CHAPTER 1: REAL NUMBERS

LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of this topic, students are able to:
i. understand the terms involve in real number system.
ii. use the appropriate law in simplifying the exponent, radical and logarithms.
iii. perform calculation in solving the equation involving exponent, radical and logarithms.

INTRODUCTION:
- A real number is a value that represents a quantity along a continuous line.
- A symbol of the set of real numbers is ℝ.
- The real numbers include all the rational numbers and all the irrational numbers, either
algebraic or transcendental; either positive, negative or zero.

NOTES AND EXAMPLES

1.1 System of Real Numbers
Figure 1 is a concept map of the types of real numbers that we work in this module.

Irrational Numbers Integer

Real Numbers

Rational Numbers Whole Numbers

Natural Numbers

Figure 1 : Real Numbers Concept Map

Let’s review the types of numbers that make up the real number system.

1. Natural numbers - The numbers we use to count things

- Symbol : ℕ
- ℕ = {1,2,3,4,5, … }

2. Whole numbers - The numbers we use to count plus zero

- Symbol : 𝑊
- 𝑊 = {0,1,2,3,4, … }

3. Integers - The set of natural numbers and their opposite plus zero
- Symbol : ℤ
- ℤ = {… , −5, −4, −3, −2, −1,0,1,2,3,4,5, … }

4. Rational numbers - The numbers that can be expressed as the ratio of two integers
- Decimal representations of rational numbers either terminate or
 repeat
- Symbol : ℚ
3
- ℚ = { 4 , 6.747474747474, 4.5 }

5. Irrational numbers -The numbers that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers
- Their decimal representations neither terminate nor repeat
- Symbol : ℚ′
3
- ℚ′ = { 𝜋, √3, 𝑒 2 , √2 }

The set of all real numbers is usually denoted by the symbol ℝ. Figure 2 is a diagram of the
types of real numbers that shown in set.

Real numbers
Rational numbers Irrational numbers

5.33333 , -2.5 , 4/5 𝝅

, √𝟔 , 𝒆𝟐
𝟑

Integer
Whole Natural
-3 , -2 , -1
0 1,2,3

Figure 2 : Real Number Set

Example A: True or False? If the statement is False, explain why.

i. −5 is a rational number?
ii. 0 is an integer?
iii. √16 is a natural number?
iv. All fractions are rational numbers.
v. All integers are whole numbers
vi. All irrational numbers are real numbers

Solution:
 3
̅̅̅̅, 7}, which of the elements are
Example B: For the set {−4,2.3, √6, −𝜋, 0, 4 , 0. 36
a. Irrational numbers
b. Real numbers
c. Natural numbers
d. Rational numbers
e. Integers

Solution:

1.2 Properties of Real Numbers

There are several properties of the two primary operations, addition and multiplication, that
are very important in the study of algebra.

Properties of Real Number

1. Commutative
For any real number 𝑎 and 𝑏
(i) 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 + 𝑎 When we add two numbers, the order doesn’t matter.
Example : 7 + 3 = 3 + 7
(ii) 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏𝑎 When we multiply two numbers, the order doesn’t matter.
Example : 2 ∙ 5 = 5 ∙ 2

2. Associative
For any real number 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐
(i) (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) When we add three numbers, it doesn’t matter which
two we add first
Example : (3 + 4) + 5 = 3 + (4 + 5)
(ii) (𝑎𝑏)𝑐 = 𝑎(𝑏𝑐) When we multiply three numbers, it doesn’t matter
which two we multiply first
Example : (2 ∙ 5) ∙ 3 = 2 ∙ (5 ∙ 3)

3. Distributive
For any real number 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐
(i) 𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐 Example : 5 ∙ (3 + 4) = 5 ∙ 3 + 5 ∙ 4

(ii) (𝑏 + 𝑐)𝑎 = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐 Example : (3 + 4) ∙ 5 = 5 ∙ 3 + 5 ∙ 4

 When we multiply a number by a sum of two numbers, we get the same results as
multiplying the number by each of the terms and then adding the results.

4. Identity
For any real number 𝑎
(i) 𝑎 + 0 = 𝑎 Example : 3 + 0 = 3

(ii) 𝑎 ∙ 1 = 𝑎 Example : 4 ∙ 1 = 4

The identity property tells us that zero added to any number is the number itself. While for
multiplication, any number multiply with one, is the number itself.

Example C: State the property used to justify each statement.

a. 2 + (3 + 𝑏) = (2 + 3) + 𝑏
b. 0+𝑥+𝑦 =𝑦+𝑥
c. 2∙5= 5∙2
d. (1 ∙ 7) ∙ 5 = 1 ∙ (7 ∙ 5)
e. 7(𝑎 + 𝑏) = 7𝑎 + 7𝑏

Solution:

1.3 Exponent
In this section, we discuss the rules for working with exponent notation. We also see how
exponents can be used to represent very large and very small numbers.

1.3.1 Exponential Notation

A product of identical numbers is usually written in exponential notation. For example 8 ∙ 8 ∙
8 = 83 . Exponents are also called ‘powers’ or ‘indices’.

Exponential Notation
If 𝑎 is any real number and 𝑛 is a positive integer, then the 𝑛th power of 𝑎 is

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ … ∙ 𝑎

𝑛 factors
The number 𝑎 is called the base and 𝑛 is called the exponent

Example D: Identify the base and exponent of the following.

a. (½)⁵ b. (−5)⁴
Solution:

Example E: Expand and solve of the following.

1
a. −54 b. (− 2)6

Solution:

Zero and Negative Exponents

1
If 𝑎 ≠ 0 is any real number and 𝑛 is a positive integer, then 𝑎0 = 1 and a  n 
an

Example F: Solve the following.

a. (⅜)⁰ b. 5⁻⁴ c. (−2)−6

Solution:

Rational and Roots Exponents

If 𝑎 is any real number and 𝑛 and 𝑚 are positive integers, then a n  n a and a
1
 n am
m
n

Example G: Rewrite and solve the following.

1 3 3
a. 16 2
b. (32) 5
c. 42
Solution:

1.3.2 Rules for Working with Exponents

Familiarity with the following rules is essential for our work with exponents and bases. In the
table below, the bases 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers, and the exponents 𝑚 and 𝑛 are integers.

Laws of Exponents
1.Product Rule 4. Product of Power Rule
a m  a n  a m n (ab) n  a n b n
2. Quotient Rule 5. Quotient of Power Rule
m
a (a ) n  a n
n
 a mn b
a n b
3. Power Rule
(a m ) n  a mn

Example H: Simplify each expression

a2
a. x 7  x 2 b. ( x 7 ) 2 c. d. (3 x ) 4 e. ( x )3
a3 4

Solution:

Example I: Simplify each expression

1 5x 4 y 2
a. x(3x 2 ) 3 b. 2 5
c. (3ab) 2 (6b 2 ) 3
6 25 x y

Solution:
When simplifying an expression, you will find that many different methods will lead to the
same result; you should feel free to use any of the rules of exponents to arrive at your own
method.

We now give two additional laws that are useful in simplifying expressions with negative
exponents.

Laws of Exponents
n
6. (a )  ( b )
n
b a
m n
a b
7. n
 m
b a

Example J: Eliminate negative exponents and simplify each expression

(2 x 3 ) 2 (3x 4 ) a 3 b 4
a. b. c. (2u 2 v 3 ) 3 (3u 3v) 3
( x3 )4 a 5 b 5

Solution:
1.3.3 Exponential Function
Exponent functions are functions whose defining equations involve the variables as an
exponent. The previous knowledge of these functions will allow us to consider many further
applications including population growth and radioactive decay.

Definition : Exponential Function

The exponential function with base a is defined for all real numbers 𝑥 by 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑎 𝑥 where 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1.

𝜋 𝑧
For instance; 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 , 𝑔(𝑦) = (−6)𝑦 and ℎ(𝑧) = (3 )

Example K: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 and evaluate the following

a. 𝑓(2) b. 𝑓(−2/3) c. 𝑓(𝜋) d. 𝑓(√2)

Solution:

This yields an important property that can be used to solve certain types of equations
involving exponents.

Exponential Property
If 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1, then
𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛 if and only if 𝑚 = 𝑛 in which 𝑚 and 𝑛 are any real numbers.

Example L: Solve each of the following equations for 𝑥.

1
a. 2 x  8 b. 32 x  81 c. 2 x1 
16

Solution:
Example M: Solve each of the following equations for 𝑥.
a. 4 x  16 2 x 2 b. 32 x  6  3 x  27  0 c. 3x3  6  3x1  81

Solution:

1.4 Radical
m
In this section we learn the meaning of expressions such as a n in which exponent m
n is a
rational number.

1.4.1 Radical Definition

a
An irrational number is a number that is not rational, so it cannot be expressed in the form
b
where b  0 and 𝑎 and 𝑏 are integers. Examples of irrational numbers include 2 , 5 , 𝜋. An
irrational number whose exact value can only expressed using ‘radical’ or ‘roots’ symbol
For example, 7 , 3 5, 5 8 .

Definition
If 𝑛 is any positive integer, then the 𝑛th radical of 𝑎 is defined as
𝑛
√𝑎 = 𝑏 means 𝑎 = 𝑏 𝑛
If 𝑛 is even, we must have 𝑎, 𝑏 ≥ 0.

For instance;
4 3
If 𝑛 is even,√81 = 3 If 𝑛 is odd,√−125 = −5
81 = 34 −125 = (−5)3
Example N: Solve the following expression by using the definition of radical.
6
a. √𝑥 = 3 b. 3√−𝑦 = −10 c. √𝑎 = 2

Solution:

Radical is sometimes written in exponential notation. Let’s recall back the idea that we have
discussed in Section 1.2.

Rational and Roots Exponents

If 𝑎 is any real number and 𝑛 and 𝑚 are positive integers, then a n  n a and a
1
 n am
m
n

Example O: Write each radical expression using exponent, and each exponential expression
using radicals.
3 2 3
a. √16 b. √72 c. 43 d. 𝑎−2

Solution:
1
a. √16 = 162
3 2
b. √72 = 73
2 3
c. 43 = √42
3 1
d. 𝑎 −2 = 2
√𝑎3

1.4.2 Rules for Working with Radicals

In this section, we discuss on how to write radicals in simplified form. To accomplish this,
we will need to use the law of radicals.

Laws of Radicals
1. a b  c b  (a  c) b 7. ( a ) n  a n
2. a b  c b  (a  c) b
8. (n a ) n  n a n  a
3. (a b )  (c d )  (ac) bd 1
9. a m 
am
 a b a b 1
4.  10.  am
m
c d c d a

5. a  b  ab

a a
6. 
b b

Example P: Simplified each of the following expressions.

a) 4 2 6 2
b) 16 23  7 23
c) 10 3  7 3  4 3
6
d) 5 32 2   3 27
2 3

Solution:

1.4.3 Simplifying Radical

When working with the simplification of radicals you must remember some basic information
about perfect square numbers. A perfect square is a number who have been square
produces a natural number as shown in table below.

List of Perfect Squares

2
2 4
32 9
42 16
52 25
62 36
72 49
⋮ ⋮
Let’s take a look at the example below to help us understand the steps involving in
simplifying radicals.

Example Q: Simplify √12

Step Solution
Step 1: Find the largest perfect square that is a factor 12 is the product of 4 × 3
of the radicand (4 is the largest perfect square, 3 is
its matching factor)
Step 2: Rewrite the radical as a product of the perfect √12 = √4 × 3
square and its matching factor found in Step 1
Step 3: Rewrite as Law 5 √12 = √4 ∙ √3
Step 4: Simplify √12 = 2√3

For more examples;

Example R: Simplify the following radicals.
a. √45 f. √48
b. √32 g. √75
c. √72 h. √4500
d. √20 i. √3200
e. √27

Solution:
1.4.4 Rationalization of Denominator
It is often useful to eliminate the radical in a denominator by multiplying both numerator and
denominator by an appropriate expression. This procedure is called rationalizing the
denominator.

Example:
 Remember fractions 1 ↔ numerator
2 ↔ denominator

 Fractions can contain radicals in the 3 5 3 2

numerator, denominator or both:
5 4 3 3 5

Removing the radical from numerator or denominator

 Remember the rules:

i) Single term with radical, a
 To remove radical : Multiply by itself, √𝒂
 √𝑎 × √𝑎 = 𝑎

ii) Two term containing both radical,√𝑎 + √𝑏 or √𝑎 − √𝑏

 To remove radical : Multiply by the conjugate √𝑎 − √𝑏 or the conjugate √𝑎 + √𝑏
 Resulting; (√𝑎 + √𝑏)(√𝑎 − √𝑏) = 𝑎 − 𝑏

iii) One of two term containing radical,𝑎 + √𝑏 or 𝑎 − √𝑏

 To remove radical : Multiply by the conjugate 𝑎 − √𝑏 or the conjugate 𝑎 + √𝑏
 Resulting; (𝑎 + √𝑏)(𝑎 − √𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏

iv) Two term containing both radical and constant,𝑥√𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏 or 𝑥√𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏
 To remove radical :
Multiply by the conjugate 𝑥 √𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏 or the conjugate 𝑥 √𝑎 + 𝑥√𝑏
 Resulting; (𝑥√𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏)(𝑥√𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏) = 𝑥 2 𝑎 − 𝑦 2 𝑏

v) One of two term containing radical and constant, 𝑥𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏 or 𝑥𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏

 To remove radical :
Multiply by the conjugate 𝑥𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏 or the conjugate 𝑥𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏
 Resulting; (𝑥𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏)(𝑥𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏) = 𝑥 2 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 𝑏

Summarize
i) √𝑎 × √𝑎 = 𝑎
ii) (√𝑎 + √𝑏)(√𝑎 − √𝑏) = 𝑎 − 𝑏
iii) (𝑎 + √𝑏)(𝑎 − √𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏
iv) (𝑥√𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏)(𝑥√𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏) = 𝑥 2 𝑎 − 𝑦 2 𝑏
v) (𝑥𝑎 + 𝑦√𝑏)(𝑥𝑎 − 𝑦√𝑏) = 𝑥 2 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 𝑏
Let’s take a look for the following example.
Example S: Rationalize the denominator in the expressions below:
3 3
a) d)
5 2  3 11
9 6
b) e)
3 7 3 52 7
2
c)
5 1

Solution:

1.5 Logarithm
In this section, we study the inverse of exponential functions.

1.5.1 Logarithm Definition

The idea of logarithms is to reverse the operation of exponential, that is raising a number to a
power.

Definition
Let 𝑏 be a positive number with 𝑎 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 > 0. Then the logarithmic
function with base a denote by 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 is defined by
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑦 is equivalent to 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦

Read this as ‘’log base 𝑏 of 𝑥’’

In this definition 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑦 is called the logarithm form and 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 is called

the exponential form.

For instance;
log 4 𝑥 = 2 log 9 𝑦 = 1/2 log 2 (𝑧/3) = 4
𝑥 = 42 𝑦 = 91/2 𝑧/3 = 24

Example T: Write each of the following in logarithmic form.

a) 𝑏 𝑛 = 𝑥 c) 102 = 100
1
b) 23 = 8 d) 5−2 = 25

Solution:

1.5.2 Properties of Logarithms

Logs have some very useful properties which follow from their definition and the
equivalence of the logarithmic form and exponential form. For the below properties, we
require that 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1 and 𝑚, 𝑛 > 0.

Properties of Logarithms
1. log 𝑏 (𝑚𝑛) = log 𝑏 𝑚 + log 𝑏 𝑛
2. log 𝑏 (𝑚/𝑛) = log 𝑏 𝑚 − log 𝑏 𝑛
3. log 𝑏 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑎 log 𝑏 𝑚
4. log 𝑏 𝑚 = log 𝑏 𝑛 if and only if 𝑚 = 𝑛
log a m
5. log b m 
log a b
6. log 𝑏 1 = 0 for any 𝑏 ≠ 0
7. log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1
8. log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥 for any real number 𝑥
9. 𝑏 log𝑏𝑥 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0
Example U: Expand and solve the following expression.
xy 1
a) log b ( ) d) Find 𝑥 if 2 log b 5  log b 9  log b 3  log b x
z 2
p 3
b) log 5 5 8x
1
e) log 2
c) log (8 x) 3 2y
2

Solution:

1.5.3 Natural Logarithm

The natural logarithm is often written as ‘ln’ which you may notices on your calculator
ln x  log e x
The symbol 𝑒 symbolizes a special mathematical constant. It has importance in growth and
decay problems. The logarithmic properties listed above hold for all bases of logs. In
particular,
e y  x ↔ ln x  y
are equivalent statements. We also have 𝑒 0 = 1 and ln 1 = 0

Example V:
a) 𝑒 log𝑒𝑥
b) 𝑒 𝑎 log𝑒𝑥
c) log 𝑒 𝑒 2𝑦
x2
d) log e
5

Solution:
EXERCISE
1. True or False? If the statement is False, explain why.
̅̅̅̅ is an integer.
(a) −3. 25
(b) √8 is a rational number.
(c) √7 is a real number.
(d) All negative numbers are integers.
(e) All integers are natural numbers.

2. List the elements of the given set that are

(i) natural numbers
(ii) integers
(iii) rational numbers
(iv) irrational numbers
22
(a) {0, −4, 16, , 0.25, √8, 1. ̅̅
23̅̅, −1/2, 3√3}
7
13 16
(b){1.01,0.333 … , −𝜋, −11, 11, 14 , √25, 3.14, 4 }

3. State the property of real numbers being used

(a) 2(3 + 5) = (3 + 5)2
(b) 2(𝐴 + 𝐵) = 2𝐴 + 2𝐵
(c) (2 + 3) + 1 = 2 + (3 + 1)
(d) (0 + 7) + 5 = 0 + (7 + 5)
(e) 3𝑥(𝑦 + 𝑧) = (𝑦 + 𝑧)3𝑥

4. Evaluate each expression (Show your working)

(a) 32 ∙ 33
(b) (24 )0
(c) −60
4
1
(d)    36
 3
4 3
(e) 8
2
4 2
1 5
(f)     
2 2

5. Solve
(a) 3𝑥 = 9
(b) 3𝑦 = 27
(c) 5𝑧 = 125
(d) 5𝑛 = 625
(e) 6𝑚 = 216
6. Simplify each expression.
2
 1 
(a) (5 x )  x 4 
2 3

 25 
(b) (2 y 2 ) 5 y 10
4 2
3 4
(c)    
 x  x
1 
(d) x 4  x 2 y 3 (12 y  4 )
2 
5
 a 2b 
3
a
(e)    2 
 bc   c 

7. Simplify the expression and eliminate any negative exponent.

(a) a 9 a 4
1 
(b) (2s 3t 1 ) s 6 (16t 4 )
4 
3
d2 
(c) (c d )  3 
4 3 2

c 
3
 xy 2 z 3 
(d)  2 3 4 
x y z 
2
 2a 2 b 
(e) (3ab c) 3 
3

 c 

8. Solve each of the following equations for 𝑥.

(a) 2 2 x  12  2 x  32  0
(b) 31 2 x  15  3 x  108  0
(c) 2 x  2  3  2 x  16
(d) 2 4 x  2(4 3 x 1 )
(e) 8(4 62 x )  9  41

9. Simplify each expression.

(a) e 3 x  12
(b) 500e x  300
(c) e 2 x  4e x  5  0
(d) e 2 x  3e x  4  0
3000
(e) 2
2  e2x

10. Simplify each expression.

 (a) 24
(b) 50
(c)  96
1
(d)
150
(e) 12  3

11. Rationalize the denominator

1
(a)
6
2
(b)
3 7
6
(c)
1 7
3
(d)
23 7
8
(e)
2 3 5

12. Rewrite exponential form in logarithmic form

(a) 25 = 32
1
(b) 10−3 = 1000

(c) 50 = 1
(d) 32 = 9

13. Evaluate

(a) log10 10000

1
(b) log 5 (125)
1
(c) log (1) (8)
2

(d) log b 𝑏
(e) log 𝑐 𝑐 7
4
(f) log 3 ( √3)

14. Solve
 (a) log 2 (25  x)  3

(b) 4  3 log 10 (2 x)  16

(c) 2 log 10 ( x  2)  4

(d) log 3 (8x 3  1)  log 3 (4 x 2  2 x  1)  2

1
(e) 2 log 25 x  log 25 (25  4 x) 
2

15. Assume that log 3 x  5.3 and log 3 y  2.1 . Evaluate the given quantities.
x3
(a) log 3
y2
(b) log 3 x
(c) log 3 xy 3

PROBLEM

1. Period of Pendulum
L
The period 𝑇 (in seconds) of a pendulum is T  3 3where 𝐿 is the length of the
128
pendulum (in feet). Find the period of pendulum whose length is 2 feet.

2. List all possible digits that occur in the units place of the square of a positive integer. Use
that list to determine whether √168 is an integer.

3.Computer Virus
The number 𝑉 of computer s infected by a computer virus increases according to the
model 𝑉(𝑡) = 1 + 100𝑒 4.6052𝑡 , where 𝑡 represents the time in hours. Find
(a) 𝑉(1)
(b) 𝑉(1.5)
(c) 𝑉(2)

4. Human Memory Model

Students in mathematics class were given an exam and then retested monthly with an
equivalent exam. The average scores for the class are given by the human memory model
ℎ(𝑡) = 18 log(𝑡 + 1) + 65, 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 12 where 𝑡 is the time in months.
(a) what was the average score on the original exam?
(b) what was the average score after 5 months?
(c) what was the average score after 10 months?
(d) what was the average score after 12 months?