INTRODUCTION
1. Algebra
1.1 Numbers
The word “number” came from the Latin word “numerus” which mean “to apportion”, to assign to allot,
and to take. Therefore, number is any arithmetic value used to represent quantity or rather something that
measures the size of an allotment. Numeral is ANY symbol that can represent a number e.g., five is a
number represented by numeral 5 or v. The definition of term number can also be based on classification
as numbers can be grouped together and classified in different sets of numbers such as:
1.1.1 Natural numbers (N)
Are those numbers that are used for counting. The set of natural numbers can then be displayed
formally as
N = {1,2,3,4,5,6, ···}
N/B-this is an example of set of natural numbers (set theory chapter 2)
1.1.2 Integers (Z)
Integers consist of positive and negative whole numbers including zero. The set of integers is denoted
by Z. Thus,
Z = {0, ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ···} N/B-this is an example of set of integers numbers
Can also be referred to as whole numbers
1.1.3 Rational numbers (Q)
A rational number is a number which can be expressed in the simplest form p/q, where p and q are
integers and q ≠ 0 (WHY? if 0 is also an integer from definition ABOVE).
Note that
I. If (0>P>0) then P/0 = ∞
II. If (P=0) then 0/0 is indeterminate.
P is the numerator while q the denominator hence p/q is a fraction. Examples of rational numbers are:
3
• All Integers e.g. 3 = 1 etc.
1
• Terminating decimal number e.g. 4 = 0.25, 0.3 and recurring decimal numbers e.g.,0.
1
3
=0.33.
1.1.4 Irrational numbers (Qc)
Are numbers which cannot be expressed in the simplest form p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.
Examples of irrational numbers are:
• Special numbers such as π and e.
• Surds or roots of numbers that do not have finite (exact) answer e.g.,√2 , √3, √5etc.
1.1.5 Complex numbers (C)
A complex number z is a number that can be expressed in the form z = x + iy, where x and y are √ real
numbers and i is an imaginary number. It’s important to note that, it’s possible to take the root of any
nonnegative real number. However, for negative numbers some are possible, while other are not. e.g.
𝟑
√𝟖 ≠ ±𝟐 since (-2)3=-8 but (2)3=8 while √4 = ±𝟐 since (-2)2= 4 and (2)2 =4
𝟑
√−𝟏 = −𝟏 since (-1)3= -1
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But consider √−1, we let i = √−1, Then i2 = -1. But there is no such real number i, since for any real
number r, r2 ≥0 consequently, i√−1 is not a real number.
The number i is the prototype imaginary number. Any number of the form r√−1 = ri , where r is a real
number, is a pure imaginary number.
The collection of numbers of the form z = x + iy, where x and y are real numbers forms the set of
complex numbers.
1.1.6 Real numbers (R)
A real number is a value that represents a quantity along a continuous line (number line).
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N/B Real numbers constitute the rational and irrational numbers as both can be plotted on a graph. The
set of all real numbers is denoted by R.
Properties of Real Numbers
The basis operations of the number system are addition and multiplication. Each of these operations is
called a binary operation because it pairs any two real numbers with a third real number. The properties of
these operations in real numbers all stem from a few basic statements, called axioms or postulates,
statements that are assumed to be true
i. Commutative properties allow you to add or multiply numbers in any order:
a + b = b + a e.g. 3 + 9 = 9 + 3 =12 and
ab = ba e.g. 3.9 = 9.3 = 27
ii. Associative properties allow you to change the way in which group quantities to be added or
multiplied. (a + b) +c = b + (a + c) e.g. (3 + 9) +2 = 9 + (3+2) =14 and
(ab)c = a(bc) e.g. (3.9)2 = 9(3.2) = 54
N/B There are no associative properties for either subtraction or division. For example (3 - 9) -2 =
9 - (3-2) is wrong.
iii. Distribute properties tie together, multiplication and addition (or subtraction).
(a + b) c = ac + bc e.g. (3 + 9)2 = 3.2 + 9.2 =24
(a - b) c = ac - bc e.g. (3 - 9)2 = 3.2 - 9.2 = -12
iv. Identify properties single out two special numbers 0 and 1.
0 + a = a Identify property of addition
1.a = a Identify property of multiplication
v. Inverse properties
➢ Every number a has a unique opposite or negative –a as such that a + (-a) = 0
(This is called inverse property for addition)
1 𝟏
➢ Every number a≠0 has a unique reciprocal such that a. = 1
𝑎 𝒂
(This is called inverse property for multiplication).
1.2 Surds
1
A surd is an irrational root of a rational number. Examples are √2, √3, ∛4, ∜5, √3 etc.
The √2 cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers thus is an example of an
irrational number.
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