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Example 1
Write as single fraction :
x 1 3x 2
4
6
Solution :
The fractions have denominators of 4 and 6. These can be written with a common
denominator of 12:
Example 2
Write as a single fraction
Solution
3
2
x 1 x 5
The fractions have denominators of (x+1) and (x+5). These can be written
with a common denominator of (x+1)(x+5). The top and bottom of the first
fraction must be multiplied by (x+5), and similarly (x+1) for the second
fraction:
1
Example 3
Solve the equation:
5x 9 2 x 1 3
3
12
4
Solution :
Method 1
Method 2
EXERCISE A
Example 4
Simplify the expression:
8x 4
6x 4
Solution :
Example 5
Simplify the expression:
x2 8x
2x
Solution :
You may be asked to simplify a fraction where both the top and the
bottom are quadratic expressions. In such cases, factorise the
quadratics first. Then look to see if there is a common factor on the top
and bottom that can be cancelled out.
4
Example 6
x 2 7 x 10
Simplify the expression:
x2 x 2
Solution :
You might have more than one factor available for cancelling, as in the
next example.
Example 7
8( x 3)5
Simplify the expression:
4( x 3) 2
Solution :
EXERCISE B
a m a n amn
am
a a n a m n
a
(ab n ) m a m b mn
m
m
n
a a
a
1
m n
1
n
1
1
m or
a
a
n am
a
n
am
In this advanced section, we will deal with combination of rules stated there.
Base 2, 3, 4
20 =
21 =
22 =
23 =
24 =
25 =
30 =
31 =
32 =
33 =
34 =
40 =
41 =
42 =
43 =
44 =
Example 8
Find the value of each of the following.
(i)
2
3
64 2 16
3
(ii)
1
2 2
3
4
81
Solution :
(i)
If you notice, 64 and 16 can be expressed in base 2 that is 26 and 24
2
6 3
(2 ) 23 (2 4 ) 1
24 23 24
243 ( 4)
23 8
(ii)
1
2 2
2 3
3
4
3
4 4
4
2
2 3
2
2
12
4
3
2 3 4 3
3 3
3
3
1 3
4 3 4 32
2
1
1
4
2
3
9
4
9
Example 9
3hk
3
h 4 k 6 2h
32 h 2 k 6 h 4 k 6 23 h3
32 23 h 2 4 3 k 6 6
72h
EXERCISE C
Find the value of the following
a
4
3
1
2
27 9 32
2
5
5 5 2
3
4
3
2
3
125
2
3
25 8
1
3
16
8 3 32 5
4 4
16 82
2 12 3
3
4
45 32
64 33
1
3
1
5 3
3 3
1
2
3
2
6 8 216
2
2
3
Given 2 X 2 k + 1 = 28 X 25
Given
Given 32 x 3m = 3 6
Given 27 x 3m = 38
Given
Given
Given
Given
2 y 16 4 8 3
1
3
x 1000 100
2
22 x
2
4
5(25 x3 )
6y
1
2
1
54
m 21
9
m
3
4
h h
h3
9
4
a b a
ab
3 2 2
4 2
54
m m m
2
3
10
d x3 1 1
5
x
2
3
1
4
d e
de
1
2
ab
3
2
1
2
11