Equations

Dr Maphane & Dr Kaisara

Botswana International University of Science and Technology

maphaneot@[Link] & kaisarat@[Link]

October 13, 2023

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 1 / 30

Outline

1 Linear Simultaneous Equations (in two unknowns)

2 Quadratic Equations

3 Equations Involving Exponents

4 Logarithmic Equations

5 Equations Involving Surds

6 Equations Involving Simple Rational Expressions

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 2 / 30

A system of linear equations

A linear equation in two unknowns/variables x and y is of the form

a1 x + a2 y = c or y = mx + c. If y = 0, then a1 x = c is a linear
equation in one variable. Here we consider a system of two linear
equations in two unknowns:

a1 x + a2 y = c,
b1 x + b2 y = d,

where a1 , a2 , b1 , b2 , c and d are all nonzero constants. To solve the

above system, we reduce it to one equation in one unknown by
solving simultaneously. That is, we multiply the first equation by b2
and the second equation by a2 to obtain
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 4 / 30

Cont...

the following

a1 b2 x + a2 b2 y = b2 c,
a2 b1 x + a2 b2 y = a2 d.

Then subtracting the second equation from the first, we have

(a1 b2 − a2 b1 )x = b2 c − a2 d. (1)

Now we define the quantity

D = a1 b2 − a2 b1 .

This quantity D is called the determinant of the system.

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 5 / 30

Cont...

b2 c − a2 d
If D ̸= 0, then (1) yields x = , and y is found by
a1 b2 − a2 b1
substituting this value of x into a1 x + a2 y = c. Thus, if D ̸= 0, then
the above system of equations has a unique solution.
On the other hand, suppose that D = 0. Then a1 b2 = a2 b1 , and the
equation (1) leads to the equation

0 = b2 c − a2 d.

Either this equation is true or false. If it is false, (that is

b2 c − a2 d ̸= 0), then the system of two linear equations

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 6 / 30

Cont...

in two unknowns

a1 x + a2 y = c,
b1 x + b2 y = d,

has no solution.
Further, if the equation is true (that is, if b2 c − a2 d = 0), then the
above system of linear equations consists essentially of only one
equation as the second equation is simply a multiple of the first one.
In this case, we may choose x arbitrarily and calculate the
corresponding value of y , which means that there are infinite
number of solutions.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 7 / 30

Cont...

In sum, we have shown that if D = 0, then the system

a1 x + a2 y = c,
b1 x + b2 y = d,

has either no solution or an infinite number of solutions.

These facts can be visualized geometrically by noting that the above
system consists of the equations of two straight lines. A solution of
the system occurs at the point of intersection of the two lines. If the
slopes are different, then D ̸= 0 and the two lines intersect at a single
point, which is a unique solution. Likewise, D = 0 if and only if the
slopes of the two lines are the same.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 8 / 30

Cont...

Thus, if D = 0, either we have two parallel lines and no solution as

the lines never intersect, or both equations yield the same line and
every point on this line is a solution. Thus, infinite solutions. As
illustrated in the figure below.

(a) Unique solution (b) No solution (c) Infinite solutions

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 9 / 30

Example

Solve the following systems of equations;

(a) (b) (c)

( ( (
2x + 3y = 12 x + 3y = 3 x + 3y = 3
x +y =5 3x + 9y = 8 3x + 9y = 9

Solution:
(a) Here D = 2 · 1 − 3 · 1 = −1 ̸= 0, so there is a unique solution,
which is easily found to be x = 3, y = 2.
(b) Here D = 1 · 9 − 3 · 3 = 0. In this case, (1) reduces to
0 = 27 − 24, ⇒ 27 = 24 which is false. Thus, the system has no
solutions.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 10 / 30

Example cont...

(c)Here also D = 1 · 9 − 3 · 3 = 0, and (1) reduces to

0 = 27 − 27, ⇒ 27 = 27 which is true. So the system consists of
only one equation as the second equation is simple three times
the first one. So if x is arbitrary, set x = t for t ∈ R, then
y = 1 − 31 x = 1 − 13 t. Thus, the system has infinite number of
solutions.
Exercise: Consider the system of linear equations

2x + 5y = 10,
kx + y = 5.

Determine the value of k such that the system has

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 11 / 30

Exercise cont...

(a) a unique solution,

(b) no solution,
(c) infinitely many solutions? Explain.
Solution:
(a) We reduce the above system into one equation with a variable x
and determine the quantity D. Thus,
(2 − 5k)x = 10 − 25, ⇒ D = 2 − 5k. Thus, the system has a
unique solution if D ̸= 0. We need to find the values of k such
2
that D ̸= 0. It follows that D = 0 gives k = . Hence, for
    5
2 2
D ̸= 0 we have k ∈ −∞, ∪ ,∞ .
5 5
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 12 / 30

Exercise cont...

(b) The system has no solution at D = 0 such that Dx = 10 − 25 is

false. As 0 = 10 − 25 is false. Then, for D = 2 − 5k. It follows
2
that D = 0 gives k = .
5
(b) Infinitely many solutions occurs at D = 0 such that
Dx = 10 − 25 is true. In this case, 0 = −5 which is false. Hence
there is no value of k for which the system has infinitely many
solutions.

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 13 / 30

Quadratic (second degree) Equations

A quadratic equation is an equation of the form:

ax 2 + bx + c = 0,

where a, b and c are given constants, with a ̸= 0 and x is a variable

of the equation. Note that, if a = 0, the above equation reduces to
bx + c = 0, which is a linear equation.
A quadratic equation is solved by factorization. Thus, the methods
used to solve quadratic equations are the same methods we learned
when factorizing the quadratic expressions. The solutions of a
quadratic equation are called the zeros or the roots (also the
x-intercepts) of the quadratic equation.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 15 / 30

Examples
Solve the following quadratic equations:

(a) x 2 + 5x = −6, (c) 3x 2 + 8x + 4 = 0.

(b) 4x 2 + 12x + 5 = 0,

Solutions:
(a) Here, x 2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0. Thus, x = −2 or
x = −3.
1
(b) Here, 4x 2 + 12x + 5 = (4x + 10)(x + ) = (2x + 5)(2x + 1) = 0.
2
Thus, x = − 52 or x = − 12 .
6
(c) Here, 3x 2 + 8x + 4 = (3x + 2)(x + ) = (3x + 2)(x + 2) = 0.
3
Thus, x = − 32 or x = −2.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 16 / 30

Equations Involving Exponents

An exponential equation is an equation, where the variables occur as

exponents, or which can be reduced to that form. To solve such type
of equations we need to remember the following rule.
-Rule:
If a is a real number such that a ̸= 0, 1, we must have

ax = ay ⇒ x = y .

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 18 / 30

Equations Involving Exponents

To solve equations involving exponents we need to convert all the

terms to exponential expressions having the same base. Then equate
the exponents.
Example
Solve

(a) 2x · 4x+1 = 8. (d) Given that y = 2x , express

(b) 32x+1 = 95x . 4x in terms of y .
2
(c) 32x−1 = 3x . (e) 8(4x ) − 9(2x ) + 1 = 0.

Please refer to your class note for the solutions.!!

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 19 / 30

Exponents involving logarithms
If the problem is of the form (or can be reduced to the form)

ax = b, with a ̸= 0, and a ̸= 1,

and b can not be written as an exponent of a, then take logarithm

on both sides and solve for the variable x.

i.e., log (ax ) = log b

log b
⇒ x log a = log b, ⇒ x = .
log a

Apply the above rule to solve

(a) 32x+1 = 6. (b) 3 × 7x+1 = 49x .
[Link]
Please refer to your class note for the solutions.!!
Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 20 / 30
Equations involving logarithms

To solve equations involving logarithms we apply the following rule.

-Rule:
If two logarithmic expressions with the same base are equal, then
their arguments are equal.
i.e., if loga x = loga y , then x = y .

Therefore, ensure all logarithmic expressions have the same base

before solving. If not convert all logarithmic expressions to have the
same base (change of bases), then equate the arguments of the
logarithm on both sides and solve the resulting equation.

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 22 / 30

Logarithmic Equations

Example
Solve,
(a) log (x 2 + 1) = log (x + 1) .
(b) log2 (x + 2) + log2 (x − 2) = log4 (x + 2)2 .
(c) log5 (2x − 3) + log5 (x + 1) = 2.
Please refer to your class note for the solutions.!!

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 23 / 30

Equations Involving Surds

Rules for solving equations with surds.

1 If there is only one surd, then isolate it on one side and square
both sides.
2 If there are two surds,
(a) isolate one surd and square both sides,
(b) if necessary, square both sides again to remove any remaining
surds.
3 Always check if the solution obtained satisfies the given
surd equation.

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 25 / 30

Equations Involving Surds

Solve for x.
√
2x + 1 = 5.

Therefore, squaring both sides gives,

√ 2
2x + 1 = (5)2
⇒ 2x + 1 = 25
⇒ 2x = 24, ⇒ x = 12.
√ √
Checking the solution, clearly 2 · 12 + 1 = 25 = 5.
[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 26 / 30

Example

Solve for x.
√ √ √
(a) x + 6 − x = 2, 4+ 2−x
√ 6x
(c) = x.
(b) 10 + x 8 = √ . 2
2
Please refer to your class note for the solutions.!!

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 27 / 30

Equations Involving Simple Rational Expressions
Solve for x.
x −2 1
− = 1.
x +3 x −1
To solve such an equation take the lowest common denominator of
both the fractions (which is (x + 3)(x − 1)) and multiply each sides
by this common factor as
 
x −2 1
(x + 3)(x − 1) · − = (x + 3)(x − 1)
x +3 x −1
⇒ (x − 1)(x − 2) − (x + 3) = (x + 3)(x − 1).

Check each of the solutions if it satisfies the original equation.

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 29 / 30

The solution for
x −2 1
− = 1.
x +3 x −1
1
is x = and it satisfies the original equation.
3
Example
Solve
3 1 1 5 3 2x
(a) − = 2 . (b) − = .
x +1 x x +x x +2 x −2 4 − x2

Please refer to your class note for the solutions.!!

[Link]

Maphane & Kaisara (BIUST) MATH 101 October 13, 2023 30 / 30