Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

MATH 10C

UNIT 1:
REAL NUMBERS,
RADICALS AND
EXPONENTS

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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

LESSON 1: Prime Factors, GCF, and LCM

Prime Numbers

A prime number is a whole number which has exactly two factors (or divisors): 1 and itself.

Ex. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, …

If a number is not prime, it is composite (a whole number which has more than two factors).

The numbers 0 and 1 are neither prime nor composite.

P C
Example Determine whether the following numbers are prime or composite.

a) 46 b) 37 c) 39 d) 101

beearsed P C P
it'seven
3 13 39
Prime Factorization

Prime factorization is the process of writing a number as a product of its prime factors.
For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12. The prime factors of 12 are 2 and 3.
Therefore, the prime factorization of 12 is: 2 2 3 22 3 .
Here’s another look at how prime factorization can be done using a factor tree:

12 12
or
2 6 4 3

2 2 3 3Prinimbers 2 2 3

Example Write each number as a product of its prime factors.

a) 28 b) 120

24 I
2 60
212 1512
28 227 2
Hiiiii 1
237 I
120 23.3.5
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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Greatest Common Factor

The greatest common factor (GCF) of two or more numbers is the greatest factor the numbers have in
common.
There are a few methods when it comes to determining the greatest common factor.
We will look at a couple of these methods using the numbers 48 and 60.
dishes Method 1: List all the factors of each number
method List the factors of each number and choose the greatest common factor.

Factors of 48: Factors of 60: The common factors between 48 and 60 are:
1 48 1 60 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
2 24 2 30
3 16 3 20 The greatest common factor is 12.
4 12 4 15
6 8 5 12
6 10

Method 2: Prime Factorization

Write the prime factorization of each number (ie. reduce each number to its prime factors).
The greatest common factor will be the product of the common factors.
use
48 60
hither
12 4 6 10

4 3 2 2 2 3 2 5
theybothhave 2 s and 3 s in common
2 2 3 2 2

48 2 2 2 2 3 24 3 60 2 2 3 5 22 3 5

Common factors: 2, 2, 3
Greatest Common Factor: 2 2 3 22 3 12

Note: If there are no common prime factors, the GCF is 1.

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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Example Determine the greatest common factor the numbers below.

a) 90 and 225 b) 144 and 660

s
s
FEB 2 It
GCF 3.3 57
5 14 GCF 2 2.3 1121
Lowest Common Multiple

The lowest common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the lowest number that is divisible by
each number.
Similar to the GCF, there are a few methods when it comes to determining the lowest common multiple.
We will look at a couple of these methods using the same numbers from before, 48 and 60.

Method 1: List all the multiples of each number

Teeth List the multiples of each number until the same multiple appears in both lists.
Multiples of 48: 48,win 96, 144, 192, 240, …
The lowest common multiple of 48 and 60 is 240.
Multiples of 60: 60 , 120, 180, 240, …

Method 2: Prime Factorization

in Write the prime factorization of each number. The lowest common multiple is the product of the
greatest power of each prime factor (ie. highest number of times each factor appears).
48 60

12 4 6 10

4 3 2 2 2 3 2 5

2 2 3 2 2

Factors:
48 2 2 2 2 3 24 3 60 2 2 3 5 22 3 5
5
• 2 (appears 4 times)
• 3 (appears 1 time) 60
• 5 (appears 1 time)
Lowest Common Multiple: 2 2 2 2 3 5 24 3 5 240

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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Example Determine the lowest common multiple for the numbers below.

a) 126 and 441 7 b) 22, 54, and 198

126 44

LCM 2 33.11
LCM 2 32.72 2.27.11
882 594
126 252 378 504,630,756,882
441 882

Example The school wants to hold track events for 18 students and 12 teachers. The school would
like the same combination of students and teachers at each event, with no one left out or
attending multiple events. What is the greatest number of events the school can hold?

18 12
67

Example A shop sold equal quantities of pens and pencils one morning. The pens come in packs of
8 and the pencils come in packs of 6. What is the least number of each type that the store
could have sold?
LCM
6 8
11 C
2
LCM 23 3
3 2 4

22 247

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

LESSON 2: Number Systems and Radicals

Number Systems

• Natural numbers (N): {1, 2, 3, …}

• Whole numbers (W): {0, 1, 2, 3, …}
• Integers (I 3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …}
• Rational numbers (Q): includes the integers, whole numbers, natural numbers, fractions,
a
and decimals that terminate or repeat ; , a, b I , b 0
b
1
Ex. , 1.3
5
The irrational numbers ( Q ) are numbers that cannot be expressed as a fraction.
Ex. (all non-terminating and non-repeating decimals)

Together, the rational (Q) and irrational ( Q ) numbers make up the real numbers ( ).

Real Numbers ( )

Integers I
Rational Q
whole
Natural w
2 491 ting
1 3
912,3

Irrational Q terminate anddo notrepeat

decimalsthatdonot

Example Determine the smallest number set each number belongs to.

a) RationalNumber b) 0 W c) 2
EN
belong's
group 1
d) 3.14159265… e) f)
4
EQ EI
Q

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Radicals
3
Expressions such as 36 and 27 are radicals.
A positive number has 2 square roots, one positive (principal square root) and one negative (secondary
square root).
ex. If x 2 25 , then x 25 5.

The radical sign, , represents only the positive square root.

x means the positive square root of x, where x 0 .

ex. 25 5 ; 25 5

Notation

a) means to take the square root (break into 2 equal factors). factor: an integer which
evenly divides a number
7
2
Ex. 49 7 7 7 without leaving a remainder.

index: how many times do

we multiply the number by
3
b) means to take the cube root (break into 3 equal factors). itself
3 3 3
Ex. 27 3
3 3 3 3 3 radicand: the value inside
the radical sign
The square root of a negative number is undefined.

In general: n
x } Radical
index
radicand
The square root ( 2 ) has an index of 2, but by convention, it is not shown.

Perfect Squares: needtomemorize

Don't Perfect Cubes:
12 1 52
25 2
9 81 13 1 43 64
22 4 62 36 102 100 23 8 53 125
32 9 72 49 112 121 33 27 63 216
42 16 82 64 122 144

Example Determine the value of the following. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.

a) 100 b) 3
125 Calculator Tip
10 5 To find the square root of a number, press
, followed by the radicand.
4
c) 6 12 d) 10 To find the nth root of a number, enter the
nonreal index, press MATH , then choose option
58 4.2 5: x
, followed by the radicand.
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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Radicals can be expressed in two forms, as entire radicals or mixed radicals.

Entire radicals: n x - all values are written inside the radical symbol as the radicand
(ex. 24 , 3 10 )
Mixed radicals: a n x - the radical is broken down into two parts: the coefficient in front of the
radical and the radicand
(ex. 3 5 , 2 3 6 )
3 x 3 355 3.5
When a mixed radical has no additional factors that can be pulled out, it is considered to be in simplest
form.

Entire radicals can be changed to mixed radicals and mixed radicals can be changed to entire radicals.

Converting Entire radicals to Mixed radicals

Break the radicand into two factors, one of which is the highest perfect square that can be pulled out of
the radical. Determine the square root of the perfect square. This number becomes the coefficient. The
other factor remains the radicand.
EE
Ex. 72 36 2 36 2 6 2
EE
Example Express each entire radical as a mixed radical, in simplest form.

a) 75 b) 18 c) 3 32 d) 720

IF
-

3E - 6520
-654.5

3 7 3 4
e) 160 f) 6 g) 16 h) 405
4 9
378.2 45815
5610 -2352 3455
577
12-
- 4 T
350

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Converting Mixed radicals to Entire radicals

A mixed radical may be changed to an entire radical by raising the coefficient to the power of the index,
and moving it inside the radical sign. Then, multiply this number by the radicand.

ex. 3 5 32 5 9 5 45

Example Express each mixed radical as an entire radical.

72224
a) 2 5 b) 4 mar
2
16
c)
3
12 d) 3 14
329
4
55.4 To T.in The
FEI 5
f
e) 0.6 3 f) 2 722
7 4 g) 5 753
3
7
125
h) 34 2

BE FI Fs In
2T
Et
Example Without using a calculator, order the following radical expressions from least to greatest.
2 3, 11, 3 2, 4 converttoentireradical
Fr Fi TS I
Ñ 253 4,352

Example Using the diagram shown, determine the exact length of side AC. A
Express the answer as an exact value in simplest form.
E 22 c
L 7

He
210 4 c

7 B
b 540 C
2 D 3

Example A cube has a volume of 512 m3. Determine the surface area of the cube.

V 53
EEIE
512 m3

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents
at math
LESSON 3: Multiplying and Dividing Radicals

When multiplying radicals, the product is determined by multiplying the coefficients together and the
radicands together.
In general, a x b y ab xy , where x y

Example Simplify.

3
a) 2 5 b) 2 8 c) 5 2 6 7

1
d) 8 5 2 7 11 e) 7 4 2 3 5
2

Example Express as a mixed radical in simplest form.

a) 6 15 b) 5 10 8 5 c) 18 20

d) 40 20 e) 2 48 3 72 f) 5 108 7 54

When dividing radicals, the quotient is determined by dividing the coefficients together and the radicands
together.
a x a x
In general, , where x y > 0.
b y b y

Example Simplify. Express as a mixed radical in simplest form.

3
30 8 26 64
a) b) c)
10 16 13 81

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

50 4 104 6 40
d) e) f)
98 5 72 7 125

Rationalizing the denominator means to write the denominator as a rational number. This means that
there are no radicals in the denominator.
To rationalize, multiply the fraction (both numerator and denominator) by the radical in the denominator.

Example Simplify. Be certain to have a rational denominator.

6 25 6 22
a) b) c)
13 5 8 2

8 15 12 27 7 3
d) e) f)
6 3 36 5 4 8

18 72 42 5 9 20 14 21 12 22
g) h) i)
9 48 3 2 7 25 3 11 7 7

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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

LESSON 4: Exponent Laws

A power is an expression of the form a n , where a is the base and n is the exponent.
The base represents the number that is multiplied repeatedly.
The exponent represents the number of times the base is multiplied.
an exponent
For example, 23 2 2 2 . power
base
Exponent Laws

Exponent Law Explanation Example

The product of powers with the same
Product of Powers: base can be simplified to a single power
x 2 x3 x x x x x x5
am an am n with the same base by adding the
exponents.
Quotient of Powers: The quotient of powers with the same
base can be simplified to a single power x5 x x x x x
m n am x5 x3 x2
a a n
am n , a 0 with the same base by subtracting the x3 x x x
a exponents.
Power of a Power: A power raised to an exponent can be
n expressed as a single power with the ( x3 )2 x3 x3 x6
am a mn
same base by multiplying the exponents.
Power of a Product: A product raised to a power can be
3
A m a mb m expressed with each term in the product xy xy xy xy x3 y 3
ab
being raised to the power.
Power of a Quotient: A quotient raised to a power can be 2
m m expressed with each term in the quotient x x x x2
a a
,b 0 being raised to the power. y y y y2
b bm

Example Write each as a single power, and then evaluate.

5
IF
2 3
3
3
c) 45 42
a) 3 3
3 131b) 2 2 C2
43

2
62 2
d)
62
a 3 2
e) (5 ) f)
3 z
6 5 151

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Example Write each as a single power.

3 2
81 27 64 16 32 2 10 1000 10 000
a) b) c)
3 8 4 100 100

s
C I 5
10 1040
27 2
6 10 7
110
Example Simplify by expressing in scientific notation.
2
300 000 80 000
a) 50 000 8000 b) 800 000 20 c)
2000

Example Simplify each power.

3b 2ac 4
x 6 x8 1 2 3
a) b) 6 x4 y5 xy c)
x2 2

712 6 x gs 3 b c

3 597 27562M
4
3 xy 6 3
4 2 2 3 1 4 x5 3 y 4
3

d) e) 25a b 2a b f)
9 x3 y15 2 y2 z
12551 2.35
977yjebs 250a9bt EE

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Example Simplify each power.

7 4
L
whyFEEmultiple
x3 x 3
1 2 2
2 3 These
4 1 3 4ab3 16a 2b
a) 2
b) y3 y 3 y2 c)
20ab 2 10a3b3
x3

y y y 2
x
117
128b

94 9 1 29
10e8 f 12 2e 2 f 9 a4x y x 5 a 7 b x 3a b
d) e) x 2 y f)
4e 4 f 7 ef 6 a x a x 2 a 7b

94 9 29 xsatsbT.in

317
93 xsatsb 3 tn

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

LESSON 5: Integral Exponents

Zero Exponent
Any non-zero base raised to the exponent of zero is equal to one. a0 1, a 0

Negative Exponent Law (Integral Exponent Law)

A base (not including zero) raised to a negative exponent has the following property:

n 1
a , where a 0
an

Example Simplify the following with positive exponents and evaluate.

5
1
5 3
45 2 5

I
a) 4 4 or b) 3 3 c)
2

47 447
ii
7
6 0
d) 5
e) 2 f) 20
6

Don'tadd
exponents
1
23
3 3 Intmitiniation
42
2 2
g) h) 32 i) 4 2
42 4

Ii
7 37
Example Simplify the following with positive exponents.
4
m4 3 4x 5 5 x3 y 2

i
2 7
a) 6 x 2 x b) 2x c) d)
8 x3 10 xy 2

I 1 29
4

Example Explain if 2x 3
is equivalent to
1
2x3
. I
Emits ament
Iraq be
1 95
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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

15 x8 y 3 z 1
Example Simplify 5 x3 y 8 z 2
. Express the answer with positive exponents.
x5 y 3 z 2

If
t.si ff

Example Express as a single power of 3. (No fractions)

35 243
4 8 3
1 1 1
a) b) 81 c) 9 27
3 27 243
33

3 35 33
137
24
34 3
32.515 33

Example Simplify by expressing in scientific notation.

451
a) 20 000 000 0.000 003 b) 500 000 (0.001)4

3
20 000 000 000 0.000 01
c)
4000

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Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

LESSON 6: Rational Exponents

A base being raised to a rational exponent can be expressed as follows:

m
m
n
a n n
a a m , where a R, m I , n N (if n is even, then a must be a non-negative)

m
1 1
a n
m
, where a 0, m I , n N (if n is even, then a must be positive)
n
n
a am

Example Determine the exact value of the following.

3
1 2 16 2
a) 814 b) 64 c)
I
3

f f
25
Ñ
y
g
LET
4 1167 5
117
Example Write each expression using radicals with positive exponents.

1 5 3 3
a) r3 b) y4 c) 5t 4 54 d) (5t ) 4
5
3T 5 54ft
For 455.0477
4
5 5 2 3 2 1
4
e) z 3 f) z 3 g) g g 5 h) x 3 x 6

5T 25s yes

g
Example Express as a power with a positive exponent and as a radical.
3 3 5
1
3 1 2 1 4
x 2
2 b8
2x 2
a) 4x 4 3x 2 b) c) 16a d) 1
4y
12 4 É F5
6x3
3
az.ge
125 II e163

1D
1k ftp.f f
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 Scona Math 10C Unit 1: Real Numbers, Radicals & Exponents

Radicals as Rational Exponents

m
m n
n m
To write radicals as powers: a a an .

Example Write each radical as a power in the form a n , n Q .

3 5 2 1 5
a) a5 b) a2 c) a9 3
a d) 4
a
2 a7

1a at as a
at
a
a
n
Example Write each expression in the form ax , where a I and n Q .
3
3 5 3 3 6 3 4 5 3 2
a) 8x b) 16x x c) 64 x 2 4x d) x y

25 E 2
1452
E
g

1 fx y
Example Simplify as a power with the smallest base. Then, express as a radical.

5 1
4
1 27 81 2

a) 8 162 b) 2
32 1
9
243

23 8
to.es
2 28.2
s

2 1 3
157

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