2) = (3x – 1)(x + 2).

Example
 12

Factorize 6x2 + 11x + 3

a = 6, b = 11, c = 3  |ac| = 18

factors of 18 are (1, 18), (2, 9), (3, 6)

since c is positive, c = 3; required factors must add to give 11

 f1 = 2; f2 = 9

 6x2 + 11x + 3 = 6x2 + 2x + 9x + 3

= 2x(3x + 1) + 3(3x + 1)

= (3x + 1)(2x + 3)

Example: Factorize 5x2 - 13 x - 6

a = 5; b = - 13; c = - 6; |ac| = 30

Possible factors of 30 are (1, 30), (2, 15), (3, 10), or (5, 6).

Since c is negative, the required factors must subtract to give 13,

 required factors are 2 and 15

Since b is negative, the larger factor must be negative.

 f1 = - 15, and f2 = 2

So that 5x2 - 13x - 6 = 5x2 – 15x + 2x – 6

= 5x(x – 3) + 2(x – 3)

= (x – 3)(5x + 2)

Case 3: a is negative

Example: - 4x2 – 15x + 4

a = - 4; b = - 6, c = 4; |ac| = 16

possible factors of 16 are (1, 16); (2, 8), (4, 4)

 13

since a is negative the required factors must subtract to give 15

 the required factors are 1 and 16

Since b is negative the larger factor must be negative

 f1 = - 16, and f2 = 1

 - 4x2 – 15x + 4 = - 4x2 – 16x + x + 4

= - 4x(x + 4) + (x + 4)

= (x + 4)(- 4x + 1)

Useful standard factors

 x2 + 2xy + y2 = (x + y)2

 x2 – 2xy + y2 = (x – y)2

 x2 – y2 = (x – y)(x + y)

Examples

(1) x2 + 10 x + 25 = x2 + 2(5)x + 52

= (x + 5)2

(2) 9x2 – 24x + 16 = (3x)2 – 2(3)(4)x + 42

= (3x – 4)2

(3) x2 – 16 = x2 - 42

= (x – 4)2

Exercise 7.5

Factorise the following into linear factors:

1) 2x2 + 5x + 2 (11) 3x2 – 10x - 8

2) 3x2 – 7x + 2 (12) 2x2 + x - 15

 14

3) 2x2 – 3x – 5 (13) 5x2 + 13x - 6

4) 5x2 + 14x – 3 (14) 3x2 - x - 10

5) 4x2 + 5x + 1 (15) 8x2 + 2x - 3

6) 6x2 – 5x + 1 (16) 6x2 + 7x + 2

7) 16x2 + 40x + 25 (17) 8x2 – 6x - 9

8) 9x2 + 12x + 4 (18) 25x2 - 16

9) 4x2 – 12x + 9 (19) 9x2 - 25

10) x2 - 16 (20) 8x2 + 2x - 15

Solving quadratic equations

A quadratic equation is of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. The solutions of this equation are the
values of x which make the equation true.

1. Solution by factors:

Example

Solve x2 + 5x – 14 = 0

x2 + 5x – 14 can be factorised to (x + 7)(x – 2)

 our problem can be rewritten as (x + 7)(x – 2) = 0

If the product of two numbers is zero, then one of the numbers must be equal to zero.

x + 7 = 0 or x – 2 = 0

i.e. x = - 7 or x = 2.

Example

Solve x2 - 7x = 18

First rewrite the equation as x2 – 7x – 18 = 0

Factorising we get (x – 9)(x + 2) = 0

 15

 x – 9 = 0 or x + 2 = 0

i.e. x = 9 or x = -2.

Example

Solve 3x2 + 14 x + 8 = 0

This factorizes to give (3x + 2)(x + 4) = 0

 3x + 2 = 0 or x + 4 = 0

2
x= or x = - 4
3

2. The quadratic formula

Often the simplest way to solve a quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 is to factorise the quadratic,
set each factor equal to zero and then solve each factor. Sometimes the quadratic is too messy or
it cannot be factorized. One method that can be used in this case is the quadratic formula.

The Quadratic Formula uses the “a”, “b” and “c” from the from the expression ax2 + bx + c
and is stated as

If ax2 + bx + c = 0

Then the values of x can be given by

 b  b 2  4ac
x
2a

Note that the 2a in the denominator is underneath everything and not just the square root. A good
idea will be to work out the b2 – 4ac first and then put it into the formula.

Note:

 If b2 – 4ac = 0, then ax2 + bx + c is a perfect square and there is only one solution to the
equation.

 If b2 – 4ac > 0, then ax2 + bx + c = 0 will have two distinct solutions.

 16

 If b2 – 4ac < 0, then ax2 + bx + c = 0 will have no solution. (there is no value for the
square root of a negative number).

Consider the equation x2 – 6x – 4 = 0

To factor this, we need to first find ac. |ac| = 4

The factors of 4 are (1, 4) or (2, 2).

Since these factors cannot be added or subtracted to give – 6,

x2 – 6x – 4 cannot be factorised into two linear factors.

So try the quadratic formula

 b  b 2  4ac
x
2a

In this equation, a = 1, b = - 6 and c = - 4

Now b2 – 4ac = (-6)2 – 4(1)(- 4) = 36 + 16 = 52

Since 52 > 0, this means that we will get two distinct solutions for x, we can go ahead and solve
the equation.

Substituting values for a, b, and c

 (6)  (6) 2  (4)(1)(4)

x
2(1)

6  36  16
=
2

6  52
=
2

6  7.211
=
2

13.211  1.211
x= or x=
2 2
 17

x = 6.6 or x = - 0.61 (2 dec. pl)

Example

Solve 5x2 – 4x + 6 = 0

a = 5, b = - 4 and c = 6

b2 – 4ac = (-4)2 – (4)(5)(6)

= 16 – 120

= - 104

5x2 – 4x + 6 = 0 cannot be solved. It has no real solutions.

(it is always good to double check your calculations and ensure that you did not make a mistake
at this stage).

Example

Solve x2 + 6x + 9 = 0

a = 1, b = 6, c = 9

b2 – 4ac = (6)2 – (4)(1)(9)

= 36 – 36 = 0

This quadratic is a perfect square and can be factorized to give,

(x + 3)(x + 3) = 0

Therefore there is one solution: x = - 3

 b  b 2  4ac
Using the formula: x 
2a

6 0
=
2

6
= =-3
2
 18

Exercise 7.6

1. Determine which of the following can be factorised into two linear factors:

a) 4x2 + 3x – 4 (f) 5x2 – 4x + 6

b) 6x2 + 7x + 2 (g) 7x2 – 5x - 4

c) 3x2 + x – 4 (h) 8x2 + 2x - 3

d) 7x2 – 3x – 5 (i) 3x2 – 14x + 8

e) 2x2 + 7x + 3 (j) 4x2 – 6x + 9

2. Solve the following by factorizing:

(remember to write the equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 if it is not already in that
form).

a) x2 – 5x + 6 = 0 (f) (x + 2)2 = 2x + 12

b) x2 – 6x + 8 = 0 (g) (x + 1)(x + 3) = 8

c) x2 + 20 = 9x (h) 8x2 + 3 = 14x

d) x2 = 4x (i) 5x2 + 13x – 6 = 0

e) x2 – 8 = 7x (j) (x – 3)(x – 4) + 7 = (2x + 5)(x – 1)

3. Use the quadratic formula to solve the following, giving your answer correct to two
decimal places.

a) x2 – 7x + 4 = 0 (f) 3x2 + x – 3 = 0

b) x2 + 3x – 5 = 0 (g) 4x2 + 5x – 7 = 0

c) x2 – 10x + 15 = 0 (h) 3x2 + 7x + 3 = 0

d) x2 + 12x – 20 = 0 (i) (x + 2)2 + 5x = 6

e) x2 + 5x + 3 = 0 (j) (2x + 3)(x – 1) + 2(x – 2)(x + 3) = 4

 19

4. Determine which of following can be solved by factorizing. If it can be solved by

factorising, use the method of factorizing. Otherwise use the formula, giving your answer
to two decimal places.

a) x2 – 13x + 36 = 0 f) 3x2 – 18x + 24 = 0

b) x2 + 5x – 24 = 0 g) 2x2 – 4x - 5 = 0

c) x2 - 2x – 8 = 0 h) 4 – 3x – x2 = 0

d) 4x2 + x – 7 = 0 i) x2 + 2x – 15 = 0

e) 12 + 7x – 14x2 = 0 j) 5x2 – 2x - 8 = 0

3. Completing the square

Before solving quadratic equations we will write expressions which are perfect squares. Any
expression which can be written in the form (x + p)2 is a perfect square.

Note that (x + p)2 = x2 + 2px + p2

The coefficient of x2 is 1, the coefficient of x is 2p and the constant term is p2

The constant term is the square of half the coefficient of the x term.

What must be added to x2 + 6x to make it a perfect square?

Here 2p = 6

p=3

so we must add 32 = 9

x2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)2 is a perfect square.

What must be added to x2 – 18x to make it a perfect square?

2p = -18

p=-9

p2 = 81
 20

therefore x2 – 18x + 81 = (x – 9)2 is perfect square..

Be sure that the coefficient of x2 is 1.

3x2 + 2x

factor out the 3 so that x2 will have a coefficient = 1

3(x2 + 2
3
x)

2
3
= 2p

p= 1
3
p2 = 1
9

3(x2 + 2
3
x + 1/9) = 3(x + 1/3)2 is a perfect square.

Example

Solve x2 – 2x + 9 = 0

Step 1.rewrite this equation so that everything with x is on the LHS

x2 - 2x = - 9

Step 2: add p2 to both sides.

x2 – 2x + 1 = 9 + 1

Step 3: write the LHS as a perfect square

(x – 1)2 = 10

Step 4: take square roots of both sides, be sure to allow for both plus and minus.

(x – 1) = ±√10

Step 5: remove the brackets and add 1 to both sides

x = 1 ± √10

solution: x = 1 + √10, 1 - √10

 21

Example

Use the method of completing the square to solve

5x2 – 25x – 30 = 0

Step 1: Make the x2 coefficient = 1 by dividing each term by 5

x2 – 5x - 6 = 0

step 2: add 6 to both sides

x2 – 5x = 6

Step 3: add  5 2 2 = 254 to both sides

x2 – 5x + 25 = 6 + 25
4 4

Step 4: write the LHS as a perfect square:

x  52 2 = 494 
Step 5: take square roots of both sides

x  52    72
Step 6: Add 5 to both sides and simplify.
2

x= 5 ± 7
2 2

2
solution: x = 12 = 6 or x = = -1
2 2

Exercise 7: 7

Use the method of completing the square to solve the following equations.

1. x2 – 3x – 4 = 0 6. x2 + 6x + 7 = 0

2. x2 – 2x - 9 = 0 7. 3x2 + 2x – 5 = 0
 22

3. x2 + x – 5 = 0 8. 2x2 + 8x + 6 = 0

4. x2 + 5x + 5 = 0 9. 3x2 – 9x – 10 = 0

5. 2x2 – 12x – 7 = 0 10. 3x2 + 6x – 7 = 0

Solving simultaneous equations – one quadratic and one linear.

Example

Solve the simultaneous equations y = x2 + 3x + 2 and y = 2x + 8

Since both equations are equal to y, we can equate them

x2 + 3x + 2 = 2x + 8

this gives x2 + 3x – 2x + 2 – 8 = 0

 x2 + x – 6 = 0

factorizing (x + 3)(x – 2) = 0

 x = - 3 or x = 2

To find the corresponding values of y, substitute each x value into y = 2x + 8

When x = -3, y = 2(-3) + 8

y = -6 + 8 = 2

When x = 2, y = 2(2) + 8

y = 4 + 8 = 12

solutions: x = -3, y = 2 and x = 2, y = 12

This means that the line y = 2x + 8 crosses the curve y = x2 + 3x + 2 at the points (-3, 2)
and (2, 12)

Exercise 7.8

Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous equations.

1. y = 3x - 4 y = x2 – 4x + 6
 23

2. y = 4x + 1 y = 2x2 – 3x + 4

3. y = 3x + 4 y = 3x2 – 8x

4. x + y = 5 xy = 6

24
5. x + y = 8 x–y=
x

Exercise 7.9

Solving word problems in algebra

1. A rectangular room is 8 m longer than it is wide. Its area is 65m2. Let x = the width of
the room,

(a) write an expression for its length.

(b) The area of the room is 65m2. Find the length and the width of the room.

2. When a ball is thrown upwards with a speed of 30 m/sec, its distance, D, above the
ground is given by D = 30t – 5t2 metres, where t is the time in seconds from when it is
thrown. Calculate the time(in seconds) that the ball will take to reach each of the
following distances above the ground;

a. 40 m (b) 45 m (c) 20 m

3. When a number is added to its square, the answer is 56. What is the number?

4. A ring box in the shape of a cuboid has a square base of side x centimetres, and a height
of 2 centimetres. The total surface area is 42cm2. Make a quadratic equation to show
this information, and find the value of x.

5. Three consecutive numbers are such that three times the sum of the three numbers is
equal to the product of the larger two numbers. Determine the three numbers.

6. A householder wants to fence a rectangular area of his backyard to plant a kitchen

garden. He has 40 m of fencing. Given that the section of the backyard is x metres wide,
(a) show that the area to be enclosed is (20x – x2)m2;

(b) find the maximum area that can be enclosed.

 24

7. A small garment factory produces school belts for a particular country. The production
cost will go down the more belts the factory produces. However, you also know that the
production costs will eventually go up if too many belts are made, due to storage cost and
overtime pay. The daily cost, C, (in dollars) to produce x belts can be approximated by
the following formula:

C = 0.12x2 – 15.6x + 2600

(a) Find the daily production level that will minimize the production cost to the factory.

(b) Find the corresponding minimum production cost.

8. One child tosses a foot ball at the same time that another child on the same
playground tosses a cricket ball. The heights h feet of the balls above the ground are
given by hf = 50 – t2 and hc = 10 + 3t respectively, where time, t, is given in seconds.

(a) Write an equation showing when the two balls collide.

(b) At what time, t, do the two balls collide?

(c) What is the height of the balls when they collide?

9. In order to make a new type of beer, a brewer mixes x kg of malt and y kg of hops in
such a way that x and y satisfy the following equations:

24
x+y=8 x–y=
x

Find values for x and y which satisfy these equations. Which of these answers can
the brewer use in his production? ( Give a reason for your answer.)

Review exercise

Choose the letter which best answers the question or completes the statement.

1. x2 + 3x – 10 factorizes to give

(A) (x – 2)(x + 5) (B) (x – 2)(x – 5) (C) (x + 2)(x - 5) (D) (x + 2)(x + 5)

2. The solution to the equations 2x + 3y = 0 and 3x + 2y = 5 is

(A) x = 0, y = 0 (B) x = -3, y = 2 (C) x = 3, y = -2 (D) x = 1, y = 1

 25

3. The minimum value of 3x2 + 2x – 4 is

2 2 2 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
6 3 6 3

4. The minimum value of 2x2 – 3x + 5

3 3
(A)  (B) (C) 3 (D) 5
4 4

5. Which of the following equations will have a maximum value?

I. 3x2 – 4x + 1= 0 II. 7 + 5x – 2x2 = 0 III. -3x2 - 8x + 15 = 0

(A) I and II (B) I and III (C) II and III (D) I, II, III

6. Which of the following equations will have no solution?

(A) 2x2 + 4x – 3 = 0 (B) 2x2 – 4x + 3 = 0 (C) 2x2 – 4x – 3 = 0

(D) - 2x2 + 4x + 3 = 0

7. Which of the following equations will have only one solution?

(A) x2 – 6x – 9 = 0 (B) x2 + 6x – 9 = 0 (C) x2 + 6x + 9 = 0

(D) x2 + 6x + 6 = 0

8. If 2x2 + 4x + 5 is written in the form p(x + q)2 + r, the values of p, q and r are respectively

(A) 2, -1, 3 (B) 2, 1, 3 (C) 2, 2, 1 (D) 2, 2, 3

9. (3x – 2)2 =

(A) 9x2 + 4 (B) 9x2 – 4 (C) 9x2 + 5x – 4 (D) 9x2 – 6x + 4

10. Given that (x + 2)2 = 20, then x =

(A) - 2  √20 (B) - 2  10 (C) 2  √20 (D) 2  10

 26

Section B

1. Expand the following:

(a) (x + 5)(x – 7) (b) (2x + 5)(x – 3) (c) (9 – 2x)(8 + x)

2. Factorise the following:

(a) x2 + 6x – 91 (b) 15 + 8x + x2 (c) x2 + 5x – 36

3. Solve the following equations:

(a) 2x2 + 7x + 5 = 0 (b) 3x2 – 14x + 8 = 0 (c) 8 – 12x2 = 10x

4. Solve the following equations, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places.

(a) 2x2 + 5x – 4 = 0 (b) 4x2 + 9x + 3 = 0 (c) 2x2 – 7x + 2 = 0

5. Write each of the following equations in the form p(x + q)2 + r = 0, and hence solve the
equation.

(a) x2 + 4x - 9 (b) 4x2 + 16x – 5 = 0 (c) 2x2 – 12x + 9 = 0

6. Solve the following pairs of equations

5 x  y  17 3x  4 y  1 8x  4 y  7
(a) (b) (c)
2 x  37  0 6x  6 y  5 6 x  8 y  41

7. Solve the following pairs of equations.

2 xy  y  10 y  10  3x
(a) x  y  25
2 2
(b) (c)
y  2x  5 x  y 4 2 x 2  y 2  19
 27

8. A parent bought x books at $8.50 each and y books at $12.50 each. The total cost of the
seven books that was bought was $71.50.

(a) Write down two equations to show this information.

(b) Solve the equations to find the value of y and x.

9. The cost of three roties and five patties is $23.50, while the cost of two roties and six
patties is $21.

a) Write 2 equations to show this information.

b) Solve the equations to find the cost of (i) a roti (b) a patty.