MODULE 1.

THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

Subject: Math A

Time Frame: 3 weeks

Overview
This module introduces the set of Real Numbers and its subsystems and guides the student
to identify and apply properties of the Set of Real Numbers on the basic operations with numbers.

1.1 The Set of Real Numbers (  )

Objectives:
1. To identify the elements of a subsystem from the elements of other subsystems of numbers.
2. To illustrate each subsystem of numbers on the number line and on the Venn Diagram.

The Real Number Line

A B 3.45 C

-2 -1 0 1 1 2 7 3 3.8 4 5
2 3

In geometry, you learned that a line extends infinitely in both directions. All numbers found
on the number line belongs to the Set of Real numbers. This set contains all positive numbers, all
negative numbers and zero as shown on the number line below.
The coordinate of points A, B, C are ½, 2, 3.8. These coordinates can be written as A (1/2),
B (2) , C (3.8).

Zero (0) is called the ORIGIN and is neither positive nor negative. To its right are the positive
numbers and to its left are the negative numbers.

The Subsets of the Set of Real Numbers

Set of Natural or Counting Numbers N = {1, 2, 3, 4,….}

Set of Whole Numbers W = {0,1, 2, 3, 4,….}
Set of Negative Counting Numbers N- = {……, -4, -3, -2, -1}
Set of Integers I={…, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,….}

There are numbers on the number line shown earlier that are not integers, these numbers
like –2.5, - 4 3 , 3 4 , 2.5, 3 15 are members of the set of RATIONALS.

Set of Rational Numbers = Q = {x/x is a number which can be written as a quotient of two integers
a/b, with b  0}.

Examples: Show that the following numbers are rational: -2 1 2 , 8, 2.3, -3

1) -2 1 2 = 5 2) 8 = 16 3) 2.3 = 2 3/10 4) – 3 = - 6/2

2 2

Rational numbers can also be expressed as a repeating decimal. However, there are other
numbers that cannot be written as a/b, where b  0. These numbers are called Irrational Numbers.
Examples of Irrational Numbers are:

a) 2  1.41 b)  3  1.73 c)   3.1416 d) 3

7

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

The Set of Irrational Numbers = H = {x/x is a non-repeating, non-terminating decimal.}

The Set of Real Numbers: The Set of Real Numbers is a set of numbers that can be expressed as
an infinite decimal expansion . Its subsets are the sets of Natural Numbers, Whole Numbers,
Integers, Rational Numbers, and Irrational Numbers.

Real

Venn Diagram of the Subsets of the Real Number System

1.1 Exercises

For numbers 1 – 3, refer to the number line below.

M N O P Q R S T U V W

-2 -1 0 1 2

1) Give the coordinate of each point

a) N c) P e) S
b) O d) R

2) Give the letter name for each coordinate.

a) ____ (-1.4) c) ____ ( 6 5 ) e) ____ ( 2 5 )
b) ____ (- 4 5 ) d) ____ (1.6)

3) Draw a number line and locate the following numbers.

{A(- 22/4) , B(  5 ), C ( 1 ) , D( 3.5 ) , E (7.25) }

3 2

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

1.2 Properties of the Set of Real Numbers

Objective: To identify and apply properties of the Set of Real Numbers on the operations with
numbers.

The rules that we use when adding or multiplying real numbers are all based on some
properties. We know that when we add or multiply two real numbers we get the same sum or
product no matter what order is used in performing the operation.

Consider 5 + 6 = 6 + 5 and 5(6) = 6(5).

These facts can be stated formally as follows.

Commutative Property
For all real numbers a and b, the following properties apply:
Commutative Property for Addition: a+b=b+a
Commutative Property for Multiplication: ab = ba

When we add or multiply three or more real numbers, we get the same sum or the product
no matter how we group, or ASSOCIATE, the numbers.

Consider (21 + 34) + 42 = 21 + (34 + 42) and (8 x 3) x 6 = 8 x (3 x 6)

This property can be presented in a formal statement as:

Associative Property
For all real numbers a, b, c, the following properties hold:
Associative Property For Addition: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
Associative Property For Multiplication: (ab) c = a (bc)

The Commutative and Associative Properties can permit us to add or multiply numbers in
any order and in any group. The following examples show how these properties can help us.

Examples : Simplify the following.

a) 42 + 2 14 + 36 + 5 34 b) 3
5
x 4 x 20 x 15

Solution:
a) 42 + 2 14 + 36 +5 34 = (42 +36) + (2 14 + 5 34 )
= 78 + 8
= 86

3 3 
b)  4  20  15 =   20 4  15
5 5 
= (12) (60)
= 720

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

What number will you add to a so that the answer is a? _____

What number will you multiply to a so that the answer is a? _____
These questions lead us to the following properties.

Existence of the Additive Identity Element

There exists one and only one real number zero (0), called the additive identity element such
that for any a  R , a + 0 = a or 0 + a = a

Existence of a Multiplicative Identity Element

There exists one and only real number one (1), called the multiplicative identity element such
that for any a  R , a (1) = a or 1(a) = a

Examples: Additive Identity Multiplicative Identity

a) 3 + 0 = 3 b) 3 (1) = 3
0+½ =½ 1 (½) = ½
.25 + 0 = .25 .25 (1) = .25

What number will you add to 3 to give you an answer 0? ____

What number will you multiply to 3 to give you an answer 1? ____

These properties will answer our questions.

Existence of Additive Inverse:

For every a  R , there exists a unique real number –a, called the additive inverse of a such
that a + (-a ) = 0 , and (-a ) + a = 0.

Existence of Multiplicative Inverse:

For every a  R , a  0 , there exists a unique real number 1 , called the multiplicative
a
inverse or reciprocal of a such that a  a   1 or  a  a  1
1 1

Examples:
Given Number Additive Inverse Multiplicative Inverse

1. 5 -5 ________

2. 3/4 ________ 4/3

3. –6 ________ -1/6

4. –2/3 2/3 _________

Another very useful property of Real number is the Distributive Property of Multiplication over
Addition.

Distributive Property of Multiplication Over Addition

For any a, b, c  R, ab  c   ab  ac and b  c a  ba  ca .

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

Examples: Simplify the following.

a) 12 
 2 5
 
 3 6
 3  125 6   8  10  18
= 12 2

b)
1
x  12   1 x  1 12  x  2
6 6 6 6
c. 3y ( 2a + 3b – 4c) = ______________________________

The relation of equality of two real numbers satisfies the following properties.

Properties of Equality
For all real numbers a, b, and c,
I. Reflexive Property a=a
II. Symmetric Property If a = b, then b = a.
III. Transitive Property If a = b, and b = c, then a = c.
IV. Addition Property If a = b, then a + c = b + c.
V. Multiplication Property If a = b and c  0, then ac = bc.

Examples:
Name the property that is illustrated below. Write your answer on the blanks before
each item.
______ a) If y = 5, then 5 = y
______ b) b + 1 = b + 1
______ c) If x = 3b and 3b = y , then x = y.
______ d If a = b , then a + 6 = b + 6
______ e) If y = z ,then y (x + 2) = z (x + 2)

Order Property
(Trichotomy Law)
If a  R , then exactly one of the following is true; a < 0, a = 0, a > 0,
that is, a real number is either negative, zero or positive.

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

1.2 Exercises

Name the property of real numbers that is illustrated by each of the following.

1) 7 + (-7) = 0 ____________________________________________

2) 2 x (50 x 5) = (2 x 50) x 5 ____________________________________

3) m  5  5  m _______________________________________________
4)
3
12 x    3  12  x __________________________________________
4 4 
5) (25 + y) + 13 = (y + 25) + 13 ________________________________

2  5 3  2 5 3
6) 5   3  10    5  3   10 _____________________________
7  7 8  7 7 8

7) 14  y 2  14  2  y 2  ____________________________________

7 7 7
8) (25 +p) + q = q + (25 +p)_____________________________________

1
9) 8c   1 ________________________________________________
8c
10) (n + 12) + 10 = n + (12 + 10) _________________________________
11) 9 n + 0 = 9 n ___________________________________________
12) (7 b) (1) = (7 b) ___________________________________________

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

WORKSHEET 1

Properties of Real Numbers and Properties of Equality

Name _________________________ Section ______ Date ______ Score ____

A. Identify the property of equality of real numbers that apply in each of the following
equations where a, b, c  R .

1. If (a – 2) = 6 , then 6 = (a – 2) _____________________________

2. If a = b , b = x , a = x _____________________________

3. If b = 4, then b (a + 2) = 4 (a + 2) _____________________________

4. 3xy = 3xy _____________________________

5. If r = m then r + (6 + a) = m + (6 + a) ___________________________

B. Identify the property of Real Numbers Used in each of the following:

1. 2 + (x + y) = (x +y) + 2 __________________________________

2. (3 + x) + 4 = 3 + (x + 4) __________________________________

3. n (5 + y) = (5 + y) n __________________________________

4. 2x (yz) = ( 2xy ) z __________________________________

5. (a + 2b) 3 = 3a + 6b __________________________________
5
6. (3 x)  (3 x) __________________________________
5
7. 2b + 0 = 2b __________________________________
3 5
8.   1 __________________________________
5 3
9. 8y + (-8y) = 0 __________________________________
a 2
10.  1 __________________________________
2 a

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

1.3 The Set of Natural Numbers (N)

Objectives:
1. To find and differentiate factors from multiples of a number.
2. To solve for LCM and GCF of 2 or more numbers.

Give a pair of numbers whose product is 18. How many pairs can you give?

What about any three numbers whose product is 18?

The numbers you give are called FACTORS.

Terms to Remember

1. Factor: Two or more numbers multiplied together to give a product are called factors. Each
number is called a factor of the product.
Examples 1) Factors of 18 are
a) 6 and 3 c) 18 and 1
b) 9 and 2 d) 2, 3 and 3

2. What are the factors of 72?

In our example, 6 and 3 are factors of 18. We can also say that 18 is a multiple of 3,
and 18 is a multiple of 6.
We can show that by giving the multiples of 6 and 3 and see whether 18 is really a
multiple of 3 and 6.
The multiples of 3 are : 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ….
The multiples of 6 are : 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, …

2. Multiple : a multiple of a number n is a product of n and some other factor(s).

1. Give 8 multiples of 4 in ascending order.
4, 8, ____ 16, 20 , _____, _____, 32
2. Give 10 multiples of 5 in ascending order.

3. Prime Number : A prime number is a number greater than 1 whose factors are 1 and itself.

4. Composite Number : A composite number is a number which has factors other than 1 and itself.
Note: 0 and 1 are considered as special numbers. They are neither prime nor composite
numbers. The number 1 is a factor of every number.

1.3 Activity:

A) Identify all prime numbers less than or equal to 60 using the Sieve of Erathosthenes.
Encircle the first 4 prime numbers. Cross out all numbers divisible by 2,3,5,7. Then,
encircle the leftovers. These are prime
numbers.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

B) Express each number as a product of prime factors.

1) 28 4) 74 7) 175 10) 247
2) 39 5) 70 8) 200
3) 65 6) 136 9) 143

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C) Give the next 5 multiples of each number.

1) 11 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
2) 13 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
3) 15 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
4) 20 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
5) 25 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

1.3.1 Greatest Common Factor

Greatest Common Factor (GCF) : The greatest common factor of two or more given numbers is
the largest natural number that can divide all of the given numbers (a,b). It is the product of the
common prime factors of the given numbers.

Relatively Prime Numbers : Two or more numbers which have no common factor other
than 1 are called relatively prime numbers.

Rules for finding the GCF of any number pair (a,b) where a < b.
1) If a and b have no common factors other than 1, they are relatively prime and the gcf
(a,b) =1.
Examples: a) gcf ( 8, 9) = 1 c) gcf ( 3,10) = ______
b) gcf (12,25) = ___ d) gcf (4, 15) = ______

2) If a can divide b , gcf (a, b) =a.

Examples: a) gcf (12, 48) = 12 c) gcf (4, 24) =---------------
b) gcf(9, 36) =___ d) gcf (6, 54) =----------------

3) If a and b have common prime factors, then get the product of all those common factors.
If some common prime factors are raised to any power , choose the common factors
with the least power.
Examples: a) gcf (12, 18) = 6 c) gcf (54, 90) = ______
12  2 2  3 54 = ________
18  2  32 90 = ________
b) gcf (12,40) = _____ d) gcf (50, 75) =______

Application of the GCF:

In getting the lowest terms of a fraction, divide both numerator and denominator by the gcf.

Examples :

12 48 54
1)  ______ 3)  ______ 5)  ______
48 54 90

12 12 50
2)  ______ 4)  ______ 6)  ______
18 40 75

1.3.2 Least Common Multiple

Least Common Multiple (LCM) – The least common multiple of two or more given numbers is the
smallest number divisible by each of the given number.

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Rules in finding the LCM of any number pair (a, b) , where a< b.

1) If a, and b are relatively prime, lcm (a, b) = a b

Examples: a) lcm (4, 15) = 60 c) lcm (3, 8) =_____

b) lcm ( 5, 6) =_____ d) lcm (6, 11) =_____

e) lcm (2, 3, 5) =_____
2) If a can divide b, lcm (a, b) = b.
Examples: a) lcm (9, 36) = 36 c) lcm (12, 60) = _____
b) lcm ( 6, 48) = ____ d) lcm (15, 45) = _____

3) If a and b have common factors, express both numbers in completely factored form, then
get the product of all the prime factors. If common factors are raised to any power,
choose the common factor with the highest power.

Examples :
a) lcm ( 15,54) = 270 d) lcm (12, 48) =
15 = 3  5 12 = _____
54 = 3  2
3
48 = _____
b) lcm (12,40) = e) lcm (100, 125) = ____

c) lcm (6, 16) =______ f) lcm (18, 24,) = _____

Application of the LCM

In addition of fractions with different denominators, we find the LCD by getting the LCM of all the
denominators of fractions given. This will be discussed later in Chapter 4.

1.3 Exercises:
A. Express each number in prime factors and then find the GCF and the LCM of each set of
numbers.

1) 12 =__________________ 2) 24 =____________________
20 =__________________ 36 =____________________
gcf (12, 20) =____________ gcf (24, 36) = ______________
lcm (12, 20) =___________ lcm (24, 36) =______________
3) 28 =_________________ 4) 34 =_____________________
42 =_________________ 51 =_____________________
98 =_________________ gcf (34, 51) =_______________
gcf (28, 42, 98) = ________ lcm (34, 51) =______________
lcm (28, 42, 98) = _______

5) 198 =___________________ 6) 21 =_____________________

154 =____________________ 490 = _____________________
gcf ( 154, 198) =___________ gcf ( 21,490 ) =______________
lcm ( 154, 198) =___________ lcm (21, 490) =______________

7) 16 =_____________________ 8) 21 =_____________________
24 =_____________________ 15 =_____________________
40 =_____________________ 27 =_____________________
gcf (16, 24, 40) =____________ gcf ( 21, 15, 27)=_____________
lcm (16, 24, 40)=____________ lcm (21, 15, 27) =_____________

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

1.4 The Set of Integers

Objective:
1. To give the absolute value of an integer.
2. To perform operations on integers.

The number line below shows the set of integers.

-5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Integers are also called signed numbers since the positive numbers are written with a
positive or plus sign (+) while negative numbers with a minus sign (-) .
However, numbers written without a sign is understood to be positive.
Examples: a) +5 = 5 b) +16 = 16 c) +30 = 30

2.2 Exercises :

Represent each of the following quantities by appropriate integer.

______ a) A loss of P50 in a business deal.

______ b) A profit of P4700 in business venture.
______ c) An increase of salary of P2000.
______ d) 30 kilometers up a mountain above sea level .
______ e) A debt of P1500.
______ f) A gain in weight of 3 kilograms .
______ g) 300 meters below sea level.
______ h) A withdrawal of P540 in a bank account.
______ i) A temperature of 9 degrees centigrade below zero.
______ j) An increase in speed of 20 kilometer per hour.

1.4.1 Operations On Integers

A. Addition of Integers

Absolute Value of a Number : The absolute value of a number is the numerical

value of a number regardless of the sign. In symbol the absolute value of n is n.

Examples:
a) 4 4 b) 5  5 c)  3.6  3.6
How do we add 2 positive numbers?

To add two positive numbers, find the sum of their absolute values. The
answer is positive.

Examples:
a) 8 + 7 = 15 b) 29 + 38 = c) 3 1 
4 4

To add two negative numbers, find the sum of the absolute value of
the numbers and affix the negative sign.

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Examples:
a) –8 + (-9) = -17 c) - 3 + (-84) = ______
b) –11 + (-13) = -24 d)–302 +(-67) = ______

What happens if we add 2 integers having different signs?

To add two integers with different signs,

a) Subtract the integer with smaller absolute value from the integer with larger absolute value.
b) Copy the sign of the integer which has greater absolute value.

Examples :
a) – 2 + 6 =4 c) – 47 + 140 =
b) 15 +(-38) = d) – 84 + 5 =

To add more than two integers ,

a) Add positive( +) numbers and negative (-) numbers separately,
then add the two sums.

a) 2 + (-1 ) + (-3) +5 = (2 + 5) + [(-1) +(-3) ]= 3

Another approach is adding numbers as you go along

b) 2 + (-1) + (-3) + 5 = 3

c) 3 – 4 + 5 – 6 + 8 – 10 = (3 + 5 + 8) – (4 + 6 + 10)
= 16 – 20
=-4

B. Subtraction of Integers

In subtraction : A – B = C, A is the minuend , B is the subtrahend while C is the difference.

In subtracting integers, add the additive inverse of the subtrahend to

the minuend and apply the addition rules for integers in getting the answer.

Examples: a) 4 – 5 = 4 + (-5) = -1 d) –3 – 9 = ______

b) –2 – (-5) = e) 5 – (-3) = ______

-2 + 5 =
=3 f) –11 – (-24) = _______
c) 6 – (-3) =
6 + (3) = 9

C. Multiplication of Integers

Rule 1: To multiply 2 numbers with different signs, multiply

their absolute value and affix the negative sign.

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Examples:
a) –5 (2) = -10 b) 3 (-10) =______ c) 48 ( -6) = ______

Rule 2: To multiply 2 positive or 2 negative integers, multiply

their absolute value and affix the positive sign.

Examples:
a) –2 (-8) = 16 a) 2 (8) = _____

b) –6 (-10) =_____ b) 6 (10) = _____

D. Division of Integers

Rule 1: In dividing 2 positive or negative integers, divide

their absolute value and affix the positive sign

144  36
Examples: a)  _____ b)  _____
12  12
Rule 2: In dividing 2 integers with different signs, divide
their absolute value and affix the negative sign.

72  100
Examples: a.  _____ b.  _____
9 5

E. Order of Operations (MDAS)

(Multiply or Divide before you Add or Subtract.)

In performing a series of operations use the following rules:

1) Simplify all expressions enclosed by grouping symbols like ,   ,  . Start with

the innermost symbols.
Note : + (a + b) = a + b - (a + b) = - a - b
+ (a – b) = a – b - (a – b) = - a + b
+ (a + b – c) = a + b - c - (a + b – c) = - a – b + c

2) Perform multiplication and division in order from left to right.

3) Perform all addition and subtraction from left to right.

4) In performing a combination of multiplication and division, change the

operation division and the divisor to its reciprocal.
a·b÷c=a·b·1 =a·b
c c

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Examples :
Simplify the following applying MDAS.

a) 45  20  10
= 20  20  10
= 20  2  18

b) 24  8  5  7  2  32
= 35  7  29

= 15 – 7 + 18
= 8 + 18 = 26

c) { (-10) – [4 – ( - 1) ] }  { - [ - 12 – (- 3 + 6) ] }
= {-10 – [4 + 1] }  { - [ - 12 – ( 3) ] }
= {- 10 – 5 }  { - [ - 15 ] }
= - 15  15 = - 1

d) [ 600 – 20 ( 5) ]  [ 5 – (3 – 3) ] 2
= [ 600 – 100 ]  [ 5 – 0 ] 2
= 500  [ 5 ] 2
= 500  25 = 20

e) 160 ÷ 8 · 5 ÷ 2
= 160 · 1 · 5 · 1
8 2
= 150

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 MODULE 1. THE NUMBER SYSTEM AN D IT’S SUBSYSTEM

WORKSHEET 2

Operations with Integers

Name ___________________________ Section ________ Date ________ Score ________

Perform the Indicated operations.

1.-14+5-2 = _____________________________________________
2. 27+(-8) = ______________________________________________
3. (-19)+(-7) = _____________________________________________
4. -25-(-26) = ______________________________________________
5. (15)(-9) = _______________________________________________
6. (-15)(-5) = _______________________________________________
7. (-5)(-4)(-11)(-3) = ___________________________________________
8. (-2)(-6)(-3)(-5)(-4) = _________________________________________

9. (-108) ÷ (-9) = _____________________________________________

10. 24 ÷ 6 · 40 ÷ 8 · 5 ÷ 10 = ____________________________________

11. -45 ÷ 9∙ 20 + 25 -10 = _______________________________________

12. -7 + 5 ( -2 ) – 6 + 3 [ 2 + ( -1 ) ] = ______________________________

13. 17) 32 ÷ 4 · 8 ÷ 16 · 5 ÷ 25 · 20 = _______________________________

14. -3 (-2) 2 -8 = ________________________________________________

15.[4+(-5) (2) ]  { -[-3 (-1 )-( -3) ] } =_________________________________

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