Date: ______/______/ 2009 Marks

Worksheet 8: Fundamental Algebra (Substitution and Factorisation)

1 Basic Question

Given that x = 5 , y = −4 , z = −2 , h = 0 and k = −1 , evaluate the following:

(a) xy ( 2 x − 4k + xhz )

5 x − 3z
(b)
xhk − 5 yk
2k
(c)
xh − yz

Solution:
(a) xy ( 2 x − 4k + xhz ) (b) 5 x − 3z
= (5)(−4) [ 2(5) − 4(−1) + (5)(0)(−2)] xhk − 5 yk
5(5) − 3(−2)
= (−20) [10 + 4] =
(5)(0)(−1) − 5(−4)(−1)
= −280
25 + 6
=
0 − 20
11
= −1
20
(c) 2k
xh − yz
2(−1)
=
(5)(0) − (−4)(−2)
−2
=
−8
1
=
4

[Xin Min Sec School/2007]

11 1
Ans: (a) −280 (b) −1 (c)
20 4

© Victoria School Math Department

2 Intermediate Question

1
Given that a = −1 , b = and c = 2 , find the value of
2

(a) 1 1 1 (b) a2 − b2
+ +
a b c 1 2
c
3

Solution:

(a) 1 1 1 (b) a 2 − b2
+ +
a b c 1 2
1 1 1 c
= + + 3
−1 1 2 2
2 1 2
(−1) −  
1 =  2
= −1 + 2 + 1 2
2 (2)
1 3
=1
2 1
1−
= 4
4
3
3
= 4
4
3
3 3
= ×
4 4
3
=
4
[Cedar Girls’ Sec School/2008]
1 3
Ans: (a) 1 (b)
2 4

3 Intermediate Question

(a) Factorise the expression p − pq + 3 − 3q completely.

Solution:
(a) p − pq + 3 − 3q = p (1 − q ) + 3(1 − q )
= (1 − q )( p + 3)
[Xin Min Sec School/2007]
Ans: (1 − q )( p + 3)

© Victoria School Math Department

 2y2 + 4y 4y + 8
(b) Simplify 2
÷
5y 10 y 2
Solution:
2 y2 + 4 y 4 y + 8
(b) ÷
5 y2 10 y 2
2 y ( y + 2) 10 y 2
= ×
5 y2 4( y + 2)
=y
[Cedar Girls’ Sec School /2008]
Ans: y

4 Intermediate Question

Factorize the following.

(a) f (a − b ) + g (b − a )
(b) 2 pq − rs + 2 ps − qr

-( a - b)
Solution:
(a) f ( a − b) + g (b − a ) (b) 2 pq − rs + 2 ps − qr
= f ( a − b ) − g ( a − b) = 2 pq + 2 ps − qr − rs
= (a − b)( f − g ) = 2 p(q + s) − r (q + s )
= (q + s)(2 p − r )

Common Factor Common Factor [Anglican High School/2007]

Ans: (a) ( a − b)( f − g ) (b) ( q + s)(2 p − r )

5 Advance Question

(a) Factorise x3 y − 5 x 2 y 2 − 3 xy 3 + 8 xy 4 .

(b) Factorise ab + a 2b 2 − a 3b3 completely. Hence, factorise a n b n + a n +1b n +1 − a n + 2b n + 2 .

Solution:
(a) x 3 y − 5 x 2 y 2 − 3 xy 3 + 8 xy 4 (b) ab + a 2b 2 − a 3b3
= xy ( x 2 − 5 xy − 3 y 2 + 8 y 3 ) = ab (1 + ab − a 2b 2 )

a nb n + a n +1b n +1 − a n + 2b n + 2
= a nb n (1 + ab − a 2b 2 )

[Anglican High School/2007]

Ans: (a) xy ( x − 5 xy − 3 y + 8 y
2 2 3
) (b) ab (1 + ab − a 2b 2 ) , a n b n (1 + ab − a 2b 2 )

© Victoria School Math Department