GONZAGA JESUIT COLLEGE

Further Mathematics
SS 1

Third Term 2024/2025

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WEEK TOPIC SUB TOPIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1 Vectors in Direction cosine of a Vector 1. State the difference between
Two in terms of its component. vectors and scalars
2. Perform simple operations on
Dimension Components of a vector in vectors
s three dimension 3. Determine sum, difference of any
combination of vectors lying in a
plane
4. Determine components of vectors
in two dimensions
5. Find modulus and direction
cosines of a vector in terms of it’s
Students should be able to
components

2 Position Properties of vectors. Scalar

Vector product of vectors in three 1. Define the scalar or dot
dimensions. Application of product of two vectors.
scalar and vector product
2. Derive some basic results in
geometry using vectors.
3. Derive some basic results in
trigonometry using vectors.

3 Coordinate Straight line, gradient of a 1. Determine the distance

geometry straight line, mid-point of a between two points.
1 straight line, division of line 2. Determine the midpoint of a
(internally and externally) line segment.
3. Determine the gradient of a
straight line.
4. Divide line in a given ratio.

4 Coordinate Condition for parallelism 1. Determine the condition for

geometry and perpendicularity of parallelism and perpendicularity.
2. Determine the equation of a
continued lines. Equation of a straight straight line in different forms.

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 (parallel line. Point of intersection of 3. Calculate angles between two
lines) two straight lines. Angle straight lines.
between lines 4. Find the coordinate of point of
intersection of two straight lines.

5 Coordinate Areas of quadrilateral and

geometry triangle using coordinate 1. Find the area of triangles
3 points using the coordinates of
their vertices.
2. Find area of quadrilaterals
whose coordinate of
vertices are given.
3. Determine the equation of
the locus of points.

6 Coordinate Transform non-linear 1. Transform non-linear relationships

geometry relationship into linear form into linear forms.
4 2. Use determination of law method
of reducing non-linear forms.

7&8 Binary Definition and examples of 1. Define binary operations and state
Operation binary operation. Properties the rule of combination.
of binary operation; -closure, 2. Identify the different laws of
-commutative, -associative. binary operations.
Distributive property,
3. Draw multiplication table for a
identity and inverse
elements. binary operation.
4. Find the identity element of a
given operation on a set of
numbers.
5. Find the inverse element of an
operation defined on a set of given
numbers.
6. Solve operations combining
identity and inverse element on a
set of real numbers.

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 WEEK 1 (ONE)

TOPIC:VECTORS IN TWO DIMENSIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
6. State the difference between vectors and scalars
7. Perform simple operations on vectors
8. Determine sum, difference of any combination of vectors lying in a plane
9. Determine components of vectors in two dimentions
10. Find modulus and direction cosines of a vector in terms of it’s components

Components of Vectors in Two Dimensions

We can express the vector r in terms of other vectors which are in the same plane.
They are called coplanar vectors.

Let I and j be unit vectors in the direction of OX and OY respectively.

Diagram

Then r = xi + yj

Modulus of a Vector in Terms of its Components

Then where gives the modulus of the vector r.

The vector r = xi + yj can also be written as . The vector is called a column

vector. Additionally, subtraction and scalar multiplication of vectors are done
component-wisely. And a scalar; then

Direction Cosines of a Vector in Terms of its Components

From the direction of the vector r is specified by the angles. If we

represent the angles by respectively, then

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 and cos

and cos

cos and cos are called the direction cosines of .

Example 1

Find the modulus of each of the following vectors:

(i) 3i + 4j
(ii) -2i – 5j

Solution 1

(i) Let

Then
(ii) Let

Then = = 5

Example 2

If , , find the modulus and direction cosines of:

(i) (ii)
Solution 2

(iii) If and

= 9i-2j

Let cos and cos be the direction cosines of

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Example 3

Find the unit vector in the directions of the following vectors:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Solution 3

(i) Let be the unit vector in the direction of . Then

But

Therefore,

Components of a Vector in Three Dimensions r

= xi + yj + zk

As in two dimensions, addition, subtraction and scalar multiplication of vectors are

done component-wisely.
+

Modulus of Vector r in Terms of its Components

If r = xi + yi + zk then
If the unit vector in the direction of r is denoted by , then

Let be the angles, then:

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cos define the direction cosines of the vector.

Example 4

Find the modulus of each of the following vectors:

(i) 2i + 3j – 4k
(ii) I–j+k

Solution 4

(i) Let

Example 5

Find the direction cosines of each of the following vectors:

(i)
(ii)

Solution 5

(i) Let be the angles which makes. Then

But

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Example 6

Find the unit vectors in the direction of the following vectors:

(i)
(ii)

Solution 6

(i) Let be the unit vector in the direction of

But

Therefore,

WEEK 2 (TWO)

TOPIC:POSITION VECTOR - PROPERTIES OF VECTOR

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to

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 4. Define the scalar or dot product of two vectors.

5. Derive some basic results in geometry using vectors.

6. Derive some basic results in trigonometry using vectors.
Basic Properties of the Dot Product

1. Commutativity: a.b = b.a

2. Scalars Multiplication:
3. Distributivity: a.
4. a.a =
5. Given that a.b = 0. If is the angle between a and b.
Then
It follows that either (or both) or that cos

Hence, either a is zero vector, or b is a zero vector or both a and b are zero vectors
or that the vector a is perpendicular to the vector b.

Scalar product of vectors in three dimensions - Application of scalar and

vector product.

The scalar or dot product of two vectors a and b is written a.b and is defined as

a.b =

where is the angle between the vectors a and b.

If a =

Recall that i and j are mutually perpendicular unit vectors. Hence

i . j=1× 1 cos 0 °=1

i . j=1× 1 cos 90 °=0

j . i=1× 1 cos 90 °=0

j . j=1 ×1 cos 0° =1

ANGLE BETWEEN TWO VECTORS

For the definition of the dot product of the vectors a and b, the angle between the
two vectors is defined as:
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Example 1

Find the scalar products of the following pairs of vectors:

(a) a = 2i + 3j and b = -i + 4j

Solution 1

(a) a.b = 2
(b) a.b =
Example 2

Find the cosines of angles between the following pairs of vectors:

(a) a = 3i – j and b = 5i + 2j
(b) a = 5i – 3j and b = 4i + 7j

(c) Solution 2

(a) Let be the angle between the vectors a and b

a.b = 3

Example 3

Show that the vectors u = 2i + 3j – 6k, v = 6i + 2j + 3k and w = 3i – 6j – 2k are

mutually perpendicular, and find the unit vectors in the directions of u,
v and w respectively.

Solution 3

u = 2i + 3j – 6k, v = 6i + 2j + 3k, w = 3i – 6j – 2k

u.v = 2

Therefore, u and v are perpendicular

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 u.w =
=2
Therefore, u and w are perpendicular

v.w =
=6

Therefore, v and w are perpendicular.

Hence, u, v and w are mutually perpendicular to each other. u

= 2i + 3j – 6k

v = 6i + 2j + 3k

w = 3i – 6j – 2k

Example 4

The position vector of points P, Q and R in the X-Y plane are = 3i + 4j,
and respectively, where k is a scalar. If the resultant
of is perpendicular to , find the value of k.

Solution 4

= 3i + 4j;
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If then

Therefore

50 + 36k = 0

36k = -50

k=

Example 5

Find the angle between i + 5j and 5i – j

Solution 5

Let a = i + 5j b = 5i – j and the angle between a and b, then

;
a.b =

Thus, cos

EVALUATIONS
1. If p = , q = -5i + and p.q = 11, where k is a constant,
find: (a) value of k
(b) Cosine of the angle between p and q

2. Two sides of a triangle are represented by the vectors p = and q

.
(a) Show that they are perpendicular to each other
(b) Find the (i) area
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 (ii) Angles of the triangle

3. In the quadrilateral, ABCD, .

Show that ABCD is a parallelogram.

4. The position vectors of P and Q with respect to a fixed point are p =

q= respectively. If M divides PQ in the ratio 3 : 1, find the position vector

of M.

5. The position vectors of the points P and Q are p = 3i + 4j and q = 5i – 2j

respectively. Find:
(a) -2p + 3q
(b)
(c) Cosine of the angle between p and q
(d) Scalars .

WEEK 3 (THREE)

TOPIC:COORDINATE GEOMETRY 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
5. Determine the distance between two points.
6. Determine the midpoint of a line segment.
7. Determine the gradient of a straight line.
8. Divide line in a given ratio.
Straight Line: Distance Between Two Points

If P, Q have coordinates and respectively, then by Pythagoras

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theorem: PQ =
Example 1

Find the distance between the following pairs of points:

(a) A(3, 2) and B(4, 6)

(b) C and
Solution 1

(a) Let be the distance between A and B

Then unit

Gradient of a Straight Line

The gradient of a line is defined as the ratio in going from one point to
another on a line.

Let m be the gradient of the line PQ, then m =

Also, the gradient of line PQ, m = tan (where is called the angle of slope of the

line)

That is, the gradient of a line = tangent of the angle the line makes with the positive
x-axis.

Example 2

Find the gradient of the line joining (3, 2) and (7, 10) and the angle of slope of the
line.
Solution 2

Let m be the gradient of the line, then m =

Let be the angle of slope of the line:

Then tan

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MID-POINT OF A STRAIGHT LINE

P and Q have coordinates and respectively. Let R with coordinates

(x, y) be the mid-point of PQ.

It has been shown that: x =

Hence, the coordinates of the mid-point of the line joining and are:

Example 3

Find the mid-points of the lines joining the following pairs of points:

(a) P(-1, 7) and Q(-3, -5)

(b) C(4, 4) and D(2, -6)
(c) E(p, 0) and F(0,q)

Solution 3

(a) Mid-point of PQ =

(b) Mid-point of CD =

(c) Mid-point of EF =

DIVISION OF A LINE IN A GIVEN RATIO

Internal Division: We say A divides PQ internally in the ratio 3 : 2 i.e.

Diagram

External Division: We say A divides PQ externally in the ratio 3 : -

Diagram

Hence, it has been shown that: x = and y=

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This applies to both external and internal divisions.

Example 4

R divides the line PQ, where the coordinates of P and Q are (5, 2) and (3, 7)
respectively in the ratio 4 : 3, find the coordinates of R.
Solution 4

x= y

EVALUATIONS

1. The point C divides the line PQ where the coordinates of P and Q are (3, 2)
and (4, 1) respectively in the ratio 3 : -2. Find the coordinates of C.
2. If the mid-point of the line joining and is , find
the value of k.
3. The distance between P and Q is 13 units. Find the values of k.
4. Find the gradients of the lines joining the following pairs of points:

(a)
(b)
5. Find the length of the lines joining the following pairs of points:

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 WEEK 4(FOUR)

TOPIC:COORDINATE GEOMETRY continued

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
5. Determine the condition for parallelism and perpendicularity.
6. Determine the equation of a straight line in different forms.
7. Calculate angles between two straight lines.
8. Find the coordinate of point of intersection of two straight lines.

CONDITION FOR PARALLELISM

If the two lines are parallel, the angle between them is zero, hence tan

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And hence
CONDITION FOR PERPENDICULARITY
If the lines are perpendicular, and tan

Therefore, 1 + or
Example 1

Determine if AB is parallel or perpendicular to PQ in each of the following:

(a) A(3, 1) B(4, 3), P(4, 6) Q(5, 8)

(b) A(5, -1) B(3, 2), P(2, 4) Q(5, 6)

Solution 1

(a) Let be the gradient of the line joining A and B

Let be the gradient of the line joining P and Q

, AB//PQ

(b) Let be the gradient of the line joining A and B

Let be the gradient of the line joining P and Q

, AB PQ
NOTE: See more questions to practice underneath this sub-section.

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 Gradient Intercept Form

If the Gradient of PQ is m and the intercept of the line on the y-axis is c, then
y = mx + c

Example 2

Determine the equations of the following lines in the gradient intercept form
and sketch each of them.

(a) Gradient: -2; intercept on y-axis: 3

(b) Gradient: ; intercept on y-axis: -2
Solution 2

(a) Let the equation of the line be y = , then

Hence the equation of the line is y = 2x + 3

Gradient and One Point Form

If the line is given as passing through Q and having a gradient m, we can
obtain the equation of the line by considering a variable point P with coordinates (x,
y).
Gradient of QP, m = or

Example 3

Find the equation of a straight line of slope 2, if it passes through the point
Solution 3
The equation of a straight line of gradient m passing through is
; m = 2,
Hence, the equation of the straight line is:

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y + 2 = 2x – 6

y = 2x – 6 – 2 y

= 2x – 8

Gradient and Two Point Form

If the straight line is given as passing through the points A B and we

take a variable point P(x. y ) on the line, then
Gradient of AP =

Gradient of AB =
Therefore, equation of the line will be:

Example 4

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the points P(2, -3) and
Q(-4, 2).

Solution 4

Hence, the equation of the straight line through P and Q is

; y+3=

y=
POINT OF INTERSECTION OF TWO STRAIGHT LINES

In general, if we want to obtain the point of intersection and

, then we have to solve the equations: and
simultaneously.
Example 5

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Find the point of intersection of the lines 2x -3y + 1 = 0 and 4y + 3x + 2 = 0

Solution 5

From 2x – 3y + 1 = 0; 2x – 3y = -1; 2x – 3y = -1 ……….(i)

From 4y + 3x + 2 = 0; 4y + 3x = -2; 3x + 4y = -2 ……… (ii)

Solving (i) and (ii) simultaneously, x = and y =

Hence, the point of intersection of the two given lines is (

ANGLE BETWEEN LINES

Let lines AB (gradient and CD (gradient make angles respectively

with the x-axis. The acute angle between the lines is .

It can be shown that: tan

Therefore, tan ; where is an acute angle.

Example 6

Find the acute angle between the lines 2x + y = 4 and -3x + y + 7 = 0

Solution 6

Angle between two lines, is given by tan

Given 2x + y = 4; y = -2x + 4; Therefore,

Given -3x + y + 7 = 0; y = 3x – 7 ; Therefore,

Therefore, tan
Therefore, tan ;

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 EVALUATION

1. Given that the straight lines kx 5y + 6 = 0 and mx + ny – 1 = 0 are parallel,

find a relation connecting the constant m, n and k.
2. A straight line 2x + 5y + 12 = 0 passes through the point and is
perpendicular to 5x – 2y + 3 = 0. Find the value of k.
3. Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point
and is perpendicular to the line 2x – 4y + 3 = 0.
4. Find the equation of the straight line which passes through and
parallel to the line 3y – 5x + 2 = 0.
5. Find the acute angle between the following pairs of lines:
(a) 4y + 3x = 2 and x – 2y = 3
(b) y = 5x – 2 and y – 3x + 1 = 0
(c) 3x – 2y + 5 = 0 and y – 4x + 3 = 0
6. Find the equation of a straight line passing through the point and
perpendicular to the line -3x + 5y + 2 = 0.
7. Find the equation of the line through parallel to the line 7x + 5y = 15.
8. Determine the equations of the following lines:
(a) Gradient 3 and intercept -2 on the vertical axis
(b) Gradient passing through
(c) Passing through and
9. Find the equation of the line which is parallel to the line 5x + 4y = 18 and
makes an intercept of 2 units on the x-axis.
10.Two lines are tangents to the curve . The equation of each
tangent is of the form , where k is a constant.
(i) Find the two possible values of k.

(ii) Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the two tangents.
(IGCSE 0606/22, Feb/March 2018) Que 10.

11. The gradient of the normal to a curve at the point with coordinates (x,y) is

given by
(i) Find the equation of the curve, given that the curve passes through the point
(1, −10).

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(ii) Find, in the form , the equation of the tangent to the curve at the
point where x = 4.

12. (i) Calculate the coordinates of the points where the line cuts the
curve

(ii) Find the exact values of m for which the line is a tangent to the
curve
(IGCSE 0606/22, Feb/March 2014) Que 6

13. Find the set of values of m for which the line does not meet the
curve

21. The line intersects the curve at the points

A and B. Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB.

(IGCSE 0606/02, Oct/Nov 2008) Que 3&9

WEEK 5 (FIVE)
TOPIC:COORDINATE GEOMETRY 3
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
4. Find the area of triangles using the coordinates of their vertices.
5. Find area of quadrilaterals whose coordinate of vertices are given.
6. Determine the equation of the locus of points.
AREA OF TRIANGLES
Consider a triangle whose vertices are A and C . Let

If = 0, then
Hence, the points with coordinates A and C are
collinear and therefore lie on a straight line if and only if

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 NOTE: Note that the actual area is the absolute value of , as can either be
positive or negative.
Example 1
Find the area of the triangle which has vertices with coordinates P ,
Q and R
Solution 1
Let ; ;
Let

Example 2
Show that the points with coordinates A ,B and C are
collinear.
Solution 2
Let be the area of the triangle formed by the vertices with coordinates:
; ;

Since , it follows that the points A, B and C are collinear.

AREA OF QUADRILATERAL

Let P and S be the vertices of the quadrilateral

PQRS whose area we wish to find.

Let Area of Quadrilateral PQRS

Therefore,

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Example 3

Calculate the area of the quadrilateral whose vertices are A ,B ,C

and D .
Solution 3

A ; B

C ; D

By taking the absolute value of

Area of Quadrilateral ABCD = 13 sq.units

EVALUATIONS

1. Calculate the area of a triangle with vertices A ,B and C .

2. Find the area of a quadrilateral with vertices P ,Q ,R and
S .

WEEK 6 (SIX)

TOPIC:COORDINATE GEOMETRY 4
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
3. Transform non-linear relationships into linear forms.
4. Use determination of law method of reducing non-linear forms.

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TRANSFORM NON-LINEAR RELATIONSHIP INTO LINEAR FORM

An investigator may suspect that a kind of relationship exists between two variables
x and y. Most often, the relations may be of the following:

Each of the relationship listed above is clearly non-linear. However, each of them
can be reduced to a linear form by simple transformation and comparison with the
linear form y = mx + c as follows. This method of reducing non-linear forms to
linear forms is called Determination of law.

(a) Given y = p
Plot the graph of y (vertical) against (horizontal) By
comparing y = p with y = mx + c.
The graph of y against yields a straight line of gradient P and intercept on
y-axis is q.
(b) Given y =
Plot the graph of y (vertical) against (horizontal) to obtain a straight line of
gradient P and intercept q on the y-axis.
(c) Given y =
Taking logarithm of both sides: log y = log p + log = qlog x + log p Plot
log y (vertical) against log x (horizontal) to obtain a straight line with
slope q and intercept log p on the log y axis.
(d) Given y =
Log y = log p + log = xlog q + log p =
Plot log y (vertical) against x (horizontal) to obtain a straight line with slope
log q and intercept log p on the log y-axis.

Example 1
The following table gives the corresponding values of two variables h and t
h 2 3 4 5 6

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 t 6.4 32.4 102.4 250 518.4

If the relation between h and t is of the form t = , where k and n are

constants,
(i) Determine graphically the values of k and n.
(ii)Use your graph to estimate correct to one decimal place, the value of t
for which h = 4.5.

Solution 1

(i) t=

A graph of log t (vertical) against log h (horizontal) is a straight line of gradient n

and intercept log k on the log t-axis.
h 2 3 4 5 6
t 6.4 32.4 102.4 250 518.4
Log h 0.3010 0.4771 0.6021 0.6990 0.7782
Log t 0.8062 1.5105 2.0103 2.3979 2.7147

The graph of log t = nlog h + log k will be shown on the class graph board

Gradient of the line AB =

n=5

The intercept of the line on the vertical axis is

Therefore, log k =

Therefore, k =

(ii) Given that h = 4.5

Log h = 0.6532
From the graph, when log h = 0.6532
Log t = 2.5
Therefore, t =

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 Example 2
The following table gives the variation of atmospheric pressure, p units,
with altitude h km.
Altitude (h km) 10 20 30 40
Pressure (P units) 223.8 65.9 19.4 5.7

(i) Assuming that the relationship between P and h is of the form P =

, where m and n are constants, determine graphically, the
values of:
(a) m, correct to the nearest 10
(b) n, correct to one decimal place
(ii) Use your graph to estimate, correct to one decimal place, the
pressure at an altitude of 25 km

Solution 2

Given that P =
Log P = log m +log = h log n + log m = (log n)h + log m

Compare with y = mx + c

We can therefore plot the graph of log P (vertical) against h (horizontal axis). The
resultant graph should be a straight line of gradient log n and intercept log m on the
vertical axis:
Altitude (h km) 10 20 30 40
Pressure (P units) 223.8 65.9 19.4 5.7
Log P 2.3499 1.889 1.2878 0.7559

From the graph that will be plotted in the classroom,

Gradient of the line AB =
=

n= (1 d.p.)

Also, from the graph shown on the graph board in class; Log

m = 2.85
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m=

Hence:

(a) m = 710
(b) n = 0.9

(ii)When h = 25 km

Log p = 1.55
Therefore, p = = 35.5 km (1 d.p.)

EVALUATIONS

1. The following table gives corresponding values of two related variables x and
y as obtained in an experiment:
x 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
y 0.68 1.41 1.81 2.12 2.31 2.46

Theoretical considerations suggest that the relation between x and y is of the

form: x = ; where a and b are constants.
Draw a suitable linear graph and use it to:
(i) Decide whether or not the experiment confirms the theory reasonably
well;
(ii) Determine, each correct to one decimal place, the values of a and b.
2. The following table gives the values of two related variables p and q as
obtained in an experiment.
p 1 2 3 4 5
q 3 10 51 190 760
It is thought that p and q are connected by a scientific law of the form q
= , where C and K are constants.
(i) By plotting a suitable linear graph, verify that such a law is
approximately valid.
(ii) Use your graph to estimate:
(a) The values of C and K, each correct to one decimal place;
(b) The value of q when p = 3.5

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 3. The table below gives the corresponding values of two physical quantities P
and s as determined in an experiment.
s 1.0 2.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 20.0
P 0.5 1.0

(a) Assuming that P and s are related by P = ; where a and b

are constants. Draw a graph of P against using a scale of 2cm to
0.1 unit on the s-axis and 2cm to 1 unit on the p-axis. (b) Use the
graph to find the values of:
(i) a and b’ (ii) P
when s = ; (iii) s
when P = .

WEEK 7

TOPIC:BINARY OPERATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
7. Define binary operations and state the rule of combination.
8. Identify the different laws of binary operations.
9. Draw multiplication table for a binary operation.

DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES OF BINARY OPERATION

The rule of combination of elements of a given set is usually referred to as Binary

Operations.
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Hence binary operation is any rule of combination of any two elements of a given
non-empty set. A binary operation is usually denoted by an asterisk (*). The most
familiar examples of binary operations are those of addition (+), subtraction ( ),
multiplication ( ) and division ( ) of real numbers.

PROPERTIES OF BINARY OPERATION

1. Closure Property: An operation is closed if the resulting combination is the

same in nature with the original elements. Hence a non-empty set S is said to
be closed under a binary operation * if for all a, b S, a*b S

Example 1

An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers R such that if x, y R, then x

*y= . Determine:

(a) 3 * 2 (b) 5 * 4 (c) 7 * 3

Is the set R closed under the operation *?

Solution 1

(a) 3 * 2 =
(b) 5*4=
(c) 7 * 3 =

If x, y R then R
Hence the set R is closed under the operation *.

Example 2

An operation is defined on the set S = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} by x y = x + y xy.

Find: (a) 2 5 (b) 0 4 (c) 3 1 (d) 4 5

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 Solution 2

(a) 2 5 = 2 + 5 – (2
(b) 0 4 = 0 + 4 – (0
(c) 3 1=3+1
(d) 4 5=4+5

From (a) and (b), it is obvious that S is not closed under the operation .

2. Commutative Property: Given a non-empty set S which is closed, under a

binary operation *, if for all a, b S, a * b = b * a, then the binary operation
is said to be commutative.
Thus a binary operation * is commutative, if the order of combination of any
two element of a set upon which * is defined is immaterial.

Example 3

An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers R by a * b = a + b + 3ab for all

a, b R. Is the operation * commutative? Solution 3 a * b = a + b + 3ab

b * a = b + a + 3ba = a + b + 3ab = a * b
Hence the operation * is commutative

Example 4

An operation is defined on the set R of real numbers by x y = x y + xy for x,

y R. Is the operation commutative?

Solution 4 x y = x y + xy y x = y x + yx ; But

x–y y – x unless x = y Hence the operation is not

commutative on R.

3. Associative Property: Suppose that a non-empty set S is closed under a

binary operation *, then a, b S implies that a* b S. a * b can also combine
with c S and we may write the result as
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 The result and a * (b * c) may or may not be equal. If however
, then the operation * is said to be associative in
the set S.

Example 5

The operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers, by a * b = a + b + for all

a, b R.

(a) Is the operation * commutative?

(b) Is the operation * associative over the set R?

Solution 5

(a) a * b = a + b +
b * a = b +a +
Hence the operation * is commutative over R.

=a+b+c+
=a+b+c+ a * (b * c) = a +

(b * c) +

=a+b+c+

=a+b+c+

Thus (a * b) * c = a * (b * c)

Hence the operation * is associative over the set R.

4. Distributive Property: Suppose that a non-empty set S is closed under the

operation * and . If for all a, b, c S, a * (b c) = (a * b) (a * c), then the
operation * is said to be left – distributive over the operation while, if (b

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 c) * a = (b * a) (c * a) the operation * is said to be right – distributive over
the operation .

Example 6

The operation * and are defined on the set N of natural numbers by: a * b = ab for
all a, b N; a for all a, b N.
(a) Does * distribute over ?
(b) Does distribute over *?

Solution 6

Let a, b, c N
(a) a * (b c) = a (b c) = a.

(a * b) (a * c) = ab ac =

But unless a = 1
Therefore, a * (b c) = (a * b) (a * c) in general. Hence
* does not distribute over in general.
(b) a (b * c) =

(a b) * (a

But unless a = 1
Therefore, a (b * c) (a b) * (a c) Hence
does not distribute over * in general.

Example 7
The operation * and are defined on the set R of real numbers by: a
*b= for all a, b R.
a b = ab for all a, b R. Does the operation distribute over the operation
*?
Solution 7
Let a, b, c R; a
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 a
Hence, the operation distributes over * in R?

WEEK 8
TOPIC: BINARY OPERATIONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to
1. Find the identity element of a given operation on a set of numbers.
2. Find the inverse element of an operation defined on a set of given numbers.
3. Solve operations combining identity and inverse element on a set of real numbers.

IDENTITY ELEMENT
Given a non-empty set S, which is closed under a binary operation *. If there
exists an element e S such that a * e = e * a = a for all a S, then e is called
an identity element or a neutral element in S under the operation *. The
neutral element e, if it exists in S, is always unique.

Example 8
Let * be an operation on the set R of real numbers defined by a * b = a + b
for all a, b R. Find the identity element.

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 Solution 8
Let e R be the identity element in R under the operation. If
a R then a * e = e * a = a
a*e=a; a+e=a; therefore, e = 0
Hence the identity element in R under the addition is 0.

Example 9
The operation * on the set R of real numbers is defined by x * y =
for all x, y R. Find the neutral element in R under the operation *.
Solution 9
Let e be the neutral element, then x * e = e * x = x
Therefore x * e =
2x + 2e – 1 = 2x ; 2e – 1 = 0 ; 2e = 1 ; e=

INVERSE ELEMENT

Consider a non-empty set S, which is closed under a binary operation *. If x

S, and we can find an element such that x * = , where e is
the identity element in S under *, then is called the inverse of x in S. It is
usual to denote the inverse of x as . is not necessarily
unless the operation * is multiplication.

Example 10

The operation * on the set R of real numbers is defined by: a * b = a + b for all a,
b R, find the inverse of a.

Solution 10

First find the identity element in R. Let e be the identity element in R under *,
then a * e = a + e = a ; a*e=a; a+e=a; e=0
Let the inverse of a be , then a * =e
Therefore, a + =0; =

Hence the inverse of a, under addition, defined on the set of real numbers, is .

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 Example 11

An operation * on the set R of real numbers is defined by a * b = for all

a, b R, find the inverse of x R.

Solution 11

Let us first find the identity element. Suppose the identity element is e, then

x*e=x; x*e= ;

2x + 2e – 3 = 2x ; 2e – 3 = 0 ; e=
Let the inverse of x be , then x *

; 2x + 2 ; 2x + 2
Therefore,

EVALUATIONS

1. The binary operation * is defined by x * y = xy – y – x for all real values x

and y, solve x * 3 = 2 * x
2. The binary operation * is defined on R, the set of real numbers by x
*y= for all x, y R. If (2 * p) * 7 = 5, find p.
3. If x * y = xy + x + y, solve the equation (x * 3) + ( 2 * x) = 40.
4. The binary operation * is defined on a set of real numbers by x * y = for
all real values of x and y. If x * 2 = x, find the possible values of x.
5. Which of the following binary operations is not commutative?
(a) a * b = a + b – 2ab
(b) a * b = 3a + 3b –ab
(c) a * b =
(d) a * b = a – b + 2ab
6. The operation * on the set R of real numbers is defined by x
* y = 3x + 2y ; x, y . Determine:

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 (a) 2 * 3 (b) 4 * 5 (c) (d)3 *
7. A binary operation * is defined on R, the set of real number x * y = for
x, y R. If x * (2 * 8) = 6, find x.
8. An operation * is defined on the set of real numbers by x * y = x + y – 2xy. If
the identity element is 0, find the inverse of element P under *.
9. A binary operation * with identity element zero is defined on the set R of real
numbers by m * n = m + n + 2mn, m, n R. For what value of m does the
operation have no inverse?
10.A binary operation defined on the set of real number S is such that x
for all x, y R. Find the inverse of 20 under this operation when the
identity element is 6.
11.An operation on the set R of real numbers is defined by a b =
for all a, b R.
(a) Determine whether or not the set R is closed under .
(b) Is the operation associative in R? (c) Find the identity element in R (d)
If x R, find the inverse of x.
12.A binary operation * is defined on the set R of real numbers by: a
* b = a + b + ab where a, b R.
(a) Calculate 5 * ( 2) * 5
(b) Find the identity element e of R under the operation *
(c) Determine the inverse under * of a general element a R and state which
element has no inverse.

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