Math 3 – Fall 2006

Wolfgang.B@qu.edu.qa

16. Dezember 2006

Inhaltsverzeichnis
1 Numbers, Sets and Operations on Sets 2
1.1 Relations between Sets/Elements (1.1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Operations on Sets (1.1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 More Operations on Sets (1.1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.4 Irrational & Rational Numbers (1.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.5 Real Numbers/Representations of Sets (1.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.6 Sets and Numbers (Advanced) (1.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2 Algebraic Expressions and Operations on Algebraic Expressions 13

2.1 Factoring Algebraic Expressions (1.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.2 Long Division/Factoring Polynoms (1.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.3 Operations on Rational Expressions (1.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.4 Radicals (1.7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3 Equations and Inequalities on Polynoms 24

3.1 Linear Inequalities (2.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2 Polynomial/Rational Inequalities (2.8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.3 Absolute-Value-Equations/Inequalities (2.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.4 Quadratic Equations (2.6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.5 Reducible Equations (2.7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

1
 2

1 Numbers, Sets and Operations on Sets

1.1 Relations between Sets/Elements (1.1)
Basics • To compare sets, we use the (similar) signs ⊆, =, 6=, ⊇
• To compare numbers, we use ≤, =, 6=, ≥ (examples: 4 ≤ 8, 36 = 2, π 6= 3)
√
• Sets start with ”{” and finish wish ”}” (example: A = {0, π, 2, 5421}).
Set-Members (what is inside) are called elements (example: 0, π ∈ A)
• Same elements in sets only count once (example: {7, 5, 5, 5} = {7, 5})
• Order of elements in sets is NOT important (example: {3, 2, 1} = {1, 2, 3})

Question 1 Compare the given sets by filling in the correct sign.

A := {2, 3, 5, 7, 11} B := {7, 5, 2} C := {♣, ♠, ∇} D := { 25
5 , 7, 2, 3}

B A B D B C A D C A

Question 2 Compare the given sets by filling in the correct sign.

(a) Sets with Sets Answer:

(b) Elements with Sets Answer:

(c) Elements with Elements Answer:

(d) Numbers with Numbers Answer:

Question 3 Describe the relationship between the given objects.

Sets −→ Sets Elements −→ Sets Elements −→ Elements N umbers −→ N umbers

2 B ♠ C ♣ ♠ 7 5 11 C

7 ♠ C ∇ D A ♠ ♣ {♣, ♠} C

{7} ♠ C {∇} A D {♠} {♠} ♣, ♠ C

{2} B {♠} C ♣, ♠ {♣, ♠} 7 {7} {11} C

Union/Intersection 3

1.2 Operations on Sets (1.1)

Basics • Given two numbers, you can perform operations: +, −, ×, ÷
• Given two sets, you can union/subtract/intersect: ∪, −, ∩
• Given one set A, you can find its complement A with respect to Ω
• The universal set Ω has each set of a set-family as a subset
• The set with no elements is the ”Empty Set” (notation: ∅)

Question 4 Perform all operations.

A := {0, ±2, ±4, ±6, . . .} B := {±1, ±3, ±5, ±7, . . .} C := {12 , 22 , 32 , . . .}

D := {7, 2, 5, ♥, 3, 8, 6, ♣, ♠} E := {11, 2, 3, 9, 5, ♠} F := {♣, ♠, •}

(1) A ∪ B = (2) E ∪ D =

(3) C ∪ C = (4) D ∪ F =

(5) A ∩ B = (6) A ∩ E ∩ D =

(7) C ∩ C = (8) D ∩ E ∩ F =

(9) B − A = (10) C − B =

Question 5 Is the statement TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ?

(1) ∅ ⊆ {2, 8, 56} (2) ∅ ⊆ ∅ (3) B ∩ C ⊆ B ∪ E

(4) A ∩ B ⊆ F (5) A ∪ F ⊆ C (6) A ∩ B ⊆ B ⊆ C

(7) p. A-7 (Appendix B) Ex. 31 − 52, 99

(6) The number of elements in E := {2, 4, 6, . . .} is finite.

(7) Each set A has a subset B ⊆ A with B 6= A

(8) The highest natural number is odd.

Subtraction/Complement 4

Basics • A−B =A∩B • ∪Ai = ∩ Ai • ∩Ai = ∪ Ai

Question 6 Use Basics and perform all operations (Ω = Universal set).

A := {0, ±2, ±4, ±6, . . .} B := {±1, ±3, ±5, ±7, . . .} C := {12 , 22 , 32 , . . .}

√ √ √
Ω := {0, ±1, ±2, ±3, . . .} ∪ E E := { 1, 2, 3, . . .} F := N

(1) A ∪ B = (2) B ∩ C = (3) Ω − E ∩ A =

(4) ∅ = (5) Ω = (6) C − C = (7) F − E =

(8) A ∩ E ∩ F = (9) D ∪ A ∩ C = (10) F ∩ E =

Question 7 • Is the statement TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ?

• It may be helpful to use Basics

(1) A − B = B − A (2) (A ∪ B) ∩ C = (A ∩ B) ∪ C

(6) { } = ∅ (7) {{ }} = ∅ (8) {∅} has 1 element

(9) A = A (10) (A − B) ∩ D = (A ∩ D) − B

(11) A − (B ∪ C) = (A − B) − C = (A − C) − B

(13) A − B = B − A ⇐⇒ A = B (14) A ∩ B = ∅ ⇐⇒ A ⊆ B
 5

1.3 More Operations on Sets (1.1)

SUMMARY
(1) To solve questions about sets, sketch the sets in a Venn-Diagram
or on the Number-Line.
(2) In Venn-Diagrams, start sketching sets from inside to outside.

Question 1 Given the sets A, B and the Universal Set U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9} with
the following properties:
• A − B = {2, 3} • A ∩ B = {7} • A ∩ B = {4, 8, 9}

Find: (1) A∩B = (2) A∪B =

(3) A= (4) B=

Question 2 Given the sets A, B, C with the following properties:

• A − (B ∪ C) = {9} • B − (A ∪ C) = {7} • C − (A ∪ B) = {2, 5, 8}
• A ∩ B = A ∩ B ∩ C = {4} • B ∩ C ∩ A ∩ B ∩ C = {6} • A ∩ C = {1, 4}

Find: (1) A= (2) B=

(3) A∩B = (4) B∪C =

(5) C∩A=
 6

Question 3 Given the sets A, B, the Universal Set U and:

• A ∪ B = {m} • A ∩ B = {a, f } • A − B = {n}
• A ∪ B ∪ (A ∩ B) = {a, e, f, m}

Find: (1) B−A= (2) B−A=

(3) A∩B = (4) U=

(5) B= (6) A=

(7) A∩B∪A =

Question 4 Given the sets A, B, C, D, the Universal Set U and:

• A = The twelve smallest prime numbers
• B = The seven biggest negative even numbers
• C = The fifteen smallest positive rational numbers with denominator = 3
√ √ 2
• D = {π, e, ln 2, 5 2, 1−π }
• U = All real numbers

Find: (1) A∩B = (2) C ∩Q =

(3) D∩B∩N= (4) B ∩ W hole N umbers =

(5) A∩C = (6) U=

Question 5 Given the sets A = (−2, 3], B = [0, 5], C = (1, 4)

and U1 = (−∞, 6] U2 = (−3, 7) U3 = [−2, ∞) ← Universal Sets
U
Notation: X = the complement of the set X with respect to U . Find:

U1 U2 U3
(1) A∩B = (2) A∩B = (3) A∩B =

U3 U4
• Find two Universal Sets U3 , U4 such that A∩B =A∩B
Your answer: U3 = U4 =
 7

1.4 Irrational & Rational Numbers (1.2)

SUMMARY
(1)-(5) Properties of Irrational & Rational Numbers
x 6= 0 1
(1) x rational ⇐⇒ x rational
√
(2) y irrational =⇒ n y irrational

(3) z rational =⇒ z n rational

±
(4) rational ×
÷
irrational = irrational
(5) Periodic Numbers = rational

(6) In each sequence, all Rational Numbers are boxed

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 . . . 15 16 . . .
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
• 3 1 3 2 . . . 3 7 3 8 3 9 . . . 3 26 3 27 3 28 . . . 3 63 3 64 3 65 . . .

(7) Famous Irrational Numbers

• π = 3.1415 . . . • e = 2.71828 . . . • ln 2 = 0.6931 . . .

Question 1 • Circle only RATIONAL numbers

• Use (1)-(7) to give a REASON for your answer
√ √ √ √ √
π 1 8 1
2· 2 7 3 π 0.1 5
π 3 · e 37.012
(7)

√ √ √ √ √
2
√7 121 √ 16 0.723 0.1 31.27 14 3
4
9 100

Question 2 • Write each periodic number as a fraction

• 2.02837 = • 1.10761 = • 23.91 =

• 1.503 = • 0.9 = • 2.89 =

 8

(1)-(5) Properties of Irrational & Rational Numbers

x 6= 0 1
(1) x rational ⇐⇒ x rational
√
(2) y irrational =⇒ n y irrational

(3) z rational =⇒ z n rational

±
(4) rational ×
÷
irrational = irrational
(5) Periodic Numbers = rational

Question 3 • Circle only RATIONAL numbers

• Use (1)-(7) to give a REASON for your answer
√ √ √
63 −216
√
3 √ q
3− 2 √ 5 √2 3
· 4 √5 √8 −1 0.7 − 1
125 π 5−π 7 e−1 3 32 25

√ √ √
3
1 0.271 2+3.1 2
√
1+ 11
111 3.47
0.72 − 4.3 0.16 4−2.031
√
5 π 0.1
6

Question 4 In the real numbers, do we have more rational (R) or irra-

tional (I) numbers ? What is your feeling ?

My answer:
 9

1.5 Real Numbers/Representations of Sets (1.2)

SUMMARY Different Representations of Sets
• Word-Notation ”All odd numbers less than 8.”
• List-Notation A = {2, 5, 77, 0, −3}
• Set-Builder-Notation B = {x real| − 2 ≤ x < 9}
• Interval-Notation C = (−∞, 23]
• Number-Line-Notation <—(———]—>

Question 1 Evaluate the following squares.

• 12 = • 22 = • 32 = • 42 = • 52 = 62 =

• 72 = • 82 = • 92 = • 102 = • 112 =

• 122 = • 132 = • 142 = • 152 = 162 =

Question 2 Circle ONLY the rational numbers.

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
√ √ √ √ √ √
51 52 53 ... ... ... ... 254 255 256

Question 3 Answer with TRUE (T) or FALSE (F).

(1) Some of the rational numbers are integers.

(2) The word ”ratio” is another word for ”fraction”.

q
2π −34 18
(3) 3π , 55.7641, 65 , 4.5 are all rational numbers.

(4) Zero has no absolute value.

(5) Every integer is a rational number.

 10

(6) There are infinitely many integers and rational numbers.

(7) The counting numbers are exactly the whole numbers.

√ √
(8) 71, 65 are irrational numbers.

(9) The sum/difference of two rational numbers is a rational number.

Question 4 Exchange: Set-Builder-Notation −→ List-Notation

{x | x is an even natural number less than 20} =

{y | y is an odd natural number greater than 11} =
{z | z is an even integer less than 20} =
{w | w is a natural number between -3 and 5} =
A = {3, 4, 5, 6} =
B = {1, 3, 5, 7} =
C = {. . . , −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} =
D = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23} =
E = {6, 8, 10, 12, . . . , 82} =

Question 5 CIRCLE ONLY rational numbers.

√ π
q
31.5 π 1.63
112 − 6.341 2π 31.824 3.5 2 −7 −54

Question 6 Explain: ”Exponents only care for what is next.”

Question 7 Determine the values.

• | − 6| = • | − 21 | = 2
• | −3 |= • −| − 152 | =


• (−2)3 = • −34 • −(−1)957 = • −(72 ) + (−72 ) =

Question 8 Interval-Notation: Answer Ex. 95 − 100 on p.12

 11

1.6 Sets and Numbers (Advanced) (1.2)

Question 1 Circle ONLY irrational numbers.

√ √ p √ 5e3
√ 5 4 111 0.73
0
2.765
2− π 2 √ 0 −3
180 (8π) 3 e−1 ( e)6 π2 8.2
2
√ √ √ √
2.21 √e √ 3 6
π − 1 − 7.1 0.25 2− 4 −5 2.1 5.73
√
81 ( 7e) 4 147 e·π 3 3π−1 ( 2)0

√ √ √ √ √ √√
8−
√ 2 1000 0.71
√ 2.2 √3π 2 3· 4− 36
− 1 795 23
√ √ 16
2 ( 8)13 0.39 ( 3 7π)6 e2 1+ π−2 50

Question 2 TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ? Fill in ”T” or ”F”.

√ U
(1) {x rational | x2 = 7} = ± 7 (2) A − B = A ∩ B

(3) ∅ = {a} − {c, b, a} (4) [4, 8] ∪ (2, 6) = (2, 5) ∪ [3, 8]

(5) [0, 1) = {t | 0 ≤ t ≤ 1} (6) ([2, 8) ∩ (3, 9]) − [4, 6] ⊇ (7, 8)

Question 3 Describe the relationship between the given objects. Only

use ∈, 3, =, 6=, 63, ∈,
/ ⊆, ⊇

{3, 0} N ∅ {β} y, t {t, y} {17} {16, 17} − {16}

√ √
{7} 49 {a} {{a}} {−1, 0, 2} Z 6 Z

{r | 2 < r < 5} {x | 1 ≤ x ≤ 2} {z | − 7 ≤ z < 1} {y | y < ∞}

Question 4 Perform all operations and present your answers.

A := {4, 9, 1, 2} B := {2, 6} U := {1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9} C = {1, 2} D = {6, 4, 7}

(1) D ∩ C = (2) B ∩ A ∩ C =

(3) B ∪ C = (4) A ∪ (B ∩ D) ∪ C =
 12

Question 5 Graph & Shade each set on the number-line.

(1) [0, 9] (2) (−6, 7) (3) {−1, 3}

Question 6 Perform all set-operations. Write your answers under the sets.
(1) (−2, 3) ∩ [1, 3] (2) (−2, 3) ∩ [2, ∞) (3) (−2, 3) ∪ [2, ∞)

Question 7 Find all subsets of A = {−2, r}.

Question 8 Exchange between set-builder-notation and list-notation.

(1) A = {x integer | − ∞ < x ≤ 4} =
(2) B = {5, 7, 9, 11, . . . , 71} =
(3) (−2, −1) =
(4) {t natural | t2 ≤ 76} =
(5) All rational numbers between −31 and 5050 =
(6) {w integer | − 1 ≤ w2 < 260} =

Question 9 Find all subsets of A = {x, 3, ∇}.

Question 10 Write the six smallest positive numbers in the sets N, P, Z.

SN = SP = SZ =

Question 11 Write each number as a rational number.

(1) t = 0.397 t=

(2) w = 2.1079 w=

(3) y = −6.9 y=

(4) k = 5.2732 k=
Four Techniques to Factor 13

2 Algebraic Expressions and Operations on Algebraic

Expressions
2.1 Factoring Algebraic Expressions (1.3)
SUMMARY
• (A + B)2 = A2 + B 2 + 2AB A0 = B 0 = 1
• (A + B)3 = A3 + B 3 + 3AB(A + B)
• An − B n = (A − B)(An−1 B 0 + An−2 B 1 + . . . + A1 B n−2 + A0 B n−1 )
 r GCF  t
GCF
• Ar − B t = A GCF − B GCF

Question 1 • Find formulas for (1) − (3) like in the SUMMARY.

Hint: u − v = u + (−v), u3 + v 3 = u3 − (−v)3

(1) (u − v)2 = (5) (2y − 3x)3 =

(2) (u − v)3 =

(3) u3 + v 3 =

(4) Is it possible to factor A99 − B 99 ? (Y)es/(N)o Because . . . . . .

Question 2 Expand, then simplify and write answers in Standard Form.

(1) (5x − 7t)2 + (4x + 3t)2 =

(2) (2z + y)3 − 2(y − 3z)3 =

(3) (1 − 2d)2 + 7d(3d + 1)2 =

Question 3 • Find the degree of f

• Find in f the Monom H/L with highest/lowest degree

(1) f = (3x − 2)3 = . . . . . . + lower terms + . . . . . .

deg(f ) = H= L=

(2) f = (4 − 5x)2 · (8x − 1) = . . . . . . + lower terms + . . . . . .

deg(f ) = H= L=

(3) f = (2x3 − 4)2 (1 − 3x4 )(2 − x)4 = . . . . . . + lower terms + . . . . . .

deg(f ) = H= L=
Four Techniques to Factor 14

How to factor an algebraic expression g ?

Step 1 Find the expression’s GCF and write g as g = GCF × f

Step 2 f has 2 terms → un − vn

f has 3 terms → Discriminant D = b2 − 4ac
f has ≥ 4 terms → Grouping by letters/exponents
(remember: first find each group’s GCF )

Step 3 Write the factorization like

g = GCF × f1 × f2 × . . . × fn
| {z }
f

Question 4 Find each GCF (greatest common factor).

(1) GCF (8, 6) = (2) GCF (6, 12) = (3) GCF (4, 4) =
(4) GCF (5, 20) = (5) GCF (4, 6) = (6) GCF (12, 15) =

Question 5 First find the exponent’s GCF. Then factor (if possible).
(1) a2 − b2 =

(2) w4 − r 4 =

(3) t4 − y 6 =

(4) d12 + g15 =

(5) a5 − b20 =

(6) For which n is it possible to factor An + B n with respect to integers ?

Answer:

Question 6 First find the expression’s GCF. Then factor completely.

(1) 4u3 − uv 2 =

(2) 2x3 − 2x2 + 8x =

(3) 6m2 − mn − 12n2 =

(4) 2x4 − 24x3 + 40x2 =

Mixed questions (about factoring) 15

Question 7 Solve each equation, using the Discriminant D = b2 − 4ac

√
−b± D
• ax2 + bx + c = 0 ⇐⇒ x1,2 = 2a

(1) x2 + 5x − 14 = 0

(2) a2 − 5a − 24 = 0

(3) 3z 4 + 3z 2 − 36 = 0

(4) t6 − 6t3 + 8 = 0

(5) How many (complex) roots has the polynom P (x) = −3x8 + 7x5 − 3x − 23 ?

(6) Given a polynom P (x). What is the connection between the roots and
the linear factors of P (x) ? Draw a picture to explain this connection.

Question 8 Factor completely (relative to integers)

• First decide the method to factor (use Step 1 − 3), then factor completely

(1) (x − 1)3 + 3x(x − 1)2 =

(2) 2am − 3an + 2bm − 3bn =

(3) 4xy 2 − 12xy + 9x =

(4) 2(x − 3)(4x + 7)2 + 8(x − 3)2 (4x + 7) =

(5) 30az − 40ad + 6bz − 8bd =

(6) 4t4 − 23 + 4t2 − 8t =

(7) 4(A + B)2 − (A + B) − 5 =

(8) 27a2 + a5 b3 =

(9) m5 − n 5 =

(10) a2 b2 − 121c2 =

(11) 2r 3 − 16t3 =

(12) x2 + 3xy − 10y 2 =

(13) 25(4x2 − 12xy + 9y 2 ) − 9a2 b2 =

(14) 5u2 + 4uv − v 2 =

Mixed questions (about Polynoms) 16

Question 9 TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ?

(1) The polynom 21x4 + lower terms + 5 can be written as

21(x − α1 )(x − α2 )(x − α3 )(x − α4 ) where α1 . . . , α4 ∈ C

(2) (x − 2) is factor of x2 + 10x − 24

(3) α = 5 is a root of Q(x) = −4x3 + 20x2 + 5

(4) If α1 = 0, α2 = 7, α3 = −9 are all roots of a polynom P

with deg(P ) = 3, then we must have P (x) = (x − 0)(x − 7)(x + 9)

(5) A polynom P with deg(P ) = 12 has 12 (complex) roots

(6) If f · g 6= 0 then deg(f · g) = deg(f ) + deg(g)

(7) If deg(f ) 6= deg(g), then deg(f + g) = max {deg(f ), deg(g)}

(8) (H1 + lower + L1 )(H2 + lower + L2 ) = H1 H2 + lower + L1 L2

(9) If α1 = 3, α2 = −5, α =3 −2 are roots of a polynom P , then

(x − 3)(x + 2), (x + 5), (x − 3)(x + 5)(x + 2) are factors of P

(10) If (H + lower + L) = (ax + b)(H1 + lower + L1 ) then

H L
H1 = ax and L1 = b

(11) If Q(x) = −31x7 + 4x2 − 7 then only the numbers

α = ±1, β = ±7 can be integer-roots for Q.

(12) If P (x) = 3x5 − x4 + 6 then only the numbers a = ±1,

b = ±2, c = ±3, d = ±6 can be integer-roots for P .

(13) If P (x) = 6x5 − x4 + 4 = (3x − 1)(H + lower + L) then

6x5 4
H= 3x = 2x4 and L = −1 = −4.

(14) If deg(P ) = deg(Q) = 5 then deg(P + Q) < 5 is impossible

(15) If deg(f ) < deg(g) then deg(f − g) = deg(g)

 17

2.2 Long Division/Factoring Polynoms (1.3)

SUMMARY
• P (x) = axn + bxn−1 + . . . + c ∈ R[x] =⇒ P (x) = a · (x − α1 ) · . . . · (x − αn )
α1 , . . . , αn ∈ C
• P (x) = axn + bxn−1 + . . . + c ∈ Z[x] =⇒ Root-Candidates = { α, β ∈ Z | αβ = c}

• roots of P f actors of P
α = single root P (x) = (x − α) · g(x)
α = double root P (x) = (x − α)2 · h(x)
α = root with multiplicity r P (x) = (x − α)r · h(x)
α, β = dif f erent roots P (x) = (x − α)(x − β) · r(x)

Question 1 • Perform long division for each quotient P (x) ÷ Q(x)

• Present your answer in the form P (x) = h(x) · Q(x) + R(x)

(1) (x3 − x2 − 11x + 36) ÷ (x + 4)

(2) (4x3 − 28x + 24) ÷ (x + 2)

(3) (x5 + 3x3 − x2 + 2x − 2) ÷ (x2 + 2)

(4) (x4 + x3 − x − 1) ÷ (x2 + 1)

(5) (x4 − 1) ÷ (x + 1)

Question 2 Factor completely P (x) = 4x3 − 28x + 24 relative to integers,

knowing that α = −3, β = 1, γ = 2 are single roots of P .

Question 3 Factor completely P (x) = 3x4 − 33x2 + 54 relative to real numbers.

Question 4 Factor completely P (x) = 3x4 − 33x2 + 54 relative to integers.

Question 5 Factor completely P (x) = 2x3 + 16x2 + 40x + 32 knowing that

α = −2 is a double root of P .

Question 6 Let P (x) be a polynom with deg(P ) = 3. We know that P (2) =

P (0) = P (−1) = 0 and P (3) = 60. Find P (x).

Question 7 Show that α = −3 is a single root of P (x) = 5x3 − 10x2 − 55x + 60.
Then factor P (x) completely relative to integers.
 18

Question 8 Let P, Q be polynoms. TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ?

(1) If deg(P ) = 3, then P can’t have 2 different double roots.

(2) A polynom of degree 5 can have 6 different roots.

(3) There are polynoms that can’t be factored into linear integer-factors.

(4) If deg(P ) = 5 and deg(Q) = 2 then deg(P − Q) = 5.

(5) If deg(P ) = 5 and deg(Q) = 2 then deg(P + Q3 ) = 6.

(6) If deg(P ) = 7 then deg(P 5 ) = 5 + 7 = 12.

(7) P (x) = x2 − 7 can be factored relative to integers.

(8) (3x4 + lower terms)(−2x2 + lower terms)(2 − x) = 6x7 + lower terms

(9) (higher terms − 5)(x2 − 1)2 (higher terms + 2) = higher terms + 10

(10) All numbers inside the set {±12, ±2, ±8, ±1} are root-candidates for the
polynom P (x) = 7x3 − 28x + 24

(11) All numbers inside the set {±12, ±2, ±8, ±1} are root-candidates for the
polynom Q(x) = 4x3 − 28x + 24

Question 9 Simplify and write each of your answers using no fractions.

 2  −2
m−2 n3 6mn−2 10−9 ·10−12
m4 n−1 · 3m−1 n−2 = 10−17 ·105 =

 −2  1
 n+1
2
(−2)3 x3 y −1 z 2 y n y −n
4x5 y −3 z −1 = y −3n y −1 =

 −1 2  2

25 x0 y −2 z 3
√
3 0
xyz + 42 x−1 y −3 z 2 = 2 =
 19

Question 10 The purpose of this question is to demonstrate how factorization

depends on the set of numbers you allow to be coefficients.
(1) Find all integer-roots of P (x) = (4x2 − 1)(x2 − 7)(x2 + 1)
and factor P completely with respect to integers.

• Integer − Roots =

• P (x) =

(2) Find all rational-roots of P (x) = (4x2 − 1)(x2 − 7)(x2 + 1)

Then factor P completely with respect to rational numbers.

• Rational − Roots =

• P (x) =

(3) Find all real-roots of P (x) = (4x2 − 1)(x2 − 7)(x2 + 1)

Then factor P completely with respect to real numbers.

• Real − Roots =

• P (x) =

(4) Find all complex-roots of P (x) = (4x2 − 1)(x2 − 7)(x2 + 1)

Then factor P completely with respect to complex numbers.

• Complex − Roots =

• P (x) =
 20

2.3 Operations on Rational Expressions (1.4)

SUMMARY
P
Strategy: Step 1 Write the algebraic expression as ONE fraction Q

Step 2 Factor P and Q completely

P
Step 3 Reeduce the fraction Q to lowest terms

• Write inside each question only the final answer and show your work
at any other free space on the paper.

Question 1 Perform all operations. Then simplify to lowest terms.

1 2−a
(1) a−3 − 3−a =
y+2 y−2
(2) y 2 −1 − (y−1)2 =

x+7 y+9
(3) ax−by + by−ay =
3w+8 2w−1 5
(4) 4w 2
− w3
− 8w =
z 2 1
(5) z 2 −2z−8
− z 2 −5z+4
+ z 2 +z−2
=
xy(2−3b) 3x 2y
(6) x2 +(b−a)y−aby 2
+ x−ay − x+by =

Question 2 Perform all operations. Then simplify to lowest terms.

2y 2 −3w−2
(1) y 2 −4
÷ (2y + 1) =

2m+3t 2m2 −7mt−4t2

(2) 2m2 −5mt−12t2 ÷ m2 −8mt+16t2 =

x2 −16 x2 +xy+y 2
(3) 2x2 +10x+8 ÷ x3 +1 =
 
a 1 5
(4) a2 −25
− a+5 ÷ a+5 =
 
d2 −de d2 −e2 d2 −de+e2
(5) de+e2 ÷ d2 +de+e2 ÷ d2 e+de2 =

p+1 p2 −2p+1
(6) p(1−p) · p2 −1
=
 21

Question 3 Use the LCD/GCF and simplify to lowest terms.

2 15 x y
1+ x − x2 y −2+ x
(1) 4 5 = (2) x y =
1+ x − x2 2y − 2x

2w(2w + 3)4 − 8w2 (2w + 3)3

(3) =
(2w + 3)8

4r 4 (r 2 + 3) − 3r 2 r 2 (r 2 + 3)2
(4) =
r6

y2 1 2
y− y−x 3 − 5 −1
(6) x2
= (7) 8 4 =
1+ y 2 −x2 5 + 3 +4

1 1
(8) 1− 1 = (9) 2− 2 =
1− 1
1− w
1 − a+2

Question 4 • State each statement as TRUE (T) or FALSE (F)

• Correct each false statement

(1) 2+5<3·9 T
(2) 2a3 = 8 · a3

a a−6
(3) 2 − 2 = −3

(4) 2 · (a · b) = (2a) · (2b)

(5) 7 − 5(3x + 4y) = (7 − 5)(3x + 4y)

(6) A(4d − 3b) = A(4d) − A(3b)

x2 + 4 6 x2 + 4 4
(7) = =
x2 + 2 6 x2 + 2 2

(8) 2x(3a − b) − 5y(3a − b) = (3a − b) · 2x − 5y

 22

2.4 Radicals (1.7)

SUMMARY
r √
m √ √ m √ √ √ x n
x
•x n = n xm = ( n x) • n xy = n
x· ny • n = √
y n y
√ √ √ √
√ 1√
( A± B ) A± B
• = A−√B · √A+√B =
√
A−B
A∓ B ( )( )
√ 2 √ √ √ 2 √ 2 √ √ √ 2
1√ ( 3 A“) ± 3 A 3 B+( 3 B ) ( 3 A) ± 3
A 3 B+( 3 B )
• √
3 = √ √ √ 2 √ √ √ ” =
A−B
A∓ 3 B 3 3 3 3 3
( A∓ B )· ( A) ± A B+( B ) 3 2

• Write inside each question only the final answer and perform your
evaluations at any other free space on the paper.

Question 1 – Single Roots Rationalize each denominator.

√ √
1 −3 6− 8
(1) √ · (2) √ · (3) √ ·
6 7 2
√
1 1 2
(4) p√ · (5) √
3
· (6) √
5
·
6 7 2

Question 2 – Second Root Rationalize each denominator.

√
1 3
(1) √ · (2) √ √ ·
2 + 11 13 − 2 7
√ √ √
3− 2 5 5+2 2
(3) √ √ · (4) √ √ ·
7 2+6 5 5 5−2 2
1 1
(5) √ √ √ · (6) √ √ √ ·
2+ 3+ 5 − a+ b− c

Question 3 – Third Root Rationalize each denominator. Don’t give up !

1 1
(1) √ · (2) √ √ ·
2+ 39 3
6− 34
√3
√ √
2−1 737+535
(3) √ √ · (4) √ √
2 ·
4 7+235
3
737−5 35
1 1
(5) √ √ · (6) p √ ·
3
x− 3y 3
1+ 32
 23

Question 4 If I change any signs (not the numbers) inside any fraction of Que-
stion (1) − (3), do I have to change completely the idea to rationalize the changed
fraction ? Give a reason for your answer and present an example as demo. The
correct answer will save tons of work !

Question 5 – Second Root Simplify (1) − (4). Rationalize (5) + (6).

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
(1) 3 12 + 6 24 = (2) 2 14 − 21 12 =
√ √ √
√  √ 3 √ √
(3) 2 6− 12 = (4) 2 3 7 + 7 54 3=

(5) √1 + 1
√
3 = (6) 1
√
4 − 1
√
5 =
7 5 2 2

Problems in Question 6 are a real challenge since they ask for combined
thinking skills and dont show ”straight forward solutions”. You can solve them
by using two different ideas. Simply don’t give up, you will get it !

Question 6 – Mixed Roots Only write the rationalizing factors (as in the SUMMARY).

1 1
(1) p√ · (2) √
7
√ ·
1+ 2−1 3− 52
1 1
(3) p√ √ · (4) √
3
√ ·
7+ 2 5− 7
1 1
(5) √ √ · (6) √ √ ·
3
x+ y 1+ 3
x+ y

Question 7 TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) ?

(1) a2n − b2m can be factored for any n, m ∈ N

1
(2) √ √ can be rationalized for any n ∈ N
n
a− nb

1
(3) √ √
m
can be rationalized for any n, m ∈ N
n
a− b

1
(4) √ √ can be rationalized for any odd n, m ∈ N
n
a+ mb

(5) Use Question 4 to prove that (4) has the same answer as (3). Prove (3).
 24

3 Equations and Inequalities on Polynoms

3.1 Linear Inequalities (2.3)

SUMMARY )
IDEAS
• ax + b ≤ c (single inequality) • Solve (simultaneously) for x
• c ≤ ax + b ≤ d (double inequality) • Care for flippings of ≤
 
P (x)
• Domain Q(x) = R − {x ∈ R | Q(x) = 0}
p p
• Domain( even P (x) ) = {x ∈ R | P (x) ≥ 0} • Domain( odd P (x) ) = R

• Write your work at any other free space on the paper’s edge.

Question 1 – Single Inequalities Solve ++ Graph the solutionset S.

M
(1) 4x + 8 ≥ x − 1 (2) 2(x − 3) + 5 < 5 − x (3) −3 ≤ −2

y−3 y 1
(4) 2(1 − u) ≥ 5u (5) 4 −1> 2 6 1
1− y−2
>2

Question 2 – Double Inequalities Solve ++ Graph the solutionset S.

1 2
(1) 3 < 2 − 5(1 − x) ≤ 5 (2) −1 ≤ 32 A + 5 ≤ 11 (3) 24 ≤ 23 (y − 5) < 36

(4) −1 ≤ 9 − 2x < 5 (5) 15 ≤ 7 − 32 t ≤ 21 6 −3x < 4.1 − 4x < 2x − 0.1

Question 3 – Signs Determine sign(a), sign(b), sign(c) such that:

a
(1) ab > 0 (2) ab < 0 (3) b >0

a ab a
(4) b <0 (5) c <0 (7) bc >0

b2 1 1
(8) ac >a 9 Prove: 0 < a < b ⇐⇒ 0 < b < a

Question 4 – Domain Find all x such that the expression represents a real number.
√ √ √ q
x+2
(1) 3 − 9x (2) x2 + 1 (3) 5 2 − 37x (4) x+1

√ √ √ q √
(5) x+ √1 (6) 1−x· x+1 (7) 4 x2
(8) √x+0.5
1−x x−4 x2 −1
 25

3.2 Polynomial/Rational Inequalities (2.8)

SUMMARY
• P (x) = axn + bxn−1 + . . . + c (Standard Form of a Polynom P )
P (x) P (x)·Q(x) P (x) >
• Since Q(x) = (Q(x))2 we have: • Q(x) < 0 ⇐⇒ P (x) · Q(x) >
<0
P (x)
• Q(x) =0 ⇐⇒ P (x) = 0 & Q(x) 6= 0
P (x) >
• How to solve Q(x) < 0 ? Step 1 Factor completely P (x) · Q(x)

Step 2 Find Roots(P · Q) & Evaluate Testpoints between these roots

 
P
Step 3 • Consider Domain Q = R − {x ∈ R | Q(x) = 0}
• Draw the Sign-Graph(P · Q) & Write the solutionset S

• Write inside each question only the final answer and perform your
evaluations at any other free space on the paper.

Question 1 Solve ++ Graph the solutionset S.

(1) (x − 2)(2x − 6) < 0 (2) (x − 2)(x + 5)(2x − 6) < 0 (3) x3 − 4x2 < 0

(4) (x4 − 16)(x + 5) ≥ 0 (5) (x − 1)5 (x + 1)(x + 5)7 (x − 2)4 ≥ 0

Question 2 Find the Standard-Form, then Solve ++ Graph the solutionset S.

(1) x2 + 25 < 10x (2) 2x2 + 6 > 4x (3) 4x4 + 4 ≤ 17x2

3−x 2−x 3+x

(4) x+5 ≥0 (5) x >0 (6) −x+6 ≤0 (7) 2x − 1 > 3x3
 26

Question 3 Solve and Graph the solutionset S

x−4 x2 −x−12 5
(1) x2 +2x
≤0 (2) x2 +7
≤0 (3) x >3

5x−8 3 2
(4) x−5 ≥2 (5) x−3 ≥ x+2 6 x3 + 2x2 ≤ 8x

Question 4 – Domain For what x ∈ R will the expression’s results be real numbers ?
√ √ √
(1) x2 − 9 (2) 25 − x2 (3) 2x2 + x − 6

√ q
x+7
q
x−1
(4) 3x2 − 7x − 6 (5) 3−x (6) x+3
 27

3.3 Absolute-Value-Equations/Inequalities (2.4)

SUMMARY • d(A, B) = |B − A| (distance between A, B)
√
• E 2 = |E| (E = any algebraic expression)

• |P (x)| = c ⇐⇒ P (x) = ±c

• |P (x)| < c ⇐⇒ −c < P (x) < c

• |P (x)| ≥ c ⇐⇒ −c > P (x) OR P (x) > c

• Write inside each question only the final answer and show your work
at any other free space on the paper.

Question 1 Write without absolute-value-signs.

√ √ √
(1) | 7 − 3| (2) |(−2) − (−8)| (3) | 8 − 3 8|
√ √ q 
(6)  19 − 14 
 
(4) |4 · 111 − 44| (5) |2( 6 − 2.5)|

Question 2 • Solve • Interpret geometrically • Graph the solutionset S

(1) |y| ≤ 5 (2) |w| > 2 (3) |p − 2| ≤ 4

(4) |k + 8| = 3 (5) |x + 1| ≥ 1 (6) |y − 3| = 2

(7) 0 < |x − 5| < 0.01 (8) 0 < |x − 1| ≤ d (9) 0 < |c − x| < d

Question 3 Solve each inequality/equation for the variable inside.

 
(1) |5y + 2| ≥ 8 (2) |10 + 4w| < 6 (3)  31 z + 65  = 1
√ p p
(4) m2 > 3 (5) (3 − 2x)2 < 5 (6) (3y + 5)2 ≥ 4

Question 4 • Substitute a = −2, b = 5 to understand each of the following

• Prove each of these (very important) inequalities/equations
(Hint for (3), (4): Split the proof into the cases a ≤ b and a > b)

(1) |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b| (3) max(a, b) = 21 {a + b + |a − b|}

(2) ||a| − |b|| ≤ |a − b| (4) min(a, b) = 12 {a + b − |a − b|}

 28

3.4 Quadratic Equations (2.6)

SUMMARY
√
−b ± D
• ax2 + bx + c = 0 ⇐⇒ x1,2 = D = b2 − 4ac
2a
•

• Write inside each question only the final answer and perform your
evaluations at any other free space on the paper.

Question 1
(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)

Question 2
(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)

Question 3
(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)

 29

3.5 Reducible Equations (2.7)

SUMMARY
p 
(1) P (x) ± Q(x) = e 
p p

 IDEAS (to be repeated for (2) + (3))
(2) P (x) ± Q(x) = e √
p p p 
 • First solve for one and then ( )2

(3) P (x) ± Q(x) = R(x)
√
−b ± D
(4) a· (P (x))2 + b · P (x) + c = 0 ⇐⇒ P (x) =
2a

Question 1 Solve for each variable and present the solutionset S.

√ √ √
(1) 2w − 3 + w = 1 (2) 3y − 2 = y − 2 (3) 3x = x2 − 2

√ √ √
(4) 4x2 + 9 = x (5) 4y + 1 = 5 − y 6 w = −|w|4

Question 2 Solve for each variable and present the solutionset S.

√ √ √ √
(1) 5t + 4 − 2 t = 1 (2) 2x − 1 − x−5 = 3

√ √ √ √
(3) 3z − 1 + 2 − z−1=0 (4) w+7 =2+ 3−w

√ √ √ √
6 7
√
5 4 − x2 − 2 + x2 = 24 6 t + 2t4 − 3 = − 6 t3 + t2 − 2
 30

√
IDEAS: • First solve for one and then ( )2
√
−b ± D
• a· (P (x))2 + b · P (x) + c = 0 ⇐⇒ P (x) =
2a

Question 3 Solve for each variable and present the solutionset S.

√ √ √ √ √ √
(1) 7 − 2x − 2 x + 2 = x + 5 (2) 1 + 3t − 2t − 1 = t + 2

√ √ √ p p √
(3) 2 2w + 1 + 4 5w + 5 = 8 12 − 2w (4) 36y 2 − 4y 2 − 20y + 17 = 225

Question 4 First determine P (x). Then solve and present the solutionset S.

(1) 4m2 = 12 − m4 (2) −6(y 2 + 2y) + (y 2 + 2y)2 = 16

(3) −3r −1 + 4 + r −2 = 0 (4) 2 + 2t−1 − 3t1/2 = 0

√
(5) 12 − 3w − 5 w = 0 (6) 2x−2/5 + 1 = 5x−1/5