South 고등학교 1학년 Common Mathematics 1
Chapters: 4
1. Polynomials
Operations on polynomials · Identities and remainder theorem · Factorising polynomials
- Polynomials: Zeroes and Coefficients – A polynomial like ax² + bx + c has a degree (highest power). A zero is a value of x that makes it 0. On a graph, zeroes are the x-coordinates where the curve y = p(x) meets the x-axis. A polynomial of degree n has at most n zeroes. For ax² + bx + c with zeroes α, β: α + β = −b/a and αβ = c/a. A quadratic with given zeroes is k[x² − (α+β)x + αβ].
- Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorem – When a polynomial p(x) is divided by (x − a), the remainder is p(a). So you can find the remainder without long division: just put x = a. If p(a) = 0, the remainder is 0 and (x − a) is a factor of p(x). This is the factor theorem.
2. Equations and inequalities
Complex numbers · Real and imaginary roots; discriminant · Roots and coefficients · Quadratic equations and functions · Parabola and line positions · Max and min of quadratics · Cubic and quartic equations · Simultaneous quadratic equations · Simultaneous linear inequalities · Absolute-value inequalities · Quadratic inequalities
- Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations – Some equations like x² + 1 = 0 have no real answer, because no real number has a negative square. So we add a new number i with i² = −1. A complex number is z = a + ib: a is the real part and b is the imaginary part. We add, subtract and multiply complex numbers like algebra, and replace i² by −1. To divide, we multiply top and bottom by the conjugate. On the Argand plane, z = a + ib is the point (a, b). The conjugate a − ib is its mirror image in the real axis, and the modulus √(a² + b²) is its distance from the origin. Every quadratic ax² + bx + c = 0 with D = b² − 4ac < 0 has two complex roots that are conjugates of each other.
- Quadratic Equations – A quadratic equation has x² as its highest power: ax² + bx + c = 0 with a ≠ 0. It has at most two roots. Find them by factorising (split the middle term, then set each bracket to zero) or by the formula x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a. The discriminant D = b² − 4ac tells the nature of roots: D > 0 two different real roots, D = 0 two equal roots, D < 0 no real roots.
- Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs – A quadratic function is y = ax² + bx + c with a ≠ 0. Its graph is a U-shaped curve called a parabola. If a > 0 it opens up and has a lowest point; if a < 0 it opens down and has a highest point. That turning point is the vertex, at x = −b/2a. In vertex form y = a(x − h)² + k the vertex is (h, k).
- Solving Polynomial and Rational Equations – To solve a polynomial equation p(x) = 0, find where the graph of y = p(x) meets the x-axis. For a cubic or quartic: guess one root from the divisors of the constant term, divide it out, and solve what is left. Biquadratics like x⁴ − 5x² + 4 = 0 become quadratics with t = x². Rational equations P(x)/Q(x) = 0 need P(x) = 0 and Q(x) ≠ 0. Inequalities use a sign chart.
- Simultaneous Equations – Simultaneous equations are two or more equations that must be true at the same time. Their solution is the set of values that fits every equation. On a graph, each solution is a point where the graphs meet. With one straight line and one curve, put the line into the curve (substitution) to get a quadratic; its discriminant tells you if there are 2, 1 or 0 meeting points. With three linear equations, eliminate one letter at a time.
- Linear Inequalities in One Variable – An inequality compares two expressions with <, >, ≤ or ≥. A linear inequality in one variable looks like ax + b < c. Its answer is usually a whole range of numbers, not one number. We solve it like an equation: we may add or subtract the same number on both sides, and multiply or divide by the same positive number. If we multiply or divide by a negative number, the sign must flip. We show the answer on a number line: a hollow dot for < or > (end not included) and a filled dot for ≤ or ≥ (end included), with the shaded part showing all solutions. Double inequalities like −1 ≤ x < 3 give a piece of the line. If x must be a natural number or an integer, only the whole numbers in that range count.
- Quadratic Inequalities – A quadratic inequality asks where ax² + bx + c is above zero (> 0) or below zero (< 0). Find the roots, picture the parabola, and read the answer from the graph. When a > 0 the curve is below zero between the roots and above zero outside them. If there are no real roots (D < 0), the curve is always on one side of the x-axis.
3. Counting
Sum and product rules · Permutations · Combinations
- Permutations and Combinations – Counting without listing is the heart of this chapter. The fundamental principle of counting says: if one job can be done in m ways and the next in n ways, both together can be done in m × n ways. n! (n factorial) is 1 × 2 × … × n, with 0! = 1. A permutation is an arrangement, where order matters: the number of ways to arrange r things out of n different things is ⁿPᵣ = n!/(n − r)!. A combination is a selection, where order does not matter: ⁿCᵣ = n!/(r!(n − r)!). Each selection of r things can be arranged in r! ways, so ⁿPᵣ = ⁿCᵣ × r!. Useful facts: ⁿCᵣ = ⁿCₙ₋ᵣ and ⁿCᵣ + ⁿCᵣ₋₁ = ⁿ⁺¹Cᵣ. When some objects repeat, divide by the factorial of each repeat count.
4. Matrices
What a matrix is · Matrix operations
- Matrices: Order, Types, Transpose, Operations and Inverse – A matrix is a box of numbers set in rows and columns. Its order is rows × columns. Special matrices include zero, identity, diagonal, scalar, row, column and square matrices. The transpose swaps rows and columns. Symmetric means Aᵀ = A and skew-symmetric means Aᵀ = −A. We add matrices place by place, and multiply them row × column. Matrix multiplication is not commutative (AB is usually not BA). A square matrix A is invertible if some B gives AB = BA = I, and that B is unique.