FOUNDATION IN BUSINESS
FIB 1054 :Mathematics for Business
Topic 1:
EQUATIONS
Simultaneous equations
(2 x 2 equations)
• When the values of two unknowns are needed, two
equations need to be formed and solved. The process
of solving two equations and finding a common
solution is known as solving equations simultaneously.
• Two most common ways of solving simultaneous
equations algebraically are by elimination and by
substitution.
By elimination
• The aim of this method is to eliminate one of the unknowns by either adding or subtracting
the two equations.
• Worked examples: Solve the following simultaneous equations by finding the values of x and
y which satisfy both equations.
3x + y = 9 (1)
5x – y = 7 (2)
• By adding equations (1) and (2) we eliminate the variable y:
8x = 16
x=2
By elimination
• To find the value of y we substitute x = 2 into either
equation (1) or (2).
• Let’s say we substitute x = 2 into equation (1):
3x + y = 9
3(2) + y = 9
6+y=9
y=9–6
=3
By elimination
• To find the value of y we substitute x = 2 into either equation (1) or (2).
• Let’s say we substitute x = 2 into equation (2):
5x - y = 7
5(2) - y = 7
10 - y = 7
-y = 7 – 10
-y = -3
y =3
By elimination
• To check that the solution is correct, the values of
x and y are substituted into equation (2). If it is
correct, then the left-hand side of the equation
will equal the right-hand side.
5x – y = 7
10 – 3 = 7
7=7
By substitution
• The same equations can be solved by the
method known as substitution.
• Worked example:
3x + y = 9 (1)
5x – y =7 (2)
By substitution
• Equation (2) can be rearranged to give: y = 5x -7.
This can now be substituted into equation (1);
3x + (5x – 7) = 9
3x + 5x – 7 = 9
8x – 7 = 9
8x = 16
x=2
By substitution
• To find the value of y, x = 2 is substituted into either equation (1) or (2)
• From equation (1)
3x + y = 9
3(2) + y = 9
6+y=9
y=9–6
=3
Answer ALL questions.
1) 9x + 7y = 10
3x + y = 2
2) 2x + y = 7
3x + 2y = 11
Simultaneous equations
(3 x 3 equations)
Here, in step format, is how to solve a system with three equations
and three variables:
1) Pick any two pairs of equations from the system.
2) Eliminate the same variable from each pair using the
Addition/Subtraction method.
3) Solve the system of the two new equations using the
Addition/Subtraction method.
4) Substitute the solution back into one of the original equations and
solve for the third variable.
Solve the following system:
4x - 3y + z = - 10 (1)
2x + y + 3z = 0 (2)
- x + 2y - 5z = 17 (3)
Example
Step 1: Pick two pairs:
4x - 3y + z = - 10 --- (1)
2x + y + 3z = 0 ----- (2)
and
2x + y + 3z = 0 ----- (2)
- x + 2y - 5z = 17 -- (3)
Example
Step 2: Eliminate the same variable from each system:
(2) x 2: 4x + 2y + 6z = 0 (3) (3) x 2: -2x + 4y - 10z = 34 (4)
(1) - (3)
(2) + (4)
4x - 3y + z = -10
2x + y + 3z = 0
-4x + 2y + 6z = 0
-5y - 5z = - 10 (5) -2x + 4y - 10z = 34
5y - 7z = 34 (6)
Example
Step 3: Solve the system of the two new equations:
(5) + (6)
-5y - 5z = -10
5y - 7z = 34
-12z = 24
z = -2
Substitute z = -2 into (5)
-5y - 5(-2) = -10
-5y = -20
y=4
Example
Step 4: Substitute y = 4 and z = -2 into (3):
- x + 2y - 5z = 17
- x + 2(4) - 5(- 2) = 17
- x + 18 = 17
- x = -1
x=1
Therefore, x = 1, y = 4, z = -2
Exercise
Solve the following equations:
3x - 2y + 5z = 2
4x - 7y - z = 19
5x - 6y + 4z = 13
ANS: x = 1, y = -2, z = -1
Exercise
Solve the following equations:
x+y-z = 4
x - 2y + 3z = -6
2x + 3y + z = 7
ANS: x = 1, y = 2, z = -1
Exercise
Solve the following equations:
x+y–z=1
8x + 3y – 6z = 1
-4x – y + 3z = 1
ANS: x = 2, y = 3, z = 4
Introduction
• First, the standard form of a quadratic equation is
ax2 + bx + c = 0, a ≠ 0.
• The only requirement here is that we have an x2 in the
equation. We guarantee that this term will be present
in the equation by requiring a ≠ 0.
• Note however, that it is okay if b and c are zero.
Factorisation
Steps to factorise the quadratic equations:
• Write the equation in standard form.
• Factor the equation completely.
• Set each factor equal to 0.
• Solve each equation.
• Check the solutions (in original equation).
Factorisation
Solve the following quadratic equation by
factorisation:
x2 + 8x + 12 = 0
(x + 6)(x +2) = 0
x + 6 = 0 or x + 2 = 0
x = -6 or x = -2
Factorisation
• Solve the following quadratic equation
by using factorisation;
5 1
m2 m 0
8 2
5m 2 8m 4 0
(5m 2)( m 2) 0
5m 2 0 or m 2 0
2
m or m 2
5
Factor each completely.
x2 − 16x + 63 = 0
7x2 − 31x – 20 = 0
Quadratic Formula
• Another technique for solving quadratic
equations is to use the quadratic formula.
• The formula is derived from completing the
square of a general quadratic equation.
Quadratic Formula
A quadratic equation written in standard form, ax2 + bx + c = 0,
has the solutions.
2
b b 4ac
x
2a
Quadratic Formula (continued)
Solve 11n2 – 9n = 1 by the quadratic formula.
11n2 – 9n – 1 = 0, so
a = 11, b = -9, c = -1
−ሺ −9ሻ ± ඥ (−9)2 − 4(11)(−1) 9 81 44
𝑛= =
9 125
2(11)
22 22
9 11.1803
22
n 0.9173 or n 0.09991
Solve x2 + x – = 0 by the quadratic formula.
x2 + 8x – 20 = 0 (multiply both sides by 8)
a = 1, b = 8, c = 20
−8 ± ඥ (8)2− 4(1)(−20)
8 64 80
𝑥=
2(1)
2
8 144
2
8 12
2
x 2 or x 10
Solve each equation with the quadratic formula.
m2 − 5m − 13 = 0
Solve each equation with the quadratic formula.
2x2 + 3x = 20
Completing the Square
Solving a Quadratic Equation by Completing a Square
1) If the coefficient of x2 is NOT 1, divide both sides of the equation by the
coefficient.
2) Isolate all variable terms on one side of the equation.
3) Complete the square (half the coefficient of the x term squared, added to
both sides of the equation).
4) Factor the resulting trinomial.
5) Use the square root property.
Completing the Square
Step by step:
1) x2 + bx + c = 0
2) x2 + bx = -c
3) x2 + bx + (b/2)2 = -c + (b/2)2
4) (x + b/2)2 = -c + (b/2)2
Example:
Completing the Square
(x + 6) = 39 2
x2 + 12x – 3 = 0 x + 6 = ±√39
1) x2 + 12x – 3 = 0 x + 6 = √39 or x + 6 = -√39
2) x2 + 12x = 3 x = √39 – 6 = -√39 -6
3) x2 + 12x + (12/2)2 = 3 + (12/2)2 = 6.245 – 6 = -6.245 –
6
x2 + 12x + 62 = 3 + 62
= 0.245 = -12.245
4) (x + 6)2 = 39
Completing the Square (continued)
Solve by completing the square.
y2 + 6y = 8
Completing the Square (continued)
Solve by completing the square.
y2 + 6y = 8
y2 + 6y + (6/2) 2 = 8 + (6/2) 2
(y + 3)2 = 1
y+3=± =±1
y = 3 ± 1
y = 4 or 2
Completing the Square (continued)
Solve by completing the square.
y2 + y – 7 = 0
y2 + y = 7
y2 + y + ¼ = 7 + ¼
29
(y + ½)2 = 4
1 29 29
y
2 4 2
1 29 1 29
y
2 2 2
Solve the equation by using completing the square
p2 + 14 p − 38 = 0
Solve the equation by using completing the square
x2 − 10x + 26 = 8
THANK YOU
