MM12NumberTheory L1: Preliminaries-The Number System

I. Competencies:
1. To familiarize with the laws of integers and properties of integers.
2.Solve for integral solutions of equations and inequalities.
3.To introduce special notations that will work as a short cut for expressing sum of terms
and product factors.
4.Analyze the properties of summation and multiplication
II.Notes:
Number theory is a branch of pure mathematics devoted to the study of the natural
numbers and the integers. It is the study of the set of positive whole numbers which are
usually called the set of natural numbers. As it holds the foundational place in the
discipline, Number theory is also called "The Queen of Mathematics”.
The number system or the numeral system is the system of naming or
representing numbers. There are various types of number systems in math like binary,
decimal, etc...
The older term for number theory is arithmetic. The use of the
term arithmetic for number theory regained some ground in the second half of the 20th
century, arguably in part due to French influence. In particular, arithmetical is preferred as
an adjective to number-theoretic.
The earliest historical find of an arithmetical nature is a fragment of a table: the
broken clay tablet Plimpton 322 (Larsa, Mesopotamia, ca. 1800 BCE) contains a list of
"Pythagorean triples", that is, integers such that . The triples are too many and too large to
have been obtained by brute force.

Plimpton 322

The main goal of number theory is to discover interesting and unexpected relationships
between different sorts and to prove that these relationships are true.
There are a few properties of integers which determines its operations. These
principles or properties help us to solve many equations. To recall, integers are any
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positive or negative numbers including zero. The integer properties will help to simplify and
solve a series of integers easily.
Properties of Integers
All properties and identities for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of
numbers are applicable to all the integers. Integers include the set of positive numbers,
zero and negative numbers which can be represented with the letter Z.
Z = {……….−5,−4, −3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3,4,5………}
Properties of Integers
Integer Property Addition Multiplication Subtraction Division

Commutative x + y = y+ x x×y=y×x x–y≠y–x x÷y≠y÷x

Property

Associative x + (y + z) = (x x × (y × z) = (x × (x – y) – z ≠ x – (x ÷ y) ÷ z ≠ x
Property + y) +z y) × z (y – z) ÷ (y ÷ z)

Identity Property x + 0 = x =0 + x×1=x=1×x x–0=x≠0–x x÷1=x≠1÷

x x

Closure Property x+y∈Z x×y∈Z x–y∈Z x÷y∉Z

Distributive x × (y + z) = x × y + x× z
Property x × (y − z) = x × y − x × z
Property 1: Closure Property
Among the various properties of integers, closure property under addition and
subtraction states that the sum or difference of any two integers will always be an integer
i.e. if x and y are any two integers, x + y and x − y will also be an integer.

Example 1: 3 – 4 = 3 + (−4) = −1; (–5) + 8 = 3,

The results are integers.
Closure property under multiplication states that the product of any two integers will be an
integer i.e. if x and y are any two integers, xy will also be an integer.

Example 2: 6 × 9 = 54; (–5) × (3) = −15, which are integers.

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Division of integers doesn’t follow the closure property, i.e. the quotient of any two integers
x and y, may or may not be an integer.

Example 3: (−3) ÷ (−6) = ½, is not an integer.

Property 2: Commutative Property
The commutative property of addition and multiplication states that the order of terms
doesn’t matter, the result will be the same. Whether it is addition or multiplication,
swapping of terms will not change the sum or product. Suppose, x and y are any two
integers, then ⇒ x + y = y + x ⇒ x × y = y × x

Example 4: 4 + (−6) = −2 = (−6) + 4; 10 × (−3) = −30 = (−3) × 10

But, subtraction (x − y ≠ y − x) and division (x ÷ y ≠ y ÷ x) are not commutative for integers
and whole numbers.

Example 5: 4 − (−6) = 10 ; (−6) – 4 = −10 ⇒ 4 − (−6) ≠ (−6) – 4

Ex: 10 ÷ 2 = 5 ; 2 ÷ 10 = 1/5 ⇒ 10 ÷ 2 ≠ 2 ÷ 10
Property 3: Associative Property
The associative property of addition and multiplication states that the way of grouping of
numbers doesn’t matter; the result will be same. One can group numbers in any way but
the answer will remain same. Parenthesis can be done irrespective of the order of terms.
Let x, y and z be any three integers, then⇒ x + (y + z) = (x + y) +z ⇒ x × (y × z) =
(x × y) × z

Example 6: 1 + (2 + (-3)) = 0 = (1 + 2) + (−3); 1 × (2 × (−3)) =−6 = (1 × 2) × (−3)

Subtraction of integers is not associative in nature i.e. x − (y − z) ≠ (x − y) − z.

Example 7: 1 − (2 − (−3)) = −4; (1 – 2) – (−3) = −2 1 – (2 – (−3)) ≠ (1 − 2) − (−3)

Property 4: Distributive Property
The distributive property explains the distributing ability of operation over another
mathematical operation within a bracket. It can be either distributive property of
multiplication over addition or distributive property of multiplication over subtraction. Here
integers are added or subtracted first and then multiplied or multiply first with each number
within the bracket and then added or subtracted. This can be represented for any integers
x, y and z as:
⇒ x × (y + z) = x × y + x × z ⇒ x × (y − z) = x × y − x × z

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Example 8: −5 (2 + 1) = −15 = (−5 × 2) + (−5 × 1)
Property 5: Identity Property
Among the various properties of integers, additive identity property states that
when any integer is added to zero it will give the same number. Zero is called additive
identity. For any integer x,
x+0=x=0+x
The multiplicative identity property for integers says that whenever a number is
multiplied by the number 1 it will give the integer itself as the product. Therefore, the
integer 1 is called the multiplicative identity for a number. For any integer x,
x×1=x=1×x
If any integer multiplied by 0, the product will be zero: x × 0 = 0 =0 × x

If any integer multiplied by -1, the product will be opposite of the number: x × (−1) = −x =
(−1) × x

Absolute Value Equations

Recall that geometrically, the absolute value of α . Since there are 2 points whose
distance from the origin is 8 units, namely, −¿8 and 8, the equation |x|=¿ 8 will have the
solutions −¿8 and 8. This led to the following result.

If the absolute value of an expression equals some positive number α , then the
expression itself equals either α or −α . Thus,
|x|=a is equivalent to x=−a or x=a

Example 1: Solve: |2 x+ 3|=5

Solution: Following the property above, there are two possibilities.
2 x+3=−5 or 2 x+3=5
2 x=−8 2 x=2
x=−4 x=1
Thus, the solutions are x=−4 or x=1.

For absolute value equations wherein the right side is a negative number, the
solution is always the empty set or the equation has no solution. By definition, absolute
value is the distance of a number from the origin and we know that the distance is always
nonnegative.

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Example 2: Solve: |9 x−5|=−10
Solution: Since the right hand side is negative, this equation has no solution.

Example 3: Solve: |x 2 +3 x−2|=2

Solution: By definition,
2 2
x + 3 x −2=−2 or x + 3 x −2=2
2 2
x + 3 x =0 x + 3 x −4=0
x ( x +3 )=0 ( x +4 ) ( x −1 )=0
x=0 or x=−3 x=−4 or x=1
Therefore, the solutions are −¿4, −¿3, 0, and 1.

Example 4: Solve: 3|8 x−1|+7=22

Solution: First, isolate the term containing absolute value.
3|8 x−1|+7=22
3|8 x−1|=15
|8 x−1|=5
By definition, there are two possibilities:
8 x−1=−5 or 8 x−1=5
8 x=−4 8 x=6
−4 −1 6 3
x= = x= =
8 2 8 4
−1 3
Therefore, the solutions are and .
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There are cases wherein there are more than one pair of absolute value symbols
in a given equation.
1. To solve an absolute value equation of the form |ax+ b|=|cx +d|, solve for
the equations
ax +c=cx +d and ax +b=−(cx +d ).
The final solution set is the union of the solution sets of these equations.

2. To solve an equation where there are absolute value expressions within

absolute value expressions, start solving the outermost absolute value.

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Example 5: Solve the equation: |3 x +17|=|2 x−3|
SolutionSolve for the equations:
3 x+ 17=2 x−3 and 3 x+ 17=−(2 x−3)
x=−20 3 x+ 17=−2 x +3
5 x=−14
−14
x=
5
−14
Therefore, the solutions are −20 and .
5

Example 6 Solve ||4 x +9|−14|=33.

Solution: Start with the outer absolute value equation. By definition,
|4 x+ 9|−14=−33 or |4 x+ 9|−14=33
Solve each absolute value equation.
|4 x+ 9|−14=−33
|4 x+ 9|=−19
Solve the right hand is negative, the solution set is empty.
|4 x+ 9|−14=33
|4 x+ 9|=47
4 x+ 9=−47 or 4 x+ 9=47
4 x=−56 4 x=38
−56 38 19
x= =−14 x= =
4 4 2

LINEAR INEQUALITIES
A linear inequality in one variable is a statement involving two expressions, at least
one containing the variable, separated by one of the inequality symbols, ¿ , ≤ ,>, or ≥. For
example,
x +8<12 , 2 x+5 ≥−8 , 2
2 x −15 ≤20
To solve an inequality means to find all values of the variable for which the
statement is true. These values are called solutions of the inequality.
Two inequalities having exactly the same solution set are called equivalent
inequalities. Obtain equivalent inequalities by applying the properties of inequalities.

A linear inequality in one variable is an inequality equivalent to one of the form

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ax +b <0, ax +b ≤ 0, ax +b >0, ax +b ≥ 0
where a and b are real numbers and a ≠ 0.

PROPERTIES OF INEQUALITIES
Addition and Subtraction Adding (or subtracting) the same quantity to (or
from) both sides of an inequality produces an `
equivalent inequality.
If a< b ,then a+ c> b+c .
If a< b , then a−c <b−c .
Multiplication and Division Multiplying (or dividing) both sides of an
inequality by a positive quantity produces an
equivalent inequality.
a< band c <0 , then ac >bc .
a b
If a< b and c >0 , then < .
c c
Multiplication and Division Multiplying (or dividing) both sides of an
inequality by a negative quantity produces an
equivalent inequality in which the inequality is
reserved.
If a< b and c <0 , then ac <bc .
a b
If a< b and c <0 , then > .
c c
Transitive Consider three quantities for which the first
quantity is less than the second, and the second
is less then the third. It follows that the first
quantity must be less than the third.
If a< b and b< c , then a< c .

Example 1 Solve the inequality: x +14<32

Solution x +14<32 Given inequality
x +14−14<32−14 Subtract 14 from both sides
x <18 Solution
Thus, the solution set contains all real numbers x that are less than 18. The
interval notation for this is (−∞ , 18). The graph of the solution set is

18
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Example 2 Solve the inequality: −2<3 x +2<5
Solution −2<3 x +2<5 Given inequality
−2−2< 3 x +2−2<5−2 Subtract 2 from all three parts
−4<3 x <3 Combine like terms
−4
< x <1
3

−4 1
3
Certain problems can be translated naturally to inequalities rather than equations.
A number is greater than 14 x >14
A number is less than 8 x >9
The number of enrollees is at most 5 400 x ≤ 5400
The cost of producing a bag is at least 350 x ≥ 350

Example 3 Lea’s first 3 scores in her Math tests were 89, 84, and 87. What must be
her score in her fourth test to have an average of at least 88?
Solution Let x = score in the fourth test
(89+ 84+87 + x)
≥ 88
4
260+ x ≥352
x ≥ 92
Therefore, Lea’s score in her last test must be greater than or equal to 92.
INEQUALITIES INVOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
If we want to solve the inequality |x|<6 , we are looking for all points whose
coordinate is a distance of 6 units from the origin. Because any x between −¿6 and 6
satisfies the condition |x|<6 , the solution set consists of all numbers x for which
−6< x<6 ; that is, all x in the interval (−¿6,6).
−¿ x 6
6
This leads to the following results:
If a is any real number that a> 0, then the solutions of |x|< a are all values of x
that lie between −a and a . That is,
|x|< a if and only if −a< x< a
|x|≤ a if and only if −a ≤ x ≤ a

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Example 1 Solve the following inequality: |3 x−2|≤ 4
Solution |3 x−2 |≤ 4 if and only if
−4 ≤3 x−2 ≤ 4
−4+2 ≤3 x ≤ 4+2
−2 ≤3 x ≤6
−2
≤ x≤2
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What if the inequality is greater than? For example, |x|>6. We are looking for all
points whose coordinate x is a distance greater than 6 units from the origin. We can
conclude that any x less than −6 or greater than 6 satisfies the condition |x|>6.
Consequently, the solution set consists of all numbers x for which x <6 or 6< x ; that is
(−∞ , 6) or (6 , ∞ ).
−¿ x 6
6
This leads to the following results:
If a is any real number such that a> 0, then the solutions of |x|> a are all values
of x that are less than −a or greater than a . That is,
|x|> a if and only if x ←a or x >a
|x|≥ a if and only if x ≤−a or x ≥ a .

Example 2 Solve the following inequality and sketch the graph of its solution set.
|5 x−7|≥ 64
Solution Since the inequality is greater than, follow the second rule. That is, solve
for the two inequalities
5 x−7 ≤−64 or 5 x−7 ≥ 64
5 x ≤−64+7 5 x ≥ 64+ 7
5 x ≤−57 5 x ≥ 71
57 71
x ≤− x≥
5 5
Therefore, the solution set consists of all real numbers that are less than or equal
−57 71
to or greater than or equal to . The interval notation for this is
5 5

(−∞ ,−
57
5 ][∪
71
5 )
,∞

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The symbol ∪ is called union symbol. It is used to denote the combining of two
sets. The graph of this solution set is
−57 71
5 5
Sigma and Pi Notation (Summation and Product Notation)
The Sigma symbol, , is a capital letter in the Greek alphabet. It corresponds to
“S” in our alphabet, and is used in mathematics to describe “summation”, the addition or
sum of a bunch of terms (think of the starting sound of the word “sum”: Sssigma = Sssum).
Summation notation provides for us a compact way to represent the addends in
sums such as these. For instance, here is the summation notation to represent the sum of
the first 10 positive integers, the first sum described on this page.

The annotated symbolism shown below identifies important elements used in

summation notation (also called sigma notation).
The Greek letter sigma is closely associated with the word "sum." The letter sigma
is a signal that summation notation is being used.
The index of summation, here the letter i, is a dummy variable whose value will
change as the addends of the sum change. The dummy variable will usually show up one
or more times in the expression to the right of the Greek letter sigma.
The lower limit of summation indicates the smallest value the index will take on.
Here, the smallest value i will take is 1. Unless indicated otherwise, we increase this value
by 1 until we reach the upper limit of summation.
The upper limit of summation indicates the largest value the index will take on.
Here, the largest value i will take on is 10.
The expression to the right of sigma describes or represents each addend, in
terms of the index variable i. Here, that expression is just the index variable. Often is is
much more involved than this.

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To expand this summation notation, that is, to determine the set of addends that
we are to sum, we replace any occurrence of the dummy variable in the addend
representation with the lower limit of the index variable. We evaluate the resulting
expression. This is our first addend. We repeat this process with the next value of the
index variable, using that specific value for the index variable in the addend representation
and simplifying as desired or necessary. The replace and simplify process continues until
the last index value to be used is the upper limit of summation. The Sigma symbol can be
used all by itself to represent a generic sum… the general idea of a sum, of an unspecified
number of unspecified terms: ∑ ai =a 1 + a 2 +a 3+…….
All that matters in this case is the difference between the starting and ending term
numbers… that will determine how many twos we are being asked to add, one two for
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each term number.∑ 2=2 +2+2+2+2 =10
1
Sigma notation is most useful when the “term number” can be used in some way
to calculate each term. To facilitate this, a variable is usually listed below the Sigma with
an equal sign between it and the starting term number. If this variable appears in the
expression being summed, then the current term number should be substituted for the
5
variable: ∑ i =1+2+3+4+5 = 15
1

Note that it is possible to have a variable below the Sigma, but never use it. In such cases,
just as in the example that resulted in a bunch of twos above, the term being added never
5
changes:∑ x = x + x+ x+ x + x
1
The “starting term number” need not be 1. It can be any value, including 0. For example:
7

∑ i = 3+4+5+6+7 =25
3
Here are some further examples to give you a sense of what is possible:
4 4

∑ 2 i = 2(2) +2(3) + 2(4) =18 ∑ jx = 1 x + 2 x + 3 x +4 x = 10 x

i=2 j=1

∑ (k 2 −3 kx ¿ +1)¿ = ¿ + 1) + ¿ + 1) + ¿ + 1)
k =2

11 |
=(4-6x+1) + (9-9x+1) + (16-12x+1)
3

∑ (n+ x ) = (0+x) +(1+x) + (2+x) + (3+x) = 0+1+2+3+x+x+x+x

n=0

Pi (Product) Notation
The Pi symbol,
, is a capital letter in the Greek alphabet call “Pi”, and corresponds to “P” in our
alphabet. It is used in mathematics to represent the product of a bunch of terms (think of
the starting sound of the word “product”: Ppi = Pproduct). It is used in the same way as the
Sigma symbol described above, except that succeeding terms are multiplied instead of
added:
7

∏k = (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) =2520
k =3

∏ (n+ x) = (0+x)(1+x)(2+x)(3+x)
n=0

2 6

∏ ∏ (3 ij)
i=1 j= 4
2
=∏ (3 i.4 )(3 i.5)(3 i.6)
i=1
=(3.1.4)(3.1.5)(3.1.6)(3.2.4)(3.2.5)(3.2.6)

III- IV. Exercises/Written Activities/ Performance Tasks:

I. Multiple Choice. Before the number, write the letter that corresponds to the
correct answer. If there is none, write N.
_____1. │4 x - 1 │< 11, x =
5 5
a. x < - b. x > – c. x > 3 d. x < - 3
2 2
_____2. x²≥ 16, one of the solution set is
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a. x < 4 b. x > - 4 c. x = 4 d. undefined
x
_____3. < x−4 ,x =
3
a. x < 6 b. x > 6 c. a. x < -6 d. x > - 6

_____4. 8- 3x < 14 solve for x

a. a. x > – 2 b. a. x < -2 c. a. x>2 d. a. x<2
_____5. One of the solution set of │ x -2│≥ 3 , x is
a. x= -5 b. x = 5 c. x ≥ -1 d. x ≥ 1
_____6. If │ x │= -6 and x ≠ 0,which of the following must be true?
x
a. x > 0 b. =1 c. x + 8 ¿ 8 d. x│x │-x²
│x│
4
______ 7. ∑ 2 x i =
i=1

4
a. 2 xi + … + 2 x n c. 2 ∑ x i
i=1

b. 2 ∙ 4 d. 2 x1 + x 2 + x 3 + x 4
3
______ 8. ∏ (−3 ) i =
i=1

a. −¿18 b. 18 c. −¿144 d. 144

n
_____ 9. ∏ i =
i=0

a. n! b. 0 c. 1 ∙ 2 ∙ … ∙ n d. 1 + 2 + … + n

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3
_____ 10. ∑ (7+ 4 i) =
i=1

2 3 2 6
a . ∑ (11+4 i) b. ∑ (3+ 4 i) c. ∑ (11+ 4 i) d. ∑ (4 +i)
i=1 i=2 i=0 i=3

II. Solve the following equalities and inequalities. Show your solutions.
1. 5x + │8x -5 │= 9
2. │ x - 12│= │3x + 5│
3. 2x ¿ 5
4. │-5x + 3 │≥ 15
5. │x │¿ 4

V.Learning Insights:
Can you site /relate applications about properties of integers, summation, and phi symbols
in your real-life situations?

VI. References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_theory
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/number-theory
https://byjus.com/maths/properties-of-integers/
https://mathmaine.com/2010/04/01/sigma-and-pi-notation/
Elementary Number Theory by. Sergio E. Ymas Jr., Ph.D.
Elementary Number Theory Sixth Edition by David M. Burton

____________________ ________________________
Date Accomplished Pre-service Teacher’s
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Signature over Printed Name

_______________________
Date Received

To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly
rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like.
Stephen Hawking

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