College Algebra - Week 2

Section covered: 2.1, 4.5, 1,2 and 1.3

If n is a natural number (1,2, 3, and so on),

bn = b| · b · b{z· · · · · }b, n − Exponent or Power b − Base

n times

The expression bn is called an exponential expression. Furthermore, b1 = b and b0 = 1.

Rules of Exponents

For all integers m and n and all real numbers a and b the following rules hold.

Rule Description

Product Rule When multiplying powers of like bases,

am · an = am+n keep the base and add the exponents.

Power Rule 1 To raise a power to a power, multiply the exponents.

(am )n = amn

Power Rule 2 To raise a product to a power,

(ab)m = am · bm raise each factor to that power.

Power Rule 3 To raise a quotient to a power,

 a m am
= , b ̸= 0 raise the numerator and the denominator to that power.
b bm

Quotient Rule When dividing powers of like bases, keep the base
am
= am−n , a ̸= 0 and subtract the exponents.
an

Problem 1. Find each product.

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(a) * x8 · x5 (b) (3b2 )(−5b4 )(−b)

Problem 2. Simplify.

412 54
(a) (c)
49 54

(−8)7 12x3 y 7
(b) (d)
(−8)5 6xy 2

Problem 3. Simplify. Assume all variables represent nonzero real numbers.

!5
(a) (−3r4 )2 w
(d)
−2n4

(b) * (3xz 4 )2 (x2 y 2 z 3 )

!2
a6 b5
(e) *
a6 b
!3
a5
(c)
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Zero Exponent
For any nonzero real number a, a0 = 1

Problem 4. Simplify.

(a) 5 · 90 (c) (−7x2 y 3 )0

!0
2
(d) * −
(b) *−(9)0 3

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Negative Exponents
If a is a real number other than zero and n is an integer,
1 1
a−n = an =
an a−n

!−1
1 1 2 1 3
For example, 10−2 = 2 and 103 = −3 = 2 =
10 10 3 3
2
!−2 "  #2  
3 3 −1 4 2
= =
4 4 3

Observe that if a ̸= 0 and b ̸= 0 then

 a −n  n
b
=
b a

Problem 5. Simplify by writing each expression with positive exponents only.

!−2
(a) 10−2 2
(d) *
3

(e) xy −5
(b) * (−2)−2

(f) (xy)−5

−7
(c) (g) * (4a−3 b4 )−3
x−2

Problem 6. Simplify by writing each expression with positive exponents only.

82 6x−2
(a) (b)
84 x5

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 −2y −1 (2−4 t−5 )4 (2t4 )−2
(c) (f)
16y −6 (23 t−7 )4

(d) 5x3 (2−1 x4 )−3 2x−3 y −1

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(g) *
(x−2 y −5 )−2

a−8 b−5 c−1

(e) *
a9 b4 c7

Radical Notation

1 √
The expression a n = n
a, where n is a natural number, that is

n is even √
a is positive n
a is the positive real number
whose nthe power
√ is a.
For example 16 = 2 since 2 > 0 and 24 = 16
4

n is odd √
a is any real number n
a is the real number (positive or negative)
whose nthe power
√ is a.
For example −64 = −4 since (−4)3 = −64
3

√
n
For any natural number n, 0=0

Index Radical Symbol

↘√ ↓
n
a ← Radicand
Radical Expression:

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Problem 7. Write each root using exponents and evaluate (if possible).
√ √
(a) 3 8 (c) * 3 −64

√ √
(b) *− 4 1000 (d) 4
−81

m
The expression a n , where n is a natural number and m is any integer
m
 1 m √
m
a = an
n = na or
m 1 √
a n = (am ) n = n am

3 √ 3 3 √ √
For example 4 2 = 4 = 23 = 8 or 4 2 = 43 = 64 = 8.

Problem 8. Write the expression in radical form and evaluate (if possible).
1 3
(a) *−81 2 (e) 16 4

(b) * −32 5
1 (f) −4 2

 2
1 1 3
(c) * t 2 (g) *
27

3 3
(d) 9 2 (h) * 625− 4

Problem 9. Simplify. Assume all variables represent nonzero real numbers.

 2
· − 15 5
(a) * b a

3 1
z 2 z− 4
(b) * 1
z3

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Linear Equations and the Addition Property

Linear Equation in One Variable

A linear equation in one variable can be written in the form

ax + b = c,

where a, b, and c are real numbers and a ̸= 0.

Equivalent equations are equations that have the same solution. To solve a linear equation
in x, we write a series of simpler equations, all equivalent to the original equation, so that the
final equation has x isolated on one side of the equation:

x = number or number = x

Problem 10. * For each value y, determine whether it is a solution to 3y + 1 = 10

y Is a solution Is not a solution

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Addition Property of Equality

If a, b, and c are real numbers, then

a = b and a + c = b + c

are equivalent equations.

Note: Since subtraction can be written as addition of negatives, we may also subtract the same
number from both sides without changing the solution.

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Multiplication Property of Equality
If a, b, and c are real numbers, and c ̸= 0 then

a = b and a · c = b · c

are equivalent equations.

Note: Since divisions can be written as multiplication by reciprocal, we may also divide both
sides of the equation by the same non-zero number without changing the solution.

Problem 11. Solve each equation. Check each solution.

(a) 8y + 1 = −7

3
(b) x−2=4
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General Strategy of Solving Linear Equations

Step 1. Multiply both sides by the least common denominator (LCD) to clear the equation
of fractions if they occur.
Step 2. Use the distributive property to remove parentheses if they occur.
Step 3. Simplify each side of the equation by combining like terms.
Step 4. Get all variable terms on one side and all numbers on the other side by using the
addition property of equality.
Step 5. Get the variable alone by using the multiplication property of equality.
Step 6. Check the solution by substituting it into the original equation.

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Example 1: Example 2:
x 3 5x
− =7−
2(x − 3) − 17 = 13 − 3(x + 2)  3  2 2 
2x − 6 − 17 = 13 − 3x − 6 x 3 5x
6· − =6· 7−
2x − 23 = 7 − 3x 3 2 2
x 3 5x
2x + 3x − 23 = 7 − 3x + 3x 6· −6· =6·7−6·
3 2 2
5x − 23 = 7 2x − 9 = 42 − 15x
5x − 23 + 23 = 7 + 23 2x + 15x − 12 = 42 − 15x + 15x
5x = 30 17x − 9 = 42
5x 30
= 17x − 9 + 9 = 42 + 9
5 5
17x = 51
x=6
17x 51
=
17 17
x=3

Problem 12. Solve each equation. Check each solution.

(a) 11x − (6x − 5) = 40

(b) w − 9 + 2(6w + 2) = −2(w + 5)

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(c) * −5(−6u + 8) − 9u = 5(u − 7) − 7

5x − 24
(d) * = −7
−3

4 5
(e) * x+2=
9 6

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 w−2 3w + 2
(f) * =8−
3 6

1 7 2
(g) * − u − = −
3 6 7

x+1 x+2
(h) =5−
3 7

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 1 1 7
(i) * −5y + =− y−
5 5 2

Identities and Contradictions

So far we worked with equations that have one solution. Equations that have finitely many solutions
are called conditional.

We call an equation an identity if all real numbers are solutions to it.

We call an equation a contradiction if no real number is a solution to it.

In set notation, we can indicate that there is no solution with the empty set, { }, or use the empty
set or null set symbol, ∅.

Example of an identity: x + 5 = x + 5
Example of a contradiction: x + 1 = x + 5

Hint: If while solving equation the variable x got eliminated and the remaining equation is
true, we have an identity; if it is false, we have a contradiction.

Problem 13. For each equation, decide whether it has no solution, one solution, or all real numbers
are solutions.

(a) * −6(w + 1) = 2(1 − 3w) − 8

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 (b) * −2(x + 2) + 7 = 3(x + 6)

(c) 11x − (6x − 5) = 1 + 5(x + 2)

Solving for a Specified Variable

A formula is an example of a literal equation (an equation involving letters).

Problem 14. Solve each formula or equation for the specified variable.

(a) 11y + 8 = 2(4y + 5w) − 6z, for y.

g−h+k
(b) * f = , for k.
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(c) * z = 5(x − 3), for x.

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Application of Linear Equations

Problem 1. Michael must build a rectangular storage shed. He wants the length to be 6 ft greater
than the width, and the perimeter will be 44 ft. Find the length and the width of the
shed.

Problem 2. The length of a rectangle is twice its width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 54 ft,
find its length and width.

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Motion Problems
In a motion problem, the three components distance, rate (also called the speed or velocity),
and time are denoted by the letters d, r, and t, respectively. These variables are related by the
following equations.
d d
d = rt, and its related forms r = and t = .
t r

Problem 3. Anna drove to her grandmother’s house for a weekend visit. She averaged 40 mph
driving there on Friday. As she returned home on Sunday, traffic was lighter, so she
was able to average 48 mph, and her driving time was 1 hr less. What is the distance
between Anna’s home and that of her grandmother?

Problem 4. *Two trains leave the station at the same time, one heading west and the other east.
The westbound train travels at 85 miles per hour. The eastbound train travels at 105
miles per hour. How long will it take for the two trains to be 456 miles apart? Do not
do any rounding.

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Investment/Expense Problems
In mixed investment problems, multiply the principal amount P by the interest rate r, ex-
pressed as a decimal, and the time t, in years, to find the amount of interest earned I.

I = P rt Simple interest formula

Problem 5. *Debra deposits $500 into an account that pays simple interest at a rate of 4% per
year. How muchi nterest will she be paid in the first 5 years?

Problem 6. * Linda sold t-shirts at a festival. She made $6 for each t-shirt she sold. Her expenses
were $30. If she made a profit of $84, how many t-shirts did she sell?

(a) Write an equation that could be used to answer the question above. First, choose
the appropriate form. Then, fill in the blanks with the numbers 6, 30, and 84.
Let x represent the number of t-shirts.

□x + □ = □
□x − □ = □

(b) Solve the equation in part (a) to find the number of t-shirts.

Problem 7. * Today only, a sofa is being sold at a 34% discount. The sale price is $231. What was
the price yesterday?

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