CHAPTER 1

MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS

1.1.1 NUMBERS

A rational number is a number that can be expressed as the division of one integer
a by another nonzero integer b. Here a is the numerator and b is the denominator.

An irrational number, cannot be written in the form of a fraction that is the division of one
integer by another integer.

The numbers 5 and -19 are integers. They are also rational numbers.
The numbers 5/8 and -11/3 are rational numbers because the numerator and the denominator
of each are integers.
The numbers √ and 𝝅 are irrational numbers. It is not possible to find two integers, one
divided by the other. In decimal form, irrational numbers are nonterminating, nonrepeating
decimals.

Example 1

(a) 7
(b) 3𝝅
(c) √
(d) √
(e)
(f) √
(g)
√
(h)

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A fraction may contain any number or symbol representing a number in its numerator or in
its denominator. The fraction indicates the division of the numerator by the denominator.
Therefore, a fraction may be a number that is rational, irrational, or imaginary.

THE NUMBER LINE

The absolute value of a positive number is the number itself, and the absolute value of a
negative number is the corresponding positive number. On the number line, we may interpret
the absolute value of a number as the distance (which is always positive) between the origin
and the number. Absolute value is denoted by writing the number between vertical lines, for
example, | |.

Signs of inequality

Reciprocal

Denominate numbers

literal numbers, Variables and constants

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1.1.2 FUNDAMENTAL OPERATIONS OF ALGEBRA

Operations with zero

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Exercise 1

Evaluate each of the given expressions by performing the indicated operations.

1) ( ) | |

2) ( )( ) ( )

3) ( ) ( )
( )

| |
4) | |
( )

| ( )|
5) ( )

[16, -6, -24, -6, -1]

1.1.3 APPROXIMATE NUMBERS AND SIGNIFICANT DIGITS

Most numbers in technical and scientific work are approximate numbers, having been
determined by some measurement. Certain other numbers are exact numbers, having been
determined by a definition or counting process.

Significant digits and Rounding off

70,360 rounded off to three significant digits is 70,400.

70,430 rounded off to three significant digits, or to the nearest hundred, is 70,400.

187.35 rounded off to four significant digits, or to tenths, is 187.4.

187.349 rounded off to four significant digits is 187.3.

35.003 rounded off to four significant digits is 35.00.

Accuracy and precision

One technician measured the thickness of a metal sheet as 3.1 cm and another technician
measured it as 3.12 cm. Here, 3.12 is more precise since its last digit represents hundredths
and 3.1 is expressed only to tenths. Also, 3.12 is more accurate since it has three significant
digits and 3.1 has only two.
A concrete driveway is 230 ft long and 0.4 ft thick. Here, 230 is more accurate (two
significant digits) and 0.4 is more precise (expressed to tenths).

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The Result of Operations on Approximate Numbers

1. When approximate numbers are added or subtracted, the result is expressed

with the precision of the least precise number.
Find the sum of the approximate numbers 73.2, 8.0627, and 93.57. (174.8.)
2. When approximate numbers are multiplied or divided, the result is expressed
with the accuracy of the least accurate number.
Find the product of the approximate numbers 2.4832 and 30.5. (75.7)
3. When the root of an approximate number is found, the result is expressed with
the accuracy of the number.
4. When approximate numbers and exact numbers are involved, the accuracy of
the result is limited only by the approximate numbers.

Exercise 2

Perform the indicated operations assuming all numbers are approximate. Round off your
answers.

6)

7)

8) ( )( )

( )
9)

( )
10) [12.20, -6.06, 13.4, 5.57, 2.91]

11) The tension (in N) in a cable lifting a crate at a construction site was found by
( )
calculating the value of , where the 1 is exact. Calculate the tension. [92N]

1.1.4 EXPONENTS AND UNIT CONVERSIONS

Exponents are used to indicate repeated multiplication and to represent very large and
very small numbers
2  2  2  2 is written as 2 4 and is read as the fourth power of 2.
For any integer n, a n  a  a  a  ..... a

n factors of a
We call a the base, n the exponent or power. a n is known as an exponential expression.

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Negative Integral Exponents

A negative sign in an exponent represent multiplicative inverse or reciprocal.

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Definition: If a is a non zero real number, and n is a positive integer, then a  n 
an

1 1
Example: 3 2  
32 9

Rules of Exponents

If a and b are non zero numbers and m and n are integers, then

1.
2. ( )
3. ( )
4. ( )
5. ( ) ( )
6. ( )
7. ( )

Example:

 
1. 3x 2 y 3  4 x 2 y 5 
 6a 5b 1
2.
2a 7 b 3

3.  3x a5 y 3 
4

Exercise 3

Simplify the given expressions. Express results with positive exponents only.

12) ( )

13) ( )

14) ( )

15)

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OPERATIONS WITH UNITS AND UNIT CONVERSIONS

1.4

1. The length of a certain smartphone is 13.8 cm. Convert this to inches. (5.43 in)

2. A car is traveling at 65.0 mi/h. Convert this speed to km/min (kilometers per minute).
(1.74 km/min)

3. The density of iron is 7.86 g/cm3 (grams per cubic centimeter). Express this density in
kg/m3 (kilograms per cubic meter).( 7860 kg/m3)

Exercise 4

Perform the indicated operations and attach the correct units to your answers.

16) ( )( )

17) ( )( )( ) [277 ft, 85,600 ft/min2]

1.1.5 SCIENTIFIC NOTATIONS

Scientific notation offers a convenient way of expressing very large or very small
number. In scientific notation, a positive number is written as a product of a number
between 1 and 10. A number is written in scientific notation when it is written in the form
N  10 n , where 1  N  10 , and n is an integer.

Example

Write in scientific notation

1. 96300000=
2. 0.0027
3. 0.0000023
4. 58000000000
5. 0.000000359
6. 0.0000683

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 Exercise 5

Solve

 
18. 4  103  5  10 9 
9
1.2  10
19.
4  108
 
 2  109 3 0.00009 
20.   1.



6  10 8




1.1.6 RATIONAL COMPONENTS AND RADICALS

1
The exponent or the radical sign n are both used to indicate the nth root.
n
1
Definition: If n is a positive integer and a is a number for which an is defined, then the
1
expression n a is called a radical and n
a= an , where a is the radicand and n is the index of
the radicand.

To have a single defined value for all roots (not just square roots) and to consider only real-
number roots, we define the principal nth root of a to be positive if a is positive and to be
negative if a is negative and n is odd. (If a is negative and n is even, the roots are not real.)

Basic Rules for Radicals

1. √ √ √
√
2. √ ,( )
√

3. √ (√ )

4. √

Example

Write each radical expression in simplified form.

√ √

√ √ √

4
256 5
a10b5
625 c15

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 Exercise 6

Simplify the given expressions.

21) √| |

22) √

23) √

√
24) ( ) √

25) √

26) √

√ √

1.1.7 ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION

OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
1

1. 3x 2
 
 x  5   8x 3  3x  9 
2. x 2
 
 5x  3x 2  4x  1 
3. ( ) ( ) ( )

4. ( )

5. ( ( ))

Multiplication

1. ( )( )

2. ( )( )

3. ( )( )

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Division

( )
1.
( )

( )( )
2.

3. ( ) ( )

4.

1.1.8 SOLVING EQUATIONS

1. ( )

( )
2.

3. | |

4. , solve for n.

5. ( ) , solve for W.

6. A 17-lb beam is supported at each end. The supporting force at one end is 3 lb more
than at the other end. Find the forces.

Exercise 7

27) Research on a plastic building material leads to

*( ) ( )+ *( ) ( )+.

Simplify this expression.

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28) A contractor is designing a rectangular room that will have a pool table. The length of
the pool table is twice its width. The contractor wishes to have 5 ft of open space
between each wall and the pool table. See Fig. 1.13. Express the area of the room in
terms of the width w of the pool table. Then perform the indicated operations.
[

Perform the indicated divisions.

29)

30)

31)

32)

33) In order to find the distance x such that the weights are balanced on the lever shown in
Fig.30, the equation ( ) ( ) must be solved. Find x. (3
is exact.) [0.46]

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34) Trains at each end of the 50.0-km-long Eurotunnel under the English Channel start at
the same time into the tunnel. Find their speeds if the train from France travels 8.0
km/h faster than the train from England and they pass in 17.0 min. See Fig. 1.22.
[84.2 km/h, 92.2 km/h]

35) (a) How many significant digits are in the number 3.0450? [5]
(b) Round it off to two significant digits. [3.0]

36) An alloy weighing 20 lb is 30% copper. How many pounds of another alloy, which is
80% copper, must be added for the final alloy to be 60% copper? [30 lb]

[90700 L/hr, 5.4 L/s, 1240 km/hr, 2000 m/s, 101000 Pa (N/m2), 999 kg/m3]

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