Dawson College

Mathematics Department
Calculus I, 201-MA1-DW, Fall 2023

1.1-Precalculus
Noushin Sabetghadam
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Sets of Numbers and Intervals
We start our "Precalculus Review" by recalling some symbols and rules
from "High School Algebra". So, let us rst recall some important number
sets:
 The Natural numbers: N = {1, 2, 3, ...};
 The Integers, or as some call them, the whole numbers: Z = {..., −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, ...};
 The Rational numbers: Q = { ab | a, b ∈ Z, b 6= 0};
 The Real numbers: R which includes all the rational as well as irrational
numbers; every real number corresponds to a unique point on the so-called
real number line also known as real number axis:

the
origin
p p p s p p p -

−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

Intervals Graphs
[a, b] t t -
[a, b) a
t db -
(a, b] a
d tb -
(a, b) a
d db -
(−∞, b) a b
d -
(−∞, b] b
t -
(a, ∞) d b -
[a, ∞) a
t -
a
 Integer Exponents in Algebra
Definition. an is an exponential expression, where a is the base and the
integer n > 0 is the exponent (or power), dened as:
an = |a · a ·{za · · · a} .
n times

Note, in particular, that a1 = a. We now extent this denition, as follows,

to also include the non-positive exponents:
1
a0 = 1, and a−n = , where a 6= 0.
an

The Main Properties

 am · an = am+n ; am
 a m
 = ;
b bm
am
 n = am−n ; a−m bn
a  −n = m ;
b a
 (am )n = amn ;  a −n  b n
 = .
 (ab)m = am bm ; b a

Now, let us simplify and express the answers of the following expressions
with positive exponents only:
(a)
a2 · a3 a2+3 a5 1 1
2 3
= 2·3 = 6 = a5−6 = a−1 = 1 = .
(a ) a a a a
(b)
2
2a2 (2a2 )2 22 (a2 )2 4a4

= = 2 3 2 = 6.
3b3 (3b3 )2 3 (b ) 9b
(c)
(3x2 )−2 (2y3 )3 23 (y3 )3 8y9
= = = .
(2y3 )−3 (3x2 )2 32 (x2 )2 9x4
(d)
(2xy)−3 (yx−1 )0 (x2 y)2 x4 y2 x
= = = .
((−x)2 y)−2 (2xy)3 8x3 y3 8y
 Examples

Simplify and express the answer with positive exponents only:

x3 x−4 6. (−2a)−3 b3 (3a2 b−1 )2
1.
x11
(x2 y−1 )4
 −1 2 3
x y 7. −5 −2 3
2. (y x )
y3 x
−2
2r−3 s2

3.
0 −4
(ab ) (a b ) 2 −2 −3
8.
−4s−1 r2
(a5 b−3 )−2

(2x3 )−2 (x−2 y3 )−2 (6x2 y5 )−2

4. 9.
(−3x4 )−1 (−3xy2 )−1

(−2)−2 x−1 y2 (2x−2 y3 )−1 (x3 y−2 )0

5. 10.
y3 x−2 (−x)−3 y−2

Answers
1 3. 1 5.
x 7. x14 y11 9.
−x
1. 4y
x12 12y14

1 −3 9ab 4r10 −x5

2. 6 3 4. 2 6. 8. 6 10.
xy 4x −8 s 2y

Fractional Exponents and Radicals

Definition. The nth root of A is a number whose nth power is A, that is
to say, √
if rn = A,
1 n
An = A=r
where n ≥ 1 is an integer. In this notation, n is called the \index" and A
is called the \radicand" of the √
radical.√ In the absence of index, the index is
understood as 2, that is to say, A = 2 A.
In general, the rational exponents are dened as follows:
m √
n
 √ m
n
A n = Am = A .
 Remark 1. If n is odd (i.e., if n = 1, 3, 5, ...), then such r always exists; it
is unique and has the same sign as A does. And if n is even (if n = 2, 4, 6, ...),
then r exists if and only if A ≥ 0.
√
Remark 2. For any real number a, a2 = |a| (read absolute value of
√) that√is dened p
a as |a| = a√if a ≥ 0 and |a| = −a if a < 0. Therefore
2 = 4 = 2 and (−2)2 = 4 = 2.
2

Multiplication, Division and Power Rules of Radicals:

√ √ √
 A B = AB;
n n n

r √
n
A A

n
= √
n
;
B B
√ √
 Am .
n mn
A=

Let us simplify some radical expressiopns:

√ √ √ √
(a) 50 = 25 2 = 5 2;
√ √ √ √
(b) 12x2 = 4x2 3 = 2x 3, provided that x > 0;
√ √ √ √
(c) 96 = 8 12 = 2 12;
3 3 3 3

√ √
(d) 43/2 = 43 = 64 = 8;

(e)(−3)5/3 · (−3)4/3 = (−3)5/3+4/3 = (−3)9/3 = (−3)3 = −27;

1/3
(f ) 8x9 y6 = 81/3 (x9 )1/3 (y6 )1/3 = 2x3 y2 ;

Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

Expressions containing radicals can be added or subtracted if they are sim-

ilar. Two radical expressions are called similar if they have the same radicand
and the same index.
We will add/subtract and simplify the following expressions:
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
(g) 27 + 3 2 + 12 − 2 18 = 3 3 + 3 2 + 2 3 − 6 2 = 5 3 − 3 2
 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
(h) (3 + 6)(2 − 6) = 3 · 2 − 3 6 + 2 6 − 6 6 = 6 − 6 − 6 = − 6;

Rationalizing Denominators

Given a fraction with radical(s) in its denominator, sometimes we need to

remove the radical(s) from the denominator without changing the value of
the whole fraction, a process known as “rationalizing the denominator’'.
In order to do so, one has to multiply the denominator as well as the nu-
merator by a suitable expression, so that the radical(s) disappear from the
denominator. We illustrate this through a number of examples.
Rationalize the denominator and simplify if possible:
√ √
2 2 5 2 5
(i) √ = √ · √ = ;
5 5 5 5
√ √ √
8 8 11 + 3 8( 11 + 3) 8( 11 + 3) √
(j) √ =√ ·√ = √ 2 = = 4( 11 +
11 − 3 11 − 3 11 + 3 2
11 − 32
3);
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
5− 3 5 − 3 5 − 3 5 − 2 15 + 3 8 − 2 15 √
(k) √ √ =√ √ ·√ √ = = = 4− 15.
5+ 3 5+ 3 5− 3 5−3 2

In the last example, we will simplify the fraction and rationalize it.
(l)
√ √
3+ 6 3+ 6
√ √ √ √ = √ √ √ √
5 3 − 2 48 − 32 + 50 5 3 −√8 3 − 4 2 + 5 2
3+ 6
= √ √
2 − 3√ 3 √ √
(3 + 6)( 2 + 3 3)
= √ √ √ √
( 2 − 3 3)( 2 + 3 3)
√ √
12 2 + 11 3
= .
−25
 Examples

Simplify, assuming that all the variables are positive where it is needed.
√ √ √ √
1. ( 2 − 3)( 2 + 3) 6. 3a3 b7 27ab3
√ √
2. (2 3 + 1)(2 3 − 1) √ √ √
√ √ √
7. 3
6x( 3x − 2)
3. ( 8 − 2 3)(2 20 − 3)
√ √ √
√ √ √ √ 8. 15ab( 5a − 3b)
4. (3 3 − 18)(3 2 − 27)
√ √ √ √
5. 9. ( 3x +
p p
3x5 15x3 2x3 y)( 18x + 12y)

Answers
1. -7 6. 9a2 b5
2. 11 √ √
√ √ √ √ 7. 3x2 2 − 2 3x
3. 8 10 − 6 2 − 8 15 + 6 3
√ √
√ 8. 5a 3b − 3b 5a
4. 18 6 − 45
√ √ √ √ √
5. 3x4 5 9. 3x 6 + 6 xy + 6x2 y + 2xy 6x

Polynomials and Their Operations

Definition. A polynomial in a variable, say x, is an expression in x whose

terms may be arranged in descending powers of x as follows
P(x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a1 x + a0 ,

where n is a positive integer; an , an−1 , ..., a1 and a0 (called the \coefficients"

of P(x)) are real numbers (positive, negative or even zero) and where the
variable x may assume any value. The highest power of x appearing in the
expression is called the degree of the polynomial:
deg P(x) = n provided an 6= 0.
And nally, the term an xn is called the leading term of P(x).
 Notes: (1) A polynomial with one term only is often referred to as a
monomial , a polynomial with two terms as binomial, and a polynomial with
three terms as trinomial;
(2) A polynomial may contain more than one variable in it, for instance
P(x, y) = 2x3 y + 5xy − y2 is a polynomial in two variables and Q(a, b, c) =
a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca is a polynomial in three variables;

(3) If two monomials have the same variable(s) and the corresponding
powers of all the variables involved are equal, then the two monomials are
said to be \similar terms" (or \like terms"). For example, 4x2 yz3 and
−3x2 yz3 are like terms, whereas 5xyz2 and 6xy2 z2 are not like terms.

Arithmetic Operations on Polynomials

(I) Addition/Subtraction: To add or subtract two polynomials we sim-

ply add or subtract the coecients of the like terms.

(II) Multiplication: To multiply two polynomials we multiply each term

of the rst polynomial to each term of the second polynomial, based on the
Distribution Law:

A(K + L + · · · ) = AK + AL + · · · ,
(A + B + · · · )(K + L + · · · ) = AK + AL + · · · + BK + BL + · · · .

Here are some examples:

(a) (x2 + 1)(2x − 7) = x2 · 2x + x2 · (−7) + 1 · 2x + 1 · (−7) = 2x3 − 7x2 + 2x − 7,

(b) (a + b)(a2 − ab + b2 ) = a3 − a2 b + ab2 + a2 b − ab2 + b3 = a3 + b3 .

Some Useful Product Formulas

 \square of a binomial" identity:

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 and (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2

  \difference of squares" identity1 :

(a − b)(a + b) = a2 − b2

 \sum/difference of cubes" identity:

(a + b)(a2 − ab + b2 ) = a3 + b3 and (a − b)(a2 + ab + b2 ) = a3 − b3

(III) Division: The division of two polynomials entitled \Long Division"

is not needed in this course.
Examples
(i) Expand and simplify completely.

1. 2a(a2 − 3ab + 2b) − 3b(2a2 − 4a + 1)

2. 5t2 (t3 − 2t2 + t − 1) + 3t(t4 − t2 + 4)
3. 3xy2 (x − y) + 2x(xy2 − x + y3 )
4. (3x2 − 2x + 5)(x2 − 2)
5. 2x(3x + 2y)(2x + 2y + 3)
(ii) Use the special identities to expand and simplify the following expres-
sions.
1. (2x + 1)2 4. (5x2 + 2)(5x2 − 2)
2. (4x − 3y)2 5. (y + 2)(y2 − 2y + 4)
3. (3x − 2y)(3x + 2y) 6. (3x − 2)(9x2 + 6x + 4)
(iii) Expand and simplify. Use the identities if it is applicable.

1. (x − 1)2 (x + 1)2 4. −2x(2x + 1)(4x2 − 2x + 1)

2. 3(a + 2)2 − (2a + 1)(2a − 1) 5. (x2 + y2 )(x + y)(x − y)
3. (1 + 2x)3 6. 3(x2 − 1)(x2 + 1) − (x2 + 2)2
1
Also known as the \conjugate" identity.
 Answers
(i)

1. 4a3 − 12a2 b + 16ab − 3b 4. 3x4 − 2x3 − x2 + 4x − 10

2. 8t5 − 10t4 + 2t3 − 5t2 + 12t 5. 12x3 + 20x2 y + 18x2 + 8xy2 + 12xy
3. 5x2 y2 − xy3 − 2x2
(ii)

1. 4x2 + 4x + 1 4. 25x4 − 4
2. 16x2 − 24xy + 9y2 5. y3 + 8
3. 9x2 − 4y2 6. 27x3 − 8
(iii)

1. x4 − 2x2 + 1 4. −16x4 − 2x
2. −a2 + 12a + 13 5. x4 − y4
3. 1 + 6x + 12x2 + 8x3 6. 2x4 − 4x2 − 7

Factoring and Techniques of Factorization

In this section we are concerned exclusively with factoring polynomials

over the integers. This means specically that a given polynomial needs
to be written as a product of polynomials with lower degrees such that all
the coecients of all the polynomials involved must be among the integer
numbers.
In what follows, we introduce a number of rather simple yet powerful tech-
niques for factoring polynomials.

(I) Take out the Greatest Common Factor (G.C.F): The idea here is
to pull out as much as we can, based on the formal equality
AK + AL + · · · = A(K + L + · · · ).
 (a) 8x3 − 12x2 + 24x = 4x(2x2 − 3x + 6), as the G.C.F = 4x;

(b) 2x2 (x + 1) − 7(x + 1) = (x + 1)(2x2 − 7), as the G.C.F = (x + 1);

(II) Factoring by Grouping: Sometimes one puts the terms of a given

expression into groups and in each group one takes out the G.C.F. of that
group; this would often open a window towards the factorization! Let us
illustrate this technique through a few examples:
(c)

x2 + xy + 3x + 3y = x2 + xy + 3x + 3y
| {z } | {z }
group 1 group 2
= x(x + y) + 3(x + y)
= (x + y)(x + 3);

(d)

4x2 + 10x − 6x − 15 = (4x 2

| {z + 10x}) − (6x + 15})
| {z
group 1 group 2
= 2x(2x + 5) − 3(2x + 5)
= (2x + 5)(2x − 3);

(III) Factoring Quadratic Expressions ax2 + bx + c:

• Factoring Special Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c

A quadratic expression of the type x2 + bx + c is factorable over integers if
there exist two integer numbers ‘‘m" and ‘‘n" such that

m+n=b and mn = c.
If that is the case, then we have the factorization:

x2 + bx + c = (x + m)(x + n),

(e) x2 + 6x + 5 = (x + 5)(x + 1) since 5 + 1 = 6 and (5) · (1) = 5.

(f ) x2 + 7x − 30 = (x − 3)(x + 10) since −3 + 10 = 7 and (−3) · (10) = −30.

 • Factoring General Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c
Given the more general quadratic expression ax2 + bx + c, we look for two
numbers ‘‘m" and ‘‘n" whose sum is b, and whose product is, not just c, but
ac:

m+n=b and mn = ac.

It is with the help of these two numbers that we form the right groups and
then proceed, as illustrated below:
(g) To factor 5x2 − 7x − 6, we look for two integers whose sum is −7 and
whose product is 5 · (−6) = −30. As the numbers are −10 and 3, we proceed
as follows:
5x2 − 7x − 6 = 5x2 − 10x + 3x − 6
= 5x(x − 2) + 3(x − 2)
= (x − 2)(5x + 3).

(h) To factor 10x2 − 23x + 12, we look for two integers whose sum is −23
and whose product is 10 · 12 = 120. As the numbers are −15 and −8, we
proceed as follows:
10x2 − 23x + 12 = 10x2 − 15x − 8x + 12
= 5x(2x − 3) − 4(2x − 3)
= (2x − 3)(5x − 4).

(IV) Using Special Identities: If possible, we apply any one of the fol-
lowing identities:

 a2 − b2 = (a − b)(a + b);
 a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2 and a2 − 2ab + b2 = (a − b)2 ;
 a3 − b3 = (a − b)(a2 + ab + b2 ) and a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 − ab + b2 ).

Note that, in applications, a and/or b may be replaced by anything: num-

ber(s), variable(s), etc.
Examples
(i) y4 − 6y2 + 9 = (y2 − 3)2 ; [using a2 − 2ab + b2 = (a − b)2 ]
 (j) (x2 + y)2 − 25 = (x2 + y)2 − 52 = (x2 + y − 5)(x2 + y + 5).

(V) Using all the Techniques Discussed so far(!):

(k)

(x2 − 9)2 + 8x(x2 − 9) = (x2 − 9)[(x2 − 9) + 8x]

= (x − 3)(x + 3)(x2 + 8x − 9)
= (x − 3)(x + 3)(x − 1)(x + 9);

Examples

Factor Completely.
1. 128x4 − 8y2 x2 7. x4 − x2 − 20
2. 10x4 − 270x 8. x4 − 16
3. y2 x − 3y2 − 4x + 12 9. 12x3 y − 30x2 y − 18xy
4. t2 (t − 2) − (t − 2) 10. 8x4 (x − 4) − 27x(x − 4)
5. a3 (a + b)2 + b3 (a + b)2 11. (x + 1)2 − (x + 1) − 6
6. (5x + 7)2 − 16 12. 7x4 + 7x3 − 140x2

Answers

1. 8x2 (4x − y)(4x + y) 7. (x2 − 5)(x2 + 4)

2. 10x(x − 3)(x2 + 3x + 9) 8. (x2 + 4)(x − 2)(x + 2)
3. (x − 3)(y − 2)(y + 2) 9. 6xy(2x + 1)(x − 3)
4. (t − 2)(t − 1)(t + 1) 10. x(x − 4)(2x − 3)(4x2 + 6x + 9)
5. (a + b)2 (a + b)(a2 + ab + b2 ) 11. (x − 2)(x + 3)
6. (5x + 3)(5x + 11) 12. 7x2 (x + 5)(x − 4)
 Solving Quadratic Equations

Definition. An equation in x that can be (re)written in the \standard\

form of
ax2 + bx + c = 0,
where a, b and c are real numbers and a 6= 0, is called a quadratic equation.
Given a quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, we call the quantity
∆ = b2 − 4ac
the discriminant of the equation. One signicance of ∆ comes from the
following criterion concerning the number of solutions:
(I) If ∆ > 0, then the equation has two distinct solutions;
(II) If ∆ = 0, then the equation has one repeated solution, that is to say,
the two solutions are equal;
(III) And nally if ∆ < 0, then no real number is a solution to the
equation!
Examples
(1) The equation 5x2 −3x−2 = 0 has two solutions, as ∆ = (−3)2 −4·5·(−2) =
49 > 0; [the solutions are x1 = 1 and x2 = −2/5].
(2) The equation 4x2 + 12x + 9 = 0 has only one solution, since ∆ =
122 − 4 · 4 · 9 = 0; [the solutions are x1 = x2 = −3/2].
(3) And the equation x2 +x+1 = 0 has no solutions at all, as ∆ = 12 −4·1·1 =
−3 < 0.
The other signicance of the discriminant is that it participates in the
quadratic formula:

Quadratic Formula:
Given the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 with ∆ ≥ 0, the solution(s) to
the equation are given by

√ √
−b ± ∆ −b ± b2 − 4ac
x1 , x 2 = =
2a 2a
 Remark 1. If ∆ = 0, then the formula above will reduce to a unique
−b
solution: x1 = x2 = .
2a
Examples
(4) Solve for x: 5x2 − 3x − 2 = 0.

Solution. As ∆ = 49, we have

√
−(−3) ± 49 3±7 2
x1 , x 2 = = = 1, − .
2·5 10 5
(5) Solve for x: 4x2 + 12x + 9 = 0.

Solution. As ∆ = 0, we get
12 3
x1 = x2 = − =− .
2·4 2

(6) Solve for x: x2 = 4x − 1.

Solution. The standard form of the equation is x2 − 4x + 1 = 0, and thus

∆ = 12. Therefore, we have
√ √ √
−(−4) ± 12 4 ± 2 3 2(2 ± 3) √
x1 , x 2 = = = = 2 ± 3.
2·1 2 2

(7) Solve for x: x2 = x − 1 .

Solution. The standard form of the equation is x2 − x + 1 = 0; as ∆ = −3 <

0, the equation has no solution.

Remark 2. Sometimes, instead of applying the quadratic formula dis-

played in the box above, one may use the so-called Square-Root Property

If X2 = k, (k > 0)
√
then X = ± k

Examples
(8) Solve for x: 2(x − 1)2 − 1 = 5.

Solution. First we simplify and then we use Square Root Property.:

2(x − 1)2 = 6 =⇒ (x − 1)2 = 3

√
=⇒ x − 1 = ±√ 3
=⇒ x = 1 ± 3.

(9) Solve for x: (2x + 1)2 = 5.

Solution. Using the Square Root Property, we may write

2
√
(2x + 1) = 5 =⇒ 2x + 1 = ± 5
√
=⇒ 2x = −1 ± 5√
−1 ± 5
=⇒ x1 , x2 = .
2

(10) Solve for a: a2 + 6a = 3.

Solution. First we convert the left side into a perfect square and then
we apply Square Root Property:
a2 + 6a + 9 = 3 + 9 =⇒ (a + 3)2 = 12
√
=⇒ a + 3 = ± √12
=⇒ a = −3 ± 2 3.
 Solving Equations by Factoring
Given a standard quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, where the expression
ax2 + bx + c can be factorized, the equation can be easily solved using the
Zero-Factor Property which states that:

If AB = 0 then A = 0 or B = 0.

First we make sure that the equation is written in standard form, then we
factor the expression completely and nally we use the Zero-Factor Property
to nd the solutions. This method can be applied to any polynomial equation
of any degree that is factorable too.
Examples
(11) Solve for x: x2 − 2x − 3 = 0.

Solution.
x2 − 2x − 3 = 0 =⇒ (x − 3)(x + 1) = 0
=⇒ x − 3 = 0, x + 1 = 0
=⇒ x = 3, x = −1.

(12) Solve for x: 3x2 = 5x − 2.

Solution.
3x2 − 5x + 2 = 0 =⇒ (3x − 2)(x − 1) = 0
=⇒ 3x − 2 = 0, x − 1 = 0
2
=⇒ x = , x = 1.
3

(13) Solve for x: 2x3 − x2 = 8x − 4.

Solution.
2x3 − x2 − 8x + 4 = 0 =⇒ (x2 − 4)(2x − 1) = 0
=⇒ (x − 2)(x + 2)(2x − 1) = 0
1
=⇒ x = 2, x = −2, x = .
2
 Examples

Solve the equations.

1. x2 − 2x − 2 = 0 10. x3 − 10x2 − 39x = 0
2. x2 = 4x + 3 11. y2 + (y + 1)2 = 41
3. 5a2 − 4a − 3 = 0
12. t(t + 8) = −15
4. 3x = 6x − 2
2

13. x3 − 6x2 + 7x = 0
5. x2 = 10x + 5
14. (4x − 1)(2x − 3) = −2
6. (x − 1)2 = 6
7. (x + 3)(x − 2) = 2 x+1 3x
15. =
2x − 1 x − 1
8. (x + 2)(2x − 1) = x2 − 1
−3 x−1
9. 5x = 7x + 6
2 16. =
2x + 1 x2

Answers
√ √
1. x1 = 1 − 3, x2 = 1 + 3 3
9. x1 = − , x2 = 2
√ √ 5
2. x1 = 2 − 7, x2 = 2 + 7
√ √ 10. x1 = −3, x2 = 0, x3 = 13
2− 19 2+ 19
3. a1 = , a2 =
5 5 11. y1 = −5, y2 = 4
√ √
3− 3 3+ 3
4. x1 = , x2 = 12. t1 = −5, t2 = −4
3 3
√ √ √ √
5. x1 = 5 − 30, x2 = 5 + 30 13. x1 = 0, x2 = 3 − 2, x3 = 3 + 2
√ √
6. x1 = 1 − 6, x2 = 1 + 6 1
14. x1 = , x2 =
5
√ √ 2 4
−1 − 33 −1 + 33
7. x1 = , x2 = 15. No Solution!
2 2
√ √ √ √
−3 − 13 −3 + 13 1 − 21 1 + 21
8. x1 = , x2 = 16. x1 = , x2 =
2 2 10 10