CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES: cet tf I just need enough to tide me over until I need more. — Bill Hoest CHAPTER rs | Po tore Variables Unfortunately, Captain Hook was also a bit of a prankster. Should someone solve Captain Hook's riddle and dig up his treasure on Algebra Island, what they'll find is another riddle: Ye have almost found the treasure. Start from this spot and walk north and enst. Three times the sum of the number of northerly steps and the number of easterly steps is four more than four times the number of northerly steps. More than this ye will need to find the treasure. Ye also must know that when ye multiply by five the number two less than the number of northerly steps, ye get the number that is two more than seven times the number of easterly steps. Justas we did with Captain Hook’s first riddle, we'll have to translate these words intoa mathematical map. Let's begin with: Three times the sum of the number of northerly steps and the number of easterly steps is four more than four times the number of northerly steps. We first make a straightforward translation into math by writing “times” as ”.”, “is” as "=", and “more than” as “+” 3. (number of northerly steps + number of easterly steps) 4+ 4. (number of northerly steps). That's still a mouthful, and we haven't gotten rid of all the words. As before, we use a variable to represent quantities we don’t know. We let x be the “number of northerly steps,” so we have 3 (x + number of easterly steps) = 4 + 4x. Ub-oh. We still have words in our equation. Our variable didn’t get rid of them all. Unfortunately, we can’t use x for easterly steps. What will we do? 84There are a lot more letters in the alphabet! We can use as many variables in an expression as we want. So, we let y be the number of easterly steps, and we have B(x+ y) = 4+ 4x, The two 2's in this equation are the same variable; they must have the same value. The x and y are different variables, meaning they can have different values. Captain Hook also gave us a second equation in words: swhen ye multiply by five the number t2v0 less than the number of northerly steps, ye get the number that is two more than seven times the number of easterly steps. Using the same x for “number of northerly steps” and y for “number of easterly steps” as before, we translate these words into the equation: 5-2) =2+7y. So, in order to find the treasure, we must find values of x and the y that satisfy the two equations Bert y= 44 ar and S(x- 2) =2+7y, Before we learn how to find these values, we first learn how to handle expressions with more than one variable. We can build much more complex multi-variable expressions than the ones we see in the equations above. Here are some examples: Pas 2s fos y 2a°b + 36% + 6act Notice that when we have the product of more than one variable, we usually put the variables in alphabetical order. This allows us to more easily tell when two expressions are the same. Just as with one variable, the constant multiplied by a product of variables is called a coefficient. So, the coefficient of 36°C is 3, In this chapter we practice working with expressions that have multiple variables. As we'll see, nearly all of this chapter is a repeat of what we learned in Chapter 2 about manipulating expressions that have only one variable. That's because whether we are dealing with one variable or many variables, we use the same basic arithmetic rules from Chapter 1. Extra! Some algebraic facts can be nicely displayed with geometric figures. ‘mse For example, the figure at right illustrates the fact that n(n +1) oe Such graphical illustrations of mathematical facts are sometimes called “Proofs Without Words.” You'll see several more scattered throughout this book. Source: Proofs Without Words by Roger Nelsen 142434--4(n-Itns coyCHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES 4.1 Evaluating Multi-Variable Expressions {Problem 4.1; Evaluate each of the following when = 3 and s = —2. (a) 14s @ oe (b) 2rs © Ir = 275 © Pes () sh +rtsP Evaluating one-variable expressions is a simple matter of fill in the blank: we insert the value of the variable wherever the variable appears. The same holds for expressions with multiple variables. () P4st=@)+(-2F=944= 13. P-3r _#~3(3)_9-9_ 0 4s 42) 8 (©) V7r=2rs = Y73)— 2GV-2) = Val +36 = V57. (f) (r=s)? + (r+ 5)? = [3 = (-2))? + [3 + (-2)]? = 5? + 1? = 26. o terse: 4.1.1 Evaluate each of the following when x = ~2 and y = 6. (a) y-2x @ y+6 (b) 3xy 2 (tyra () Qx-yex+y)4.2. STILL MORE ARITHMETIC 4.1.2 Evaluate each of the following when a = 3/2, b = -1, and c= 6. (a+ b(e-2) abe (&) abe (@)_ ca? (a) abt be+en © 4.2 Still More Arithmetic =a > Problem 4.2: Each sack of apples atthe local store has x apples and each sack of oranges has y oranges. Flip buys five sacks of apples and four sacks of oranges. Karen buys two sacks of apples and one sack of oranges. (a) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Flip has. (b) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Karen has. (©) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Flip and Karen have combined. (@)_What equation can we write by combining the first three parts? Problem 4.3: Simplify each of the following expressions: (a) (2e+3y-2)+(Gr—4y) () 5x +Sy +3z+3y+3x- 152+ 2x a © (doi 3) + rca +3} + 2-0 Problem 44: (a) Use exponents to write the product a-b-a-a-b. (b) Simplify the product (31s?) - (2rs*). (©) Which of the expressions below equals (2xy?)*? (ay2ey® (8) 6ax'y (©sar°y” (a) Simplify V270. Problem 45: 3 (@) Simptity 2%, (b) Simplify a a7CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES Problem 42: Each sack of apples at the local store has x apples and each sack of oranges has y oranges. Flip buys five sacks of apples and four sacks of oranges. Karen buys two sacks of apples and one sack of oranges. (a) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Flip has. (b) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Karen has. (©) Write an expression for the total number of pieces of fruit that Flip and Karen have combined. (a) What equation can we write by combining the first three parts? Solution for Problem 4,2: (a) Flip has 5 sacks of apples with x apples each and 4 sacks of oranges with y oranges each, for a total of 5x + dy pieces of fruit (b)_ Similarly, Karen’s 2 sacks of apples and 1 sack of oranges have 2x + y pieces of fruit. (©) Together, they have 5 +2 = 7 sacks of apples and 4 + 1 = 5 sacks of oranges. Each sack of apples has x apples, for a total of 7x apples. Each sack of oranges has y oranges, for a total of 5y oranges. Combining these gives a total of 7x +5y pieces of fruit. (a) The sum of our expressions from parts (a) and (b) must equal the total in part (0), since both represent the same total number of pieces of fruit. So, we have the equation (Gx +4y)+ Qx+y) =7x+5y. ‘This equation shouldn’t bea surprise. Just as we can add 5x+ 4nd 2x + 1 by grouping the x terms and the constants, (x44) + Qx +1) =Sr444 24 1a Se WH 41 = x4 2x) +44 a7 +5, we can add (5x + 4y) and (2x + y) by grouping the x terms and the y terms: (Gx + 4y) + (2x + y) = Sx dy + 2x + y = (Gx + 2x) + dy ty) = 7x4 5y. o We can simplify the sum of expressions that have more than one variable by grouping all the terms thathave exactly the same variable expression. For example, we can simplify 5x+2y~3x +7 by grouping, the x terms: Sx + 2y— 3x47 = (Sx 3x)-42y +7 = 2v42y 47. Here’s a little practice adding expressions. Problem 4.3: Simplify each of the following expressions: (a) (@x+3y-2)+@r—4y) (b) Sx+5y +324 3y +3x— 152+ 2r i} (o8~4ei+ 3) +2 cs et F +3) +a) 884.2. STILL MORE ARITHMETIC Solution for Problem 4.3: (@) We group the x terms and the y terms, being careful to keep our signs correct: (2x + By —2) + (Bx 4y) = 2x 4 By —2 43x ~ dy = (2x 43x) + By - dy) -2=5x-y-2 (b) We group the x terms, the y terms, and the z terms: 5x + By +32 + 3y + 3x— Sz +2x = (Sx + 3x-+ 2x) + (Sy +3y) + (B2— 152) = 10x + 8y— 12 (©) We group the ab terms, the cd terms and the constants: (2b = sed « 3) + [aad $+3}+@-ab) = (54-8) + tote + (3 +342) ab ab 2ab' 13) = (¢ -g- 2) + (-2cd) + (3) 3ab 2 2B red + Notice that even though -4ad and 2cd have two variables, we can still combine them by adding their coefficients because their variable expressions are exactly the same: (cd) = When we combine added or subtracted terms that have the same variable expressions, we say we are combining like terms. Note that we can’t combine -4cd and 2od by just adding the coefficients, because the exponent of cis not the same in both terms. 4 +2) cd = -2ed. 3 So, we see that adding expressions with multiple variables is pretty much the same as adding expressions that have only one variable. The same is true of multiplication and division. Problem 4.4: (a) Use exponents to write the product a-b-a-a-b. (b) Simplify the product (375%) - rs"), (©) Which of the below equals (2xy?)°? (A) 2x8y"" (B) 64x57 (sary? (a) Simplify V27H°0. Solution for Problem 4.4: (a) Our product is the product of three a’s and two b's. The product of three a’s is @ and the product of two B's is ?, so our product is a°b. We can also see this by grouping the a’s and grouping the Ws in the product: a-b-a-a-b=(a-a-a)-(b-b) = (a) (4) =a. 89CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES (b) We combine the constants, the r’s, and the ss: (31s?) -(2rs3) = (3-2): (r+7)- (6-83) = 6-7-5? = 67755, (©) The expression equals the product of five (2xy2) terms. This product has five 2's, five x’s and five s? terms, so we have oo (oxy? = (2505)? = 3209? = 328 y, which is choice (C). (d)_ Wecan use our rule for expanding powers of products with fractional powers as well. For example, VaT8R = (270°b*)§ = 2740° 420) aol = 30%b, Do Problem 4.5: 3 (a) Simplify = Solution for Problem 4.5: (a) As we've done before with fractions, we cancel common factors in the numerator and denominator to simplify: ayy By oz 5-2-2 (b) We can deal with the x’s and y's separately. We have and So, we have aie Once you're comfortable with expressions like “5°, you'll simplify this much faster than we have above. You'll probably do so by thinking something like, “Three x's in the numerator cancel with the three in the denominator, leaving one x in the numerator. Similarly, the two y's in the ‘numerator cancel with two y's in the denominator, leaving one yin the denominator. The 8 doesn’t fy cancel with anything, so the result is & Extra! It is not enough fo have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well. ho — René Descartes 304.3. DISTRIBUTION AND FACTORING a ~ 4.2.1 Simplify each of the following: (a) (20-38) + (4a + 7b) © £ +30 - 74? + 52 By — 22 230 ,2 dan? (b) (6x 9y +22) + (By— 22 +92) @) Sse g+ 4.2.2 Simplify each of the following: (@) xeyeyezyezex © Gey) 2xy%25) () abd a (A) (379)(259)(2rs)(472s9) 4.23. Simplify each of the following: @) ayy (b) (30824 4.2.4 Simplify each of the following: 1406? 2xiyz uF ) ars 4.2.3 By what expression can we multiply 2x1? to get 32x38? 4.3 Distribution and Factoring We've already had a little taste of factoring with multiple variables when we explained why ~4ed + 2cd equals -2cd. Here, we explore the distributive property and factoring with multiple variables a little more. As you'll see, there’s not much exploring to do: it's basically the same game as with one variable (ection 2.3) or with no variables (Section 1.4). =a > Problem 4.6: There are 7 towns that each have 2 baseball teams and 4 football teams, Each baseball team has x players and each football team has y players. No one plays both baseball and football. (@) Write an expression for how many baseball players and football players combined there are in each town. (b) Use part (a) to write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in these 7 towns combined. (©) Write an expression for how many baseball players there are in these 7 towns combined. (@) Write an expression for how many football players there are in these 7 towns combined. ' (€) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in these 7 towns combined by combining parts (c) and (4). How is this expression related to the expression you found in oy aCHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES |Problem 4.7: One of the towns in the previous problem is called Smallville. In nearby Bigville, there are 14 baseball teams and 12 football teams, each the same size as the corresponding Smallville teams. | Once again, no one plays both sports. (a) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in Bigville. (b) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in Smallville, (© How many more baseball players are there in Bigville than in Smallville? How many more football players? (@) Use parts (a) and (b) to write an expression for how many more people play baseball or football in Bigville than in Smallville. How does this compare to your answers to part (¢)? Problem 4.8: (a) Expand the product 5(¢ + 3s). (©) Expand the product 3ry(x — y). (©) Simplify the expression (t + 37) — (2t - 57 +1). (@) Simplify the expression 3(x — xy +3) - A(x + xy +7). Problem 49; (@) Factor a3 out of ax + 6y to write it as the product of 3 and an expression. (b) Factor -15ab + 35¢d. (©) Factor 3x2 + 2x2, (@)_ Factor 7725? — 2175° + 14rs* as completely as you can. Problem 4.10: Simplify the product, much as possible. Qetdy Sey 8 +2 Make sure your final fraction is reduced as Problem 4.6: There are 7 towns that each have 2 baseball teams and 4 football teams. Each baseball team has x players and each football team has y players. No one plays both baseball and football. (a) Write an expression for how many baseball players and football players combined there are in each town. (b)_ Use part (a) to write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in these 7 towns combined. (© Write an expression for how many baseball players there are in these 7 towns combined. (@)_ Write an expression for how many football players there are in these 7 towns combined. (@) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in these 7 towns combined by combining parts (c) and (d). How is this expression related to the expression you found in (oy? 924.3. DISTRIBUTION AND FACTORING Solution for Problem 4.6: (a) Each town has 2x baseball players and 4y football players, for a total of 2x + 4y players. (b) There are 7 towns and each has 2x + 4y players, so there are 7(2x + 4y) total players. (©) The? towns together have 7-2 = 14 baseball teams and each of these teams has x players, so there are 14x baseball players. (d) The 7 towns together have 7-4 = 28 football teams and each of these teams has y players, so there are 28y football players. (©) Combining the two previous parts, we have a total of 14x + 28y players. Both this expression and the 7(2x + 4y) from part (b) count the total number of players in all 7 towns, so we have 72x + dy) = 14x + 2By. This equation is just a result of the distributive property: 72x + Ay) =7- (2x) +7- (Ay) = Max + 2By. So, this problem shows the distributive property in action. We've seen that we can use the distributive property to subtract one expression from another. Problem 4.7: One of the towns in the previous problem is called Smallville. In nearby Bigville there are 14 baseball teams and 12 football teams, each the same size as the corresponding Smallville teams. ‘Once again, no one plays both sports. (@) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in Bigville. (b) Write an expression for how many people play baseball or football in Smallville. (©) How many more baseball players are there in Bigville than in Smallville? How many more football players? (d) Use parts (a) and (b) to write an expression for how many more people play baseball or football. in Bigville than in Smallville. How does this compare to your answers to part (c)? Solution for Problem 4.7: (a) The 14 baseball teams have a total of 14x players and the 12 football teams have a total of 12y players, for a total of 14x + 12y players. (b) We saw in the previous problem that the 2 baseball teams and 4 football teams in Smallville have a total of 2x + 4y players. (©) We can find the difference between the total number of players in Bigville and Smallville by subtracting the 2x + 4y players in Smallville from the 14x + 12y players in Bigville: (lax + 12y) ~ (2x + Ay). We can also find this difference by noting that Bigville has 14 ~ 2 = 12 more baseball teams, so it has 12x more baseball players. Similarly, it has 12 - 4 = 8 more football teams, so it has 8y more football players. Therefore, Bigville has 12x + 8y 93CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES more players total. Of course, these two expressions for the difference between the number of players in Bigville and Smallville must be equal: (14x + 12y) — (2x + 4y) = 12x + By. Again, this is the distributive property in action, allowing us to write ~(2x + dy) as 2x — ys (lax + 12y) ~ (2x + 4y) = Max + 12y ~ 2 ~ dy = (by ~ 20) + (12y ~ dy) = 120 4 By, 0 Problem 4.8: (a) Expand the product 5(f + 3s). (b) Expand the product 3ry(x ~ y). (©). Simplify the expression ( + 3r) - (2t-5r +1). (a) Simplify the expression 3(x — xy + 3) ~ 4(x + xy +7). Solution for Problem 4.8: In each problem, we apply the distributive property just as we have for expressions with one variable or with no variables. (2) 5(b+3s) =5- 145. (Bs) = St + 15s (b) We can treat the product 3xy as a single term and use the distributive property to expand: Sxy(x— y) = Bry)le — y) = Bry) - (x) + xy) -(-y) = 3x7y — Bry? Notice that we are careful to keep track of the negative sign in x ~ y. (©) (#432)-(2t-Sr41) = #4372 (Br) 1 = 1437-244 57-1 = (E24) + Br +5r)-1 = again, we are very careful about signs. Notice that when we subtract the —5r term, it becomes +57. (d)_ We first expand each product, then we combine like terms: 3(x = xy +3) — (x + xy +7) = Sx — Sxy +9 — 4x ~ 4xy — 28 (Bx 4x) + (-3xy — 4xry) + 9 - 28) = ox -7xy-19. As we did with one-variable expressions and no-variable expressions, we can reverse the distributive property to factor expressions with more than one variable. Problem 4.9: {a) Factor a3 out of 3x + 6y to write it as the product of 3 and an expression. | 0) Pactor—15ab + 35d | (c) Factor 3x? + 2x2. | (d) Factor 712s? ~ 217? + 14rs* as completely as you can. 944.3. DISTRIBUTION AND FACTORING Solution for Problem 4.9: (@) Each term in the sum is divisible by 3, so we have 3x + 6y =3-x+3- (2y) = 3(x + 2y) (b) Each term is divisible by 5, so we have =15ab + 35cd = 5 « (Bab) + 5 + (ed) = 5(~3ab + Ped) (©) There is an x in each term, so we can factor out an x: 3x? + 2xz Gx) +x: x x(3x + 22). (d) First we note that each coefficient is divisible by 7, so we have 7s? — Drs? + L4rst = 7 « (77s?) +7 (-3rs°) +7 - (21s) = 7(r?s? — 31s? + 2rst), We're not finished! Each term in the parentheses has an r, and each term has s raised to at least the second power. So, we can factor 7s* out of each term: 777s? — 3rs* + 2rst) = T[rs* (r) + 152 - (—3s) + rs? - (2s*)] = 7[rs*(r — 3s + 2s*)]. We can write this more simply as 7rs*(r - 3s + 2s”), Factoring this expression wasn’t nearly as hard as it seemed at first. We made the task easier by dealing separately with the coefficients, the r’s, and the s’s. 5 Just as we saw with one-variable expressions, we can factor out entite expressions from a sum or difference. For example, we can factor ab(a + 1) ~3(a + 1) by noticing that (a + 1) isa factor of both terms: ab(a +1) ~ 3(a+1) (ab ~ 3)(a-+ 1). 2x+4y 3x1 8 xt dry ‘Problem 4.10: Simplify the product Solution for Problem 4.10: To multiply fractions, we multiply their numerators and multiply their denominators: Qeedy Sry _ Qe + 4y)xy) B+ 2xy B(x? + xy) Before we multiply out the numerator and the denominator, we look for common factors to cancel. To check for common factors, we factor 2x + 4y and x? + 2xy to see if either term has a factor that can be canceled. We factor a 2 out of 2x + 4y to get 2(x + 2y) and we factor an x from x2 + 2xy to get x(x + 2y). ‘These factorizations help us see common factors to cancel, (2x4 4y\Bxy) _ 20¢ + 2y)Gxy) _ 2e+2M3xy) _ 3y BQ? +2xy) Bx +2y) 2 4x(a Hayy 4CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES (Concept: Factoring helps reduce fractions. 43.1 Expand the following: (a) 3@r~8) ©) (@&+y-32)-Qx) 43.2 Simplify the following: (@) (+2y)- Gr~2y) (b) 2(02 = 21s + 5%) ~4(F? + 24s +54) 43.3. Factor the following: (a) -8x+24y (©) 3PP-3Pt+ 7 (b) 20x%y-5xy (2) 9082 + 18023 — Babe 2 43.4. Simplify the product 37 90° = 18a. snuch as possible. 6b 10a? 435 How many copies of ~4x + 3y must be added together to get ~24x + 18y? 43.6% Factor 2x(y + 1) ~ 61°(y + 1) as completely as you can. 43.7% Expand the product (x + 7)(y~ 4). Hints: 194 44 Fractions a > Problem 4.11: Write 2 + 2 asa single fraction by finding a common denominator. Problem 4.12: Write z-2 = = as.a single fraction. 2? 3b 3b-3 Problem 4.13: In this problem we write > + 7 — ope | (@)_ Simplify each fraction if possible. (b) Find a common denominator, then combine the fractions into a single fraction. aa single fraction. 964.4, FRACTIONS Combining added or subtracted fractions that have multiple variables requires finding a common Genominator in the same way we do when we add Loe 3*2 [Problem 4.11: Write 2 + 3 asa single fraction by finding a common denominator. | Solution for Problem 4.11: Just as the least common denominator of 3 + 3 is the product of the denom- inators, 3-5, the product rs is a common denominator of 2 + 2, We must multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by s and the second by r to write both fractions with this common denominator: Br _ 2s+3r 2,3_2s 2,322 ros rs If you don’t quite follow this, compare it with nS 9 _ 1049 BS a While the product of the denominators of fractions you wish to add or subtract will always work as a.common denominator, it’s not always the simplest common denominator, a ee i | Problem 4:12: Write 25 — 3,5 asa single fraction. Solution for Problem 4.12; We consider the constants, the x terms, and the y terms separately. First, we don’t need 6-3 = 18 in our common denominator. Because 3-2 = 6, we can use 6 as our constant. Second, one fraction has x? and the other has x, so all we need in the common denominator is x, We combine these with the y we clearly need, and our simplest common denominator is 6x2 y. To write our first fraction with this denominator, we have to multiply its numerator and denominator byy: Similarly, we multiply the numerator and denominator of our second fraction by 2x: 4 4 4 be Sey 2x” oxy Now we can combine our fractions: Sy 4 _ Sy Bx _ Sy -8r 62 Bey Bxty bey Gy 97CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES ‘Sometimes it’s helpful to simplify fractions before we add them. For example, we can add §3 + if most simply by reducing the two fractions first: “4 361 88 Solution for Problem 4.13: Before we go hunting for our common denominator, we notice that a couple of our fractions can be simplified. Specifically, we see that we af 2 be and that we can factor the numerator and denominator of our last fraction, then cancel some common. factors: 36-3 3-1) ty bab — 6a 7s So, we have 2 — 3b @b a1 bab—6a This simplifies finding our common denominator. We first look at the constants: we need a factor of 2, Then, the @ terms, We need both an @ and an a ~ 1. Finally, we also need a b, Combining these, our common denominator is 2ab(a ~ 1). We must multiply the numerator and denominator of } by 2a(a—1) to make the denominator 2ab(a—1), Similarly, we multiply the numerator and denominator of 24 by 2ab, and of 4; by b(a ~ 1): 2, 3b 1 2 2al bab 1 ba= 1) b 2a -b 2aa@-1)" a-1 2ab 2a bea-1) 4a(a—1) ab? b(@-1) * bala 1) * Baba) ~ 2abla= 1) _ daa ~ 1) + Gab? ~ b(a ~ 1) ~ 2abla — 1) We can expand the products in the numerator to write this fraction as daa ~ 1) + 6ab? — ba 1) _ 4a? ~ 4a + bab? — ab +b 2abla— 1) ~ 2abla= 1) ‘We usually leave the denominator in factored form. This is because whether we are adding, subtract- ing, multiplying, or dividing fractions, itis almost always more convenient to have the denominators of the fractions in factored form. This makes it easier to see when we can cancel factors in products and makes building common denominators easier for sums or differences involving the fractions. © 84.5. EQUATIONS 441 Write + 7 as asingle fraction ite 24 O7Y 44.2 Write 2 - = as a single fraction, 2+a g-b 43 Write =F + 2° ; 44.3. Write TF + gay, #9 single fraction, Br — 8s 3r in Sr cts * eny aSe single fraction. Hints: 209 444 Write 4.5 Equations Just as expressions can have more than one variable, so can equations, such as x+2y=3. Just as we can isolate the variable in some one-variable equations, we can sometimes isolate one variable inan equation with multiple variables. For example, we isolate x in the equation x+2y = 3by subtracting 2y from both sides, which gives x=3-2y. We call this “solving the equation for x in terms of y.” We can also solve x + 2y =3 for y in terms of x by first subtracting x from both sides of x + 2y = 3 to get 2y = 3 ~ x, then dividing by 2 to find Bax y . =x» ~ Problem 4.14 Solve the equation x +5 for x in terms of b and c. Problem 4:15: Solve the equation ax = c for xin terms ofa and c Problem 4.16: Solve the equation ax + b = c for x in terms of a, b, and c. ] |Problem 4.17: Consider the equation ax + be = 3c - 2d*x. (a) Rearrange the equation so that all the terms with x are on one side, and all the terms without x are on the other side. (b)_ Solve the equation for x in terms of a,b, ¢, and d.CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES Using the equation manipulations we have learned so far, we can often isolate one variable in an equation involving several variables, | Problem 4.14: Solve the equation x + b = ¢ for x in terms of b and c. ] Solution for Problem 4.14: Just as we can isolate x in the equation x +3 = 7 by subtracting 3 from both sides, we isolate x in the equation x + b = c by subtracting b from both sides, to get xee-b, a |Problem 4.15: Solve the equation ax = for x in terms of a and c. Solution for Problem 4.15: Again, just as we can isolate in the equation 2x = 8 by dividing both sides by 2, we isolate x in the equation ax = ¢ by dividing both sides by a, which gives, ¢ xef a Let’s put the last two problems together. Problem 4.16: Solve the equation ax + b = ¢ for x in terms of a, b, and c. j Solution for Problem 4.16: First, we isolate ax by subtracting b from both sides, to get Dividing both sides by a isolates x: Let's try a somewhat more complicated equation. [Problem 4.17: Solve the equation ax + be = 3c ~ 2#*x for x in terms of a,b,c, and d. J Solution for Problem 4.17: We solved linear equations in Chapter 3 by putting all the terms with the variable in them on one side of the equation, and all the constants on the other. With that as inspiration, Wwe move all the terms with x in them to one side, and all the terms without x to the other. We do this by adding 2¢?x to both sides, and subtracting be from both sides. This gives us ax + 2d?x = 3¢ — be. ‘We still need to isolate x. We can factor x out of each of the terms on the left to find x(a + 2d?) = Bc~ be. TooSUMMARY Dividing both sides by a + 2d? isolates x and gives ‘Most of the equations we deal with in this book won't be as complicated as the one in Problem 4.17. However, we've seen now that there’s nothing particularly special or scary about equations or expres- sions with more variables. The same rules apply as with one variable. = ~ 45: Consider the equation * +b=« (@) Solve the equation for x in terms of a,b, and c. (b) Solve the equation for bin terms of a,c, and x. (c)* Solve the equation for a in terms of b,c, and x. 45.2. Solve the equation 3xy + 4 = 8y — 2x for x in terms of y. 4.6 Summary Expressions can have more than one variable, We encountered very little new material in this chapter because the rules of arithmetic apply to multi-variable expressions in exactly the same way as we applied them in Chapter 2 to one-variable expressions. Just as expressions can have more than one variable, so can equations. We can sometimes isolate one variable in an equation with multiple variables. For example, we isolate x in the equation x + 2y = 3 by subtracting 2y from both sides, which gives x=3-2y. We call this process “solving the equation for x in terms of y.” 4.18 Evaluate each of the following when a = -8 and b = 2 (a) ab+2b+3a ( 4(@2b + ba) © ¢ (a) (@=2)V=ab 6 Extral Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. aaa 101CHAPTER 4. MORE VARIABLES 4.19 Suppose r = ~2, s = 6, and = 3r ~ 2s. Evaluate the following: @ et () 3r-25-¢ (>) @t=ns-1) @ tet 4.20. Simplify the expression 22 + 3b +7 —a + 2h +5 when a = ~5b. 4.21 Simplify the following: (a) (62-78) + (3a - 2b +9) (0) (Gab + 2ac + 3bc) + (2ab ~ ac — Abe) 4.22 Simplify the following: @ FAP (d) Qx° ab? (bo) Bx8yz*\(2x3y3) (ee) (-20d)? + (ed? )(-: © yy (Dab? Vaako® 4.23 Let x, yand z be positive numbers. What is the fourth root of the expression 16x yz! 4.24 Reduce the following fractions: 15a 2025 Bab (a) 4.25. Expand the following: (a) 2a+b-3e-5) ) aey(ey+ 3) 4.26 What expression must be subtracted from 2x ~ 3y +2 to give 3x + 2y? 427. Simplify the following: (a) -3w~2x45-(2w-3r-4) () 27-35) - 327 +2r-s) 4.28 Evaluate 4(x? - 2y +7) - 207 +4x +2) whenx = -y, 429° Factor the following; (@) 7x35 (© -20x3 — 1322yz (b) 2lab? - 240 (A) 1arst® + 247?st — 815% 430 Express 1 +] 4 asa single fact 3x Sy lays Tae Bal =a , 2A ~ 40 a single fraction 3a-6 * 85-16 Be racks 4.33. Solve the equation 3x + 2y +2 = 4 for x in terms of yand z, 4.31 Express asa single fraction. 4.32 Express. 702CHALLENGE PROBLEMS (air ren tony > 37 —6r2 ore 88 r= ar? one 4.34 Simplify the fraction 4.35 (a) Expand the product (x + I)(y +1) (b) Expand the product (x + 3)(y - 7). 2 4.36 By what fraction can we multiply 2 to get o> Hints: 110 s 4.37 Fiona, George, and Henry each think of a different fraction. The simplest common denominator of Fiona’s fraction and George's fraction is 10ab’. The simplest common denominator of George's fraction and Henry’s fraction is 20a°b*. The simplest common denominator of Fiona’s fraction and Henry’s fraction is 4a°b. (a) Whose fraction has the highest power of 6? What is that power? (b) Whose fraction has the largest constant? (Assume all the constants in the denominators are positive.) (©. What is the simplest common denominator of all three fractions? 4.38 (a) Expand the product (x ~ 2)(x +2). (b) Factor the expression x? - y by writing it as the product of two expressions such that neither ‘expression is a constant, Hints: 73 arb in terms of x. (Source: AMC 12) Hints: 163 439 Ifx=T (witha ¢ band b # 0), then express <*> 4.40% For what values of a does the equation have no solution for x? Hints: 224 4.41% For what value of a does the equation ox-a have no solution for x? Hints: 63, 174 703