MATHEMATICS
FOR
THE PRACTICAL MAN

 

EXPLAINING SIMPLY AND QUICKLY
ALL THE ELEMENTS OF

 

ALGEBRA, GEOMETRY, TRIGONOMETRY,
LOGARITHMS, COÖRDINATE
GEOMETRY, CALCULUS

WITH ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

 

BY

GEORGE HOWE, M.E.

 

ILLUSTRATED


ELEVENTH THOUSAND


 
Logo of D. Van Nostrand Company

NEW YORK

D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY

25 Park Place

1918

 
i

 

Copyright, 1913, by

D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY


Copyright, 1915, by

D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY

 

𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔫𝔥𝔬𝔭𝔢 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔰

F. H. GILSON COMPANY

BOSTON. U.S.A.

 
ii

 

Dedicated To

𝔅𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔄𝔶𝔯𝔢𝔰, 𝔓𝔥.𝔇.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

“MY GOOD FRIEND AND GUIDE.”

 
iii

PREFACE


In preparing this work the author has been prompted by many reasons, the most important of which are:
The dearth of short but complete books covering the fundamentals of mathematics.
The tendency of those elementary books which “begin at the beginning” to treat the subject in a popular rather than in a scientific manner.
Those who have had experience in lecturing to large bodies of men in night classes know that they are composed partly of practical engineers who have had considerable experience in the operation of machinery, but no scientific training whatsoever; partly of men who have devoted some time to study through correspondence schools and similar methods of instruction; partly of men who have had a good education in some non-technical field of work but, feeling a distinct calling to the engineering profession, have sought special training from night lecture courses; partly of commercial engineering salesmen, whose preparation has been non-technical and who realize in this fact a serious handicap whenever an important sale is to be negotiated and they are brought into competition with the skill of trained engineers; and finally, of young men leaving high schools and academies anxious to become engineers but who are unable to attend college for that purpose. Therefore it is apparent that with this wide
iv
difference in the degree of preparation of its students any course of study must begin with studies which are quite familiar to a large number but which have been forgotten or perhaps never undertaken by a large number of others.
And here lies the best hope of this textbook. “It begins at the beginning,” assumes no mathematical knowledge beyond arithmetic on the part of the student, has endeavored to gather together in a concise and simple yet accurate and scientific form those fundamental notions of mathematics without which any studies in engineering are impossible, omitting the usual diffuseness of elementary works, and making no pretense at elaborate demonstrations, believing that where there is much chaff the seed is easily lost.
I have therefore made it the policy of this book that no technical difficulties will be waived, no obstacles circumscribed in the pursuit of any theory or any conception. Straightforward discussion has been adopted; where obstacles have been met, an attempt has been made to strike at their very roots, and proceed no further until they have been thoroughly unearthed.
With this introduction, I beg to submit this modest attempt to the engineering world, being amply repaid if, even in a small way, it may advance the general knowledge of mathematics.
GEORGE HOWE.
New York, September, 1910.
 
v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ChapterPage
I.Fundamentals of Algebra. Addition and Subtraction1
II.Fundamentals of Algebra. Multiplication and Division, I7
III.Fundamentals of Algebra. Multiplication and Division, II12
IV.Fundamentals of Algebra. Factoring21
V.Fundamentals of Algebra. Involution and Evolution25
VI.Fundamentals of Algebra. Simple Equations29
VII.Fundamentals of Algebra. Simultaneous Equations41
VIII.Fundamentals of Algebra. Quadratic Equations48
IX.Fundamentals of Algebra. Variation55
X.Some Elements of Geometry61
XI.Elementary Principles of Trigonometry75
XII.Logarithms85
XIII.Elementary Principles of Coördinate Geometry95
XIV.Elementary Principles of the Calculus110
 
001

Mathematics

CHAPTER I

Fundamentals of Algebra

Addition and Subtraction

As an introduction to this chapter on the fundamental principles of algebra, I will say that it is absolutely essential to an understanding of engineering that the fundamental principles of algebra be thoroughly digested and redigested,—in short, literally soaked into one’s mind and method of thought.
Algebra is a very simple science—extremely simple if looked at from a common-sense standpoint. If not seen thus, it can be made most intricate and, in fact, incomprehensible. It is arithmetic simplified,—a short cut to arithmetic. In arithmetic we would say, if one hat costs 5 cents, 10 hats cost 50 cents. In algebra we would say, if one a costs 5 cents, then 10 a cost 50 cents, a being used here to represent “hat.” a is what we term in algebra a symbol, and all quantities are handled by means of such symbols. a is presumed to represent one thing; b, another symbol, is presumed
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to represent another thing, c another, d another, and so on for any number of objects. The usefulness and simplicity, therefore, of using symbols to represent objects is obvious. Suppose a merchant in the furniture business to be taking stock. He would go through his stock rooms and, seeing 10 chairs, he would actually write down “10 chairs”; 5 tables, he would actually write out “5 tables”; 4 beds, he would actually write this out, and so on. Now, if he had at the start agreed to represent chairs by the letter a, tables by the letter b, beds by the letter c, and so on, he would have been saved the necessity of writing down the names of these articles each time, and could have written 10a, 5b, and 4c.
Definition of a Symbol. — A symbol is some letter by which it is agreed to represent some object or thing.
When a problem is to be worked in algebra, the first thing necessary is to make a choice of symbols, namely, to assign certain letters to each of the different objects concerned with the problem,—in other words, to get up a code. When this code is once established it must be rigorously maintained; that is, if, in the solution of any problem or set of problems, it is once stipulated that a shall represent a chair, then wherever a appears it means a chair, and wherever the word chair would be inserted an a must be placed—the code must not be changed.
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Positivity and Negativity. — Now, in algebraic thought, not only do we use symbols to represent various objects and things, but we use the signs plus (+) or minus (−) before the symbols, to indicate what we call the positivity or negativity of the object.
Addition and Subtraction. — Algebraically, if, in going over his stock and accounts, a merchant finds that he has 4 tables in stock, and on glancing over his books finds that he owes 3 tables, he would represent the 4 tables in stock by such a form as +4a, a representing table; the 3 tables which he owes he would represent by 3a, the plus sign indicating that which he has on hand and the minus sign that which he owes. Grouping the quantities +4a and 3a together, in other words, striking a balance, one would get +a, which represents the one table which he owns over and above that which he owes. The plus sign, then, is taken to indicate all things on hand, all quantities greater than zero. The minus sign is taken to indicate all those things which are owed, all things less than zero.
Suppose the following to be the inventory of a certain quantity of stock: +8a, 2a, +6b, 3c, +4a, 2b, 2c, +5c. Now, on grouping these quantities together and striking a balance, it will be seen that there are 8 of those things which are represented by a on hand; likewise 4 more, represented by 4a, on hand; 2 are owed, namely, 2a. Therefore,
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on grouping +8a, +4a, and 2a together, +10a will be the result. Now, collecting those terms representing the objects which we have called b, we have +6b and 2b, giving as a result +4b. Grouping 3c, 2c, and +5c together will give 0, because +5c represents 5c’s on hand, and 3c and 2c represent that 5c’s are owed; therefore, these quantities neutralize and strike a balance. Therefore,
+8a2a+6b3c+4a2b2c+5c
reduces to
+10a+4b.
This process of gathering together and simplifying a collection of terms having different signs is what we call in algebra addition and subtraction. Nothing is more simple, and yet nothing should be more thoroughly understood before proceeding further. It is obviously impossible to add one table to one chair and thereby get two chairs, or one book to one hat and get two books; whereas it is perfectly possible to add one book to another book and get two books, one chair to another chair and thereby get two chairs.
Rule. — Like symbols can be added and subtracted, and only like symbols.
a+a will give 2a; 3a + 5a will give 8a; a+b will not give 2a or 2b, but will simply give a+b, this being the simplest form in which the addition of these two terms can be expressed.
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Coefficients. — In any term such as +8a the plus sign indicates that the object is on hand or greater than zero, the 8 indicates the number of them on hand, it is the numerical part of the term and is called the coefficient, and the a indicates the nature of the object, whether it is a chair or a book or a table that we have represented by the symbol a. In the term +6a, the plus (+) sign indicates that the object is owned, or greater than zero, the 6 indicates the number of objects on hand, and the a their nature. If a man has $20 in his pocket and he owes $50, it is evident that if he paid up as far as he could, he would still owe $30. If we had represented $1 by the letter a, then the $20 in his pocket would be represented by +20a, the $50 that he owed by 50a. On grouping these terms together, which is the same process as the settling of accounts, the result would be 30a.
Algebraic Expressions. — An algebraic expression consists of two or more terms; for instance, +a+b is an algebraic expression; +a+2b+c is an algebraic expression; +3a+5b+6b+c is another algebraic expression, but this last one can be written more simply, for the 5 and 6b can be grouped together in one term, making 11b, and the expression now becomes +3a+11b+c, which is as simple as it can be written. It is always advisable to group together into the smallest number of terms any algebraic expression
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wherever it is met in a problem, and thus simplify the manipulation or handling of it.
When there is no sign before the first term of an expression the plus (+) sign is intended.
To subtract one quantity from another, change the sign and then group the quantities into one term, as just explained. Thus: to subtract 4a from +12a we write 4a+12a, which simplifies into +8a. Again, subtracting 2a from +6a we would have 2a+6a, which equals +4a.
PROBLEMS
Simplify the following expressions:
1.   10a+5b+6c8a3d+b.
2.   ab+c10a7a+2b.
3.   10d+3z+8b4d 6z12b+5a3d +8z10a+8b 5a6z+10b.
4.   5x4y+3z2z+4y+x+z+a7x+6y.
5.   3b2a+5c+7a10b8c+4ab+c.
6.   2x+a+b+10y6xy7a+3b+2y.
7.   4xy+z+x+15z3x+6y7y+12z.
 
007

CHAPTER II

Fundamentals of Algebra

Multiplication and Division

We have seen how the use of algebra simplifies the operations of addition and subtraction, but in multiplication and division this simplification is far greater, and the great weapon of thought which algebra is to become to the student is now realized for the first time. If the student of arithmetic is asked to multiply one foot by one foot, his result is one square foot, the square foot being very different from the foot. Now, ask him to multiply one chair by one table. How can he express the result? What word can he use to signify the result? Is there any conception in his mind as to the appearance of the object which would be obtained by multiplying one chair by one table? In algebra all this is simplified. If we represent a table by a, and a chair by b, and we multiply a by b, we obtain the expression ab, which represents in its entirety the multiplication of a chair by a table. We need no word, no name by which to call it; we simply use the form ab, and that carries to our mind the notion of the thing which we call a multiplied by the thing which we call b. And thus the
008
form is carried without any further thought being given to it.
Exponents. — The multiplication of a by a may be represented by aa. But here we have a further short cut, namely, a2. This 2, called an exponent, indicates that two a’s have been multiplied by each other; a×a×a would give us a3, the 3 indicating that three a’s have been multiplied by one another; and so on. The exponent simply signifies the number of times the symbol has been multiplied by itself.
Now, suppose a2 were multiplied by a2, the result would be a5, since a2 signifies that 2 a’s are multiplied together, and a3 indicates that 3 a’s are multiplied together; then multiplying these two expressions by each other simply indicates that 5 a’s are multiplied together. a3×a7 would likewise give us a17, a4×a4 would give us a8, a4×a4×a2×a2 would give us a12, and so on.
Rule. — The multiplication by each other of symbols representing similar objects is accomplished by adding their exponents.
Identity of Symbols. — Now, in the foregoing it must be clearly seen that the combined symbol ab is different from either a or b; ab must be handled as differently from a or b as c would be handled; in other words, it is an absolutely new symbol. Likewise a2 is as different from a as a square foot is from a linear foot, and a3 is as different from a2 as one cubic foot is from one square
009
foot. a2 is a distinct symbol. a3 is a distinct symbol, and can only be grouped together with other a3’s. For example, if an algebraic expression such as this were met:
a2+a+ab+a3+3a22aab,
to simplify it we could group together the a2 and the +3a2, giving +4a2; the +a and the 2a give a; the +ab and the ab neutralize each other; there is only one term with the symbol a3. Therefore the above expression simplified would be 4a2a+a3. This is as simple as it can be expressed. Above all things the most important is never to group unlike symbols together by addition and subtraction. Remember fundamentally that a, b, ab, a2, a3, a4, are all separate and distinct symbols, each representing a separate and distinct thing.
Suppose we have a×b×c. It gives us the term abc. If we have a2×b we get a2b. If we have ab×ab, we get a2b2. If we have 2ab×2ab we get 4ab; 6a2b3×3c, we get 18a2b3c; and so on. Whenever two terms are multiplied by each other, the coefficients are multiplied together, and the similar parts of the symbols are multiplied together.
Division. — Just as when in arithmetic we write down 23 to mean 2 divided by 3, in algebra we write ab to mean a divided by b. a is called a numerator and b a denominator, and the expression ab is called a fraction.
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If a3 is multiplied by a2, we have seen that the result is a5, obtained by adding the exponents 3 and 2. If a3 is divided by a2, the result is a, which is obtained by subtracting 2 from 3. Therefore a2bab would equal a, the a in the denominator dividing into a2 in the numerator a times, and the b in the denominator canceling the b in the numerator. Division is then simply the inverse of multiplication, which is patent. On simplifying such an expression as a4b2c3a2bc5 we obtain a2bc2, and so on.
Negative Exponents. — But there is a more scientific and logical way of explaining division as the inverse of multiplication, and it is thus: Suppose we have the fraction 1a2. This may be written a2, or the term b2 may be written 1b2; that is, any term may be changed from the numerator of a fraction to the denominator by simply changing the sign of its exponent. For example, a5a2 may be written a5×a2. Multiplying these two terms together, which is accomplished by adding their exponents, would give us a3, 3 being the result of the addition of 5 and −2. It is scarcely necessary, therefore, to make a separate law for division if one is made for multiplication, when it is seen that division simply changes the sign of the exponent. This should
011
be carefully considered and thought over by the pupil, for it is of great importance. Take such an expression as a2b2c2abc1. Suppose all the symbols in the denominator are placed in the numerator, then we have a2b2c2a1b1c, or, simplifying, ab3c3, which may be further written ac3b3. The negative exponent is very serviceable, and it is well to become thoroughly familiar with it. The following examples should be worked by the student.
PROBLEMS
Simplify the following:
1. 2a×3b×3ab.
2. 12a2bc×4c2b.
3. 6x×5y×3xy.
4. 4a2bc×3abc×a5b×6b2.
5. a2b2c3abc.
6. a4b3c2da2d2.
7. a2×b3×a6b2c.
8. abc2×b2a1c5×a3b3.
9. a4b6c3za2b2c.
10. 10a2b×5a1bc3×8ac1b2a4×101a.
11. 5a2b2c2d245a3×6d3.
 
012

CHAPTER III

Fundamentals of Algebra

Multiplication and Division Continued

HAVING illustrated and explained the principles of multiplication and division of algebraic terms, we will in this lecture inquire into the nature of these processes as they apply to algebraic expressions. Before doing this, however, let us investigate a little further into the principles of fractions.
Fractions. — We have said that the fraction ab indicated that a was divided by b, just as in arithmetic 13 indicates that 1 is divided by 3. Suppose we multiply the fraction 13 by 3, we obtain 33, our procedure being to multiply the numerator 1 by 3. Similarly, if we had multiplied the fraction ab by 3, our result would have been 3ab.
Rule. — The multiplication of a fraction by any quantity is accomplished by multiplying its numerator by that quantity; thus, 2a2b multiplied by 3a would give 6a2b. Conversely, when we divide a fraction by a
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quantity, we multiply its denominator by that quantity. Thus, the fraction ab when divided by 2b gives a2b2 Finally, should we multiply the numerator and the denominator by the same quantity, it is obvious that we do not change the value of the fraction, for we have multiplied and divided it by the same thing. From this it must not be deduced that adding the same quantity to both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction will not change its value. The beginner is likely to make this mistake, and he is here warned against it. Suppose we add to both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction 13 the quantity 2. We will obtain 35, which is different in value from 13, proving that the addition or subtraction of the same quantity from both numerator and denominator of any fraction changes its value. The multiplication or division of both the numerator and the denominator by the same quantity does not alter the value of a fraction one whit.
Multiplying two fractions by each other is accomplished by multiplying their numerators together and multiplying their denominators together. Thus, ab×dc would give us adbc.
Suppose it is desired to add the fraction 12 to the fraction 13. Arithmetic teaches us that it is first necessary to reduce both fractions to a common denominator,
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which in this case is 6, viz.: 36+26=56, the numerators being added if the denominators are of a common value. Likewise, if it is desired to add ab to cd, we must reduce both of these fractions to a common denominator, which in this case is bd. (The common denominator of several denominators is a quantity into which any one of these denominators may be divided; thus b will divide into bd, d times, and d will divide into bd, b times.) Our fractions then become adbd+cbbd. The denominators now having a common value, the fractions may be added by adding the numerators, resulting in ad+cbbd. Likewise, adding the fractions a3+b2a+c3a, we find that the common denominator in this case is 6a. The first fraction becomes 2a26a the second 3b6a and the third 2c6a, the result being the fraction 2a2+3b+2c6a. This process will be taken up and explained in more detail later, but the student should make an attempt to apprehend the principles here stated and solve the problems given at the end of this lecture.
Law of Signs. — Like signs multiplied or divided give + and unlike signs give −. Thus:
+3a×+2a gives +6a2,
also 3a×2a gives +6a2,
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while +3a×2a gives 6a2
      or 3a×+2a gives 6a2;
furthermore +8a2 divided by +2a gives +4a,
            and 8a2 divided by 2a gives +4a
          while 8a2 divided by +2a gives 4a
                or +8a2 divided by 2a gives 4a.
Multiplication of an Algebraic Expression by a Quantity. — As previously said, an algebraic expression consists of two or more terms. 3a, 5b, are terms, but 3a+5b is an algebraic expression. If the stock of a merchant consists of 10 tables and 5 chairs, and he doubles his stock, it is evident that he must double the number of tables and also the number of chairs, namely, increase it to 20 tables and 10 chairs. Likewise, when an algebraic expression which consists of 3a+2b is doubled, or, what is the same thing, multiplied by 2, each term must be doubled or multiplied by 2, resulting in the expression 6a+4b. Similarly, when an algebraic expression consisting of several terms is divided by any number, each term must be divided by that number.
Rule. — An algebraic expression must be treated as a unit. Whenever it is multiplied or divided by any quantity, each term of the expression must be multiplied or divided by that quantity. For example: Multiplying
016
the expression 4x+3y+5xy by the quantity 3x will give the following result: 12x2+9xy+15z2y, obtained by multiplying each one of the separate terms by 3x successively.
Division of an Algebraic Expression by a Quantity. — Dividing the expression 6a2+2a2b+4b2 by 2ab would result in the expression 3a2b+a+2ba, obtained by dividing each term successively by 2b. This rule must be remembered, as its importance cannot be over-estimated. The numerator or denominator of a fraction consisting of one or two or more terms must be handled as a unit, this being one of the most important applications of this rule. For example, in the fraction a+ba or aa+b it is impossible to cancel out the a in the numerator and denominator, for the reason that if the numerator is divided by a, each term must be divided by a, and the operation upon the one term a without the same operation upon the term b would be erroneous. If the fraction a+ba is multiplied by 3, it becomes 3a+3ba. If the fraction aba+b is multiplied by 23 it becomes 2a2b3a+3b; and so on. Never forget that the numerator (or denominator) of a fraction consisting of two or more terms is an algebraic expression and must be handled as a unit.
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Multiplication of One Algebraic Expression by Another. — It is frequently desired to multiply an algebraic expression not only by a single term but by another algebraic expression consisting of two or more terms, in which case the first expression is multiplied throughout by each term of the second expression. The terms which result from this operation are then collected together by addition and subtraction and the result expressed in the simplest manner possible. Suppose it were desired to multiply a+b by c+d. We would first multiply a+b by c, which would give us ac+bc. Then we would multiply a+b by d, which would give us ad+bd. Now, collecting the result of these two multiplications together, we obtain ac+bc+ad+bd, viz.:
a + b c + d _______ ac + bc ad + bd ____________________ ac + bc + ad + bd
Workup 3-1
Workup 3-1
Again, let us multiply
2a + b − 3c a + 2b − c ____________________ 2a² + ab − 3ac 4ab + 2b² − 6bc − 2ac − bc + 3c² _____________________________________
Workup 3-2
Workup 3-2
and we have
2a²+5ab5ac+2b²7bc+3c².
Workup 3-3
Workup 3-3
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The Division of one Algebraic Expression by Another. — This is somewhat more difficult to explain and understand than the foregoing. In general it may be said that, suppose we are required to divide the expression 6a2+17ab+12b2 by 3a+4b, we would arrange the expression in the following way:
6a² + 17ab + 12b² | 3a + 4b |_________ 6a² + 8ab 2a + 3b ____________________ 9ab + 12b² 9ab + 12b²
Workup 3-4
Workup 3-4
3a will divide into 6a2, 2a times, and this is placed in the quotient as shown. This 2a is then multiplied successively into each of the terms in the divisor, namely, 3a+4b, and the result, namely, 6a2+8ab, is placed beneath the dividend, as shown. A line is then drawn and this quantity subtracted from the dividend, leaving 9ab. The +12b2 in the dividend is now carried. Again, we observe that 3a in the divisor will divide into 9ab, +3b times, and we place this term in the divisor. Multiplying 3b by each of the terms of the divisor, as before, will give us 9ab+12b2; and, subtracting this as shown, nothing remains, the final result of the division then being the expression 2a+3b.
This process should be studied and thoroughly understood by the student.
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PROBLEMS
Solve the following problems:
1.   Multiply the fraction 3a2b3c4x2 by the quantity 3x.
2.   Divide the fraction abc6d by the quantity 3a.
3.   Multiply the fraction a2b2c2xy3 by the fraction a2b26a by the fraction x2yb.
4.   Multiply the expression 4x+3y+2z by the quantity 5x.
5.   Divide the expression 8a2b+4a3b32ab2 by the quantity 2ab.
6.   Multiply the expression a+b by the expression ab.
7.   Multiply the expression 2a+bc by the expression 3a2b+4c.
8.   Divide the expression a22ab+b2 by ab.
9.   Divide the expression a3+3a2b+3ab2+b3 by a+b.
10. Multiply the fraction a+bab by abab.
11. Multiply the fraction 3ac+d by cd2 by a+cac.
12. Multiply the fraction a2bc34 by b3a2 by ab.
020
13. Add together the fractions 2ab+b4+cb.
14. Add together the fractions 23a242a+c6.
1S. Add together the fractions 10a2b+b4bx2c+d6.
16. Add together the fractions a+b2a+bc4b.
17. Add together the fractions aa+b25a.
 
021

CHAPTER IV

Fundamentals of Algebra

Factoring

Definition of a Factor. — A factor of a quantity is one of the two or more parts which when multiplied together give the quantity. A factor is an integral part of a quantity, and the ability to divide and subdivide a quantity, be it a single term or a whole expression, into those factors whose multiplication has created it, is very valuable.
Factoring. — Suppose we take the number 6. Its factors are readily detected as 2 and 3. Likewise the factors of 10 are 5 and 2. The factors of 18 are 9 and 2; or, better still, 3×3×2. The factors of 30 are 3×2×5; and so on. The factors of the algebraic expression ab are readily detected as a and b, because their multiplication created the term ab. The factors of 6abc are 3, 2, a, b and c. The factors of 25ab are 5, 5, a and b, which are quite readily detected.
The factors of an expression consisting of two or more terms, however, are not so readily seen and sometimes require considerable ingenuity for their detection. Suppose we have an algebraic expression in which all of
022
the terms have one or more common factors,—that is, that one or more like factors appear in the make-up of each term. It is often desirable in this case to remove the common factors from the several terms, and in order to do this without changing the value of any of the terms, the common factor or factors are placed outside of a parenthesis and the terms from which they have been removed placed within the parenthesis in their simplified form. Thus, in the algebraic expression 6a2b+3a3, 3a3 is a common factor of both terms; therefore we may write the expression, without changing its value, in the following manner: 3a2(2b+a). The term 3a2 written outside of the parenthesis indicates that it must be multiplied into each of the separate terms within the parenthesis. Likewise, in the expression 12xy+43+6x2z+8xz, 2x is a common factor of each of the terms, and the expression may be written 2x(6y+2x2+3xz+4z). It is often desirable to factor in this simple manner.
Still further suppose we have a2+ab+ac+bc; we can take a out of the first two terms and c out of the last two, thus: a(a+b)+c(a+b). Now we have two separate terms and taking (a+b) out of each we have (a+b)×(a+c). Likewise, in the expression
6x2+4xy3zx2zy
we have
2x(3x+2y)z(3x+2y),
or,
(3x+2y)×(2xz).
023
Now, suppose we have the expression a22ab+b2. We readily detect that this quantity is the result of multiplying ab by ab; the first and last terms are respectively the squares of a and b, while the middle term is equal to twice the product of a and b. Any expression where this is the case is a perfect square; thus, 9x212xy+4y2 is the square of 3x2y, and may be written (3x2y)2. Remembering these facts, a perfect square is readily detected.
The product of the sum and difference of two terms such as (a+b)×(ab) equals a2b2; or, briefly, the product of the sum and difference of two numbers is equal to the difference of their squares.
By trial it is often easy to discover the factors of algebraic expressions; for example, 2a2+7ab+3b2 is readily detected to be the product of 2a+b and a+3b.
PROBLEMS
Factor the following:
1. 30a2b.
2. 48a4c.
3. 30x2y4z3.
4. 144x2a2.
5. 12ab2c34a2b2.
6. 10xy22x2y.
7. 2a2+ab2acbc.
024
8. 3x2+xy+3xc+cy.
9. 2x2+5xy+2xz+5yz.
10. a22ab+b2.
11. 4x212xy+9y2.
12. 81a2+90ab+25b2.
13. 16c248ca+36a2.
14. 4x3y+5xzy210xzy.
15. 30ab+15abc5bc.
16. 81x2y225a2.
17. a416b4.
18. 144x4y264z2.
19. 4a28ac+4c.
20. 16y2+8xy+x2.
21. 6y25xy6x2.
22. 4a23ab10b2.
23. 6y213xy+6x2.
24. 2a25ab3b2.
25. 2a2+9ab+10b2.
 
025

CHAPTER V

Fundamentals of Algebra

Involution and Evolution

We have in a previous chapter discussed the process by which we can raise an algebraic term and even a whole algebraic expression to any power desired, by multiplying it by itself. Let us now investigate the method of finding the square root and the cube root of an algebraic expression, as we are frequently called upon to do.
The square root of any term such as a2, a4, a6, and so on, will be, respectively, ±a, ±a2, and ±a3, obtained by dividing the exponents by 2. The plus-or-minus sign (±) shows that either +a or a when squared would give us ±a2. On taking the square root, therefore, the plus-or-minus sign (±) is always placed before the root. This is not the case in the cube root, however. Likewise, the cube root of such terms as a3, a6, a9, and so on, would be respectively a, a2 and a3, obtained by dividing the exponents by 3. Similarly, the square root of 4a4b6 will be seen to be ±2a2b3, obtained by taking the square root of each factor of the term. And likewise the cube root
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of 27a9b6 will be 3a3b2. These facts are so self-evident that it is scarcely necessary to dwell upon them. However, the detection of the square and the cube root of an algebraic expression consisting of several terms is by no means so simple.
Square Root of an Algebraic Expression. — Suppose we multiply the expression a+b by itself. We obtain a2+2ab+62. This is evidently the square of a+b. Suppose then we are given this expression and asked to determine its square root. We proceed in this manner: Take the square root of the first term and isolate it, calling it the trial root. The square root of a2 is a; therefore place a in the trial root. Now square a and subtract this from the original expression, and we have the remainder 2ab+b2. For our trial divisor we proceed as follows: Double the part of the root already found, namely, a. This gives us 2a. 2a will go into 2ab, the first term of the remainder, b times. Add b to the trial root, and the same becomes a+b. Now multiply the trial divisor by b, it gives us 2ab+b2, and subtracting this from our former remainder, we have nothing left. The square root of our expression, then, is seen to be a+b, viz.:
a² + 2ab + b² | a + b a² |________ _______________ 2a + b | 2ab + b² | 2ab + b² |__________
Workup 5-1
Workup 5-1
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Likewise we see that the square root of 4a2+12ab+9b2 is 2a+3b, viz.:
4a² + 12ab + 9b² | 2a + 3b 4a² |________ ____________________ 4a + 3b | 2 ab + 9b² | 2 ab + 9b² |______________
Workup 5-2
Workup 5-2
The Cube Root of an Algebraic Expression. — If we multiply a+b by itself three times, in other words, cube the expression, we obtain a3+3a2b+3ab2+b2. It is evident, therefore, that if we had been given this latter expression and asked to find its cube root, our result should be a+b. In finding the cube root, a+b, we proceed thus: We take the cube root of the first term, namely, a, and place this in our trial root. Now cube a, subtract the a thus obtained from the original expression, and we have as a remainder 3a2b+3ab2+b2. Now our trial divisor will consist as follows: Square the part of the root already found and multiply same by 3. This gives us 3a2. Divide 3a2 into the first term of the remainder, namely, 3a2b, and it will go b times. b then becomes the second term of the root. Now add to the trial divisor three times the first term of the root multiplied by the second term of the root, which gives us 3ab. Then add the second term of the root square, namely, b2. Our full divisor now becomes 3a2+3ab+b2. Now multiply this full divisor by b and subtract this from the former remainder, namely,
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3a2b+3ab2+b2, and, having nothing left, we see that the cube root of our original expression is a+b, viz.:
a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b² | a + b a³ |_______ ____________________________ 3a² + 3ab + b² | 3a²b + 3ab² + b² | 3a²b + 3ab² + b² |_____________________
Workup 5-3
Workup 5-3
Likewise the cube root of 27x3+27x2+9x+1 is seen to be 3x+1, viz.:
27x³ + 27x² + 9x + 1 | 3x+ 1 27x³ |_______ _______________________ 27x² + 9x + 1 | 27x² + 9x + 1 | 27x² + 9x + 1 |_________________
Workup 5-4
Workup 5-4
PROBLEMS
Find the square root of the following expressions:
1. 16x2+24xy+9y2.
2. 4a2+4ab+b2.
3. 36x2+24xy+4y2.
4. 25a220ab+4b2.
5. a2+2ab+2ac+2bc+b2+c2.
Find the cube root of the following expressions:
1. 8x3+36x2y+54xy2+27y3.
2. x3+6x2y+12xy2+8y3.
3. 27a3+81a2b+81ab2+27b2.
 
029

CHAPTER VI

Fundamentals of Algebra

Simple Equations

An equation is the expression of the equality of two things; thus, a=b signifies that whatever we call a is equal to whatever we call b; for example, one pile of money containing $100 in one shape or another is equal to any other pile containing $100. It is evident that if a quantity is added to or subtracted from one side of an equation or equality, it must be added to or subtracted from the other side of the equation or equality, in order to retain the equality of the two sides; thus, if a=b, then a+c=b+c and ac=bc. Similarly, if one side of an equation is multiplied or divided by any quantity, the other side must be multiplied or divided by the same quantity; thus, if
a=b,
then
ac=bc
and
ac=bc.
Similarly, if one side of an equation is squared, the other side of the equation must be squared in order to
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retain the equality. In general, whatever is done to one side of an equation must also be done to the other side in order to retain the equality of both sides. The logic of this is self-evident.
Transposition. — Suppose we have the equation a+b=c. Subtract b from both sides, and we have a+bb=cb. On the left-hand side of the equation the +b and the b will cancel out, leaving a, and we have the result a=cb. Compare this with our original equation, and we will see that they are exactly alike except for the fact that in the one b is on the left-hand side of the equation, in the other b is on the right-hand side of the equation; in one case its sign is plus, in the other case its sign is minus. This indicates that in order to change a term from one side of an equation to the other side it is simply necessary to change its sign; thus,
ac+b=d
may be transposed into the equation
a=cb+d,
or into the form
ad=cb,
or into the form
d=cab.
Any term may be transposed from one side of an equation to the other simply by changing its sign.
Adding or Subtracting Two Equations. — When two equations are to be added to one another their corresponding
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sides are added to one another; thus, a+c=b when added to a=d+e will give 2a+c=b+d+e. Likewise 3a+b=2c when subtracted from 10a+2b=6c will yield 7a+b=4c.
Multiplying or Dividing Two Equations by one Another. — When two equations are multiplied or divided by one another their corresponding sides must be multiplied or divided by one another; thus, a=b multiplied by c=d will give ac=bd, also a=b divided by c=d will give ac=bd.
Solution of an Equation. — Suppose we have such an equation as 4x+10=2x+24, and it is desired that this equation be solved for the value of x; that is, that the value of the unknown quantity x be found. In order to do this, the first process must always be to group the terms containing x on one side of the equation by themselves and all the other terms in the equation on the other side of the equation. In this case, grouping the terms containing the unknown quantity x on the left-hand side of the equation we have
4x2x=2410.
Now, collecting the like terms, this becomes
2x=14.
The next step is to divide the equation through by the coefficient of x, namely, 2. Dividing the left-hand
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side by 2, we have x. Dividing the right-hand side by 2, we have 7. Our equation, therefore, has resolved itself into
x=7.
We therefore have the value of x. Substituting this value in the original equation, namely,
4x+10=2x+24,
we see that the equation becomes
28+10=14+24,
or
38=38,
which proves the result.
The process above described is the general method of solving for an unknown quantity in a simple equation. Let us now take the equation
2cx+c=405x.
This equation contains two unknown quantities, namely, c and x, either of which we may solve for. x is usually, however, chosen to represent the unknown quantity, whose value we wish to find, in an algebraic expression; in fact, x, y and z are generally chosen to represent unknown quantities. Let us solve for x in the above equation. Again we group the two terms containing x on one side of the equation by themselves and all other terms on the other side, and we have
2cx+5x=40c.
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On the left-hand side of the equation we have two terms containing x as a factor. Let us factor this expression and we have
x(2c+5)=40c.
Dividing through by the coefficient of x, which is the parenthesis in this case, just as simple a coefficient to handle as any other, and we have
x=40c2c+5.
This final result is the complete solution of the equation as to the value of x, for we have x isolated on one side of the equation by itself, and its value on the other side. In any equation containing any number of unknown quantities represented by symbols, the complete solution for the value of any one of the unknowns is accomplished when we have isolated this unknown on one side of the equation by itself. This is, therefore, the whole object of our solution.
It is true that the value of a above shown still contains an unknown quantity, c. Suppose the numerical value of c were now given, we could immediately find the corresponding numerical value of x; thus, suppose c were equal to 2, we would have
x=4024+5.
or,
x=389
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This is the numerical value of x, corresponding to the numerical value 2 of c. It 4 had been assigned as the numerical value of c we should have
x=4048+5=3613.
Clearing of Fractions. — The above simple equations contained no fractions. Suppose, however, that we are asked to solve the equation
x4+62=3x2+56.
Manifestly this equation cannot be treated at once in the manner of the preceding example. The first step in solving such an equation is the removal of all the denominators of the fractions in the equation, this step being called the Clearing of Fractions.
As previously seen, in order to add together the fractions 12 and 13 we must reduce them to a common denominator, 6. We then have 36+26=56. Likewise, in equations, before we can group or operate upon any one of the terms we must reduce them to a common denominator. The common denominator of several denominators is any number into which any one of the various denominators will divide, and the least common denominator is the smallest such number. The product of all the denominators—that is, multiplying them all together—will always give a common denominator, but
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not always the least common denominator. The least common denominator, being the smallest common denominator, is always desirable in preference to a larger number; but some ingenuity is needed frequently in detecting it. The old rule of withdrawing all factors common to at least two denominators and multiplying them together, and then by what is left of the denominators, is probably the easiest and simplest way to proceed. Thus, suppose we have the denominators 6, 8, 9 and 4. 3 is common to both 6 and 9, leaving respectively 2 and 3. 2 is common to 2, 8 and 4, leaving respectively 1, 4 and 2, and still further common to 4 and 2. Finally, we have removed the common factors 3, 2 and 2, and we have left in the denominators 1, 2, 3 and 1. Multiplying all of these together we have 72, which is the Least Common Denominator of these numbers, viz.:
3 | 6, 8, 9, 4 |____________ 2 | 2, 8, 3, 4 |____________ 2 | 1, 4, 3, 2 |____________ 1, 2, 3, 1
Workup 6-1
Workup 6-1
3×2×2×1×2×3×1=72.
Having determined the Least Common Denominator, or any common denominator for that matter, the next step is to multiply each denominator by such a quantity as will change it into the Least Common Denominator. If the denominator of a fraction is multiplied by any
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quantity, as we have previously seen, the numerator must be multiplied by that same quantity, or the value of the fraction is changed. Therefore, in multiplying the denominator of each fraction by a quantity, we must also multiply the numerator. Returning to the equation which we had at the outset, namely, x4+62=3x2+56, we see that the common denominator here is 12. Our equation then becomes 3x12+3612=18x12+1012. We have previously seen that the multiplication or division of both sides of an equation by the same quantity does not alter the value of the equation. Therefore we can at once multiply both sides of this equation by 12. Doing so, all the denominators disappear. This is equivalent to merely canceling all the denominators, and the equation is now changed to the simple form 3x+36=18x+10. On transposition this becomes
3x18x=1036,
or
15x=26,
or
x=+2615,
or
+x=+2615.
Again, let us now take the equation
2x5c+10c2=x3.
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The least common denominator will at once be seen to be 15c2. Reducing all fractions to this common denominator we have
6cx15c2+15015c2=5c2x15c2.
Canceling all denominators, we then have
6cx+150=5c2x.
Transposing, we have
6cx5c2x=150.
Taking x as a common factor out of both of the terms in which it appears, we have
x(6c5c2)=150.
Dividing through by the parenthesis, we have
1506c5c2
This is the value of x. If some numerical value is given to c, such as 2, for instance, we can then find the corresponding numerical value of x by substituting the numerical value of c in the above, and we have
x=1501220=1508=18.75.
In this same manner all equations in which fractions appear are solved.
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PROBLEMS
Suppose we wish to make use of algebra in the solution of a simple problem usually worked arithmetically, taking, for example, such a problem as this: A man purchases a hat and coat for $15.00, and the coat costs twice as much as the hat. How much did the hat cost? We would proceed as follows: Let x equal the cost of the hat. Since the coat cost twice as much as the hat, then 2x equals the cost of the coat, and x+2x=15 is the equation representing the fact that the cost of the coat plus the cost of the hat equals $15; therefore, 3x=$15, from which x=$5; namely, the cost of the hat was $5. 2x then equals $10, the cost of the coat. Thus many problems may be attacked.
Solve the following equations:
1. 6x10+4x+3=2x+20x+15.
2. x+5+3x+6=10x+25+8x.
3. cx+4+x=cx+8. Find the numerical value of x if c=3.
4. x5+3=8x2+4.
5. 4x3+3x5+72=113+x.
6. xc+104c=x3+x12c. Find the numerical value of x if c=3.
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7. 10c3cxc+85c=3cx10+152c. Find the numerical value of x if c=6.
8. xa+b2+y3=1.
9. 2xa+3x+2ab=x3a2.
10. xa+b+xab=10.
11. Multiply ax+b=cxb by 2ax=c+10.
12. Multiply a3+b=cd by x=y+3.
13. Divide a2b2=c by a+b=c+3.
14. Divide 2a=10y by a=y+2.
15. Add 2a+10=x+3d to 3a7=2d.
16. Add 4ax+2y=10x to 2ax7y=5.
17. Add 15z2+x=5 to 3x=10y+7.
18. Subtract 2ad=8 from 8a+d=12.
19. Subtract 3x+7=15x2+y from 6x+5=18x2.
20. Subtract 2x3a+b+c=7 from 10x5y=18.
21. Multiply x3a+bx3=c by xcd=2a+bc.
22. Solve the equation 1x=1x+1.
23. If a coat cost one-half as much as a gun and twice as much as a hat, and all cost together $100, what is the cost of each?
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24. The value of a horse is $15 more than twice the value of a carriage, and the cost of both is $1000; what is the cost of each?
25. One-third of Anne’s age is 5 years less than one-half plus 2 years; what is her age?
26. A merchant has 10 more chairs than tables in stock. He sells four of each and adding up stock finds that he now has twice as many chairs as tables. How many of each did he have at first?
 
041

CHAPTER VII

Fundamentals of Algebra

Simultaneous Equations

As seen in the previous chapter, when we have a simple equation in which only one unknown quantity appears, such, for instance, as x, we can, by algebraic processes, at once determine the numerical value of this unknown quantity. Should another unknown quantity, such as c, appear in this equation, in order to determine the value of x some definite value must be assigned to c. However, this is not always possible. An equation containing two unknown quantities represents some manner of relation between these quantities. If two separate and distinct equations representing two separate and distinct relations which exist between the two unknown quantities can be found, then the numerical values of the unknown quantities become fixed, and either one can be determined without knowing the corresponding value of the other. The two separate equations are called simultaneous equations, since they represent simultaneous relations between the unknown quantity. The following is an example:
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x+y=10.
xy=4.
The first equation represents one relation between x and y. The second equation represents another relation subsisting between x and y. The solution for the numerical value of x, or that of y, from these two equations, consists in eliminating one of the unknowns, x or y as the case may be, by adding or subtracting, dividing or multiplying the equations by each other, as will be seen in the following. Let us now find the value of x in the first equation, and we see that this is
x=10y.
Likewise in the second equation we have
x=4+y.
These two values of x may now be equated (things equal to the same thing must be equal to each other), and we have
10y=4+y,
or,
2y=410,
2y=6,
+2y=+6,
y=3.
Now, this is the value of y. In order to find the value of x, we substitute this numerical value of y in one of the equations containing both x and y,
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such as the first equation, x+y=10. Substituting, we have
x+3=10.
Transposing,
x=103,
x=7.
Here, then, we have found the values of both x and y, the algebraic process having been made possible by the fact that we had two equations connecting the unknown quantities.
The simultaneous equations above given might have been solved likewise by simply adding both equations together, thus:
Adding
x+y=10
and
xy=4,
we have
x+y+xy=14.
Here +y and y will cancel out, leaving
2x=14,
x=7.
Both of these processes are called elimination, the principal object in solving simultaneous equations being the elimination of unknown quantities until some equation is obtained in which only one unknown quantity appears.
We have seen that by simply adding two equations
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we have eliminated one of the unknowns. But suppose the equations are of this type:
(1) 3x+2y=12,
(2) x+y=5.
Now we can proceed to solve these equations in one of two ways: first, to find the value of x in each equation and then equate these values of x, thus obtaining an equation where only y appears as an unknown quantity. But suppose we are trying to eliminate x from these equations by addition; it will be seen that adding will not eliminate x, nor even will subtraction eliminate it. If, however, we multiply equation (2) by 3, it becomes
3x+3y=15.
Now, when this is subtracted from equation (I), thus:
3x+2y=12
3x+3y=15
________________
    y=3
the terms in x, +3x and +3x respectively, will eliminate, 3y minus 2y leaves y, and 12 − 15 leaves −3,
or
y=3,
therefore
+y=+3.
Just as in order to find the value of two unknowns two distinct and separate equations are necessary to express relations between these unknowns, likewise to find the value of the unknowns in equations containing
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three unknown quantities, three distinct and separate equations are necessary. Thus, we may have the equations
(1) x+y+z=6,
(2) xy+2z=1,
(3) x+38=4.
We now combine any two of these equations, for instance the first and the second, with the idea of eliminating one of the unknown quantities, as x. Subtracting equation (2) from (1), we will have
(4) 2yz=5.
Now taking any other two of the equations, such as the second and the third, and subtracting one from the other, with a view to eliminating x, and we have
(5) 2y+3z=3.
We now have two equations containing two unknowns, which we solve as before explained. For instance, adding them, we have
2z=2,
z=1.
Substituting this value of z in equation (4), we have
2y1=5
        2y=6,
        y=3.
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Substituting both of these values of z and y in equation (1), we have
x+3+1=6,
        x=2.
Thus we see that with three unknowns three distinct and separate equations connecting them are necessary in order that their values may be found. Likewise with four unknowns four distinct and separate equations showing relations between them are necessary. In each case where we have a larger number than two equations, we combine the equations together two at a time, each time eliminating one of the unknown quantities, and, using the resultant equations, continue in the same course until we have finally resolved into one final equation containing only one unknown. To find the value of the other unknowns we then work backward, substituting the value of the one unknown found in an equation containing two unknowns, and both of these in an equation containing three unknowns, and so on.
The solution of simultaneous equations is very important and the student should practice on this subject until he is thoroughly familiar with every one of these steps.
PROBLEMS
Solve the following problems:
1.     2x+y=8
        2yx=6.
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2.     x+y=7
        3xy=13.
3.     4x=y+2
        x+y=3.
4. Find the value of x, y and z in the following equations:
        x+y+z=10,
        2x+yz=9,
        x+2y+z=12.
5. Find the value of x, y and z in the following equations:
        2x+3y+2z=20,
        x+3y+z=13,
        x+y+2z=13.
6.     x3+y=10,
        y+x5=y3.
7.     x4+y3a=100x+a if a=8,
        2x5=y+10.
8.       3x+y=15,
          x=67y.
9.     9xa+b=yab7,
          x+y=5
          if a=6, b=5.
10.     3xy+6x=8,
          y10+4y=x.
 
048

CHAPTER VIII

Fundamentals of Algebra

Quadratic Equations

THUS far we have handled equations where the unknown whose value we were solving for entered the equation in the first power. Suppose, however, that the unknown entered the equation in the second power; for instance, the unknown x enters the equation thus,
x2=122x2.
In solving this equation in the usual manner we obtain
3x2=12,
x2=4.
Taking the square root of both sides,
x=±2.
We first obtained the value of x2 and then took the square root of this to find the value of x. The solution of such an equation is seen to be just as simple in every respect as a simple equation where the unknown did not appear as a square. But suppose that we have such an equation as this:
4x2+8x=12.
We see that none of the processes thus far discussed will do. We must therefore find some way of grouping
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x2 and x together which will give us a single term in x when we take the square root of both sides; this device is called “Completing the square in x.”
It consists as follows: Group together all terms in x2 into a single term, likewise all terms containing x into another single term. Place these on the left-hand side of the equation and everything else on the right-hand side of the equation. Now divide through by the coefficient of x2. In the above equation this is 4. Having done this, add to the right-hand side of the equation the square of one-half of the coefficient of x. If this is added to one side of the equation it must likewise be added to the other side of the equation. Thus:
4x2+8x=12.
Dividing through by the coefficient of x2, namely 4, we have
x2+2x=3.
Adding to both sides the square of one-half of the coefficient of x, which is 2 in the term 2x,
x2+2x+1=3+1.
The left-hand side of this equation has now been made into the perfect square of x+1, and therefore may be expressed thus:
(x+1)2=4.
Now taking the square root of both sides we have
x+1=±2.
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Therefore, using the plus sign of 2, we have
x=1.
Using the minus sign of 2 we have
x=3.
The student will note that there must, in the nature of the case, be two distinct and separate roots to a quadratic equation, due to the plus and minus signs above mentioned.
To recapitulate the preceding steps, we have:
(1) Group all the terms in x2 and x on one side of the equation alone, placing those in x2 first.
(2) Divide through by the coefficient of x2.
(3) Add to both sides of the equation the square of one-half of the coefficient of the x term.
(4) Take the square root of both sides (the left-hand side being a perfect square). Then solve as for a simple equation in x.
Example: Solve for x in the following equation:
  4x2=5620x,
  4x2+20x=56,
    x2+5x=14,
    x2+5x+254=14+254,
    x2+5x+254=814,
          (x+52)2=814.
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Taking the square root of both sides we have
x+52=92,
x=±9252,
x=2 or 7,
Example: Solve for x in the following equation:
2x24x+5=x2+2x103x2+33,
2x2x2+3x24x2x=33105,
4x26x=18,
  x26x46=184,
  x23x2=184,
  x23x2+916=184+916,
  (x34)2=7216+916,
  (x34)2=8116,
  x34=±94,
  x=±94+34,
  x=+3 or 112.
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Solving an Equation which Contains a Root. — Frequently we meet with an equation which contains a square or a cube root. In such cases it is necessary to get rid of the square or cube root sign as quickly as possible. To do this the root is usually placed on one side of the equation by itself, and then both sides are squared or cubed, as the case may be, thus:
Example: Solve the equation
2x+6+5a=10.
Solving for the root, we have
2x+6=105a.
Now squaring both sides we have
2x+6=100100a+25a2,
or,
2x=25a2100a+1006,
x=(25a2100a+94)2.
In any event, our prime object is first to get the square-root sign on one side of the equation by itself if possible, so that it may be removed by squaring.
Or the equation may be of the type
2a+1=4ax.
Squaring both sides we have
4a2+4a+1=16ax
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Clearing fractions we have
4a2x4axx+a2+a=16
x(4a2+4a+1)=4a34a2a+16
x=4a3+4a2+a164a2+4a+1
PROBLEMS
Solve the following equations for the value of x:
1. 5x215x=10.
2. 3x2+4x+20=44.
3. 2x2+11=x2+4x+7.
4. x2+4x=2x+2x28.
5. 7x+1522=3x+18.
6. x4+2x2=24.
7. x2+5xa+6x2=10.
8. x2a+xb3=0.
9. 14+6x=4x22+2xa7.
10. x2a+b3x=2.
11. 3x2+5x15=0.
12. (x+2)2+2(x+2)=1.
13. (x3)210x+7=0.
14. (xa)2(x+a)2=3.
15. x+axa+x+bxb=2.
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16. 3x+72x+26=12x+1.
17. x224x=x+32x8.
18. x2x14=x2+6.
19. 8=64x+1.
20. x+a+10a=15.
21. xa=x+1.
22. 3x+5=2+3x+4.
 
055

CHAPTER IX

Fundamentals of Algebra

Variation

THIS is a subject of the utmost importance in the mathematical education of the student of science. It is one to which, unfortunately, too little attention is paid in the average mathematical textbook. Indeed, it is not infrequent to find a student with an excellent mathematical training who has but vaguely grasped the notions of variation, and still it is upon variation that we depend for nearly every physical law.
Fundamentally, variation means nothing more than finding the constants which connect two mutually varying quantities. Let us, for instance, take wheat and money. We know in a general way that the more money we have the more wheat we can purchase. This is a variation between wheat and money. But we can go no further in determining exactly how many bushels of wheat a certain amount of money will buy before we establish some definite constant relation between wheat and money, namely, the price per bushel of wheat. This price is called the Constant of the variation. Likewise, whenever two quantities are varying together, the movement of one depending absolutely upon the movement of the other, it is impossible
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to find out exactly what value of one corresponds with a given value of the other at any time, unless we know exactly what constant relation subsists between the two.
Where one quantity, a, varies as another quantity, namely, increases or decreases in value as another quantity, b, we represent the fact in this manner:
ab.
Now, wherever we have such a relation we can immediately write
a = some constant ×b,
a=k×b.
If we observe closely two corresponding values of a and b, we can substitute them in this equation and find out the value of this constant. This is the process which the experimenter in a laboratory has resorted to in deducing all the laws of science.
Experimentation in a laboratory will enable us to determine, not one, but a long series of corresponding values of two varying quantities. This series of values will give us an idea of the nature of their variation. We may then write down the variation as above shown, and solve for the constant. This constant establishes the relation between a and b at all times, and is therefore all-important. Thus, suppose the experimenter in a laboratory observes that by suspending a weight of
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100 pounds on a wire of a certain length and size it stretched one-tenth of an inch. On suspending 200 pounds he observes that it stretches two-tenths of an inch. On suspending 300 pounds he observes that it stretches three-tenths of an inch, and so on. He at once sees that there is a constant relation between the elongation and the weight producing it. He then writes:
Elongation weight.
Elongation = some constant × weight.
E=K×W.
Now this is an equation. Suppose we substitute one of the sets of values of elongation and weight, namely,
.3 of an inch and 300 lbs.
We have
.3 = K×300.
Therefore
K=.001.
Now, this is an absolute constant for the stretch of that wire, and if at any time we wish to know how much a certain weight, say 500 lbs., will stretch that wire, we simply have to write down the equation
E=K×W.
Substituting
elong. = .001×500,
and we have
elong. = .5 of an inch.
Thus, in general, the student will remember that where two quantities vary as each other we can change this variation, which cannot be handled mathematically,
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into an equation which can be handled with absolute definiteness and precision by simply inserting a constant into the variation.
Inverse Variation. — Sometimes we have one quantity increasing at the same rate that another decreases; thus, the pressure on a certain amount of air increases as its volume is decreased, and we write
v1p,
then
vK×1p,
Wherever one quantity increases as another decreases, we call this an inverse variation, and we express it in the manner above shown. Frequently one quantity varies as the square or the cube or the fourth power of the other; for instance, the area of a square varies as the square of its side, and we write
Ab2,
or
A=Kb2.
Again, one quantity may vary inversely as the square of the other, as, for example, the intensity of light, which varies inversely as the square of the distance from its source, thus:
A1d2,
or
A=K1d2,
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Grouping of Variations. — Sometimes we have a quantity varying as one quantity and also varying as another quantity. In such cases we may group these two variations into a single variation. Thus, we say that
ab,
also
ac,
then
ab×c
or,
a=K×b×c.
This is obviously correct; for, suppose we say that the weight which a beam will sustain in end-on compression varies directly as its width, also directly as its depth, we see at a glance that the weight will vary as the cross-sectional area, which is the product of the width by the depth.
Sometimes we have such variations as this:
ab,
also
a1c,
then
abc.
This is practically the same as the previous case, with the exception that instead of two direct variations we have one direct and one inverse variation.
There is much interesting theory in variation, which, however, is unimportant for our purposes and which
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I will therefore omit. If the student thoroughly masters the principles above mentioned he will find them of inestimable value in comprehending the deduction of scientific equations.
PROBLEMS
1. If ab and we have a set of values showing that when a=500, b=10, what is the constant of this variation?
2. If ab2, and the constant of the variation is 2205, what is the value of b when a = 5?
3. ab; also a1c, or, abc. If we find that when a=100, then b=5 and c=3, what is the constant of this variation?
4. ab. The constant of the variation equals 12. What is the value of a when b = 2 and c = 8?
5. a=K×bc. If K = 15 and a = 6 and b = 2, what is the value of c?
 
061

CHAPTER X

Some Elements of Geometry

In this chapter I will attempt to explain briefly some elementary notions of geometry which will materially aid the student to a thorough understanding of many physical theories. At the start let us accept the following axioms and definitions of terms which we will employ.
Axioms and Definitions:
I. Geometry is the science of space.
II. There are only three fundamental directions or dimensions in space, namely, length, breadth and depth.
III. A geometrical point has theoretically no dimensions.
IV. A geometrical line has theoretically only one dimension,—length.
V. A geometrical surface or plane has theoretically only two dimensions, namely, length and breadth.
VI. A geometrical body occupies space and has three dimensions,—length, breadth and depth.
VI. An angle is the opening or divergence between two straight lines which cut or intersect each other; thus, in Fig. 1,
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Figure 1
Fig. 1
a is an angle between the lines AB and CD, and may be expressed thus, a or BOD.
VIII. When two lines lying in the same surface or plane are so drawn that they never approach or retreat from each other, no matter how long they are actually extended, they are said to be parallel; thus, in Fig. 2,
Figure 2
Fig. 2
the lines AB and CD are parallel.
IX. A definite portion of a surface or plane bounded by lines is called a polygon; thus, Fig. 3 shows a polygon.
Figure 3
Fig. 3
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X. A polygon bounded by three sides is called a triangle (Fig. 4).
Figure 4
Fig. 4
XI. A polygon bounded by four sides is called a quadrangle (Fig. 5), and if the opposite sides are parallel, a parallelogram (Fig. 6).
Figure 5
Fig. 5
Figure 6
Fig. 6
XII. When a line has revolved about a point until it has swept through a complete circle, or 360°, it comes back to its original position. When it has revolved one quarter of a circle, or 90°, away from its original position, it is said to be at right angles or perpendicular to its original position; thus, the angle a (Fig. 7) is a right angle
Figure 7
Fig. 7
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between the lines AB and CD, which are perpendicular to each other.
XIII. An angle less than a right angle is called an acute angle.
XIV. An angle greater than a right angle is called an obtuse angle.
XV. The addition of two right angles makes a straight line.
XVI. Two angles which when placed side by side or added together make a right angle, or 90°, are said to be complements of each other; thus, 30° and 60° are complementary angles.
XVII. Two angles which when added together form 180°, or a straight line, are said to be supplements of each other; thus, 130° and 50° are supplementary angles.
XVIII. When one of the inside angles of a triangle is a right angle, it is called a right-angle triangle (Fig. 8),
Figure 8
Fig. 8
and the side AB opposite the right angle is called its hypothenuse.
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XIX. A rectangle is a parallelogram whose angles are all right angles (Fig. 9a), and a square is a rectangle whose sides are all equal (Fig. 9).
Figure 9
Fig. 9
Figure 9a
Fig. 9a
XX. A circle is a curved line, all points of which are equally distant or equidistant from a fixed point called a center (Fig. 10).
Figure 10
Fig. 10
Figure 11
Fig. 11
With these assumptions we may now proceed. Let us look at Fig. 11. BM and CN are parallel lines cut by the common transversal or intersecting line RS. It is seen at a glance that the ROM and BOA, called vertical angles, are equal; likewise ROM and
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RAN, called exterior interior angles, are equal; likewise BOA and RAN, called opposite interior angles, are equal. These facts are actually proved by placing one on the other, when they will coincide exactly. The ROM and BOR are supplementary, as their sum forms the straight line BM, or 180°. Likewise ROM and MOS, or NAS, are supplementary.
In general, we have this rule: When the corresponding sides of any two angles are parallel to each other, the angles are either equal or supplementary.
Triangles. — Let us now investigate some of the properties of the triangle ABC (Fig. 12). Through A
Figure 12
Fig. 12
draw a line, MN, parallel to BC. At a glance we see that the sum of the angles a, d, and e is equal to 180°, or two right angles,—
a+d+e=180°
But c is equal to d, and b is equal to e, as previously seen; therefore we have
a+c+b=180°
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This demonstration proves the fact that the sum of all the inside or interior angles of any triangle is equal to 180°, or, what is the same thing, two right angles. Now, if the triangle is a right triangle and one of its angles is itself a right angle, then the sum of the two remaining angles must be equal to one right angle, or 90°. This fact should be most carefully noted, as it is very important.
When we have two triangles with all the angles of the one equal to the corresponding angles of the other, as in Fig. 13, they are called similar triangles.
Figure 13
Fig. 13
When we have two triangles with all three sides of the one equal to the corresponding sides of the other, they are equal to each other (Fig. 14), for they may be
Figure 14
Fig. 14
perfectly superposed on each other. In fact, the two triangles are seen to be equal if two sides and the included
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angle of the one are equal to two sides and the included angle of the other; or, if one side and two angles of the one are equal to one side and the corresponding angles respectively of the other; or, if one side and the angle opposite to it of the one are equal to one side and the corresponding angle of the other.
Projections. — The projection of any given tract, such as AB (Fig. I5), upon a line, such as MN, is that space,
Figure 15
Fig. 15
CD, on the line MN bounded by two lines drawn from A and B respectively perpendicular to MN.
Rectangles and Parallelograms. — A line drawn between opposite corners of a parallelogram is called a diagonal; thus, AC is a diagonal in Fig. 16. It is along
Figure 16
Fig. 16
this diagonal that a body would move if pulled in the direction of AB by one force, and in the direction AD by another, the two forces having the same relative
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magnitudes as the relative lengths of AB and AD. This fact is only mentioned here as illustrative of one of the principles of mechanics.
Figure 17
Fig. 17
The area of a rectangle is equal to the product of the length by the breadth; thus, in Fig. 17,
Area of ABDC=AB×AC.
This fact is so patent as not to need explanation.
Suppose we have a parallelogram (Fig. 18), however, what is its area equal to?
Figure 18
Fig. 18
The perpendicular distance BF between the sides BC and AD of a parallelogram is called its altitude. Extend the base AD and draw CE perpendicular to it.
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Now we have the rectangle BCEF, whose area we know to be equal to BC×BF. But the triangles ABF and DCE are equal (having 2 sides and 2 angles mutually equal), and we observe that the rectangle is nothing else than the parallelogram with the triangle ABF chipped off and the triangle DCE added on, and since these are equal, the rectangle is equal to the parallelogram, which then has the same area as it; or,
Area of parallelogram ABCD=BC×BF.
If, now, we consider the area of the triangle ABC (Fig. 19), we see that by drawing the lines AD and CD
Figure 19
Fig. 19
parallel to BC and AB respectively, we have the parallelogram BADC, and we observe that the triangles ABC and ADC are equal. Therefore triangle ABC equals one-half of the parallelogram, and since the area of this is equal to BC×AH, then the
Area of the triangle ABC=12BC×AH,
which means that the area of a triangle is equal to one-half of the product of the base by the altitude.
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Circles. — Comparison between the lengths of the diameter and circumference of a circle (Fig. 20) made
Figure 20
Fig. 20
with the utmost care shows that the circumference is 3.1416 times as long as the diameter. This constant, 3.1416, is usually expressed by the Greek letter pi (π). Therefore, the circumference of a circle is equal to π× the diameter.
circum. = πd
circum. = 2πr
if r, the radius, is used instead of the diameter.
The area of a segment of a circle (Fig. 21), like the area of a triangle, is equal to 12 of the product of the
Figure 21
Fig. 21
base by the altitude, or 12a×r. This comes from the fact that the segment may be divided up into a very large number of small segments a whose bases, being very small, have very little curvature, and may therefore be considered as small triangles. Therefore, if we consider the whole circle, where the length of the arc is 2πr, the area is
12×2πr×r=πr2,
Area circle=πr2.
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I will conclude this chapter by a discussion of one of the most important properties of the right-angle triangle, namely, that the square erected on its hypothenuse is equal to the sum of the squares erected on its other two sides; that is, that in the triangle ABC (Fig. 22) AC2=AB2+BC2.
Figure 22
Fig. 22
To prove
ANMC=BCRS+ABHK,
or
length AC2 = length BC2 + length AB2.
This is a difficult problem and one of the most interesting and historic ones that the whole realm of mathematics can offer, therefore I will only suggest its solution
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and leave a little reasoning for the student himself to do.
triangle ARC = triangle BMC,
triangle ARC = 12CR×BC
                        = 12 of the square BCRS,
triangle BCM = 12CM×CO
                        = 12of rectangle COFM.
Therefore
12 of square BCRS = 12 of rectangle COFM,
or
BCRS=COFM.
Similarly for the other side
ABHK=AOFN.
But
COFM+AOFN = whole square ACMN.
Therefore
ACMN=BCRS+ABHK.
(AC)2=(AB)2+(BC)2.
PROBLEMS
1. What is the area of a rectangle 8 ft. long by 12 ft. wide?
2. What is the area of a triangle whose base is 20 ft. and whose altitude is 18 ft.?
3. What is the area of a circle whose radius is 9 ft.?
4. What is the length of the hypothenuse of a right-angle triangle if the other two sides are respectively 6 ft. and 9 ft.?
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5. What is the circumference of a circle whose diameter is 20 ft.?
6. The hypothenuse of a right-angle triangle is 25 ft. and one side is 18 ft.; what is the other side?
7. If the area of a circle is 600 sq. ft., what is its diameter?
8. The circumference of the earth is 25,000 miles; what is its diameter in miles?
9. The area of a triangle is 30 sq. ft. and its base is 8 ft.; what is its altitude?
10. The area of a parallelogram is 100 sq. feet and its base is 25 ft.; what is its altitude?
 
075

CHAPTER XI

Elementary Principles of Trigonometry

TRIGONOMETRY is the science of angles; its province is to teach us how to measure and employ angles with the same ease that we handle lengths and areas.
In a previous chapter we have defined an angle as the opening or the divergence between two intersecting lines, AB and CD (Fig. 23). The next question is, How
Figure 23
Fig. 23
are we going to measure this angle? We have already seen that we can do this in one way by employing degrees, a complete circle being 360°. But there are many instances which the student will meet later on where the use of degrees would be meaningless. It is then that certain constants connected with the angle, called its functions, must be resorted to. Suppose we have the angle a shown in Fig. 24. Now let us choose
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a point anywhere either on the line AB or CD; for instance, the point P. From P drop a line which will
Figure 24
Fig. 24
be perpendicular to CD. This gives us a right-angle triangle whose sides we may call a, b and c respectively. We may now define the following functions of the a:
  sine ∝=ac,
cosine ∝=bc,
tangent ∝=ab,
which means that the sine of an angle is obtained by dividing the side opposite to it by the hypothenuse; the cosine, by dividing the side adjacent to it by the hypothenuse; and the tangent, by dividing the side opposite by the side adjacent.
These values, sine, cosine and tangent, are therefore nothing but ratios,—pure numbers,—and under no circumstances
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should be taken for anything else. This is one of the greatest faults that I have to find with many texts and handbooks in not insisting on this point.
Looking at Fig. 24, it is evident that no matter where I choose P, the values of the sine, cosine and tangent will be the same; for if I choose P farther out on the line I will increase c, but at the same time a will increase in the same proportion, the quotient of ac being always the same wherever P may be chosen.
Likewise bc and ab will always remain constant. The sine, cosine, and tangent are therefore always fixed and constant quantities for any given angle. I might have remarked that if P had been chosen on the line CD and the perpendicular drawn to AB, as shown by the dotted lines (Fig. 24), the hypothenuse and adjacent side simply exchange places, but the value of the sine, cosine and tangent would remain the same.
Since these functions, namely, sine, cosine and tangent, of any angle remain the same at all times, they become very convenient handles for employing the angle. The sines, cosines and tangents of all angles of every size may be actually measured and computed with great care once and for all time, and then arranged in tabulated form, so that by referring to this table one can immediately find the sine, cosine or tangent of any angle; or, on the other hand, if a certain value said to
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be the sine, cosine or tangent of an unknown angle is given, the angle that it corresponds to may be found from the table. Such a table may be found at the end of this book, giving the sines, cosines and tangents of all angles taken 6 minutes apart. Some special compilations of these tables give the values for all angles taken only one minute apart, and some even closer, say 10 seconds apart.
On reference to the table, the sine of 10° is .1736, the cosine of 10° is .9848, the sine of 24° 36' is .4163, the cosine of 24° 36' is .9092. In the table of sines and cosines the decimal point is understood to be before every value, for, if we refer back to our definition of sine and cosine, we will see that these values can never be greater than 1; in fact, they will always be less than 1, since the hypothenuse c is always the longest side of the right angle and therefore a and b are always less than it. Obviously, ac and bc, the values respectively of sine and cosine, being a smaller quantity divided by a larger, can never be greater than 1. Not so with the tangent; for angles between o° and 45°, a is less than b, therefore ab is less than 1; but for angles between 45° and 90°, a is greater than b, and therefore ab is greater than 1. Thus, on reference to the table the tangent of 10° 24' is seen to be .1835, the tangent of 45° is 1, the tangent of 60° 30' is 1.7675.
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Now let us work backwards. Suppose we are given .3437 as the sine of a certain angle, to find the angle. On reference to the table we find that this is the sine of 20° 6', therefore this is the angle sought. Again, suppose we have .8878 as the cosine of an angle, to find the angle. On reference to the table we find that this is the angle 27° 24'. Likewise suppose we are given 3.5339 as the tangent of an angle, to find the angle. The tables show that this is the angle 74° 12'.
When an angle or value which is sought cannot be found in the tables, we must prorate between the next higher and lower values. This process is called interpolation, and is merely a question of proportion. It will be explained in detail in the chapter on Logarithms.
Relation of Sine and Cosine. — On reference to Fig.
Figure 25
Fig. 25
25 we see that the sine α=ac but if we take β, the other acute angle of the right-angle triangle, we see that cosine β=ac.
Remembering, always the fundamental definition of sine and cosine, namely,
sine = OppositesideHypothenuse,
cosine = AdjacentsideHypothenuse,
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we see that the cosine β is equal to the same thing as the sine α, therefore
sine α = cosine β.
Now, if we refer back to our geometry, we will remember that the sum of the three angles of a triangle = 180°, or two right angles, and therefore in a right-angle triangle α+β=90°, or 1 right angle. In other words α and β are complementary angles. We then have the following general law: “The sine of an angle is equal to the cosine of its complement.” Thus, if we have a table of sines or cosines from 0° to 90°, or sines and cosines between 0° and 45°, we make use of this principle. If we are asked to find the sine of 68° we may look for the cosine of (90° − 68°), or 22°; or, if we want the cosine of 68°, we may look for the sine of (90° − 68°), or 22°.
Other Functions. — There are some other functions of the angle which are seldom used, but which I will mention here, namely,
Cotangent = ba,
Secant = cb,
Cosecant = ca.
Other Relations of Sine and Cosine. — We have seen
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that the sine α=ac and the cosine α=bc. Also from geometry
a2+b2=c2
(1)
Dividing equation (1) by c2 we have
a2c2 + b2c2 = 1
But this is nothing but the square of the sine plus the square of the cosine of α, therefore
(sine α)2+( cosine α)2=1.
Other relations whose proof is too intricate to enter into now are
sine 2α=2 sinα cos α,
cos 2α=12 sin2α,
or cos 2α=cos2αsin2α.
Use of Trigonometry. — Trigonometry is invaluable in triangulation of all kinds. When two sides or one side and an acute angle of a right-angle triangle are
Figure 26
Fig. 26
given, the other two sides can be easily found. Suppose we wish to measure the distance BC across the river in Fig. 26; we proceed as follows: First we lay off
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and measure the distance AB along the shore; then by means of a transit we sight perpendicularly across the river and erect a flag at C; then we sight from A to B and from A to C and determine the angle α. Now, as before seen, we know that
tangent α=ab.
Suppose b had been 1000 ft. and α was 40°, then
tangent 40°=a1000.
The tables show that the tangent of 40° is .8391;
then .8391=a1000,
therefore a=839.1ft.
Thus we have found the distance across the river to be 839.1 ft.
Figure 27
Fig. 27
Likewise in Fig. 27, suppose c = 300 and α=36°, to find a and b. We have
sine α=ac,
or
sine 36°=a300.
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From the tables sine 36°=.5878.
.5878=a300
a=.5878×300,
or
a=176.34ft.
Likewise
cosine α=bc.
From table,
cosine 36=.8090,
therefore
.8090=b300,
or
b=242.7ft.
Now, if we had been told that a=225 and b=100, to find α and c, we would have proceeded thus:
tangent α=ab.
Therefore
tangent α=225100,
tangent α=2.25 ft.
The tables show that this corresponds to the angle 66°4.
Therefore
a=66°4.
Now to find c we have
sin a=ac,
sin 66°4=255c.
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From tables, sine 66°4=.9140, therefore
.9140=255c,
or
c=255.9140=248.5ft.
And thus we may proceed, the use of a little judgment being all that is necessary to the solution of the most difficult problems of triangulation.
PROBLEMS
1. Find the sine, cosine and tangent of 32° 20'.
2. Find the sine, cosine and tangent of 81° 24'.
3. What angle is it whose sine is .4320?
4. What angle is it whose cosine is .1836?
5. What angle is it whose tangent is .753?
6. What angle is it whose cosine is .8755?
In a right-angle triangle—
7. If a = 300 ft. and α = 30°, what are c and b?
8. If a = 500 ft. and b = 315 ft., what are α and c?
9. If c = 1250 ft. and α = 80°, what are b and a?
10. If b = 250 ft. and c = 530 ft., what are α and a?
 
085

CHAPTER XII

Logarithms

I HAVE inserted this chapter on logarithms because I consider a knowledge of them very essential to the education of any engineer.
Definition. — A logarithm is the power to which we must raise a given base to produce a given number. Thus, suppose we choose 10 as our base, we will say that 2 is the logarithm of 100, because we must raise 10 to the second power—in other words, square it—in order to produce 100. Likewise 3 is the logarithm of 1000, for we have to raise 10 to the third power (thus, 103) to produce 1000. The logarithm of 10,000 would then be 4, and the logarithm of 100,000 would be 5, and so on.
The base of the universally used Common System of logarithms is 10; of the Napierian or Natural System, e or 2.7. The latter is seldom used.
We see that the logarithms of such numbers as 100, 1000, 10,000, etc., are easily detected; but suppose we have a number such as 300, then the difficulty of finding its logarithm is apparent. We have seen that 102 is 100, and 103 equals 1000, therefore the number 300, which lies between 100 and 1000, must have a logarithm which lies between the logarithms of 100 and 1000,
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namely 2 and 3 respectively. Reference to a table of logarithms at the end of this book, which we will explain later, shows that the logarithm of 300 is 2.4771, which means that 10 raised to the 2.4771ths power will give 300. The whole number in a logarithm, for example the 2 in the above case, is called the characteristic; the decimal part of the logarithm, namely, 4771, is called the mantissa. It will be hard for the student to understand at first what is meant by raising 10 to a fractional part of a power, but he should not worry about this at the present time; as he studies more deeply into mathematics the notion will dawn on him more clearly.
We now see that every number has a logarithm, no matter how large or how small it may be; every number can be produced by raising 10 to some power, and this power is what we call the logarithm of the number. Mathematicians have carefully worked out and tabulated the logarithm of every number, and by reference to these tables we can find the logarithm corresponding to any number, or vice versa. A short table of logarithms is shown at the end of this book.
Now take the number 351.1400; we find its logarithm is 2.545,479. Like all numbers which lie between 100 and 1000 its characteristic is 2. The numbers which lie between 1000 and 10,000 have 3 as a characteristic; between 10 and 100, 1 as a characteristic. We therefore
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have the rule that the characteristic is always one less than the number of places to the left of the decimal point. Thus, if we have the number 31875.12, we immediately see that the characteristic of its logarithm will be 4, because there are five places to the left of the decimal point. Since it is so easy to detect the characteristic, it is never put in logarithmic tables, the mantissa or decimal part being the only part that the tables need include.
If one looked in a table for a logarithm of 125.60, he would only find .09,899. This is only the mantissa of the logarithm, and he would himself have to insert the characteristic, which, being one less than the number of places to the left of the decimal point, would in this case be 2; therefore the logarithm of 125.6 is 2.09,899.
Furthermore, the mantissæ of the logarithms of 3.4546, 34.546, 345.46, 3454.6, etc., are all exactly the same. The characteristic of the logarithm is the only thing which the decimal point changes, thus:
log 3.4546 = 0.538,398,
log 34.546 = 1.538,398,
log 345.46 = 2.538,398,
log 3454.6 = 3.538,398,
      etc.
Therefore, in looking for the logarithm of a number, first put down the characteristic on the basis of the
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above rules, then look for the mantissa in a table, neglecting the position of the decimal point altogether. Thus, if we are looking for the logarithm of .9840, we first write down the characteristic, which in this case would be −1 (there are no places to the left of the decimal point in this case, therefore one less than none is −1). Now look in a table of logarithms for the mantissa which corresponds to .9840, and we find this to be .993,083; therefore
log .9840 = −1.993,083.
If the number had been 98.40 the logarithm would have been +1.993,083.
When we have such a number as .084, the characteristic of its logarithm would be −2, there being one less than no places at all to the left of its decimal point; for, even if the decimal point were moved to the right one place, you would still have no places to the left of the decimal point; therefore
log .00,386 = −3.586,587,
log 38.6 = 1.586,587,
log 386 = 2.586,587,
log 386,000 = 5.586,587.
Interpolation. — Suppose we are asked to find the logarithm of 2468; immediately write down 3 as the characteristic. Now, on reference to the logarithmic
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table at the end of this book, we see that the logarithms of 2460 and 2470 are given, but not 2468. Thus:
log 2460 = 3.3909,
log 2468 = ?
log 2470 = 3.3927.
We find that the total difference between the two given logarithms, namely 3909 and 3927, is 16, the total difference between the numbers corresponding to these logarithms is 10, the difference between 2460 and 2468 is 8; therefore the logarithm to be found lies 810 of the distance across the bridge between the two given logarithms 3909 and 3927. The whole distance across is 16. 810 of 16 is 12.8. Adding this to 3909 we have 3921.8; therefore
log of 2468 = 3.39,218.
Reference to column 8 in the interpolation columns to the right of the table would have given this value at once.
Many elaborate tables of logarithms may be purchased at small cost which make interpolation almost unnecessary for practical purposes.
Now let us work backwards and find the number if we know its logarithm. Suppose we have given the logarithm 3.6201. Referring to our table, we see that the mantissa .6201 corresponds to the number 417; the characteristic 3 tells us that there must be four places to the left of the decimal point; therefore
3.6201 is the log of 4170.0.
090
Now, for interpolation we have the same principles aforesaid. Let us find the number whose log is −3.7304. In the table we find that
log 7300 corresponds to the number 5370,
log 7304 corresponds to the number ?
log 7308 corresponds to the number 5380.
Therefore it is evident that
7304 corresponds to 5375.
Now the characteristic of our logarithm is −3; from this we know that there must be two zeros to the left of the decimal point; therefore
−3.7304 is the log of the number .005375.
Likewise
−2.7304 is the log of the number .05375,
−7304 is the log of the number 5.375,
4.7304 is the log of the number 53,750.
Use of the Logarithm. — Having thoroughly understood the nature and meaning of a logarithm, let us investigate its use mathematically. It changes multiplication and division into addition and subtraction; involution and evolution into multiplication and division.
We have seen in algebra that
a2×a5=a5+2, or a7,
and that
a8a3=a83, or a5.
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In other words, multiplication or division of like symbols was accomplished by adding or subtracting their exponents, as the case may be. Again, we have seen that
(a2)2=a4,
or
a63=a2.
In the first case a2 squared gives a4, and in the second case the cube root of a6 is a2; to raise a number to a power you multiply its exponent by that power; to find any root of it you divide its exponent by the exponent of the root. Now, then, suppose we multiply 336 by 5380; we find that
log of 336=102.5263,
log of 5380=103.7308.
Then 336×5380 is the same thing as 102.5263×103.7308,
But 102.5263×103.7308=102.526310+3.7308=106.2571.
We have simply added the exponents, remembering that these exponents are nothing but the logarithms of 336 and 5380 respectively.
Well, now, what number is 106.2571 equal to? Looking in a table of logarithms we see that the mantissa .2571 corresponds to 1808; the characteristic 6 tells us that there must be seven places to the left of the decimal; therefore
106.2571= 1,808,000.
If the student notes carefully the foregoing he will see that in order to multiply 336 by 5380 we simply find
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their logarithms, add them together, getting another logarithm, and then find the number corresponding to this logarithm. Any numbers may be multiplied together in this simple manner; thus, if we multiply 217×4876×3.185×.0438×890, we have
log 217   =   2.3365
log 4876   =   3.6880
log 3.185 =   .5031
log .0438 = −2.6415 [*]
log 890   =   2.9494
            ------
Adding we get
            8.1185
[*] The −2 does not carry its negativity to the mantissa.
We must now find the number corresponding to the logarithm 8.1185. Our tables show us that
8.1185 is the log of 131,380,000.
Therefore 131,380,000 is the result of the above multiplication.
To divide one number by another we subtract the logarithm of the latter from the logarithm of the former; thus, 3865÷735:
log 3865 = 3.5872
log 735 = 2.8663
            ______
          .7209
The tables show that .7209 is the logarithm of 5.259; therefore
3865÷735=5.259.
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As explained above, if we wish to square a number, we simply multiply its logarithm by 2 and then find what number the result is the logarithm of. If we had wished to raise it to the third, fourth or higher power, we would simply have multiplied by 3, 4 or higher power, as the case may be. Thus, suppose we wish to cube 9879; we have
log 9897 = 3.9947
                3
            _____
          11.9841
11.9841 is the log of 964,000,000,000;
therefore 9879 cubed = 964,000,000,000.
Likewise, if we wish to find the square root, the cube root, or fourth root or any root of a number, we simply divide its logarithm by 2, 3, 4 or whatever the root may be; thus, suppose we wish to find the square root of 36,850, we have
log 36,850 = 4.5664.
4.5664 ÷ 2 = 2.2832.
2.2832 is the log. of 191.98; therefore the square root of 36,850 is 191.98.
The student should go over this chapter very carefully, so as to become thoroughly familiar with the principles involved.
094
PROBLEMS
1. Find the logarithm of 3872.
2. Find the logarithm of 73.56.
3. Find the logarithm of .00988.
4. Find the logarithm of 41,267.
5. Find the number whose logarithm is 2.8236.
6. Find the number whose logarithm is 4.87175.
7. Find the number whose logarithm is −1.4385.
8. Find the number whose logarithm is −4.3821.
9. Find the number whose logarithm is 3.36175.
10. Multiply 2261 by 4335.
11. Multiply 6218 by 3998.
12. Multiply 231.9 by 478.8 by 7613 by .921.
13. Multiply .00983 by .0291.
14. Multiply .222 by .00054.
15. Divide 27,683 by 856.
16. Divide 4337 by 38.88.
17. Divide .9286 by 28.75.
18. Divide .0428 by 1.136.
19. Divide 3995 by .003,337.
20. Find the square of 4291.
21. Raise 22.91 to the fourth power.
22. Raise .0236 to the third power.
23. Find the square root of 302,060.
24. Find the cube root of 77.85.
25. Find the square root of .087,64.
26. Find the fifth root of 226,170,000.
 
095

CHAPTER XIII

Elementary Principles of Coördinate Geometry

COÖRDINATE Geometry may be called graphic algebra, or equation drawing, in that it depicts algebraic equations not by means of symbols and terms but by means of curves and lines. Nothing is more familiar to the engineer, or in fact to any one, than to see the results of machine tests or statistics and data of any kind shown graphically by means of curves. The same analogy exists between an algebraic equation and the curve which graphically represents it as between the verbal description of a landscape and its actual photograph; the photograph tells at a glance more than could be said in many thousands of words. Therefore the student will realize how important it is that he master the few fundamental principles of coördinate geometry which we will discuss briefly in this chapter.
An Equation. — When discussing equations we remember that where we have an equation which contains two unknown quantities, if we assign some numerical value to one of them we may immediately find the corresponding numerical value of the other; for example, take the equation
x=y+4.
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In this equation we have two unknown quantities, namely, x and y; we cannot find the value of either unless we know the value of the other. Let us say that y=1; then we see that we would get a corresponding value, x=5; for y=2, x=6; thus:
If y=1, then x=5,
y=2, x=6,
y=3, x=7,
y=4, x=8,
y=5, x=9, etc.
The equation then represents the relation in value existing between x and y, and for any specific value of x we can find the corresponding specific value of y. Instead of writing down, as above, a list of such corresponding values, we may show them graphically thus: Draw two lines perpendicular to each other; make one of them the x line and the other the y line. These two lines are called axes. Now draw parallel to these axes equi-spaced lines forming cross-sections, as shown in Fig. 28, and letter the intersections of these lines with the axes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., as shown.
Now let us plot the corresponding values, y=1, x=5. This will be a point 1 space up on the y axis and 5 spaces out on the x axis, and is denoted by letter A in the figure. In plotting the corresponding values y=2, x=6, we get the point B; the next set of values
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gives us the point C, the next D, and so on. Suppose we draw a line through these points; this line, called the curve of the equation, tells everything in a graphical
Figure 28
Fig. 28
way that the equation does algebraically. If this line has been drawn accurately we can from it find out at a glance what value of y corresponds to any given value of x, and vice versa. For example, suppose we wish to see what value of y corresponds to the value x=612;
098
we run our eyes along the x axis until we come to 612, then up until we strike the curve, then back upon the y axis, where we note that y=212.
Negative Values of x and y. — When we started at o and counted 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., to the right along the x axis, we might just as well have counted to the left, −1, −2, −3, −4, etc. (Fig. 28), and likewise we might have counted downwards along the y axis, −1, −2, −3, −4, etc. The values, then, to the left of o on the x axis and below o on the y axis are the negative values of x and y. Still using the equation x = y + 4, let us give the following values to y and note the corresponding values of x in the equation x = y + 4:
If y=0, then x=4,
  y=1,     x=3,
  y=2,     x=2,
  y=3,     x=1,
  y=4,     x=0,
  y=5,     x=1,
  y=6,     x=2,
  y=7,     x=3.
The point y=0,x=4 is seen to be on the x axis at the point 4. The point y=1,x=3 is at point E, that is, 1 below the x axis and 3 to the right of the y axis. The points y=2,x=2 and y=3,x=1 are seen to be respectively points F and G. Point
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y=4,x=0 is zero along the x axis, and is therefore at −4 on the y axis. Point y=5,x=1 is seen to be 5 below 0 on the y axis and 1 to the left of 0 along the x axis (both x and y are now negative), namely, at the point H. Point y=6,x=2 is at J, and so on.
The student will note that all points in the first quadrant have positive values for both x and y, all points in the second quadrant have positive values for y (being all above 0 so far as the y axis is concerned), but negative values for x (being to the left of 0), all points in the third quadrant have negative values for both x and y, while all points in the fourth quadrant have positive values of x and negative values of y.
Coördinates. — The corresponding x and y values of a point are called its coördinates, the vertical or y value is called its ordinate, while the horizontal or x value is called the abscissa; thus at point A, x=5,y=1, here 5 is called the abscissa, while 1 is called the ordinate of point A. Likewise at point G, where y=3,x=1, here −3 is the ordinate and 1 the abscissa of G.
Straight Lines. — The student has no doubt observed that all points plotted in the equation x=y+4 have fallen on a straight line, and this will always be the case where both of the unknowns (in this case x and y) enter the equation only in the first power; but the line will not be a straight one if either x or y or both of them
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enter the equation as a square or as a higher power; thus, x2=y+4 will not plot out a straight line because we have x2 in the equation. Whenever both of the unknowns in the equation which we happen to be plotting (be they x and y, a and b, x and a, etc.) enter the equation in the first power, the equation is called a linear equation, and it will always plot a straight line; thus, 3x+5y=20 is a linear equation, and if plotted will give a straight line.
Conic Sections. — If either or both of the unknown quantities enter into the equation in the second power, and no higher power, the equation will always represent one of the following curves: a circle or an ellipse, a parabola or an hyperbola. These curves are called the conic sections. A typical equation of a circle is x2+x2 = r2; a typical equation of a parabola is y2=4qx; a typical equation of a hyperbola is x2y2=r2, or, also, xy=c2.
It is noted in every one of these equations that we have the second power of x or y, except in the equation xy=c2, one of the equations of the hyperbola. In this equation, however, although both x and y are in the first power, they are multiplied by each other, which practically makes a second power.
I have said that any equation containing x or y in the second power, and in no higher power, represents one of the curves of the conic sections whose type forms
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we have just given. But sometimes the equations do not correspond to these types exactly and require some manipulation to bring them into the type form.
Let us take the equation of a circle, namely, x2+y2=52, and plot it as shown in Fig. 29.
Figure 29
Fig. 29
We see that it is a circle with its center at the intersection of the coördinate axes. Now take the equation (x2)2+(y3)2=52. Plotting this, Fig. 30, we see that it is the same circle with its center at the point whose coördinates are 2 and 3. This equation and the first equation of the circle are identical in form,
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but frequently it is difficult at a glance to discover this identity, therefore much ingenuity is frequently required in detecting same.
Figure 30
Fig. 30
In plotting the equation of a hyperbola, xy=25 (Fig. 31), we recognize this as a curve which is met with very frequently in engineering practice, and a knowledge of its general laws is of great value.
Similarly, in plotting a parabola (Fig. 32), y2=4x, we see another familiar curve.
In this brief chapter we can only call attention to the conic sections, as their study is of academic more than
103
Figure 31
Fig. 31
Figure 32
Fig. 32
104
of pure engineering interest. However, as the student progresses in his knowledge of mathematics, I would suggest that he take up the subject in detail as one which will offer much fascination.
Other Curves. — All other equations containing unknown quantities which enter in higher powers than the second power, represent a large variety of curves called cubic curves.
The student may find the curve corresponding to engineering laws whose equations he will hereafter study. The main point of the whole discussion of this chapter is to teach him the methods of plotting, and if successful in this one point, this is as far as we shall go at the present time.
Intersection of Curves and Straight Lines. — When studying simultaneous equations we saw that if we had two equations showing the relation between two unknown quantities, such for instance as the equations
x+y=7,
xy=3.
we could eliminate one of the unknown quantities in these equations and obtain the values of x and y which will satisfy both equations; thus, in the above equations, eliminating y, we have
2x=10,
x=5.
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Substituting this value of x in one of the equations, we have
y=2.
Now each one of the above equations represents a straight line, and each line can be plotted as shown in Fig. 33.
Figure 33
Fig. 33
Their point of intersection is obviously a point on both lines. The coördinates of this point, then, x=5 and y=2, should satisfy both equations, and we have already seen this. Therefore, in general, where we
106
have two equations each showing a relation in value between the two unknown quantities, x and y, by combining these equations, namely, eliminating one of the unknown quantities and solving for the other, our result will be the point or points of intersection of both curves represented by the equations. Thus, if we add the equations of two circles,
x2+y2=42,
(x2)2+y2=52,
and if the student plots these equations separately and then combines them, eliminating one of the unknown quantities and solving for the other, his results will be the points of intersection of both curves.
Plotting of Data. — When plotting mathematically with absolute accuracy the curve of an equation, whatever scale we use along one axis we must employ along the other axis. But, for practical results in plotting curves which show the relative values of several varying quantities during a test or which show the operation of machines under certain conditions, we depart from mathematical accuracy in the curve for the sake of convenience and choose such scales of value along each axis as we may deem appropriate. Thus, suppose we were plotting the characteristic curve of a shunt dynamo which had given the following sets of values from no load to full load operation:
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VOLTSAMPERES
1220
1205
11810
11615
11419
11122
10725
Figure 34
Fig. 34
We plot this curve for convenience in a manner as shown in Fig. 34. Along the volts axis we choose a scale which is compressed to within one-half of the
108
space that we choose for the amperes along the ampere axis. However, we might have chosen this entirely at our own discretion and the curve would have had the same significance to an engineer.
PROBLEMS
Plot the curves and lines corresponding to the following equations:
1. x=3y+10.
2. 2x+5y=15.
3. x2y=4.
4. 10y+3x=8.
5. x2+y2=36.
6. x2=16y.
7. x2y2=16.
8. 3x2+(y2)2=25.
Find the intersections of the following curves and lines:
1. 3x+y=10,
4xy=6.
2. x2+y2=81,
xy=10.
3. xy=40,
3x+y=5.
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Plot the following volt-ampere curve:
VOLTSAMPERES
5500
54820
54539
54155
53679
52991
521102
510115
 
110

CHAPTER XIV

Elementary Principles of the Calculus

It is not my aim in this short chapter to do more than point out and explain a few of the fundamental ideas of the calculus which may be of value to a practical working knowledge of engineering. To the advanced student no study can offer more intellectual and to some extent practical interest than the advanced theories of calculus, but it must be admitted that very little beyond the fundamental principles ever enter into the work of the practical engineer.
In a general sense the study of calculus covers an investigation into the innermost properties of variable quantities, that is quantities which have variable values as against those which have absolutely constant, perpetual and absolutely fixed values. (In previous chapters we have seen what was meant by a constant quantity and what was meant by a variable quantity in an equation.) By the innermost properties of a variable quantity we mean finding out in the minutest detail just how this quantity originated; what infinitesimal (that is, exceedingly small) parts go to make it up; how it increases or diminishes with reference to other quantities; what its rate of increasing or diminishing may be; what its greatest
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and least values are; what is the smallest particle into which it may be divided; and what is the result of adding all of the smallest particles together. All of the processes of the calculus therefore are either analysis or synthesis, that is, either tearing up a quantity into its smallest parts or building up and adding together these smallest parts to make the quantity. We call the analysis, or tearing apart, differentiation; we call the synthesis, or building up, integration.

DIFFERENTIATION

Suppose we take the straight line (Fig. 35) of length x. If we divide it into a large number of parts, greater than a million or a billion or any number of which we
Figure 35
Fig. 35
have any conception, we say that each part is infinitesimally small,—that is, it is small beyond conceivable length. We represent such inconceivably small lengths by an expression Δx or δx. Likewise, if we have a surface and divide it into infinitely small parts, and if we call a the area of the surface, the small infinitesimal portion of that surface we represent by Δa or δa. These quantities, namely, δx and δa, are called the differential of x and a respectively.
112
We have seen that the differential of a line of the length x is δx. Now suppose we have a square each of whose sides is x, as shown in Fig. 36. The area of that square is then x2. Suppose now we increase the length
Figure 36
Fig. 36
of each side by an infinitesimally small amount, δx, making the length of each side x+δx. If we complete a square with this new length as its side, the new square will obviously be larger than the old square by a very small amount. The actual area of the new square will be equal to the area of the old square + the additions to it. The area of the old square was equal to x2. The addition consists of two fine strips each x long by δx wide and a small square having δx as the length of its side. The area of the addition then is
(x×δx)+(x×δx)+(δx×δx) = additional area.
(The student should note this very carefully.) Therefore the addition equals
2xδx+(δx)2 = additional area.
Now the smaller δx becomes, the smaller in more rapid
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proportion does δx2, which is the area of the small square, become. Likewise the smaller δx is, the thinner do the strips whose areas are xδx become; but the strips do not diminish in value as fast as the small square diminishes, and, in fact, the small square vanishes so rapidly in comparison with the strips that even when the strips are of appreciable size the area of the small square is inappreciable, and we may say practically that by increasing the length of the side x of the square shown in Fig. 36 by the length δx we increase its area by the quantity 2xδx.
Again, if we reduce the side x of the square by the length δx, we reduce the area of the square by the amount 2xδx. This infinitesimal quantity, out of a very large number of which the square consists or may be considered as made up of, is equal to the differential of the square, namely, the differential of x2. We thus see that the differential of the quantity x2 is equal to 2xδx. Likewise, if we had considered the case of a cube instead of a square, we would have found that the differential of the cube x3 would have been 3x2δx. Likewise, by more elaborate investigations we find that the differential of x4=4x3δx. Summarizing, then, the foregoing results we have
differential of x=δx,
differential of x2=2xδx,
differential of x3=3x2δx,
differential of x4=4x3δx.
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From these we see that there is a very simple and definite law by which we can at once find the differential of any power of x.
Law. — Reduce the power of x by one, multiply by δx and place before the whole a coefficient which is the same number as the power of x which we are differentiating; thus, if we differentiate x5 we get 5x4δx; also, if we differentiate x6 we get 6x5δx.
I will repeat here that it is necessary for the student to get a clear conception of what is meant by differentiation; and I also repeat that in differentiating any quantity our object is to find out and get the value of the very small parts of which it is constructed (the rate of growth). Thus we have seen that a line is constructed of small lengths δx all placed together; that a square grows or evolves by placing fine strips one next the other; that a cube is built up of thin surfaces placed one over the other; and so on.
Differentiation Similar to Acceleration. — We have just said that finding the value of the differential, or one of the smallest particles whose gradual addition to a quantity makes the quantity, is the same as finding out the rate of growth, and this is what we understood by the ordinary term acceleration. Now we can begin to see concretely just what we are aiming at in the term differential. The student should stop right here, think over all that has gone before and weigh each word of
115
what we are saying with extreme care, for if he understands that the differentiation of a quantity gives us the rate of growth or acceleration of that quantity he has mastered the most important idea, in fact the keynote idea of all the calculus; I repeat, the keynote idea. Before going further let us stop for a little illustration.
Example. — If a train is running at a constant speed of ten miles an hour, the speed is constant, unvarying and therefore has no rate of change, since it does not change at all. If we call x the speed of the train, therefore x would be a constant quantity, and if we put it in an equation it would have a constant value and be called a constant. In algebra we have seen that we do not usually designate a constant or known quantity by the symbol x, but rather by the symbols a, k, etc.
Now on the other hand suppose the speed of the train was changing; say in the first hour it made ten miles, in the second hour eleven miles, in the third hour twelve miles, in the fourth hour thirteen miles, etc. It is evident that the speed is increasing one mile per hour each hour. This increase of speed we have always called the acceleration or rate of growth of the speed. Now if we designated the speed of the train by the symbol x, we see that x would be a variable quantity and would have a different value for every hour, every minute, every second, every instant that the train was running. The speed x would constantly at every instant have added
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to it a little more speed, namely δx, and if we can find the value of this small quantity δx for each instant of time we would have the differential of speed x, or in other words the acceleration of the speed x. Now let us repeat, x would have to be a variable quantity in order to have any differential at all, and if it is a variable quantity and has a differential, then that differential is the rate of growth or acceleration with which the value of that quantity x is increasing or diminishing as the case may be. We now see the significance of the term differential.
One more illustration. We all know that if a ball is thrown straight up in the air it starts up with great speed and gradually stops and begins to fall. Then as it falls it continues to increase its speed of falling until it strikes the earth with the same speed that it was thrown up with. Now we know that the force of gravity has been pulling on that ball from the time that it left our hands and has accelerated its speed backwards until it came to a stop in the air, and then speeded it to the earth. This instantaneous change in the speed of the ball we have called the acceleration of gravity, and is the rate of change of the speed of the ball. From careful observation we find this to be 32 ft. per second per second. A little further on we will learn
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how to express the concrete value of δx in simple form.
Differentiation of Constants. — Now let us remember that a constant quantity, since it has no rate of change, cannot be differentiated; therefore its differential is zero. If, however, a variable quantity such as x is multiplied by a constant quantity such as 6, making the quantity 6x, of course this does not prevent you from differentiating the variable part, namely x; but of course the constant quantity remains unchanged; thus the differential of 6 = 0.
But the differential of 3x=3δx,
the differential of 4x2=4 times 2xδx=8xδx,
the differential of 2x3=2 times 3x2δx=6x2δx,
and so on.
Differential of a Sum or Difference. — We have seen how to find the differential of a single term. Let us now take up an algebraic expression consisting of several terms with positive or negative signs before them; for example
x22x+6+3x4.
In differentiating such an expression it is obvious that we must differentiate each term separately, for each term is separate and distinct from the other terms, and therefore its differential or rate of growth will be distinct and separate from the differential of the other terms; thus
118
The differential of (x22x+6+3x4)
= 2xδx2δx+12x3δx.
We need scarcely say that if we differentiate one side of an algebraic equation we must also differentiate the other side; for we have already seen that whatever operation is performed to one side of an equation must be performed to the other side in order to retain the equality. Thus if we differentiate
x2+4=6x10,
we get
2xδx+0=6δx0,
or
2xδx=6δx.
Differentiation of a Product. — In Fig. 37 we have a rectangle whose sides are x and y and whose area is
Figure 37
Fig. 37
therefore equal to the product xy. Now increase its sides by a small amount and we have the old area added to by two thin strips and a small rectangle, thus:
New area = Old area + yδx+δyδx+xδy.
119
δyδx is negligibly small; therefore we see that the differential of the original area xy=xδy+yδx. This can be generalized for every case and we have the law
Law. — “The differential of the product of two variables is equal to the first multiplied by the differential of the second plus the second multiplied by the differential of the first.” Thus,
Differential x2y=x2δy+2yxδx.
This law holds for any number of variables.
Differential xyz=xyδz+xzδy+yzδx.
Differential of a Fraction. — If we are asked to differentiate the fraction xy we first write it in the form xy1, using the negative exponent; now on differentiating we have
Differential xy1=xy2δy+y1δx
=xδyy2+δxy
Reducing to a common denominator we have
Differential xy1 or xy=xδyy2+yδxy2
=yδxxδyy2
Law. — The differential of a fraction is then seen to be equal to the differential of the numerator times the denominator, minus the differential of the denominator
120
times the numerator, all divided by the square of the denominator.
Differential of One Quantity with Respect to Another. — Thus far we have considered the differential of a variable with respect to itself, that is, we have considered its rate of development in so far as it was itself alone concerned. Suppose however we have two variable quantities dependent on each other, that is, as one changes the other changes, and we are asked to find the rate of change of the one with respect to the other, that is, to find the rate of change of one knowing the rate of change of the other. At a glance we see that this should be a very simple process, for if we know the relation which subsists between two variable quantities, this relation being expressed in the form of an equation between the two quantities, we should readily be able to tell the relation which will hold between similar deductions from these quantities. Let us for instance take the equation
x=y+2.
Here we have the two variables x and y tied together by an equation which establishes a relation between them. As we have previously seen, if we give any definite value to y we will find a corresponding value for x. Referring to our chapter on coördinate geometry we see that this is the equation of the line shown in Fig. 38.
121
Figure 38
Fig. 38
Let us take any point P on this line. Its coördinates are y and x respectively. Now choose another point P1 a short distance away from P on the same line. The abscissa of this new point will be a little longer than that of the old point, and will equal x+δx, while the ordinate y of the old point has been increased by δy, making the ordinate of the new point y+δy.
From Fig. 38 we see that
tanα=δyδx.
122
Therefore, if we know the tangent α and know either δy or δx we can find the other.
In this example our equation represents a straight line, but the same would be true for any curve represented by any equation between x and y no matter how complicated; thus Fig. 39 shows the relation between
Figure 39
Fig. 39
δx and δy at one point of the curve (a circle) whose equation is x2+y2=25. For every other point of the circle tanα or δyδx will have a different value. δx and δy while shown quite large in the figure for demonstration’s sake are inconceivably small in reality; therefore the line AB in the figure is really a tangent of the
123
curve, and α is the angle which it makes with the x axis. For every point on the curve this angle will be different.
Mediate Differentiation. — Summarizing the foregoing we see that if we know any two of the three unknowns in equation tanα=δyδx we can find the third. Some textbooks represent tanα or δyδx by y and, δxδybyxy. This is a convenient notation and we will use it here. Therefore we have
δxtanα=δy,
δytana=δx,
or
δy=δxy,
δx=δyxy.
This shows us that if we differentiate the quantity 3x2 as to x we obtain 6xδx, but if we had wished to differentiate it with respect to y we would first have to differentiate it with respect to x and then multiply by xy, thus:
Differentiation of 3x2 as to y=6xδyxy.
Likewise if we have 4y3 and we wish to differentiate it with respect to x we have
Differential of 4y3 as to x=12y2δxy.
This is called mediate differentiation and is resorted to primarily because we can differentiate a power with
124
respect to itself readily, but not with respect to some other variable.
Law. — To differentiate any expression containing x as to y, first differentiate it as to x and then multiply by xyδy or vice versa.
We need this principle if we find the differential of several terms some containing x and some y; thus if we differentiate the equation 2x2=y210 with respect to x we get
4xδx=3y2yδx+0,
or
4x=3y2y,
or
y=4x3y2,
Therefore
tan α=4x3y2.
From this we see that by differentiating the original equation of the curve we got finally an equation giving the value tanα in terms of x and y, and if we fill out the exact numerical values of x and y for any particular point of the curve we will immediately be able to determine the slant of the tangent of the curve at this point, as we will numerically have the value of tangent α, and a is the angle that the tangent makes with the x axis.
In just the same manner that we have proceeded here we can proceed to find the direction of the tangent of any curve whose equation we know. The differential of y as to x, namely δyδx or y, must be kept in
125
mind as the rate of change of y with respect to x, and nothing so vividly portrays this fact as the inclination of the tangent to the curve which shows the bend of the curve at every point.
Differentials of Other Functions. — By elaborate processes which cannot be mentioned here we find that the
Differential of the sine x as to x= cosine xδx.
Differential of the cosine x as to x= − sin xδx.
Differential of the log x as to x=1xδx.
Differential of the sine y as to x= cosine yyδx.
Differential of the cosine y as to x= − sine yyδx.
Differential of the log y as to x=1yyδx.
Maxima and Minima. — Referring back to the circle, Fig. 39, once more, we see that
x2+y2=25.
Differentiating this equation with reference to x we have
2xδx+2yyδx=0,
or
2x+2yy=0,
or
y=xy,
Therefore
tan α=xy.
Now when tan a=0 it is evident that the tangent to the curve is parallel to the x axis. At this point y is
126
either a maximum or a minimum which can be readily determined on reference to the curve.
0=xy,
x=0.
Therefore x=0 when y is maximum and in this particular curve also minimum.
Law. — If we want to find the maximum or minimum value of x in any equation containing x and y, we differentiate the equation with reference to y and solve for the value of xy; this we make equal to 0 and then we solve for the value of y in the resulting equation.
Example. — Find the maximum or minimum value of x in the equation
y2=14x.
Differentiating with respect to y we have
2yδy=14xyδy,
xy=2y14.
Equating this to 0 we have
2y14=0,
or
y=0.
In other words, we find that x has its minimum value
127
when y=0. We can readily see that this is actually the case in Fig. 40, which shows the curve (a parabola).
Figure 40
Fig. 40

INTEGRATION

Integration is the exact opposite of differentiation. In differentiation we divide a body into its constituent parts, in integration we add these constituent parts together to produce the body.
Integration is indicated by the sign ; thus, if we wished to integrate δx we would write
δx
Since integration is the opposite of differentiation, if we are given a quantity and asked to integrate it, our
128
answer would be that quantity which differentiated will give us our original quantity. For example, we detect δx as the derivative of x; therefore the integral δx=x. Likewise, we detect 4x3δx as the differential of x4 therefore the integral 4x3δx=x4.
Figure 41
Fig. 41
If we consider the line AB (Fig. 35) to be made up of small parts δx, we could sum up these parts thus:
δx+δx+δx+δx+δx+δx . . . . . .
for millions of parts. But integration enables us to express this more simply and δx means the summation of every single part δx which goes to make up the line AB, no matter how many parts there may be or how small each part. But x is the whole length of the line of indefinite length. To sum up any portion of the line between the points or limits x=1 and x=4, we would write
x=1x=4δx=(x)x=1x=4.
129
Now these are definite integrals because they indicate exactly between what limits or points we wish to find the length of the line. This is true for all integrals. Where no limits of integration are shown the integral will yield only a general result, but when limits are stated between which summation is to be made, then we have a definite integral whose precise value we may ascertain.
Refer back to the expression x=(x)x=1x=4 in order to solve this, substitute inside of the parenthesis the value of x for the upper limit of x, namely, 4, and substitute and subtract the value of x at the lower limit, namely, 1; we then get
(x)x=1x=4=(41)=3.
Thus 3 is the length of the line between 1 and 4. Or, to give another illustration, suppose the solution of some integral had given us
(x21)x=2x=3,
then
(x21)x=2x=3=(321)(221)=5.
Here we simply substituted for x in the parenthesis its upper limit, then subtracted from the quantity thus
130
obtained another quantity, which is had by substituting the lower limit of x.
By higher mathematics and the theories of series we prove that the integral of any power of a variable as to itself is obtained by increasing the exponent by one and dividing by the new exponent, thus:
x2δx=x33,
4x5δx=4x66.
On close inspection this is seen to be the inverse of the law of differentiation, which says to decrease the exponent by one and multiply by the old exponent.
So many and so complex are the laws of nature and so few and so limited the present conceptions of man that only a few type forms of integrals may be actually integrated. If the quantity under the integral sign by some manipulation or device is brought into a form where it is recognized as the differential of another quantity, then integrating it will give that quantity.
The Integral of an Expression. — The integral of an algebraic expression consisting of several terms is equal to the sum of the integrals of each of the separate terms; thus,
x2δx+2xδx+3δx
is the same thing as
x2δx+2xδx+3δx,
131
The most common integrals to be met with practically are:
(1) The integrals of some power of the variable whose solution we have just explained
(2) The integrals of the sine and cosine, which are
cosine xδx= sine x,
sine xδx= −cosine x.
(3) The integral of the reciprocal, which is
1xδx=logex.[*]
[*] loge means natural logarithm or logarithm to the Napierian base e which is equal to 2.718 as distinguished from ordinary logarithms to the base 10. In fact wherever log appears in this chapter it means loge.
Areas. — Up to the present we have considered only the integration of a quantity with respect to itself. Suppose now we integrate one quantity with respect to another.
In Fig. 41 we have the curve PP1, which is the graphical representation of some equation containing x and y. If we wish to find the area which lies between the curve and the x axis and between the two vertical lines drawn at distances x=a and x=b respectively, we divide the space up by vertical lines drawn δx distance apart. Now we would have a large number of small strips each δx wide and all having different heights, namely, y1, y2, y3, y4, etc.
The enumeration of all these areas would then be
y1δx+y2δx+y3δx+y4δx, etc.
132
Now calculus enables us to say
Area wanted = x=bx=ayδx.
This integral x=bx=ayδx cannot be readily solved. If it were xδx we have seen that the result would be x22 but this is not the case with xδx. We must then find some way to replace y in this integral by some expression containing x. It is here then that we have to resort to the equation of the curve PP1 From this equation we find the value of y in terms of x; we then substitute this value of y in the integral xδx, and then having an integral of x as to itself we can readily solve it. Now, if the equation of the curve PP1 is a complex one this process becomes very difficult and sometimes impossible.
A simple case of the above is the hyperbola xy=10 (Fig. 42). If we wish to get the value of the shaded area we have
Shaded area = x=5ft.x=12ft.yδx
From the equation of this curve we have
xy=10,
y=10x.
133
Figure 42
Fig. 42
Therefore, substituting we have
Shaded area = x=5x=1210xδx.
Area = 10(logex)x=5x=12
= 10(loge12)(loge5)
= 10(2.48171.6077).
Area = 8.740 sq. ft.
Beyond this brief gist of the principles of calculus we can go no further in this chapter. The student may not understand the theories herein treated of at first—in fact, it will take him, as it has taken every student,
134
many months before the true conceptions of calculus dawn on him clearly. And, moreover, it is not essential that he know calculus at all to follow the ordinary engineering discussions. It is only where a student wishes to obtain the deepest insight into the science that he needs calculus, and to such a student I hope this chapter will be of service as a brief preliminary to the difficulties and complexities of that subject.
PROBLEMS
1. Differentiate 2x3 as to x.
2. Differentiate 12x2 as to x.
3. Differentiate 8x5 as to x.
4. Differentiate 3x2+4x+10=5x2 as to x.
5. Differentiate 4y23x as to y.
6. Differentiate 14y4x3 as to y.
7. Differentiate x2y as to x.
8. Differentiate 2y24qx as to y.
Find y, in the following equations:
9. x2+2y2=100.
10. x3+y=5.
11. x2y2=25.
12. 5xy=12.
13. What angle does the tangent line to the circle x2+y2=9 make with the x axis at the point where x=2?
135
14. What is the minimum value of y in the equation x2=15y?
15. Solve 2x3δx.
16. Solve 5x2δx.
17. Solve 10axδx+5x2δx+3δx
18. Solve 3 sine xδx.
19. Solve 2 cosine xδx.
20. Solve x=2x=53x2δx.
21. Solve x=2x=18yδx if xy=4.
22. Differentiate 10 sine x as to x.
23. Differentiate cosine x sine x as to x.
24. Differentiate log x as to x.
25. Differentiate y2x2 as to x.
 
The following tables are reproduced from Ames and Bliss’s “Manual of Experimental Physics” by permission of the American Book Company.
 
136
 

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Tables of Logarithms and Trigonometry

 
136

LOGARITHMS 100 TO 1000

0123456789123456789
100000004300860128017002120253029403340374Use preceding Table
1104140453049205310569060706450682071907554811151923263034
1207920828086408990934096910041038107211063710141721242831
1311391173120612391271130313351367139914303610131619232629
141461149215231553158416141644167317031732369121518212427
151761179018181847187519031931195919872014368111417202225
162041206820952122214821752201222722532279358111316182124
172304233023552380240524302455248025042529257101215172022
18255325772601262526482672269527182742276525791214161921
19278828102833285628782900292329452967298924791113161820
20301030323054307530963118313931603181320124681113151719
21322232433263328433043324334533653385340424681012141618
22342434443464348335023522354135603579359824681012141517
2336173636365536743692371137293747376637842467911131517
2438023820383838563874389239093927394539622457911121416
2539793997401440314048406540824099411641332357910121415
2641504166418342004216423242494265428142982357810111315
274314433043464362437843934409442544404456235689111314
284472448745024518453345484564457945944609235689111214
294624463946544669468346984713472847424757134679101213
304771478648004814482948434857487148864900134679101113
314914492849424955496949834997501150245038134678101112
32505150655079509251055119513251455159517213457891112
33518551985211522452375250526352765289530213456891012
34531553285340535353665378539154035416542813456891011
35544154535465547854905502551455275539555112456791011
36556355755587559956115623563556475658567012456781011
3756825694570557175729574057525763577557861235678910
3857985809582158325843585558665877588858991235678910
3959115922593359445955596659775988599960101234678910
4060216031604260536064607560856096610761171234568910
416128613861496160617061806191620162126222123456789
426232624362536263627462846294630463146325123456789
436335634563556365637563856395640564156425123456789
446435644464546464647464846493650365136522123456789
456532654265516561657165806590659966096618123456789
466628663766466656666566756684669367026712123456778
476721673067396749675867676776678567946803123455678
486812682168306839684868576866687568846893123445678
496902691169206928693769466955696469726981123445678
506990699870077016702470337042705070597067123345678
517076708470937101711071187126713571437152123345678
527160716871777185719372027210721872267235122345677
537243725172597267727572847292730073087316122345667
547324733273407348735673647372738073887396122345667
 
137

LOGARITHMS 100 TO 1000

0123456789123456789
557404741274197427743574437451745974667474122345567
567482749074977505751375207528753675437551122345567
577559756675747582758975977604761276197627122345567
587634764276497657766476727679768676947701112344567
597709771677237731773877457752776077677774112344567
607782778977967803781078187825783278397846112344566
617853786078687875788278897896790379107917112344566
627924793179387945795279597966797379807987112334566
637993800080078014802180288035804180488055112334556
648062806980758082808980968102810981168122112334556
658129813681428149815681628169817681828189112334556
668195820282098215822282288235824182488254112334556
678261826782748280828782938299830683128319112334556
688325833183388344835183578363837083768382112334456
698388839584018407841484208426843284398445112334456
708451845784638470847684828488849485008506112234456
718513851985258531853785438549855585618567112234455
728573857985858591859786038609861586218627112234455
738633863986458651865786638669867586818686112234455
748692869887048710871687228727873387398745112234455
758751875687628768877487798785879187978802112233455
768808881488208825883188378842884888548859112233455
778865887188768882888788938899890489108915112233445
788921892789328938894389498954896089658971112233445
798976898289878993899890049009901590209025112233445
809031903690429047905390589063906990749079112233445
819085909090969101910691129117912291289133112233445
829138914391499154915991659170917591809186112233445
839191919692019206921292179222922792329238112233445
849243924892539258926392699274927992849289112233445
859294929993049309931593209325933093359340112233445
869345935093559360936593709375938093859390112233445
879395940094059410941594209425943094359440011223344
889445945094559460946594699474947994849489011223344
899494949995049509951395189523952895339538011223344
909542954795529557956295669571957695819586011223344
919590959596009605960996149619962496289633011223344
929638964396479652965796619666967196759680011223344
939685968996949699970397089713971797229727011223344
949731973697419745975097549759976397689773011223344
959777978297869791979598009805980998149818011223344
969823982798329836984198459850985498599863011223344
979868987298779881988698909894989999039908011223344
989912991799219926993099349939994399489952011223344
999956996199659969997499789983998799919996011223334
 
138

NATURAL SINES

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
00000017003500520070008701050122014001573691215
01750192020902270244026202790297031403323691215
03490366038404010419043604540471048805063691215
05230541055805760593061006280645066306803691215
06980715073207500767078508020819083708543691215
08720889090609240941095809760993101110283691214
10451063108010971115113211491167118412013691214
12191236125312711288130513231340135713743691214
13921409142614441461147814951513153015473691214
15641582159916161633165016681685170217193691114
10°17361754177117881805182218401857187418913691114
11°19081925194219591977199420112028204520623691114
12°20792096211321302147216421812198221522333691114
13°22502267228423002317233423512368238524023691114
14°24192436245324702487250425212538255425713681114
15°25882605262226392656267226892706272327403681114
16°27562773279028072823284028572874289029073681114
17°29242940295729742990300730243040305730743681114
18°30903107312331403156317331903206322332393681114
19°32563272328933053322333833553371338734043581114
20°34203437345334693486350235183535355135673581114
21°35843600361636333649366536813697371437303581114
22°37463762377837953811382738433859387538913581113
23°39073923393939553971398740034019403540513581113
24°40674083409941154131414741634179419542103581113
25°42264242425842744289430543214337435243683581113
26°43844399441544314446446244784493450945243581013
27°45404555457145864602461746334648466446793581013
28°46954710472647414756477247874802481848333581013
29°48484863487948944909492449394955497049853581013
30°50005015503050455060507550905105512051353581013
31°51505165518051955210522552405255527052842571012
32°52995314532953445358537353885402541754322571012
33°54465461547654905505551955345548556355772571012
34°55925606562156355650566456785693570757212571012
35°57365750576457795793580758215835585058642571012
36°5878589259065920593459485962597659906004257912
37°6018603260466060607460886101611561296143257912
38°6157617061846198621162256239625262666280257911
39°6293630763206334634763616374638864016414257911
40°6428644164556468648164946508652165346547247911
41°6561657465876600661366266639665266656678247911
42°6691670467176730674367566769678267946807246911
43°6820683368456858687168846896690969216934246911
44°6947695969726984699770097022703470467059246810
 
139

NATURAL SINES

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
45°7071708370967108712071337145715771697181246810
46°7193720672187230724272547266727872907302246810
47°7314732573377349736173737385739674087420246810
48°7431744374557466747874907501751375247536246810
49°7547755975707581759376047615762776387649246810
50°766076727683769477057716772777387749776024679
51°777177827793780478157826783778487859786924579
52°788078917902791279237934794479557965797624579
53°798679978007801880288039804980598070808023579
54°809081008111812181318141815181618171818123579
55°819282028211822182318241825182618271828123578
56°829083008310832083298339834883588368837723568
57°838783968406841584258434844384538462847123568
58°848084908499850885178526853685458554856323568
59°857285818590859986078616862586348643865213467
60°866086698678868686958704871287218729873813467
61°874687558763877187808788879688058813882113467
62°882988388846885488628870887888868894890213457
63°891089188926893489428949895789658973898013457
64°898889969003901190189026903390419048905613456
65°906390709078908590929100910791149121912812456
66°913591439150915791649171917891849191919812456
67°920592129219922592329239924592529259926512356
68°927292789285929192989304931193179323933012345
69°933693429348935493619367937393799385939112345
70°939794039409941594219426943294389444944912345
71°945594619466947294789483948994949500950512345
72°951195169521952795329537954295489553955812344
73°956395689573957895839588959395989603960812334
74°961396179622962796329636964196469650965512234
75°965996649668967396779681968696909694969912234
76°970397079711971597209724972897329736974011234
77°974497489751975597599763976797709774977811233
78°978197859789979297969799980398069810981311223
79°981698209823982698299833983698399842984511223
80°984898519854985798609863986698699871987411223
81°987798809882988598889890989398959898990001122
82°990399059907991099129914991799199921992301122
83°992599289930993299349936993899409942994301112
84°994599479949995199529954995699579959996001112
85°996299639965996699689969997199729973997401111
86°997699779978997999809981998299839984998500111
87°998699879988998999909990999199929993999300011
88°999499959995999699969997999799979998999800000
89°999899999999999999991,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
00000
 
140

NATURAL COSINES

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
1,0001,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
1,000
nearly
0000999999999999999900000
999899989998999799979997999699969995999500000
999499939993999299919990999099899988998700001
998699859984998399829981998099799978997700011
997699749973997299719969996899669965996300111
996299609959995799569954995299519949994701111
994599439942994099389936993499329930992801112
992599239921991999179914991299109907990501112
990399009898989598939890988898859882988001122
987798749871986998669863986098579854985101122
10°984898459842983998369833982998269823982011223
11°981698139810980698039799979697929789978511223
12°978197789774977097679763975997559751974811223
13°974497409736973297289724972097159711970711233
14°970396999694969096869681967796739668966411234
15°965996559650964696419636963296279622961712234
16°961396089603959895939588958395789573956812234
17°956395589553954895429537953295279521951612334
18°951195059500949494899483947894729466946112345
19°945594499444943894329426942194159409940312345
20°939793919385937993739367936193549348934212345
21°933693309323931793119304929892919285927812345
22°927292659259925292459239923292259219921212345
23°920591989191918491789171916491579150914312356
24°913591289121911491079100909290859078907012456
25°906390569048904190339026901890119003899612456
26°898889808973896589578949894289348926891813456
27°891089028894888688788870886288548846883813457
28°882988218813880587968788878087718763875513457
29°874687388729872187128704869586868678866913467
30°866086528643863486258616860785998590858113467
31°857285638554854585368526851785088499849023568
32°848084718462845384438434842584158406839623568
33°838783778368835883488339832983208310830023568
34°829082818271826182518241823182218211820223578
35°819281818171816181518141813181218111810023578
36°809080808070805980498039802880188007799723579
37°798679767965795579447934792379127902789124579
38°788078697859784878377826781578047793778224579
39°777177607749773877277716770576947683767224579
40°766076497638762776157604759375817570755924679
41°7547753675247513750174907478746674557443246810
42°7431742074087396738573737361734973377325246810
43°7314730272907278726672547242723072187206246810
44°7193718171697157714571337120710870967083246810
N.B. - Numbers in difference column to be subtracted, not added.
 
141

NATURAL COSINES

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
45°7071705970467034702270096997698469726959246810
46°6947693469216909689668846871685868456833246810
47°6820680767946782676967566743673067176704246911
48°6691667866656652663966266613660065876574246911
49°6561654765346521650864946481646864556441247911
50°6428641464016388637463616347633463206307247911
51°6293628062666252623962256211619861846170257911
52°6157614361296115610160886074606060466032257911
53°6018600459905976596259485934592059065892257912
54°5878586458505835582158075793577957645750257912
55°57365721570756935678566456505635562156062571012
56°55925577556355485534551955055490547654612571012
57°54465432541754025388537353585344532953142571012
58°52995284527052555240522552105195518051652571012
59°51505135512051055090507550605045503050152571012
60°50004985497049554939492449094894487948633581013
61°48484833481848024787477247564741472647103581013
62°46954679466446484633461746024586457145553581013
63°45404524450944934478446244464431441543993581013
64°43844368435243374321430542894274425842423581013
65°42264210419541794163414741314115409940833581113
66°40674051403540194003398739713955393939233581113
67°39073891387538593843382738113795377837623581113
68°37463730371436973681366536493633361636003581113
69°35843567355135353518350234863469345334373581114
70°34203404338733713355333833223305328932723581114
71°32563239322332063190317331563140312331073681114
72°30903074305730403024300729902974295729403681114
73°29242907289028742857284028232807279027733681114
74°27562740272327062689267226562639262226053681114
75°25882571255425382521250424872470245324363681114
76°24192402238523682351233423172300228422673681114
77°22502233221521982181216421472130211320963691114
78°20792062204520282011199419771959194219253691114
79°19081891187418571840182218051788177117543691114
80°17361719170216851668165016331616159915823691114
81°15641547153015131495147814611444142614093691114
82°13921374135713401323130512881271125312363691214
83°12191201118411671149113211151097108010633691214
84°10451028101109930976095809410924090608893691214
85°08720854083708190802078507670750073207153691214
86°06980680066306450628061005930576055805413691215
87°05230506048804710454043604190401038403663691215
88°03490332031402970279026202440227020901923691215
89°01750157014001220105008700700052003500173691215
N.B. - Numbers in difference column to be subtracted, not added.
 
142

NATURAL TANGENTS

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
.00000017003500520070008701050122014001573691215
1.01750192020902270244026202790297031403323691215
2.03490367038404020419043704540472048905073691215
3.05240542055905770594061206290647066406823691215
4.06990717073407520769078708050822084008573691215
5.08750892091009280945096309810998101610333691215
6.10511069108611041122113911571175119212103691215
7.12281246126312811299131713341352137013883691215
8.14051423144114591477149515121530154815663691215
9.15841602162016381655167316911709172717453691215
10.17631781179918171835185318711890190819263691215
11.19441962198019982016203520532071208921073691215
12.21262144216221802199221722352254227222903691215
13.23092327234523642382240124192438245624753691215
14.24932512253025492568258626052623264226613691216
15.26792698271727362754277327922811283028493691316
16.28672886290529242943296229813000301930383691316
17.305730763096311531343153317231913211323036101316
18.324932693288330733273346336533853404342436101316
19.344334633482350235223541356135813600362037101316
20.364036593679369937193739375937793799381937101317
21.383938593879389939193939395939794000402037101317
22.404040614081410141224142416341834204422437101417
23.424542654286430743274348436943904411443137101417
24.445244734494451545364557457845994621464237101418
25.466346844706472747484770479148134834485647111418
26.487748994921494249644986500850295051507347111418
27.509551175139516151845206522852505272529547111518
28.531753405362538454075430545254755498552047111519
29.554355665589561256355658568157045727575048111519
30.577457975820584458675890591459385961598548121620
31.600960326056608061046128615261766200622448121620
32.624962736297632263466371639564206445646948121620
33.649465196544656965946619664466696694672048121721
34.674567716796682268476873689969246950697648131721
35.700270287054708071077133715971867212723949131722
36.726572927319734673737400742774547481750849131822
37.753675637590761876467673770177297757778559141823
38.781378417869789879267954798380128040806959141924
39.8098812781568185821482438273830283328361510151924
40.8391842184518481851185418571860186328662510152025
41.8693872487548785881688478878891089418972510152126
42.9004903690679099913191639195922892609293511162127
43.9325935893919424945794909523955695909623511162228
44.9657969197259759979398279861989699309965611172329
 
143

NATURAL TANGENTS

0'6'12'18'24'30'36'42'48'54'12345
45°.00000003500700105014101760212024702830319612182430
461.0355039204280464050105380575061206490686612182431
471.0724076107990837087509130951099010281067613192532
481.1106114511841224126313031343138314231463713202633
491.1504154415851626166717081750179218331875714202734
501.1918196020022045208821312174221822612305714212936
511.2349239324372482252725722617266227082753715223037
521.2799284628922938298530323079312731753222815233139
531.3270331933673416346535143564361336633713816243341
541.3764381438653916396840194071412441764229817263443
551.4281433543884442449645504605465947154770918273645
561.4826488249384994505151085166522452825340919283848
571.53995458551755775637569757575818588059411020304050
581.60036066612861916255631963836447651265771021324253
591.66436709677568426909697770457113718272511122334556
601.73217391746175327603767577477820789379661223354860
611.80408115819082658341841884958572865087281225385164
621.88078887896790479128921092929375945895421327405468
631.962697119797988399700̅0570̅1450̅2330̅3230̅4131429435873
642.05030594068607780872096510601155125113481531466278
652.14451543164217421842194320452148225123551633506784
662.24602566267327812889299831093220333234451836547291
672.35593673378939064023414242624383450446271939587899
682.475148765002512952575386551756495782591621426485108
692.605161876325646466056746688970347179732623467094118
702.7475762577767929808382398397855687168878255076103130
712.9042920893759544971498870̅0610̅2370̅4150̅595285684114144
723.0777096111461334152417161910210623052506316294127160
733.27092914312233323544375939774197442046463469105142179
743.48745105533955765816605963056554680670623978118160202
753.73217583784881188391866789479232952098124489135182230
764.010804080713102213351653197623032635297250102154209265
774.331536624015437347375107548358646252664658118179243308
784.70467453786782888716915295940̅0450̅5040̅97068138210285363
795.144619292422292434353955448650265578614081164251341434
805.6713729778948502912497580̅4051̅0661̅7422̅432*
816.3138385945965350612269127720854893950̅264
827.1154206630023962494759586996806291580̅285
838.14432636386351266427776991520̅5792̅0523̅572
849.51449.6779.84510.0210.2010.3910.5810.7810.9911.20
8511.4311.6611.9112.1612.4312.7113.0013.3013.6213.95
8614.3014.6715.0615.4615.8916.3516.8317.3417.8918.46
8719.0819.7420.4521.2022.0222.9023.8624.9026.0327.27
8828.6430.1431.8233.6935.8038.1940.9244.0747.7452.08
8957.2963.6671.6281.8595.49114.6143.2191.0286.5573.0

[*] Difference columns cease to be useful, owing to the
rapidity with which the value of the tangent changes.

 
[**TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: In the second Natural Tangents table, overlines are applied to values that exceed ten times the previous values in the row. The first example is in cell for 63° 36', where the first 0 has an overline. If the overlines are not present, please access the HTML version of this eBook.]
144
 

[BLANK PAGE]

 
145
 

ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

 
146
 

[BLANK PAGE]

 
147
 

ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

CHAPTER I

1. 2a+6b+6c3d.
2. 9a+b6c.
3. 3dz+14b10a.
4. 3x+6y+4z+a.
5. 8b+9a2c.
6. 8x6a+4b+11y.
7. 2x2y+28z.

CHAPTER II

1. 18a2b2.
2. 48a2b2c3.
3. 90x2y2.
4 144a8b5c2.
5. abc2.
6. a2b3c2d.
7. a4b5c.
8. a8b2c7.
9. a2c2zb4.
10. 40a7c4.
11. b2c254ad.

CHAPTER III

1. 9a2b3c4x.
2. bc18d.
3. a4b4c2x6y2.
4. 20x2+15xy+10xz.
5. 4a+2a2b2b.
6. a2b2.
7. 6a2ab+5ac2b2+6bc4c2.
8. ab.
9. a2+2ab+b2.
10. a+bab.
11. 3a2c2a2d+3ac23acd2ac+2ad2c22cd.
12. c3ba12.
148
13. 8a+b2+4c4b.
14. 412a+a2c6a2.
15. 120a2c+3bc6bx+2bcd12bc.
16. 3abac+2b24ab.
17. 5a22a2b5a2+5ab.

CHAPTER IV

1. 3,2,5,a,a,b.
2. 3,2,2,2,2,a,a,a,a,c.
3. 3,2,5,x,x,y,y,y,y,z,z,z.
4. 3,3,2,2,2,2,x,x,a,a.
5. 3,2,2,12,12,a,1a,1a,b,b,1b,1b,c,c,c.
6. 2,5,12,x,1x,1x,y,y,1y.
7. (ac)(2a+b).
8. (3x+y)(x+c).
9. (2x+5y)(x+z).
10. (ab)(ab).
11. (2x3y)(2x3y).
12. (9a+5b)(9a+5b).
13. (4c6a)(4c6a).
14. x,y,(4x2+5zy10z).
15. 5b(6a+3acc).
16. (9xy5a)(9xy+5a).
17. (a2+4b2)(a+2b)(a2b).
18. (12x2y+8z)(12x2y8z).
19. (a22ac+c)2, 2.
20. (4y+x)(4y+x).
21. (3y+2x)(2y3x).
22. (40+56)(a26).
23. (3y2x)(2y3x).
24. (2a+b)(a3b).
25. (2a+5b)(a+2b).

CHAPTER V

Square roots.

1. 4x+3y.
2. 2a+6b.
3. 6x+2y.
4. 5a2b.
5. a+b+c.

Cube roots.

1. 2x+3y.
2. x+2y.
3. 3a+3b.
149

CHAPTER VI

1. x=423.
2. x=213.
3. x=4.
4. x=519.
5. x=528.
6. x=30.
7. x=6133168.
8. x=9a+9bayby3.
9. x=3(ab)+2a22a(ab)(a+1).
10. x=10(a2b2)2a.
11. 2a2x+2abax2bx=c2xbc+10cx10b.
12. ax3+bx=cyd+3cd.
13. ab=cc+3.
14. 2=10yy+2.
15. 5a+3=x+d+3.
16. 6ax5y=510x.
17. 15z2+4x=1210y.
18. 6a+2d=4.
19. 3x2=3x2y.
20. 8x10cy=20y.
21. x2(cd)(3a+b)x23(cd)=2a+b.
22. x=12.
23. Coat costs $28.57.
    Gun costs $57.14.
    Hat costs $14.29.
24. Horse costs $671.66.
    Carriage costs $328.33.
25. Anne’s age is 18 years.
26. 24 chairs and 14 tables.

CHAPTER VII

1. y=4,x=2.
2. 1=5,y=2.
3. x=1,y=2.
4. x=5,y=2,z=3.
5. x=3,y=2,z=4.
6. x=15,y=15.
7. x=.084,y=10.034.
8. x=5122,y=322.
9. x=1.1,y=6.1.
10. x=1322,y=2522.
150

CHAPTER VIII

1. x=2 or x=1.
2. x=2±2193.
3. x=2.
4. x=4 or 2.
5. x=3 or 1.
6. x=±2 or ±6.
7. x=5±30514a.
8. x=a±12ab2+a22b.
9. x=13a±51a26a+12a.
10. x=+3(a+b)±8(a+b)+9(a+b)22.
11. x=5±2056.
12. x=3.
13. x=4(2±3).
14. x=34a.
15. x=2aba+b.
16. x=27±242516.
17. x=3±72.
18. x=1±2996.
19. x=63.
20. x=100a2301a+225.
21. x=a2±aa2+42.
22. x=5±56.

CHAPTER IX

1. k=50.
2. b=1441.
3. k=60.
4. a=192.
5. c=5.

CHAPTER X

1. 96 sq. ft.
2. 180 sq. ft.
3. 254.469 sq. ft.
4. Hypotenuse = 117 ft. long.
5. 62.832 ft. long.
6. 301 ft. long.
7. 27.6 ft. long.
8. 7957.7 miles.
9. Altitude = 7.5 ft.
10. Altitude = 4 ft.
151

CHAPTER XI

1. sine = .5349; cosine = .8456; tangent = .6330.
2. sine = .9888; cosine = .1495; tangent = 6.6122.
3. 25°36.
4. 79°25.
5. 36°59.
6. 28°54.
7. c=600 ft.; b=519.57 ft.
8. a=57°47;c=591.01 ft.
9. a=1231 ft.; b=217 ft.
10. a=61°51;a=467.3 ft.

CHAPTER XII

1. 3.5879.
2. 1.8667.
3. −3.9948.
4. 4.6155.
5. 666.2.
6. 74430.
7. .2745.
8. .00024105.
9. 2302.5.
10. 9,802,000.
11. 24,860,000.
12. 778,500,000.
13. .000286.
14. .0001199.
15. 32.34.
16. 111.6.
17. .0323.
18. .03767.
19. 1,198,000.
20. 18,410,000.
21. 275,500.
22. .00001314.
23. 549.7.
24. 4.27.
25. .296.
26. 46.86.

CHAPTER XIII

Get cross-section paper and plot the following corresponding values of x and y and the result will be the line or curve as the case may be.
1. .
      .
      .
      .
} This is a straight line and only two
pairs of corresponding values of x and
y are necessary to draw it.
 
2. .
      .
} This is also a straight line.
 
152
3. .
      .
} A straight line.
 
4. .
      .
} A straight line.
 
5. .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
} This is a circle with its center at the
intersection of the x and y axes and
with a radius of 6.
 
6. .
      .
      .
      .
} This is a parabola and to plot it
correctly a great many corresponding
values of x and y are necessary.
 
7. .
      .
      .
      .
} This is an hyperbola and a great many
corresponding values of x and y are
necessary in order to plot the curve
correctly.
 
8. .
      or .
      .
      .
} This is an ellipse with its center
at +2 on the y axis. A great many
corresponding values of x and y are
necessary to plot it correctly.
 
153

Intersections of Curves

1.
.
} This is the intersection of 2
straight lines.
 
2. ;
.
} This is the intersection of a
straight line and a circle.
 
3. The roots are here imaginary showing that the two curves do not touch at all, which can be easily shown by plotting them.

CHAPTER XIV

1. 6x2δx.
2. 24×δx.
3. 40×δx.
4. 6xδx+4δx=15x2δx.
5. 8yδy3xyδy.
6. 42y4x2δx+56x3y3δy.
7. 2yxδxx2δyy2.
8. 4yδy4qxyδy.
9. yx=x2y.
10. yx=3x2.
11. yx=xy.
12. yx=yx.
13. 41°4810.
14. When x=0 at which time y also =0.
15. x42.
16. 5x33.
17. 5ax2+53x3+3x.
18. 3 cos x.
19. 2 sine x.
20. 117.
21. 8.7795.
22. 10 cosine xδx.
23. cos2 xdx sin2 xdx.
24. 1xdx.
25. 2x2yδy2y2xδxx4.
 
fin

Appendix A

Transcriber’s Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

  • New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.
  • A few minor spelling errors and edits were made. (Page 8: “Indentity of Symbols.”; Page 85: “…the Naperian or…”; Page 117: “…the dffierential of…”)
  • The footnotes on pages 92, 131 and 143 have been placed directly following the elements that are referenced.
  • On pages 23, 28 and 46 a header for 'PROBLEMS' has been restored, corresponding with the other 13 chapters in the book. This will facilitate finding the these important sections.
  • Figures have been redrawn in order to improve the readability on both high-density screens and smaller physical sizes.
  • The overstroke numerals in the logarithm tables may not be visible in some reader clients and formats.
  • The typeface used in the logarithm and trigonometry tables has been set in a narrow typeface for readability.
  • In the plain text version, the uppercase version of the Greek letter DELTA ('') is used in place of the lowercase DELTA (''), used to denote differential, in order to improve legibility.
  • In plain text, the tables for logarithms and trigonometry are very difficult to use, due to the limits of a 72 character screen width. In order to properly use these tables, please view any of the other versions of this eBook.
fig

Appendix B

Figures

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