Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to Exercise 2A
1a
1 3
30% = 30 × =
100 10
1b
1 4
80% = 80 × =
100 5
1c
1 3
75% = 75 × =
100 4
1d
1 1
5% = 5 × =
100 20
2a
6
60% = = 0.6
10
2b
27
27% = = 0.27
100
2c
9
9% = = 0.09
100
2d
165
16.5% = = 0.165
1000
3a
1 1 100
= × % = 25%
4 4 1
3b
2 2 100
= × % = 40%
5 5 1
3c
6 6 100
= × % = 24%
25 25 1
3d
13 13 100
= × % = 65%
20 20 1
4a
32 100
0.32 = × % = 32%
100 1
4b
9 100
0.09 = × % = 9%
100 1
4c
225 100
0.225 = × % = 22.5%
1000 1

© Cambridge University Press 2019 1

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

4d
150 100
1.5 = × % = 150%
100 1
5a
4 4 ÷ 4 1
= =
12 12 ÷ 4 3
5b
8 8 ÷ 2 4
= =
10 10 ÷ 2 5
5c
10 10 ÷ 5 2
= =
15 15 ÷ 5 3
5d
21 21 ÷ 7 3
= =
28 28 ÷ 7 4
5e
16 16 ÷ 8 2
= =
40 40 ÷ 8 5
5f
21 21 ÷ 3 7
= =
45 45 ÷ 3 15
5g
24 24 ÷ 6 4
= =
42 42 ÷ 6 7
5h
45 45 ÷ 9 5
= =
54 54 ÷ 9 6
5i
36 36 ÷ 12 3
= =
60 60 ÷ 12 5
5j
54 54 ÷ 18 3
= =
72 72 ÷ 18 4
6a
1 5
= = 0.5
2 10
6b
1 2
= = 0.2
5 10
6c
3 6
= = 0.6
5 10
6d
3 75
= = 0.75
4 100
8e
1 4
= = 0.04
25 100

© Cambridge University Press 2019 2

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

6f
7 35
= = 0.35
20 100
6g
1 125
= = 0.125
8 1000
6h
5 625
= = 0.625
8 1000
7a
4 2
0.4 = =
10 5
7b
25 1
0.25 = =
100 4
7c
15 3
0.15 = =
100 20
7d
16 4
0.16 = =
100 25
7e
78 39
0.78 = =
100 50
7f
5 1
0.005 = =
1000 200
7g
375 3
0.375 = =
1000 8
7h
264 33
0.264 = =
1000 125
8a
1
= 0.33333 … = 0. 3̇
3
8b
2
= 0.66666 … = 0. 6̇
3
8c
1
= 0.11111 … = 0. 1̇
9
8d
5
= 0.55555 … = 0. 5̇
9
8e
3
= 0.272727 … = 0. 2̇7̇
11

© Cambridge University Press 2019 3

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

8f
1
= 0.090909 … = 0. 0̇9̇
11
8g
1
= 0.16666 … = 0.16̇
6
8h
5
= 0.83333 … = 0.83̇
6
9a
1 1 1×2 1 3
+ = + =
2 4 4 4 4
9b
3 2 3 2×2 7
+ = + =
10 5 10 10 10
9c
1 1 1×3 1×2 5
+ = + =
2 3 6 6 6
9d
2 2 2×5 2×3 4
− = − =
3 5 15 15 15
9e
1 1 1×3 1×2 5
+ = + =
6 9 18 18 18
9f
5 3 5×2 3×3 1
− = − =
12 8 24 24 24
9g
7 2 7×3 2×2 5
+ = + =
10 15 30 30 6
9h
2 1 2×3 1×5 1
− = − =
25 15 75 75 75
10a
1 20
× 20 = = 5
4 4
10b
2 24
× 12 = = 8
3 3
10c
1 1 1
× =
2 5 10
10d
1 3 3 1
× = =
3 7 21 7
10e
2 5 10 1
× = =
5 8 40 4

© Cambridge University Press 2019 4

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

10f
1 3
2 ÷ = 2× = 6
3 1
10g
3 3 1 1
÷ 3 = × =
4 4 3 4
10h
1 1 1 2 2
÷ = × =
3 2 3 1 3
10i
1 3 3 8
1 ÷ = × = 4
2 8 2 3
10j
5 2 5 3 1
÷ 1 = × =
12 3 12 5 4
11a
24 = 23 ×3
11b
60 = 22 ×3×5
11c
72 = 23 ×32
11d
126 = 2×32 ×7
11e
104 = 23 ×13
11f
135 = 33 ×5
11g
189 = 33 ×7
11h
294 = 2×3×72
11i
315 = 32 ×5×7
11j
605 = 5×112
12a
100% is $5
1% is $0.05
12% is $0.60
12b
100% is 200kg
1% is 2kg
7.5% is 15kg
12c
100% is $6000
10% is $600
130% is $7800

© Cambridge University Press 2019 5

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

12d
1
100% is 1 hours or 1.5 hours
2
10% is 0.15 hours
1
80% is 1.2 hours or 1 hours
5
13a
33 132
= = 0.132
250 1000
13b
1 25
= = 0.025
40 1000
13c
5 3125
= = 0.3125
16 10000
13d
27 3375
= = 0.3375
80 10000
13e
7
= 0.5833333 … = 0.583̇
12
13f
9
1 = 1.818181 … = 1. 8̇1̇
11
13g
2
= 0.133333 … = 0.13̇
15
13h
13
= 0.2363636 … = 0.23̇6̇
55
14a
588 588 ÷ 42 14
= =
630 630 ÷ 42 15
14b
455 455 ÷ 91 5
= =
1001 1001 ÷ 91 11
14c
500 500 ÷ 500 1
= =
1000000 1000000 ÷ 500 2000

15a
105% is $840
1% is $8
100% is $800
15b
90% is $144
10% is $16

© Cambridge University Press 2019 6

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

100% is $160
15c
112.5% is $135
12.5% is $15
100% is $120
16a
1 2 3 4 5
= 0. 0̇9̇, = 0. 1̇8̇, = 0. 2̇7̇, = 0. 3̇6̇, = 0. 4̇5̇,
11 11 11 11 11
6 7 8 9 10
= 0. 5̇4̇, = 0. 6̇3̇, = 0. 7̇2̇, = 0. 8̇1̇, = 0. 9̇0̇
11 11 11 11 11
The first digit runs from 0 to 9, the second digit runs from 9 to 0.
16b
1 2 3
= 0. 1̇42857̇, = 0. 2̇85714̇, = 0. 4̇28571̇,
7 7 7
4 5 6
= 0. 5̇71428̇, = 0. 7̇14285̇, = 0. 8̇57142̇
7 7 7

The digits of each cycle are in the same order but start at a different place in the
cycle.
17a
1
= 0.3333333333 …
3
17b
−1
1
(( − 0.33333333) × 108 ) = 3.0000003
3
17c
−1
1 −1
(( − 0.33333333) × 10 ) = (0.000000003̇ × 108 )
8
3
−1
= (0. 3̇)
1 −1
= ( )
3
= 3
≠ 3.0000003
Fractions are not stored exactly.
18a
Suppose n is not a prime number. There are numbers a and b such that 𝑛 = 𝑎×𝑏
with 1 < 𝑎 ≤ 𝑏 < 𝑛. Therefore 𝑎2 ≤ 𝑎𝑏, or 𝑎2 ≤ 𝑛. Hence 𝑎 ≤ √𝑛
If n is not a prime, one of its factor is smaller than
This is why it is necessary to test for divisibility by primes up to √𝑛.
18b
√400 = 20.
All the prime less than 20 are: 2, 3, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19.
For all the prime numbers less than 400, the primes that we need to test the
divisibility by are 2, 3, 7, 11, 13, 17 and 19.

© Cambridge University Press 2019 7

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

18c
241, 367 and 379 are primes (not divisible by 2, 3, 7, 11, 13, 17 or 19)
247, 133 and 319 are not primes (247 = 13×19, 133 = 7×19, 319 = 11×29)
18d
Student dependant, for the primes up to 400, the procedure must include the test
of divisibility by 2, 3, 7, 11, 13, 17 and 19.
The primes up to 400 are 2 , 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53,
59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97, 101, 103, 107, 109, 113, 127, 131, 137, 139, 149,
151, 157, 163, 167, 173, 179, 181, 191, 193, 197, 199, 211, 223, 227, 229, 233,
239, 241, 251, 257, 263, 269, 271, 277, 281, 283, 293, 307, 311, 313, 317, 331,
337, 347, 349, 353, 359, 367, 373, 379, 383, 389 and 397.
√160000 = 400
To find the primes up to 160 000, the procedure must include the test of
divisibility by all the primes up to 400 (Using the previous resuls)
There are too many primes up to 160 000 to list here, the last one is 159 979.
√20 000 000 ≤ 4472

Using the previous list, the procedure must include the test of divisibility by all
the primes up to 4463, the last prime smaller than √20 000 000
19a
i 9 = 32 , the coprimes of nine are the numbers less than or equal to 9 that
are not multiples of the prime factors of 9 ( eliminate 3,6 and 9 from the list of
numbers less than or equal to 9).
Hence the coprimes of 9 are 1,2,4,7,8. 𝜑(9) = 9 − 3 = 6
ii 25 = 52 , the coprimes of 25 are the numbers less than or equal to 25 that
are not multiples of the prime factors of 25 ( eliminate 5,10, 15,20 and 25 from
the list of number less than or equal to 25).
Hence there are 20 coprimes of 25. 𝜑(25) = 25 − 5 = 20
iii 32 = 25 , the coprimes of 32 are the numbers less than or equal to 32 that
are not multiples of the prime factors of 32 ( eliminate all the 16 even numbers
from the list of number less than or equal to 32).
Hence there are 16 coprimes of 32. 𝜑(32) = 32 − 16 = 16
iv 45 = 32 ×5, the coprimes of 45 are the numbers less than or equal to 45
that are not multiples of the prime factors of 45 ( eliminate 3, 5,6,…,42,45) , from
the list of number less than or equal to 45).
Hence there are 24 coprimes of 45. 𝜑(45) = 45 − 21 = 24
19b
𝜑(21 ) = 1 (only 1 in the list of coprimes) and 1 = 21 − 20
𝜑(22 ) = 2 (only 1 and 3 in the list of coprimes) and 2 = 22 − 21
𝜑(23 ) = 4 (only 1, 3, 5 and 7 in the list of coprimes) and 4 = 23 − 22
𝜑(24 ) = 8 (only the odd numbers less than 16 in the list of coprimes)
and 8 = 24 − 23
The proposition is true for p=2 and 𝑘 = 1, 2,3,4

© Cambridge University Press 2019 8

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

19c
Using the formula 𝜙(𝑝𝑘 ) = 𝑝𝑘 − 𝑝𝑘−1 given in part b.
When 𝑝 = 3
𝜙(3𝑘 ) = 3𝑘 − 3𝑘−1 = 3×3𝑘−1 − 3𝑘−1 = 2×3𝑘−1
Q.E.D
Generalisation:
𝜙(𝑝𝑘 ) = 𝑝𝑘 − 𝑝𝑘−1 = 𝑝×3𝑘−1 − 𝑝𝑘−1 = (𝑝 − 1)×𝑝𝑘−1

© Cambridge University Press 2019 9

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to Exercise 2B
1a
3
Rational, − 3 = −
1
1b
1 3
Rational, 1 =
2 2
1c
Irrational
1d
2
Rational, √4 = 2 =
1
1e
3 3
Rational, √27 = 3 =
1
1f
Irrational
1g
4 2
Rational, √ =
9 3
1h
9
Rational, 0.45 =
20
1i
3
Rational, 12% =
25
1j
333
Rational, 0.333 =
1000
1k
1
Rational, 0. 3̇ =
3
1l
1 22
Rational, 3 =
7 7
1m
Irrational
1n
157
Rational, 3.14 =
50
1o
0
Rational, 0 =
1
2a
0.32 ≑ 0.3

© Cambridge University Press 2019 10

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2b
5.68 ≑ 5.7
2c
12.75 ≑ 12.8
2d
0.05 ≑ 0.1
2e
3.03 ≑ 3.0
2f
9.96 ≑ 10.0
3a
0.429 ≑ 0.43
3b
5.429 ≑ 5.4
3c
5.029 ≑ 5.0
3d
0.0429 ≑ 0.043
3e
429 ≑ 430
3f
4290 ≑ 4300
4a
√10 = 3.16227766 ≑ 3.162
4b
√47 = 6.8556546 ≑ 6.856
4c
9
= 0.5625 ≑ 0.563
16
4d
37
= 0.770833333 … ≑ 0.771
48
4e
𝜋 = 3.141592654 … ≑ 3.142
4f
𝜋 2 = 9.869604401 … ≑ 9.870
5a
√58 = 7.615773106 ≑ 7.62
5b
3
√133 = 5.104468722 ≑ 5.10
5c
622 = 3844 ≑ 3840
5d
145 = 537824 ≑ 538000
5e
4
√0.3 = 0.7400828045 ≑ 0.740

© Cambridge University Press 2019 11

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

5f
124−1 = 0.00806451612 ≑ 0.00806
6a
1
6b
2
6c
3
6d
2
6e
4
6f
1, 2 or 3
7a
i Closed
ii Open
iii Closed
iv Neither
v Open
vi Open
vii Closed
viii Neither
7b
i Bounded
ii Unbounded
iii Unbounded
iv Bounded
v Unbounded
vi Bounded
vii Unbounded
viii Bounded
8a
−2 < 𝑥 < 5

8b
−3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0

© Cambridge University Press 2019 12

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

8c
𝑥<7

8d
𝑥 ≤ −6

9a
67 × 29
= 45.18604651 ≑ 45.186
43
9b
67 + 29
= 2.23255814 ≑ 2.233
43
9c
67
= 0.05372894948 ≑ 0.054
43 × 29
9d
67
= 0.93055555 … ≑ 0.931
43 + 29
9e
67 + 29
= 0.8421052632 ≑ 0.842
43 + 71
9f
67 + 71
= 0.1106655974 ≑ 0.111
43 × 29
10a
√82 + 62 = √100 = 10, Rational
10b
√42 + 52 = √41, Irrational
10c
√172 − 152 = √64 = 8, Rational
10d
√3 − 22 = √5, Irrational
10e
12 42 169 13
√ + = √ = , Rational
3 5 225 15

© Cambridge University Press 2019 13

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

10f
√1172 − 1082 = √2025 = 45, Rational
11a
10−0.4 = 0.3981071706 ≑ 0.3981
11b
1
= 0.05263157895 ≑ 0.05263
240 − 13 × 17
11c
√6.5 + 8.3
= 1.424843264 ≑ 1.425
2.7
11d
3
√10.57 × 12.83 = 5.137681938 ≑ 5.138
11e
3.5 × 104
= 0.152173913 ≑ 0.1522
2.3 × 105
11f
20000 × (1.01)25 = 25648.6399 ≑ 25650
11g
11.3
= 5.15772075 ≑ 5.158
√19.5 − 14.7
11h
2 1
3 + 5
3 4 = 0.7890855457 ≑ 0.7891
1 4
42 + 6
5
11i
(87.3 × 104 ) ÷ (0.629 × 10−8 ) = 1.387917329 × 1014 ≑ 1.388 × 1014
11j
3
√3 + √4
4 5
= 1.134344256 ≑ 1.134
√5 + √6
11k
2 4 3 5
( ) × (4)
5 = 0.00589239369 ≑ 0.005892
6 2 2 3
( ) + ( )
7 3
11l
36.41 − 19.57
√ = 1.173431696 ≑ 1.173
23.62 − 11.39
12a
Circumference = 2𝜋𝑟, where 𝑟 is radius
10
30 ≑ 2𝜋 ( )
2
∴𝜋 ≑ 3

© Cambridge University Press 2019 14

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

12b

223 22
<𝜋<
71 7
3.14084507 < 𝜋 < 3.142857143
∴ 3 significant figures
12c
2.7 trillion digits
12d
22 ÷ 3.14159 = 7.00283411 ≑ 7 pythons
13a
1
(365 × 60 × 60 × 24) s × 2.997925 × 108 m⁄s
4
= 9.460731798 × 1015 m ≑ 9.46 × 1015 m
13b
2560000 × 9.46 × 1015 m = 2.42176 × 1022 m ≑ 2.4 × 1022 m
13c
1
13.8 × 109 × 365 4 × 60 × 60 × 24 s
= 4.3549488 × 1017 s ≑ 4.35 × 1017 s
13d
13.8 × 109 × 9.46 × 1015 m = 1.30548 × 1026 m ≑ 1.3 × 1026 m
14a
1.6726 × 10−27 ÷ 9.1095 × 10−31 = 0.1836105165 × 104
≑ 1.836 × 103
14b
1 ÷ (1.6726 × 10−27 ) = 5.978715772 × 1026 ≑ 6 × 1026
15
Suppose that √3 were a rational number.
𝑎
Then √3 could be written as a fraction in lowest terms.
𝑏
𝑎
That is, √3 = , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 have no common factor.
𝑏
We know that 𝑏 > 1 because √3 is not a whole number.
𝑎2
Squaring, 3 = 2 , where 𝑏 2 > 1 because 𝑏 > 1.
𝑏
𝑎 𝑎2
Because is in lowest terms, 2 is also in lowest terms,
𝑏 𝑏
𝑎2
which is impossible, because 2 = 3, but 𝑏 2 > 1.
𝑏
This is a contradiction, so √3 cannot be a rational number.
16a
1
<𝑏−𝑎 (1)
𝑛
𝑝
<𝑎 (2)
𝑛
(1)+(2)

© Cambridge University Press 2019 15

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

1 𝑝
+ <𝑏−𝑎+𝑎
𝑛 𝑛
𝑝+1
<𝑏
𝑛
𝑝 𝑝+1
Now as 𝑝 is the greatest integer for which 𝑛 < 𝑎 then >𝑎
𝑛
Hence
𝑝+1
𝑎< <𝑏
𝑛
16b
1 1 1 1
< 𝑏 − 𝑎 hence 𝑛 > 𝑏−𝑎 ≥ 63293 for 𝑎 = and 𝑏 =
𝑛 √1001 √1000

𝑝
p is the greatest integer such that 𝑛 < 𝑎 hence 𝑝 < 𝑎×𝑛 ≤ 2000
Thus, the least possible value of 𝑛 is 63293 and the corresponding value of 𝑝 is
2000.
16c
Using part a and b
𝑝+1 1 2001 1
𝑎 < 𝑛 < 𝑏 hence < <
√1001 63293 √1000

© Cambridge University Press 2019 16

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to Exercise 2C
1a
√16 = 4
1b
√36 = 6
1c
√81 = 9
1d
√121 = 11
1e
√144 = 12
1f
√400 = 20
1g
√2500 = 50
1h
√10000 = 100
2a
√12 = √4 × 3 = √4 × √3 = 2√3
2b
√18 = √9 × 2 = √9 × √2 = 3√2
2c
√20 = √4 × 5 = √4 × √5 = 2√5
2d
√27 = √9 × 3 = √9 × √3 = 3√3
2e
√28 = √4 × 7 = √4 × √7 = 2√7
2f
√40 = √4 × 10 = √4 × √10 = 2√10
2g
√32 = √16 × 2 = √16 × √2 = 4√2
2h
√99 = √9 × 11 = √9 × √11 = 3√11
2i
√54 = √9 × 6 = √9 × √6 = 3√6
2j
√200 = √100 × 2 = √100 × √2 = 10√2
2k
√60 = √4 × 15 = √4 × √15 = 2√15
2l
√75 = √25 × 3 = √25 × √3 = 5√3
2m
√80 = √16 × 5 = √16 × √5 = 4√5

© Cambridge University Press 2019 17

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2n
√98 = √49 × 2 = √49 × √2 = 7√2
2o
√800 = √400 × 2 = √400 × √2 = 20√2
2p
√1000 = √100 × 10 = √100 × √10 = 10√10
3a
√3 + √3 = 2√3
3b
5√7 − 3√7 = 2√7
3c
2√5 − √5 = √5
3d
−3√2 + √2 = −2√2
3e
4√3 + 3√2 − 2√3 = 2√3 + 3√2
3f
−5√5 − 2√7 + 6√5 = √5 − 2√7
3g
7√6 + 5√3 − 4√6 − 7√3 = 3√6 − 2√3
3h
−6√2 − 4√5 + 3√2 − 2√5 = −3√2 − 6√5
3i
3√10 − 8√5 − 7√10 + 10√5 = −4√10 + 2√5
4a
3√8 = 3√4 × 2 = 3(√4 × √2) = 6√2
4b
5√12 = 5√4 × 3 = 5(√4 × 3) = 10√3
4c
2√24 = 2√4 × 6 = 2(√4 × √6) = 4√6
4d
4√44 = 4√4 × 11 = 4(√4 × √11) = 8√11
4e
3√45 = 3√9 × 5 = 3(√9 × √5) = 9√5
4f
6√52 = 6√4 × 13 = 6(√4 × √13) = 12√13
4g
2√300 = 2√100 × 3 = 2(√100 × √3) = 20√3
4h
2√96 = 2√16 × 6 = 2(√16 × √6) = 8√6
5a
2√5 = √4 × √5 = √20

© Cambridge University Press 2019 18

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

5b
5√2 = √25 × √2 = √50

5c
8√2 = √64 × √2 = √128
5d
6√3 = √36 × √3 = √108
5e
5√5 = √25 × √5 = √125
5f
4√7 = √16 × √7 = √112
5g
2√17 = √4 × √17 = √68
5h
7√10 = √49 × √10 = √490
6a
√8 + √2 = 2√2 + √2 = 3√2
6b
√12 − √3 = 2√3 − √3 = √3
6c
√50 − √18 = 5√2 − 3√2 = 2√2
6d
√54 + √24 = 3√6 + 2√6 = 5√6
6e
√45 − √20 = 3√5 − 2√5 = √5
6f
√90 − √40 + √10 = 3√10 − 2√10 + √10 = 2√10
6g
√27 + √75 − √48 = 3√3 + 5√3 − 4√3 = 4√3
6h
√45 + √80 − √125 = 3√5 + 4√5 − 5√5 = 2√5
6i
√2 + √32 + √72 = √2 + 4√2 + 6√2 = 11√2
7a
√600 + √300 − √216 = 10√6 + 10√3 − 6√6 = 4√6 + 10√3
7b
4√18 + 3√12 − 2√50 = 12√2 + 6√3 − 10√2 = 2√2 + 6√3
7c
2√175 − 5√140 − 3√28 = 10√7 − 10√35 − 6√7 = 4√7 − 10√35
8a
√63 − √28 = 3√7 − 2√7 = √7
𝑥 = 7

© Cambridge University Press 2019 19

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

8b
√80 − √20 = 2√20 − √20 = √20
𝑥 = 20
8c
2√150 − 3√24 = 10√6 − 6√6 = 4√6 = √96
𝑥 = 96
8d
√150 + √54 − √216 = 5√6 + 3√6 − 6√6 = 2√6 = √24
9a
√9 = 3
√7 < √9
√7 < 3
9b
3
√8 = 2
3 3
√7 < √8
3
√7 < 2
4
√16 = 2
4 4
√7 < √16
4
√7 < 2
3 4
√7 + √7 + √7 < 3 + 2 + 2
3 4
√7 + √7 + √7 < 7

10
The graph intersects the 𝑥-axis when 𝑦 = 0
𝑥2 − 2 = 0
𝑥2 = 2
𝑥 = ±√2
But neither of these points are rational and hence would not be plotted.

© Cambridge University Press 2019 20

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to Exercise 2D
1a
2
(√3) = √3 × √3
= √9
= 3
1b
√2 × √3 = √6
1c
√7 × √7 = √49
= 7
1d
√6 × √5 = √30
1e
2 × 3√2 = 6√2
1f
2√5 × 5 = 10√5
1g
2√3 × 3√5 = 6√15
1h
6√2 × 5√7 = 30√14
1i
2
(2√3) = 2√3 × 2√3
= 4√9
= 4×3
= 12
1j
2
(3√7) = 3√7 × 3√7
= 9√49
= 9×7
= 63
1k
5√2 × 3√2 = 15√4
= 15 × 2
= 30
1l
6√10 × 4√10 = 24√100
= 24 × 10
= 240
2a
√15 ÷ √3 = (√3 × √5) ÷ √3
= √5

© Cambridge University Press 2019 21

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2b
√42 ÷ √6 = (√6 × √7) ÷ √6
= √7
2c
3√5 ÷ 3 = √5
2d
2√7 ÷ √7 = 2
2e
3√10 ÷ √5 = (3 × √2 × √5) ÷ √5
= 3√2
2f
6√33 ÷ 6√11 = (6 × √3 × √11) ÷ (6 × √11)
= √3
2g
10√14 ÷ 5√2 = (10 × √2 × √7) ÷ (5 × √2)
= 2√7
2h
15√35 ÷ 3√7 = (15 × √5 × √7) ÷ (3 × √7)
= 5√5
3a
√5(√5 + 1) = √5 × √5 + √5 × 1
= √25 + √5
= 5 + √5
3b
√2(√3 − 1) = √2 × √3 + √2 × (−1)
= √6 − √2
3c
√3(2 − √3) = √3 × 2 + √3 × (−√3)
= 2√3 − √9
= 2√3 − 3
3d
2√2(√5 − √2) = 2√2 × √5 + 2√2 × (−√2)
= 2√10 − 2√4
= 2√10 − 4
3e
√7(7 − 2√7) = 7√7 + √7 × (−2√7)
= 7√7 − 2 × √49
= 7√7 − 2 × 7
= 7√7 − 14
3f
√6(3√6 − 2√5) = √6 × 3√6 + √6 × (−2√5)
= 3√36 − 2√30

© Cambridge University Press 2019 22

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

= 3 × 6 − 2√30
= 18 − 2√30
4a
√6 × √2 = √12
= 2√3
4b
√5 × √10 = √50
= 5√2
4c
√3 × √15 = √45
= 3√5
4d
√2 × 2√22 = 2√4 × 11
= 2 × 2√11
= 24√11
4e
4√12 × √3 = 4√36
= 4×6
= 24
4f
3√8 × 2√5 = 6√40
= 6√4 × 10
= 12√10
5a
√2(√10 − √2) = √2 × √10 + √2 × (−√2)
= √20 − √4
= 2√5 − 2
5b
√6(3 + √3) = 3√6 + √18
= 3√6 + 3√2
5c
√5(√15 + 4) = √75 + 4√5
= 5√3 + 4√5
5d
√6(√8 − 2) = √48 − 2√6
= 4√3 − 2√6
5e
3√3(9 − √21) = 27√3 − 3√63
= 27√3 − 3√7 × 9
= 27√3 − 9√7
5f
3√7(√14 − 2√7) = 3√7 × (7 × 2) − 6√49

© Cambridge University Press 2019 23

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

= 21√2 − 6 × 7
= 21√2 − 42

6a
(√3 + 1)(√2 − 1) = √3(√2 − 1) + (√2 − 1)
= √6 − √3 + √2 − 1
6b
(√5 − 2)(√7 + 3) = √5 × (√7 + 3) − 2 × (√7 + 3)
= √35 + 3√5 − 2√7 − 6
6c
(√5 + √2)(√3 + √2) = √5 × (√3 + √2) + √2 × (√3 + √2)
= √15 + √10 + √6 + 2
6d
(√6 − 1)(√6 − 2) = √6 × (√6 − 2) − 1 × (√6 − 2)
= √36 − 2√6 − √6 + 2
= 6 − 3√6 + 2
= 8 − 3√6
6e
(√7 − 2)(2√7 + 5) = √7 × (2√7 + 5) − 2 × (2√7 + 5)
= 2√49 + 5√7 − 4√7 − 10
= 14 + √7 − 10
= 4 + √7
6f
(3√2 − 1)(√6 − √3) = 3√2 × (√6 − √3) − 1 × (√6 − √3)
= 3√12 − 3√6 − √6 + √3
= 6√3 − 4√6 + √3
= 7√3 − 4√6
7a
(√5 + 1)(√5 − 1) = 5 − 1
= 4
7b
(3 − √7)(3 + √7) = 9 − 7
= 2
7c
(√3 + √2)(√3 − √2) = 3 − 2
= 1
7d
(3√2 − √11)(3√2 + √11) = 9 × 2 − 11
= 18 − 11
= 7

© Cambridge University Press 2019 24

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

7e
(2√6 + 3)(2√6 − 3) = 4 × 6 − 9
= 24 − 9
= 15
7f
(7 − 2√5)(7 + 2√5) = 49 − 4 × 5
= 49 − 20
= 29
8a
2
(√3 + 1) = 3 + 2√3 + 1
= 4 + 2√3
8b
2
(√5 − 1) = 5 − 2√5 + 1
= 6 − 2√5
8c
2
(√3 + √2) = 3 + 2√6 + 2
= 5 + 2√6
8d
2
(√7 − √5) = 7 − 2√35 + 5
= 12 − 2√35
8e
2
(2√3 − 1) = 12 − 4√3 + 1
= 13 − 4√3
8f
2
(2√5 + 3) = 20 + 12√5 + 9
= 29 + 12√5
8g
2
(2√7 + √5) = 28 + 4√35 + 5
= 33 + 4√35
8h
2
(3√2 − 2√3) = 18 − 12√6 + 12
= 30 − 12√6
8i
2
(3√5 + √10) = 45 + 6√50 + 10
= 55 + 30√2
9a
√40 2√10
= = 2
√10 √10

© Cambridge University Press 2019 25

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

9b
√18 3√2 3
= =
√50 5√2 5
9c
2√6 × √5 2√30
=
√10 √10

2 × √3 × √10
=
√10
= 2√3
9d
5√7 × √3 5√7 × √3
=
√28 2√7

5√3
=
2
9e
√15 × √20 √3 × √5 × 2√5
=
√12 2√3
10
= = 5
2
9f
6√3 × 8√2 48 × √3 × √2
=
√32 × √27 4√2 × 3√3
48
=
12
= 4
10a
2 2
ℎ2 = (√2) + (√7)
= 2 + 7
= 9
Since ℎ2 = 9, ℎ = √9
∴ℎ = 3
10b
2 2
ℎ2 = (√5) + (2√5)
= 5 + 20
= 25
Since ℎ2 = 25, ℎ = √25
∴ℎ = 5
10c
2 2
ℎ2 = (√7 + 1) + (√7 − 1)
= (7 + 2√7 + 1) + (7 − 2√7 + 1)
= 16

© Cambridge University Press 2019 26

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Since ℎ2 = 16, ℎ = √16

∴ℎ = 4
10d
2 2
ℎ2 = (2√3 − √6) + (2√3 + √6)
= (12 − 4√18 + 6) + (12 + 4√18 + 6)
= 36
Since ℎ2 = 36, ℎ = √36
∴ℎ = 6
11a
1 1 1 × (√3 − 1) 1 × (√3 + 1)
+ = +
√3 + 1 √3 − 1 (√3 + 1) × (√3 − 1) (√3 − 1) × (√3 + 1)
√3 − 1 √3 + 1
= +
3−1 3−1
√3 − 1 √3 + 1
= +
2 2
√3 − 1 + √3 + 1
=
2
2√3
=
2
= √3
11b
3 3
−
2√5 − √7 2√5 + √7
3 × (2√5 + √7) 3 × (2√5 − √7)
= −
(2√5 − √7) × (2√5 + √7) (2√5 + √7) × (2√5 − √7)
3 × (2√5 + √7) 3 × (2√5 − √7)
= −
20 − 7 20 − 7
6√5 + 3√7 6√5 − 3√7
= −
13 13
6√7
=
13
12a
1 2 3 1
(𝑥 2 𝑦 3 )2 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 𝑥1 𝑦 1 𝑦 2 = 𝑥𝑦√𝑦
12b
1
𝑥(𝑥 2 𝑦 6 )2 = 𝑥×𝑥𝑦 3 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 3
12c
√(𝑥 + 3)2 = (𝑥 + 3)
12d
√𝑥(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) = √𝑥(𝑥 + 1)2 = √𝑥(𝑥 + 1)
12e
1
√𝑥 2 𝑦 4 (𝑥 + 1)2 = (𝑥 2 𝑦 4 (𝑥 + 1)2 )2 = 𝑥𝑦 2 (𝑥 + 1)

© Cambridge University Press 2019 27

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

12f
1
√𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) = √𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 1)2 = (𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 1)2 )2 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)
13a
For example, for 𝑎 = 3 and 𝑏 = 4, LHS = 5 but RHS = 7
13b
√𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑎 + 𝑏
Squaring both sides
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
0 = 2𝑎𝑏
𝑎𝑏 = 0
Thus, this will be the case for any value of 𝑎 and 𝑏 where either a or b is 0 and the
other one is positive (for √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 to be defined).
14a
2√3 = √3×4 = √12 = 2√3
11 < 12
So
√11 < 2√3

14b
7√2 = √2×72 = √98
3√11 = √11×32 = √99
Now
√98 < √99
So
7√2 < 3√11
14c
3 + 2√2 − (15 − 7√2) = −12 + 9√2 = −√144 + √2×92 = −√144 + √162 > 0
As √162 > √144
3 + 2√2 − (15 − 7√2) > 0
3 + 2√2 > 15 − 7√2
14d
2√6 − 3 − (7 − 2√6) = 4√6 − 10 = √6×42 − √100 = √96 − √100 < 0
As √96 < √100
2√6 − 3 − (7 − 2√6) < 0
2√6 − 3 < (7 − 2√6)
15a
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏) = 𝑎2 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
15b
Equating these terms to part 𝑎
𝑎 = √6 + √11 and 𝑏 = √6 − √11

© Cambridge University Press 2019 28

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
2 2

= (√6 + √11) + 2×√6 + √11×√6 − √11 + (√6 − √11)

= 6 + √11 + 2√62 − 11 + 6 − √11 = 12 + 2√25 = 12 + 10 = 22

15c
2
√6 + √11 − √6 − √11 = √(√6 + √11 − √6 − √11) = √22

16
2
(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = (8√2) = 128
(𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = 128
(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 + 4𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 128 + 4×137
(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = 676
𝑥 + 𝑦 = ±√676 = ±26
But if 𝑥 > 0, 𝑦 > 0, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 26
17a
2 2
𝑎2 − 2𝑎 − 1 = (𝑎 − 1)2 − 2 = (1 + √2 − 1) − 2 = (√2) − 2 = 2 − 2 = 0
17b
As
𝑎2 − 2𝑎 − 1 = 0
𝑎2 = 2𝑎 + 1
Dividing by 𝑎
1
𝑎 =2+
𝑎
17c
𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝑎√2 = (1 + √2)×√2 = √2 + 2
𝑅𝐻𝑆 = 𝑎 + 1 = (1 + √2) + 1 = √2 + 2 = 𝐿𝐻𝑆
Therefore 𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆
Hence 𝑎√2 = 𝑎 + 1

𝑎√2 = 𝑎 + 1
Dividing by 𝑎
1
√2 = 1 +
𝑎
17d
1 1 1 1 1
√2 = 1 + 𝑎 = 1 + 1 = 1+ 1 = 1+ 1 =1+ 1
2+ 2+ 1 2+ 1 2+ 1
𝑎 2+ 2+ 1 2+
𝑎 2+ 2+⋯
𝑎

© Cambridge University Press 2019 29

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to Exercise 2E
1a
1 1 √3
= ×
√3 √3 √3
√3
=
√3
1b
1 1 √7
= ×
√7 √7 √7
√7
=
7
1c
3 3 √5
= ×
√5 √5 √5
3√5
=
5
1d
5 5 √2
= ×
√2 √2 √2
5√2
=
2
1e
√2 √2 √3
= ×
√3 √3 √3
√6
=
3
1f
√5 √5 √7
= ×
√7 √7 √7
√35
=
7
1g
2√11 2√11 √5
= ×
√5 √5 √5
2√55
=
5
1h
3√7 3√7 √2
= ×
√2 √2 √2
3√14
=
2

© Cambridge University Press 2019 30

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2a
2 2 √2
= ×
√2 √2 √2
2√2
=
2
2b
5 5 √5
= ×
√5 √5 √5
5√5
=
5
2c
6 6 √3
= ×
√3 √3 √3
6√3
=
3
= 2√3
2d
21 21 √7
= ×
√7 √7 √7
21√7
=
7
= 3√7
2
3 3 √6
= ×
√6 √6 √6
3√6
=
6
√6
=
2
2f
5 5 √15
= ×
√15 √15 √15
5√15
=
15
√15
=
3
2g
8 8 √6
= ×
√6 √6 √6
8√6
=
6

© Cambridge University Press 2019 31

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

4√6
=
3
2h
14 14 √10
= ×
√10 √10 √10
14√10
=
10
7√10
=
5
3a
1 1 √5
= ×
2√5 2√5 √5
√5
=
10
3b
1 1 √7
= ×
3√7 3√7 √7
√7
=
21
3c
3 3 √2
= ×
5√2 5√2 √2
3√2
=
10
3d
2 2 √3
= ×
7√3 7√3 √3
2√3
=
21
3e
10 10 √2
= ×
3√2 3√2 √2
10√2
=
6
5√2
=
3
3f
9 9 √3
= ×
4√3 4√3 √3
9√3
=
12

© Cambridge University Press 2019 32

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

3√3
=
4
3g
√3 √3 √10
= ×
2√10 2√10 √10
√30
=
20
3h
2√11 2√11 √7
= ×
5√7 5√7 √7
2√77
=
35

4a
1 1 √3 + 1
= × Using the difference of squares:
√3−1 √3−1 √3 + 1
√3 + 1 2
= 3−1 (√3 − 1) × (√3 + 1) = (√3) − (1)2
√3 + 1
= = 3−1
2
4b
1 1 √7−2
= × Using the difference of squares:
√7 + 2 √7 + 2 √7−2
√7−2 2
= 7−4 (√7 + 2) × (√7 − 2) = (√7) − (2)2
√7−2
= 3 = 7−4
4c
1 1 3−√5
= × Using the difference of squares:
3 + √5 3 + √5 3−√5
3−√5 2
= (3 + √5) × (3 − √5) = (3)2 − (√5)
9−5
3−√5
= = 9−5
4
4d
1 1 4 + √7
= × Using the difference of squares:
4−√7 4−√7 4 + √7
4 + √7 2
= (4 − √7) × (4 + √7) = (4)2 − (√7)
16−7
4 + √7
= = 16 − 7
9

4e
1 1 √5 + √2
= × Using the difference of squares:
√5−√2 √5−√2 √5 + √2
√5 + √2 2 2
= 5−2 (√5 − √2) × (√5 + √2) = (√5) − (√2)
√5 + √2
= = 5−2
3

© Cambridge University Press 2019 33

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

4f
1 1 √10−√6
= × Using the difference of squares:
√10 + √6 √10 + √6 √10−√6
√10−√6
= 10−6 (√10 + √6) × (√10 − √6) =
√10−√6 2 2
= = (√10) − (√6)
4
= 10 − 6
4g
1 1 2√3−1
= × Using the difference of squares:
2√3 + 1 2√3 + 1 2√3−1
2√3−1 2
= (2√3 + 1) × (2√3 − 1) = (2√3) − (1)2
12−1
2√3−1
= = 12 − 1
11
4h
1 1 5 + 3√2
= × Using the difference of squares:
5−3√2 5−3√2 5 + 3√2
5 + 3√2 2
= (5 − 3√2) × (5 + 3√2) = (5)2 − (3√2)
25−18
5 + 3√2
= = 25 − 18
7
5a
3 3 √5−1
= × Using the difference of squares:
√5 + 1 √5 + 1 √5−1
3 × (√5−1) 2
= (√5 + 1) × (√5 − 1) = (√5) − (1)2
5−1
3√5−3
= = 5−1
4
5b
4 4 2√2 + √3
= × Using the difference of squares:
2√2−√3 2√2−√3 2√2 + √3
4 × (2√2 + √3) 2 2
= 8−3
(2√2 − √3) × (2√2 + √3) = (2√2) − (√3)
8√2 + 4√3
= = 8−3
5
5c
√7 √7 5 + √7
= 5−√7 × 5 + Using the difference of squares:
5−√7 √7
√7 × (5 + √7) 2
= (5 − √7) × (5 + √7) = (5)2 − (√7)
25−7
5√7 + 7
= = 25 − 7
18
5d
3√3 3√3 √5−√3
= × Using the difference of squares:
√5 + √3 √5 + √3 √5−√3
3√3 × (√5−√3) 2 2
= (√5 + √3) × (√5 − √3) = (√5) − (√3)
5−3
3√15−9
= = 5−3
2
5e
2√7 2√7 2√7 + 5
2√7−5 2√7−5
= × 2√7 + 5
Using the difference of squares:
2√7 × (2√7 + 5) 2
= (2√7 − 5) × (2√7 + 5) = (2√7) − (5)2
28−25

© Cambridge University Press 2019 34

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

28 + 10√7
= = 28 − 25
3
5f
√5 √5 √10 + √5
= × Using the difference of squares:
√10−√5 √10−√5 √10 + √5
√5 × (√10 + √5) 2 2
= (√10 − √5) × (√10 + √5) = (√10) − (√5)
10−5
5√2 + 5
= = 10 − 5
5
5(√2 + 1)
= 5
= √2 + 1
5g
√3−1 √3−1 √3−1
= × Using the difference of squares:
√3 + 1 √3 + 1 √3−1
(√3−1) × (√3−1) 2
= (√3 − 1) × (√3 + 1) = (√3) − (1)2
3−1
3−2√3 + 1
= = 3−1
2
4−2√3
= Using the identity (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2
2(2−√3) 2
= (√3 − 1) × (√3 − 1) = (√3) − 2√3 + (1)2
2
= 2 − √3 = 4 − 2√3
5h
√5 + √2 √5 + √2 √5 + √2
= × Using the difference of squares:
√5−√2 √5−√2 √5 + √2
(√5 + √2) × (√5 + √2) 2 2
= (√5 − √2) × (√5 + √2) = (√5) − (√2)
5−2
7 + 2√10
= = 5−2
3
Using the identity (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2 2
(√5 + √2) × (√5 + √2) = (√5) + 2√10 + (√2)
= 7 + 2√10
5i
3−√7 3−√7 3−√7
= × Using the difference of squares:
3 + √7 3 + √7 3−√7
(3−√7) × (3−√7) 2
= 9−7
(3 + √7) × (3 − √7) = (3)2 − (√7)
16−6√7
= = 9−7
2
= 8 − 3√7 Using the identity (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2
(3 − √7) × (3 − √7) = (3)2 − 6√7 + (√7)
= 16 − 6√7
5j
3√2 + √5 3√2 + √5 3√2 + √5
= 3√2−√5 × 3√2 + Using the difference of squares:
3√2−√5 √5
(3√2 + √5) × (3√2 + √5) 2 2
= (3√2 − √5) × (3√2 + √5) = (3√2) − (√5)
18−5
23 + 6√10
= = 18 − 5
13
Using the identity (𝑎 + 𝑏) = 𝑎 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2 2

© Cambridge University Press 2019 35

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2 2
(3√2 + √5) × (3√2 + √5) = (3√2) + 6√10 + (√5)
= 23 + 6√10
5k
√10−√6 √10−√6 √10−√6
= × Using the difference of squares:
√10 + √6 √10 + √6 √10−√6
(√10−√6) × (√10−√6) 2 2
= (√10 + √6) × (√10 − √6) = (√10) − (√6)
10−6
16−4√15
= = 10 − 6
4
= 4 − √15 Using the identity (𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2 2
2 2
(√10 − √6) × (√10 − √6) = (√10) − 2√60 + (√6)
= 16 − 4√15
5l
7 + 2√11 7 + 2√11 7 + 2√11
= × Using the difference of squares:
7−2√11 7−2√11 7 + 2√11
(7 + 2√11) × (7 + 2√11) 2
= (7 − 2√11) × (7 + 2√11) = (7)2 − (2√11)
49−44
93 + 28√11
= = 49 − 44
5
Using the identity (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 :
2
(7 + 2√11) × (7 + 2√11) = (7)2 + 28√11 + (2√11)
= 49 + 28√11 + 44
= 93 + 28√11
6a
√3−1 √3−1 2 + √3
= 2−√3 × 2 + Using the difference of squares:
2−√3 √3
(√3−1) × (2 + √3) 2
= (2 − √3) × (2 + √3) = (2)2 − (√3)
4−3
= √3 × (2 + √3) − 1 × (2 + √3) = 4−3
= 2√3 + 3 − 2 − √3
= √3 + 1
6b
2√5−√2 2√5−√2 √5−√2
= × Using the difference of squares:
√5 + √2 √5 + √2 √5−√2
(2√5−√2) × (√5−√2) 2 2
= (√5 + √2) × (√5 − √2) = (√5) − (√2)
5−2
2√5 × (√5−√2)−√2 × (√5−√2)
= = 5−2
3
10−2√10−√10 + 2
= 3
12−3√10
= 3
= 4 − √10
7a
3 3
+
√2 2 + √2
3 √2 3 2−√2
= × + 2+ × Using the difference of squares:
√2 √2 √2 2−√2

© Cambridge University Press 2019 36

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

3√2 3 × (2−√2) 2
= + (2 + √2) × (2 − √2) = (2)2 − (√2)
2 4−2
3√2 6−3√2
= + = 4−2
2 2
3√2 + 6−3√2
= 2
= 3
7b
1 2
+
3 + √6 √6
1 3−√6 2 √6
= 3 + × 3−√6 + × Using the difference of squares:
√6 √6 √6
3−√6 2√6 2
= + (3 + √6) × (3 − √6) = (3)2 − (√6)
9−6 6
3−√6 √6
= + = 9−6
3 3
3
= 3
= 1
7c
4 1
+
2 + √2 3 − 2√2
4 2−√2 1 3 + 2√2
= 2 + × 2−√2 + 3−2√2 × Using the difference of squares:
√2 3 + 2√2
4(2−√2) 3 + 2√2 2
= + (2 + √2) × (2 − √2) = (2)2 − (√2)
4−2 9−8
2(2−√2) 3 + 2√2
= + = 4−2
1 1
2
= 4 − 2√2 + 3 + 2√2 (3 − 2√2) × (3 + 2√2) = (3)2 − (2√2)
= 7 = 9−8
7d
8 6
−
3 − √7 2√7 − 5
8 3 + √7 6 2√7 + 5
= 3−√7 × 3 + − 2√7−5 × Using the difference of squares:
√7 2√7 + 5
8 × (3 + √7) 6 × (2√7 + 5) 2
= − (3 − √7) × (3 + √7) = (3)2 − (√7)
9−7 28−25
8(3 + √7) 6(2√7 + 5)
= − = 9−7
2 3
2
= 4(3 + √7) − 2(2√7 + 5) (2√7 − 5) × (2√7 + 5) = (2√7) − (5)2
= 12 + 4√7 − 4√7 − 10 = 28 − 25
= 2
8
√5 + 1
If 𝑥 = ,
2
1 2
then =
𝑥 √5 + 1
2 √5−1
= ×
√5 + 1 √5−1
2 × (√5−1)
= 5−1

© Cambridge University Press 2019 37

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

2 × (√5−1)
= 4
√5−1
= 2
Thus,
1 √5 − 1
1 + = 1 +
𝑥 2
2 + √5−1
= 2
√5 + 1
= which is 𝑥.
2
√5 + 1 1
∴ If 𝑥 = then 1 + = 𝑥
2 𝑥
9
√6 + 1 √6 + 1 √3 − √2
= ×
√3 + √2 √3 + √2 √3 − √2
(√6 + 1) (√3 − √2)
= ×
(√3 + √2) (√3 − √2)
√6 × (√3 − √2) + 1 × (√3 − √2)
=
3−2
−
√18 √12 + √3 − √2
=
1
= 3√2 − 2√3 + √3 − √2
= −√3 + 2√2
Therefore, 𝑎 = −1 and 𝑏 = 2

10a
1 (1 − √2) 1 − √2
1 + √2 + = 1 + √2 + = 1 + √2 +
1 + √2 (1 + √2)(1 − √2) 1−2
1 − √2
= 1 + √2 + = 1 + √2 + √2 − 1 = 2√2
−1
10b
1 (2 + √3) (2 + √3)
2 − √3 + = 2 − √3 + = 2 − √3 +
2 − √3 (2 − √3)(2 + √3) 4−3
= 2 − √3 + 2 + √3 = 4
10c
2 2
3 − √3 1 3 − √3 3 + √3 (3 − √3) (3 + √3)
+ = + = +
3 + √3 3 − √3 3 + √3 3 − √3 (3 + √3)(3 − √3) (3 + √3)(3 − √3)
( )
3 + √3
9 − 2√3 + 3 9 + 2√3 + 3 12 − 2√3 12 + 2√3
= + = +
9−3 9−3 6 6
12 − 2√3 + 12 + 2√3 24
= = =4
6 6
10d

© Cambridge University Press 2019 38

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

√𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥 1 √𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥 √𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥
+ = +
√𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥 √𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥 √𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥 √𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥
( )
√𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥
2 2
(√𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥) (√𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥)
= +
(√𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥)(√𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥) (√𝑥 + √2 − 𝑥)(√𝑥 − √2 − 𝑥)
𝑥 + 2√𝑥(2 − 𝑥) + 2 − 𝑥 𝑥 − 2√𝑥(2 − 𝑥) + 2 − 𝑥
= +
𝑥 − (2 − 𝑥) 𝑥 − (2 − 𝑥)
2 + 2√𝑥(2 − 𝑥) 2 − 2√𝑥(2 − 𝑥) 4 2
= + = =
2𝑥 − 2 2𝑥 − 2 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 1
11
1 (√𝑥 + ℎ − √𝑥) (√𝑥 + ℎ − √𝑥) (√𝑥 + ℎ − √𝑥)
= = =
√𝑥 + ℎ + √𝑥 (√𝑥 + ℎ + √𝑥)(√𝑥 + ℎ − √𝑥) 𝑥+ℎ−𝑥 ℎ
12a
1 2 2
1 1 2
(𝑥 + ) = 𝑥 + 2 × 𝑥 × + ( )
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
1
= 𝑥 2 + 2 + 𝑥2
12b
i If 𝑥 = √7 + √6
Then
1 1
=
𝑥 √7 + √6
1 √7 − √6
= ×
√7 + √6 √7 − √6
√7 − √6
=
7−6
= √7 − √6
1
Thus, 𝑥 + 𝑥 = √7 + √6 + √7 − √6
= 2√7
1
∴ If 𝑥 = √7 + √6 then 𝑥 + = 2√7
𝑥
1
ii If 𝑥 + = 2√7
𝑥
1 2 2
Then (𝑥 + 𝑥) = (2√7)
= 28
From 10a, we know that
1 2 1
(𝑥 + ) = 𝑥 2 + 2 + 2
𝑥 𝑥
2 1
Hence, 28 = 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 2
1
∴ 𝑥 2 + 2 = 26
𝑥

© Cambridge University Press 2019 39

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

13a
1 1 1 1 100 50 25
= = = = = = ≈ 8.33
√17 − 4 4.12 − 4 0.12 ( 12 12 6 3
)
100
13b
1 (√17 + 4) √17 + 4 √17 + 4
= = = = √17 + 4 ≈ 8.12
√17 − 4 (√17 − 4)(√17 + 4) 17 − 16 1
14
1 (√2 + √3 − √5) (√2 + √3 − √5)
= = 2
√2 + √3 + √5 (√2 + √3 + √5)(√2 + √3 − √5)
(√2 + √3) − 5)
(√2 + √3 − √5) (√2 + √3 − √5) (√12 + √18 − √30)
= = =
2 + 2√6 + 3 − 5 2√6 2×6
2√3 + 3√2 − √30
=
12
15a

a

d

a b c

 
d c ac b  c  d c b  c

2


  
c b 2 d  c  a  d    abc 
b c c b2  c c c b2  c c b2  c    

a d c b2 d  c  a  d   abc

 rational  rational
b c c 
c b2  c 
a , b , c and d are positive integers and c is not a square, hence

irrational rational
rational

c b d  c  a  d    abc
2


c b2  c 
rational
a d
 rational  b 2 d  c  a  d    0  b 2 d  c  a  d 
b c c

15b
a d
With b  1 and part (a),  rational  d  c  a  d   d 1  c   ac
1 c c

Use the method of proof by contradiction

a d
Let's assume  is rational
1 c c
then d 1  c   ac
a , b , c and d are positive integers

© Cambridge University Press 2019 40

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

hence d 1  c   ac
0 0
should be  0

Or c is not a square, hence c  1 ( c  12 and c a positive integer)

hence 1  c   0
hence d 1  c   ac so our assumption is false
a d
hence  not rational
1 c c

© Cambridge University Press 2019 41

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

Solutions to chapter 2 review exercise

1a
7
7 = Therefore, 7 is rational.
1
1b
1 −9 1
−2 4 = Therefore −2 4 is rational.
4
1c
3
√9 = 3 which can be written as: 1. Therefore, √9 is rational.
1d
𝑎
√10 is an irrational number because it cannot be written in the form 𝑏 where 𝑎
and 𝑏 are integers and 𝑏 ≠ 0
1e
3 𝑎
√15 is an irrational number because it cannot be written in the form 𝑏 where 𝑎
and 𝑏 are integers and 𝑏 ≠ 0
1f
4 2 4
√16 = 2 which can be written as: 1. Therefore, √16 is rational.
1g
−16
−0.16 = . Therefore, −0.16 is rational.
100
1h
𝑎
𝜋 is an irrational number because it cannot be written in the form 𝑏 where 𝑎 and
𝑏 are integers and 𝑏 ≠ 0.
22
Remember that, 7 is often substituted for 𝜋 because it is a close value.
2a
i √17 = 4.12
ii √17 = 4.1
2b
3
i √102 = 4.67
3
ii √102 = 4.7
2c
i (1.16)7 = 2.83
ii (1.16)7 = 2.8
2d
49
i = 0.77
64
49
ii = 0.77
64
2e
i (7.3)−2 = 0.02
ii (7.3)−2 = 0.019
2f
i (𝜋)5.5 = 542.41
ii (𝜋)5.5 = 540
3a

© Cambridge University Press 2019 42

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

7.93
= 1.67
8.22 − 3.48
3b
−4.9 × (−5.8 − 8.5) = 70.1
3c
4
√1.6 × 2.6 = 1.43
3d
135
= 0.200
116 + 174
3e
4 2
9 − 7 = 0.488
5 3
8 − 10
3f
√2.4−1.6 = 0.496
3g
1.347
√ = 1.27
2.518 − 1.679
3h
2.7 × 10−2
= 1590
1.7 × 10−5
3i
√1 + √1
3

2 3
= 0.978
√1 + √1
4 5

4 5
4a
√24 = 2√6
4b
√45 = 3√5
4c
√50 = 5√2
4d
√500 = 10√5
4e
3√18 = 9√2
4f
2√40 = 4√10
5a
√5 + √5 = 2√5
5b
√5 × √5 = √25
= 5

© Cambridge University Press 2019 43

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

5c
2
(2√7) = 2√7 × 2√7
= 4 × √49
= 4×7
= 28
5d
2√5 + √7 − 3√5 = √7 − √5
5e
√35 ÷ √5 = (√5 × √7) ÷ √5
= √7
5f
6√55 ÷ 2√11 = (6 × √5 × √11) ÷ 2√11
= 3√5
5g
√8 × √2 = √16
= 4
5h
√10 × √2 = √20
= 2√5
5i
2√6 × 4√15 = 2 × (√2 × √3) × 4 × (√3 × √5)
= 8 × (√3 × √3) × (√2 × √5)
= 8 × (3) × (√10)
= 24√10
6a
√27 − √12 = 3√3 − 2√3
= √3
6b
√18 + √32 = 3√2 + 4√2
= 7√2
6c
3√2 + 3√8 − √50 = 3√2 + 6√2 − 5√2
= 4√2
6d
√54 − √20 + √150 − √80 = 3√6 − 2√5 + 5√6 − 4√5
= 8√6 − 6√5
7a
√7(3 − √7) = 3√7 − 7
7b
√5(2√6 + 3√2) = 2√30 + 3√10
7c
√15(√3 − 5) = √45 − 5√15

© Cambridge University Press 2019 44

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

= 3√5 − 5√15
7d
√3(√6 + 2√3) = √18 + 2 × 3
= 3√2 + 6
8a
(√5 + 2)(3 − √5) = √5(3 − √5) + 2(3 − √5)
= 3√5 − 5 + 6 − 2√5
= √5 + 1
8b
(2√3 − 1)(3√3 + 5) = 2√3(3√3 + 5) − 1(3√3 + 5)
= 18 + 10√3 − 3√3 − 5
= 13 + 7√3
8c
(√7 − 3)(2√5 + 4) = √7(2√5 + 4) − 3(2√5 + 4)
= 2√35 + 4√7 − 6√5 − 12
8d
(√10 − 3)(√10 + 3) = √10(√10 + 3) − 3(√10 + 3)
= 10 + 3√10 − 3√10 − 9
= 1
8e
(2√6 + √11)(2√6 − √11) Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 −
𝑏2
= 24 − 11
= 13
8f
2
(√7 − 2) = 7 − 4√7 + 4 Using the identity: (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
= 11 − 4√7
8g
2
(√5 + √2) Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
= 5 + 2√10 + 2
= 7 + 2√10
8h
2
(4 − 3√2) Using the identity: (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
= 16 − 24√2 + 18
= 34 − 24√2
9a
1 1 √5
= ×
√5 √5 √5
√5
=
5

© Cambridge University Press 2019 45

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

9b
3 3 √2
= ×
√2 √2 √2
3√2
=
2
9c
√3 √3 √11
= ×
√11 √11 √11
√11
=
11
9d
1 1 √3
= ×
5√3 5√3 √3
√3
=
15
9e
5 5 √7
= ×
2√7 2√7 √7
5√7
=
14
9f
√2 √2 √10
= ×
3√10 3√10 √10
2√5
=
30
√5
=
15
10a
1 1 √5−√2
= × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
√5 + √2 √5 + √2 √5−√2
√5 − √2
=
5−2
√5 − √2
=
3
10b
1 1 3 + √7
= × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
3−√7 3−√7 3 + √7
3 + √7
=
9−7
3 + √7
=
2

© Cambridge University Press 2019 46

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

10c
1 1 2√6 + √3
= × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
2√6−√3 2√6−√3 2√6 + √3
2√6 + √3
=
24 − 3
2√6 + √3
=
21
10d
√3 √3 √3−1
= × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
√3 + 1 √3 + 1 √3−1
√3(√3 − 1)
=
3−1
3 − √3
=
2
10e
3
√11 + √5
3 √11−√5
= × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
+
√11 √5 √11−√5
3(√11 − √5)
=
11 − 5
3(√11 − √5)
=
6
√11 − √5
=
2
10f
3√7
2√5 − √7
3√7 2√5 + √7
= 2√5−√7 × Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
2√5 + √7
3√7(2√5 + √7)
=
20 − 7
6√35 + 21
=
13
11a
√7 − √2
√7 + √2
√7−√2 √7−√2
= × Using the identities: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
+
√7 √2 √7−√2
2
(√7−√2)
= and (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
7−2
7 − 2√14 + 2
=
5
9 − 2√14
=
5

© Cambridge University Press 2019 47

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

11b
3√3 + 5
3√3 − 5
3√3 + 5 3√3 + 5
= 3√3−5 × Using the identities: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
3√3 + 5
2
(3√3 + 5)
= and (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
27−25
27 + 30√3 + 25
=
2
52 + 30√3
=
2
= 26 + 15√3
12
If √𝑥 = √18 + √8
2 2
Then (√𝑥) = (√18 + √8)
= 18 + 2√144 + 8 Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2
= 26 + 2 × 12
= 26 + 24
= 50
Therefore, 𝑥 = 50
13
3 2
+
√5 − 2 √5 + 2
3 √5 + 2 2 √5−2
= × +2 + ×
√5−2 √5 √5 + 2 √5−2
3(√5 + 2) 2(√5−2)
= + Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
5−4 5−4
= 3√5 + 6 + 2√5 − 4
= 5√5 + 2
14
√5 √5 √5 + 2
= ×
√5 − 2 √5 − 2 √5 + 2
√5(√5 + 2)
= Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
5−4
= 5 + 2√5
Therefore, 𝑝 = 5 and 𝑞 = 2.

© Cambridge University Press 2019 48

Chapter 2 – Numbers and surds – Worked solutions

15
2 1 2 6 + 3√3 1 2√3 − 3
− = × − ×
6 − 3√3 2√3 + 3 6 − 3√3 6 + 3√3 2√3 + 3 2√3 − 3
2(6 + 3√3) 2√3−3
= − 12−9 Using the identity: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
36−27
6(2 + √3) 2√3 − 3
= −
9 3
2(2 + √3) 2√3 − 3
= −
3 3
4 + 2√3 − 2√3 + 3
=
3
7
=
3
2 1
Since 7 and 3 are both integers with 3 ≠ 0, − 2√3 + 3 is rational.
6−3√3

© Cambridge University Press 2019 49