Expanded Syllabus
Chapter 1 :
Equations and Inequalities

3x -5 > 0

College Algebra
by Examples

Chapter Summary

1.1 Equations

: Impossible Solution

: Many Solutions

: All solutions

Linear Equations: ax + b = 0

Possible Outcomes:

Identity: all values of x is true,

e.g. sin2 x + cos2 x = 1,

Contradictions: e.g

Conditional: some values of x is true,

e.g. 3x + 1 > 4

1.2 Applications of Linear Equations

ax + b = 0: Linear Formula

P = 2W + 2L: Perimeter of Rectangular

Speed = distance / time

Interest Earned = Principle x Interest Rate

Average = sum of items / total items

Problem Solving Strategy

Perimeter, P = 2W + 2L

Interest Rate: Interest, I = % rate x amount

Break-even point: Solution to 2 equations

set equal to each other


Mixture Problem: Sum of % of each

components = % in final mixture

Uniform Motion Problem;

1.3 Quadratic Equations

: Standard Form

Quadratic Formula:

Graphs of Quadratics


Quadratic Program
Web   or   MS Excel

Standard form of Quadratic:

Zero form:

Vertex form:

From Standard Form:

(a) Roots of quadratic for y = 0 (Quadratic Formula)

(b) Complete the Square to Vertex Form, a = 1:

Discriminant:
  (a) If , roots are unequal real numbers

(b) If , roots are equal real numbers

(c) If , roots are unreal numbers

Solve for W given P and L when

P = 2W + 2L

Find s, given a and time,

Find t when

Perimeter Problem: Length given perimeter

Speed Problem - Round Trip given average speed

Vertical Motion Problem; Height of object with time
 

1.5 Complex Numbers

(a + bi), : Complex Number



The i-th continuum

Addition

(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i

Substraction

(a + bi) - (c + di) = (a - c) + (b - d)i
 

Multiplication

(a + bi)(c + di) = a(c + di) + bi(c + di)

Complex conjugate of (a + bi) is (a - bi)

Absolute Value:  

1.6 Polynomial and Radical Equations

If a = b, then , for n all real numbers

and

Factor Polynomials by Grouping Powers

Solve radical equations by eliminating radical

  same as

1.7 Inequalities

For x > k
click to see larger image

For

Solve

Solve

1.8 Absolute Value

Equality

, so  (x + 2) = -4 and (x + 2 ) = 4

Inequality


 
Double Absolute value