191: CE Board May 1992

In how many minutes after 2 oclock will the hands of the clock extend in opposite
direction for the 1st time?
A. 42.4 minutes
B. 42.8 minutes
C. 43.2 minutes
D. 43.6 minutes

x = 40 + x/12
x = 43.6 minutes

192: CE Board November 1995

In how many minutes after 7 oclock will the hands be directly opposite each other
for the first time?
A. 5.22 minutes
B. 5. 33 minutes
C. 5.46 minutes
D. 5.54 minutes

x = 5 + x/12
x = 5.454 minutes

193: CE Board May 1997

What time after 3 oclock will the hands of the clock be together for the first time??

A.
B.
C.
D.

3:02:30
3:17:37
3:14:32
3:16:36

x = 15 + x/12
x = 16.36 min
Therefore, the time is 3:16:36

194: GE Board February 1997

At what time after 12:00 noon will the hour hand and minute hand of the clock first
form an angle of 120?
A. 12:18:818

B. 12:21:818
C. 12:22:818
D. 12:24:818

Note: 120 (30 minutes/ 180) = 20minutes

x= x/12 +20
x = 21.818 min
Therefore, the time is 12:21:818

195: At what time between 8 and 9 oclock will the minute hand coincide with the
hour hand?
A. 8:42:5
B. 8:43:2
C. 8:43:6
D. 8:43:9

x = 40 + x/12
x= 43.6 min
Therefore, the time is 8:43:6

196: EE Board October 1990

A man left his home at past 3:00 oclock PM as indicated in his wall clock, between 2
to 3 hours after, he returns home and noticed the hands of the clock interchanged.
At what time did the man leave his home?
A. 3:31:47
B. 3:32:45
C. 3:46:10

D. 3:36:50
x = 30 + y/12 Eq. 1
y = 15 + x/12 Eq. 2
Substitute 2 in 1:
x = 30 + (15 + x/12)/12

Time left he left his home

Time when he returned home

Multiple both sides by 12:
[x=30+ (15+x/12)/12]12

12x = 360 +15 + x/12

x = 31.47min
So the time when he left home was 3:31:47

197: GE Board February 1994

From the time 6:15 PM to the time 7:45 PM of the same day, the minute hand of a
standard clock describe an arc of
A. 60
B. 90
C. 180
D. 540
Let: x = the number of minute difference between 6:15 and 7:45
6:15 = 6(60) + 15 = 375 minutes
7:45 = 7(60) + 45 = 465 minutes
x = 465 375
x = 90 minutes
x= 90min(180/30min)
x =540

198: EE Board April 1990

A storage battery discharges at a rate which is proportional to the charge. If the
charge is reduced by 50% of its original value at the end of 2 days, how long will it
take to reduce the charge to 25% of its original charge?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
D = kC
When D =2 and C = 0.5C
2 = k(0.5C)
k = 4/C
When C = 0.75C:
D = (4/C)(0.75C)
D = 3days

199: ECE Board April 1990

The resistance of a wire varies directly with its length and inversely with its area. IF
a certain piece of wire 10m long and 0.10cm in diameter has a resistance of 100
ohms, what will its resistance be if it is uniformly stretched so that its length
becomes 12m?
A. 80
B. 90
C. 144
D. 120
R = k (L/A) Eq. 1
Let: V = volume of the wire
V= AL
A= (V/L) Eq. 2
Substitute equation 2 in equation 1:
R = k[ (L/V)/L]
R= kL2
k = k/V
Note: When the wire was stretched, the diameter was changed but the
volume remains constant assuming there was no losses in the process.

When R = 100 and L = 10

100 = k(10)2
k = 1
When L = 12:
R= 1(12)2
R = 144 ohms

200: CE Board May 1993

Given that w varies directly as the product of x and y and inversely as the
square of z and that w=4 when x=2, y=6 and z=3. Find the value of w when
x=1,y=1 and z=2
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
w = k(xy/z2)
When w=4, x=2,y=6,z=3
4 = k[(2)(6)/32]
k=3
When x =1, y=4 and z = 2
w = 3[(1)(4)/22]
w=3

201: ECE Board November 1993

If x varies directly as y and inversely as z, and x = 14 when y =7 and z = 2, find the
value of x when y = 16 and z = 4
A. 14
B. 4
C. 16
D. 8
x = k(y/z)
When x=14, y= 7 and z =2
14 = k(7/2)
k=4
When y = 16 and z = 4,
x = (4)(16/4)
x= 16

202: EE Board March 1998

The electric power which is a transmission line can transmit is proportional to the
product of its design voltage and current capacity, and inversely to the transmission
distance. A 115-kilovolt line rated at 100 amperes can transmit 150 megawatts over
150 km. How much power, in megawatts can a 230 kilovolt line rated at 150
amperes transmit over 100 km?
A. 785
B. 485
C. 675
D. 595
P = k(VI/d)
When P = 150 V =115, i = 100 & d = 150
150=k[(115)(100)/150]
k=1.956
When V=230, I =150 and d = 100
P= 1.956[(230)(150)/100]
P= 675 megawatts

203: ME Board October 1992

The time required for an elevator to lift a weight varies directly with the weight and
the distance through which it is to be lifted and inversely as the power of the motor.
IF it takes 30 seconds for a 10 hp motor to lift 100 lbs through 50 feet, what size of
motor is required to lift 800 lbs in 40 seconds through 40 feet?
A. 42
B. 44
C. 46
D. 48
t = k (WS/P)
when t = 30, W = 100, S = 50 and P =10
30 = k [(100)(50)/10]
k = 0.06
when t = 40, W = 800 and S = 40
40 = (0.06)[(800)(40)/P]
P = 48 hp

204: The selling price of a TV set is double that of its cost. If the TV set was sold to
a customer at a profit of 25% of the net cost, how much discount was given to the
customer?
A. 33.7%
B. 35.7%
C. 37.5%
D. 34.7%
Let: x = net cost
2x = selling price
d = discount
2x(1-d)= new selling price
new selling price = Net cost + gain
2x(1-d) = x + 0.25x
2x 2xd = 1.25x
d = 0.375
d = 3.75%

205: A group of EE examines decided to hire a mathematics tutor from Excel

Review Center and planned to contribute equal amount for the tutors fee. If there
were 10 more examinees, each would have paid P2 less. However, if there were 5
less examinees, each would have paid P 2 more. How many examinees are there in
the group?
A. 14
B. 16
C. 18
D. 20
Let: x = number of examines
y = tutors fee
x/y = original fee shared per examinee
If there were 10 more examines who will join,
y = (x+10)[(y/x)-2]
y = y 2x + (10y/x) 20
10y = 2x2 + 20x
y = 0.2x2 + 2x Eq. 1
If there were 5 examinees who will back-out
y = (x-5)[(y/x)+2]
y = y + 2x (5y/x) 10
5y = 2x2 10x
y = 0.4x2 2x Eq. 2
Equate 1 and 2:
0.2x2 + 2x = 0.4x2 2x

4x = 0.2x2
x = 20 examinees

206: EE Board March 1998

A bookstore purchased a best selling price book at P200.00 per copy. At what price
should this book be sold so that giving a 20% discount, the profit is 30%?
A.
B.
C.
D.

P
P
P
P

450
500
357
400

Let:
x=selling price without discount
0.8x = new selling price (with discount)
Profit = Income Expenses
0.3(0.8x) = 0.8x 200
0.24x = 0.8x 200
x = 357.14

207: ECE Board November 1993

Jojo bought a second hand Betamax VCR and then sold it to Rudy at a profit
of 40%. Rudy then sold the VCR to Noel at a profit of 20%. If Noel paid P
2,856 more than it cost to Jojo, how much did Jojo paid for the unit?
A.
B.
C.
D.

P
P
P
P

4000
4100
4200
4300

Let:
x = price Jojo paid for the VCR
1.4x = price Rudy paid for the VCR
1.2(1.4x) = price Noel paid for the VCR
1.2(1.4x) = x +2856
1.68x = x + 2856
x = 4200

208: EE Board March 1998

In a certain community of 1200 people, 60% are literate. Of the males, 50% are
literate and of the females 70% are literate. What is the female population?
A.
B.
C.
D.

850
500
550
600
Let:
x = number of men in the population
y = number of female in the population
x + y = 1200
x = 1200 y Eq. 1
0.5x +0.7y = 0.6(1200) Eq. 2
Substitute equation 1 in equation 2
0.5(1200-y) 0.7y = 720
600 0.5y + 0.7y = 720
y = 600 females

209: ECE Board March 1996

A merchant has three items on sale, namely a radio for P 50, a clock for P 30 and a
flashlight for P 1. At the end of the day, he sold a total of 100 of the three items and
has taken exactly P 1000 on the total sales. How many radios did he sale?

A.
B.
C.
D.

16
20
18
24
Let:
x = number of radios sold out
y = number of clocks sold out
z = number of flashlight sold out
x + y + z = 100 Eq. 1
50x + 30y + z = 1000 Eq.2
Subtract equation 1 from equation 2:
(50x+30y+z)-(x+y+z) = 1000-100
49x+29y=900
Assume x = 16:
49(16) + 29y = 900
y=4
Substitute x = 16 and y = 4 in equation 1:
16+4+z =100
Z = 80
Substitute x =16,y=4 and z = 80 in equation 2:
50(16) + 30(4) + 80 = 1000
1000 = 1000 It checks!
Therefore, x=16 radios

210: ME Board October 1996

The arithmetic mean of a and b is
A.
B.
C.
D.

(a + b)/2
(ab)^1/2
(ab)/2
(a-b)/2
Note: Arithmetic mean is the same term as average
Thus, the arithmetic mean of a and b is:
(a+b)/2

211: The sum of three arithmetic means between 34 and 42 is

A.
B.
C.
D.

114
124
134
144
34, a2, a3, a4, 42
a5 = a1 + 4d
42 = 34 + 4d
d=2
Thus, a2 =36, a3 = 38 and a4 = 40
Sum = 36 + 38 + 40
Sum = 114

212: EE Board March 1998

Gravity causes a body to free fall 16.1ft in the first second, 48.3 in the 2 nd second,
80.5 in the 3rd second. How far did the body fall during the 10 th second?
A.
B.
C.
D.

248.7
308.1
241.5
305.9

ft
ft
ft
ft

a1 = 16.1;a2 =48.3;a3 = 80.5

d = a2 a1
d = 48.3 16.1
d = 32.2

a10 = a1 + 9d

a10 = 16.1

9(32.2)

a10 = 305.9

213: If the first term of an arithmetic progression is 25 and the fourth term is 13,
what is the third term?
A.
B.
C.
D.

17
18
19
20
a1 = 25; a4 = 13
a4 = a1 + 3d
13 = 25 + 3d
d = -4
a3 = a1 + 2d
a3 = 25 + 2(-4)
a3 = 17

214: ECE Board November 1998

Find the 30th term for the arithmetic progression 4, 7, 10,
A.
B.
C.
D.

75
88
90
91

a1 = 4; a2 =7; a3 =10
by inspection, d = 3
a30 = a1 + 29d
a30 = a1 + 29(3)
a30= 91

215: CE Board May 1993

CE Board May 1994
CE Board November 1994
How many terms of the progression 3,5,7 must be taken in order that their
sum will be 2600?
A.
B.
C.
D.

48
49
50
51
a1 = 3; a2 =5; a3 = 7
By inspection, d = 2
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
2600 = n[2(3)+(n-1)(2)]/2
2600=n(6+2n-2)/2
2600= n(4+2n)/2
2600 = 2n + n2
n2+2n-2600 = 0
(n+51)(n-50)=0
Equating factors to zero
n = -51(absurd)
n=50

216: ME Board April 1995

In a pile of logs, each layer contains one more log than the layer above and the top
contains just one log. If there are 105 logs in the pile, how many layers are there?
A. 11
B. 12
C. 13
D. 14
a1 = 1; d = 1; S = 105
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
105 = n[2(1)+(n-1)(1)]/2
105=n(2+n-1)/2
105= n(1+n)/2
105= n + n2
n2+n-210 = 0
(n+15)(n-14)=0
Equating factors to zero
n = -15(absurd)
n = 14 layers of logs

217: CE Board May 1995

What is the sum of the progression 4,9,14,19up to the 20 th term?
A. 1030
B. 1035
C. 1040
D. 1045
a1 = 4; a2 = 9; a3 = 14; a4 = 19; n =20
By inspection, d = 5
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
S= 20[2(4)+(20-1)5]/2
S = 1030

218: EE Board April 1997

A stack of bricks has 61 bricks in the bottom layer, 58 bricks in the second layer,
55 bricks in the third layer, and so on until there are 10 bricks in the last layer.
How many bricks are there all together?
A. 638
B. 637

C. 639
D. 640
a1 = 61; a2 = 58; a3 = 55, an = 10
By inspection, d = -3
an = a1 + (n-1)d
10 = 61 + (n-1)(-3)
10 = 61 -3n + 3
n =18

S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
S = 9[2(61) + (18-1)(-3)]
S = 639

219: CE Board May 1998

Determine the sum of the progression if there are 7 arithmetic means between 3
and 35
A. 171
B. 182
C. 232
D. 216

3, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7, a8, 35

By inspection: a1 = 3; an = 35;
n = 7+2 = 9
S = n(a1+a2)/2
S = 9(3+35)/2
S=171

220: ECE Board April 1995

A besiege fortress is held by 5700 men who have provisions for 66 days. If the
garrison losses 20 men each day, for how many days can the provision hold out?
A. 72
B. 74
C. 76
D. 78

Total provision = 5700(66) = 376,200

Note: a1 = 5700, d = -20

S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
376200=n[2(5700)+(n-1)(-20)]/2
376200 =n[11400-20n+20]/2
376200 = 5710n-10n2
n2 571 +37620 = 0
(n-76)(n-495) = 0
n=496(absurd)
n=76 days

221: CE Board May 1991

In the recent Gulf War in the Middle East, the allied forces captured 6400 of
Saddams soldiers and with provisions on hand it will last for 216 meals while
feeding 3 meals a day. The provision lasted 9 more days because of daily deaths. At
an average, how many died per day?
A. 15
B. 16
C. 17
D. 18
Let: x = number of days the meal can last
S = total number of provisions
n = number of days the total provisions can last
d = number of soldiers died per day
x = 216 / 3
x = 72 days
S = 6400(72)
S = 460800 meals
n=72+9
n = 81 days
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
460800=81[2(6400)+80d]/2
d=-18

Therefore, 18 soldiers died everyday

222: GE Board July 1993

A Geodetic Engineering student got a score of 30% on Test 1 of the five number test
in surveying. On the last number he got 90% in which a constant difference more on
each number that he had on the immediately preceding one. What was his average
score in Surveying?
A.
B.
C.
D.

50
55
60
65
a1 = 30; a2 =90
a5 = a1 + 4d
90 = 30+4d
d =15
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
S =5[2(30)+4(15)]/2
S = 300
Average score = 300/5 = 60

223: ME Board April 1999

If the sum is 220 and the 1st term is 10, find the common difference if the last term
is 30.
A.
B.
C.
D.

2
5
3
2/3
S=220; a1 = 10,an =30
S=n(a1+a2)/2
220 = n(10+30)/2
n = 11
an = a1+10d
30 = 10+10d
d=2

224: EE Board April 1997

One a month, a man puts some money into the cookie jar. Each month he puts 50
centavos more into the jar than the month before. After 12 years, he counted his
money, he had P 5,436. How much money did he put in the jar in the last month?
A. P 73.50
B. P 75.50
C. P 74.50
D. P 72.50
d= 0.50; n=144
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
5436=144[2a1+(144-1)(0.5)]/2
5436 = 144a1 + 5148
a1 = 2
a144 = a1 + 143d
a144 = 2 + 143(0.5)
a144 =73.50

225: EE Board April 1997

A girl on a bicycle coasts downhill covering 4 feet the first second, 12 feet the 2nd
second, and in general, 8 feet more each second than the previous second. If she
reaches the bottom at the end of 14 seconds, how far did she coasts?
A. 782 feet
B. 780 feet
C. 784 feet
D. 786 feet
a1 = 4; d=8; n=14
S= n[2a1+(n-1)d]/2
S=14[2(4)+(14-1)(8)]/2
S=784

226: When all odd numbers from 1 to 101 are added, the result is
A. 2500
B. 2601
C. 2501
D. 3500
a1 = 1; an = 101; d =2
an = a1 + (n-1)d
101=1+(n-1)(2)
101=1+2n-2
n=51
S=n(a1+an)/2
S=51(1+101)/2
S=2601

227: How many times will a grandfathers clock strikes in one day if it strikes only
at the hours and strike once at 1 oclock, twice at 2 oclock, thrice at 3 oclock and
so on?
A. 210
B. 24
C. 156
D. 300
a1 = 1;a2 = 2; a3 = 3; a12 = 12
S=n(a1+a2)/2
S=12(1+12)/2
S=78
Note: One day is equivalent to 24 hours
Therefore, total = 2(78) = 156 times

228: CE Board May 1992

To conserve energy due to the present energy crisis, the Meralco tried to readjust
their charges to electrical energy users who consume more than 2000 kw-hrs. For
the 1st 100 kw-hr, they charged 40 centavos and increasing at a constant rate more

than the preceding one until the fifth 100kw-hr the charge is 76 centavos. How
much is the average charge for the electrical energy per 100 kw-hr?
A. 58 centavos
B. 60 centavos
C. 62 centavos
D. 64 centavos
a1 = 40; a5 = 76
a5 = a1 + 4d
76 = 40+4d
d=9
Therefore:
a2 = 40 + 9 = 49
a3 = 49 + 9 = 58
a4 = 58 + 9 = 67
Average = (40+49+58+67+76)/5
Average = 58 centavos

229: CE Board November 1993

The 3rd term of a harmonic progression is 15 and the 9 th term is 6. Find the 11th term.
A. 4
B. 5

C. 6
D. 7
h3 = 15; a3 = 1/5
h9=6; a9 = 1/6
a3 = a1 + 2d
1/15 = a1 + 2d
a1 = 1/15 2d Eq. 1
a9 = a1 + 8d
1/6 = a1 + 8d Eq. 2
Substitute equation 1 in equation 2
1/6 = 1/15 2d + 8d
d = 1/60
Substitute d in equation 1
a1 = 1/15 2(1/60)
a1 = 1/30
a11 = a1 + 10d
a11 = 1/30 + 10(1/60)
a11 = 1/5
Therefore
h11 = 1/a11
h11 = 1/1/5
h11 = 5

230: ECE Board November 1995

Find the fourth term of the progression , 0.2, 0.125
A. 1/10
B. 1/11
C. 0.102
D. 0.090

h1 = ; a1 = 2
h2 = 0.2=1/5; a2 = 5
h3 = 0.125 = 1/8; a3 = 8
by inspection d = 3
a4 = a1 + 3d
a4 = 2+3(3)
a4 = 11
Thus,
h4 = 1/a4 = 1/11

231: Find the 9th term of the harmonic progression 3,2,3/2

A. 3/5
B. 3/8
C. 4/5
D. 4/9
h1= 3; a1 = 1/3 h2 = 2; a2 =

d= a2 a1
d = -1/3
d=1/6
a9 = a1 + 8d
a9 = 1/3+8(1/6)
a9 = 5/3
h9 = 1/a9 = 1/5/3
h9 = 3/5

232: Find the sum of 4 geometric means between 160 and 5

A. 130
B. 140
C. 150
D. 160
a1 = 160; a6 = 5
a6 = a1r5
5 = 160r5
r = 0.5

Thus
a2 = 160(0.5) =80
a3 =80(0.5) = 40
a4 = 40(0.5) = 20
a5 = 20(0.5) = 10
Sum = 80+40+20+10
Sum = 150

233: EE Board October 1991

The fourth term of a G.P. is 216 and the 6 th term is 1994. Find the 8th term.
A. 17649
B. 17496
C. 16749
D. 17964
a4 = 216; a6=1994
a4 = a1r3
216= a1r3 Eq. 1
a6 = a1r5
1994= a1r5 Eq. 2

Divide equation 2 by equation 1:

a1r5 / a1r3 = 1994/216
r2 = 9
r=3
Substitute r in equation 1:
216 = a1(3)3
a1 = 8
a8 = a1r7
a8 = 8(3)7
a8 = 17496

234: ECE Board April 1999

Determine x so that: x, 2x+7, 10x-7 will be a geometric progression.
A. 7,-7/12
B. 7,-5/6
C. 7,-14/5
D. 7,-7/6
a1 = x; a2 = 2x+7; a3 = 10x-7
r = a2/a1 = a3 / a2
(2x+7)/x = (10x-7)/(2x+7)

(2x+7)2 = x(10x-7)
4x2+28x+49 = 10x2-7x
6x2-35x-49 = 0
using quadratic formula

x= {35 +- [(-35)2 4(6)(-49)]1/2 }/ (2)(6)

x = (35 +- 49) / 12
x1 = (35 + 49)/12 = 7
x2 = (35-49)/12 = -7/6

235: ECE Board April 1999

If one third of the air in a tank is removed by each stroke of an air pump, what
fractional part of the total air is removed in 6 strokes?
A. 0.7122
B. 0.9122
C. 0.6122

D. 0.8122
Let: x = total volume of air in the tank
y=total volume removed from the tank after the 6 th stroke
Volume left after 1st stroke = x-x/3 = 2x/3
Volume left after 2nd stroke = 2x/3 1/3(2x/3) = 4x/9
Volume left after 3rd stroke = 4x/9 1/3(4x/9) = 8x/27
Note: By inspection, the volume left after each stroke forms a GP whose
common ratio is:
r = (4/9)/(2/3) = 2/3
Solving for the volume left after the 6th stroke:
a6 = a1r5
a6 = (2x/3)(2/3)5
a6 = 0.08779x

Thus, the total volume removed after the 6th stroke:

y = x 0.08779x
y = 0.9122x

236: ME Board October 1996

A product has a current selling of P325.00. If the selling price is expected to decline
at the rate of 10% per annum because of obsolescence, what will be its selling price
4 years hence?
A. P 213.23
B. P 202.75
C. P 302.75
D. P 156.00
r=0.9
a1 = 325(0.9) = 292.6
a4 = a1r3
a4 = 292.6(0.9)3
a4 = 213.33

237: CE Board May 1995

The numbers 28,x+2, 112 form a G.P. What is the 10 th term?

A.
B.
C.
D.

14336
13463
16433
16344
a1 = 28; a2 = x+2; a3 = 112
r = a2/a1 = a3 / a2
(x+2)/28 = 112(x+2)
(x+2)2 = 112(28)
(x+2)2 = 56
x = 54
solving for r:
r = a2/a1 =( 54+2)/28
r=2
a10 = a1r9
a10 = 28(2)9
a10 = 14336

238:ECE Board April 1998

The sum of the first 10 terms of a geometric progression 2,4,8is
A. 1023
B. 2046

C. 225
D. 1596
a1=2; a2 = 4; a3 = 8; n = 10
by inspection, r = 2
S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)
S=[2(210-1)]/(2-1)
S =2046

239: If the 1st term of a G.P. is 9 and the common ratio is -2/3, find the fifth term.
A. 8/5
B. 16/9
C. 15/7
D. 13/4

a1 = 9; r = -2/3
a5 = a1r4
a5 = 9(-2/3)2
a5 = 9(16/81)
a5 = 16/9

240: EE Board April 1997

The seventh term is 56 and the twelfth term is -1792 of a geometric progression.
Find the common ration and the first term. Assume the ratios are equal.
A. -2, 5/8
B. -1, 5/8
C. -1, 7/8

D. -2, 7/8
a7 = 56; a12 = -1792
a7= a1r6 Eq. 1
a12= a1r11
-1792 = a1r11 Eq. 2
divide equation 2 by equation 1
a1r11 / a1r6 = -1792/56
r5 = -32
r = -2
Substitute r in equation 1:
56 = a1(-2)8
a1 = 7/8

241: A person has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents and so on. How
many ancestors during the 15 generations preceding his own, assuming no
duplication?
A. 131070
B. 65534
C. 32766
D. 16333

a1 = 2; r=2; n = 15
S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)
S=[2(215-1)]/(2-1)
S =65534 Ancestors

242: In the PBA three-point shootout contest, the committee decided to give a prize
in the following manner: A prize of P1 for the 1 st basket made, P2 for the 2nd, P4 for
the 3rd, P8 for the 4th and so on. If the contestant wants to win a prize of no less than
a million pesos, what is the minimum number of baskets to be converted?
A. 20
B. 19
C. 18
D. 21

a1 = 1; r=2
S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)
1000000= [1(2n-1)]/(2-1)
2n 1 = 1000000
2n = 1000001
Take logarithm of both sides:
log2n = log1000001
nlog2 = log 1000001
n = log1000001/log2
n = 19.93
Say n = 20 baskets

243: CE Board November 1994

In a benefit show, a number of wealthy men agreed that the 1 st on to arrive would
pay 10 centavos to enter and each later arrive would pay twice as much as the
preceding man. The total amount collected from all of them was P 104,857.50. How
many wealthy men paid?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 20
D. 21
a1 = 0.1; r=2

S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)
104857.5= [0.1(2n-1)]/(2-1)
2n 1 = 1048575
2n = 1048576
Take logarithm of both sides:
log2n = log1048576
nlog2 = log 1048576
n = log1048576/log2
n = 20 wealthy men

244: A man mailed 10 chain letters to ten of his friends with a request to continue
by sending a similar letter to each of their ten friends. If this continue for 6 sets of
letters and if all responded, how much will the Phil. Postal office earn if minimum
postage cost P 4 per letter?
A. P 6,000,000
B. P 60,000
C. P 2,222,220
D. P 4,444,440
a1 = 0.1; r=10; n=6
S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)

S= [10(106-1)]/(10-1)
S= 1,111,110
Total cost = 4(1,111,110) = P 4,444,440

245: EE Board March 1998

Determine the sum of the infinite series:
S = 1/3 + 1/9 + 1/27 + . + (1/3)n
A.
B.
C.
D.

4/5

2/3

a1 = 1/3; a2 = 1/9; a3 = 1/27

By inspection, r= 1/3

S= a1 / (1-r)
S = 1/3 / (1-1/3)
S=1/2

246: Under favorable condition, a single cell bacteria divided into two about every
20 minutes. If the same rate of division maintained for 10 hours, how many
organisms is produced from a single cell?
A. 1,073,741
B. 1,730,740
C. 1,073,741,823
D. 1,037,417
a1 = 1; r=2;
n = 60/20 = 30
S= [a1(rn-1)]/(r-1)
S= [1(2030-1)]/(2-1)

S= 1073741.823 organisms

247: EE Board October 1994

A rubber ball is made to fall from a height of 50 feet and is observed to rebound 2/3
of the distance it falls. How far will the ball travel before coming to rest if the ball
continues to fall in this manner?
A. 200 feet
B. 225 feet
C. 250 feet
D. 275 feet

a1 = 50(2/3) = 100/3; n =
S = a1 / (r-1)
S = (100/3) / (1-2/3)
S = 100
Let: D= total distance traveled by ball
D = 50 + 2S
D = 50 + 2(100) = 250 feet

248: EE Board April 1990

What is the fraction in lowest term equivalent to 0.133133133?
A. 133/666
B. 133/777
C. 133/888
D. 133/999
0.133133133133 = 0.133 + 0.000133+ 0.000000133 + ..
Note: the numbers being added are in a GP and 0.133133133133 is the
sum of an infinite GP.

Solving for the common ratio :

r = 0.000133/0.133 = 1/1000
S = a1 / (1-r)
S = 0.133/ (1-1/1000)
S= 0.133/ (999/1000)
S = 133/999

249:ECE Board April 1998

Find the sum of the infinite geometric progression 6,-2,2/3,
A. 9/2
B. 5/2
C. 7/2
D. 11/2
a1 = 6; a2 = -2
r= a2 / a1 = -2/6

r= -1/3
S= a1 / (1-r)
S= 6 / (1-(-1/3))
S=9/2

250: CE Board May 1998

Find the sum of 1,-1/5,1/25,
A. 5/6
B. 2/3
C. 0.84
D. 0.72
a1 = 1, a2= -1/5, a3 = 1/25
by inspection, r= -1/5
S= a1 / (1-r)

S= 1 / (1-(-1/5))
S = 5/6

251: ECE Board November 1998

Find the ratio of an infinite geometric progression if the sum is 2 and the first term
to
A. 1/3
B.
C.
D.
S=2; a1 =
S= a1 / (1-r)
S= () / (1-r)
2=(1/2) / (1-r)

2= 1/ [2(1-r)]
4 = 1 / (1-r)
r=

252: EE Board April 1997

If equal spheres are piled in the form of a complete pyramid with an equilateral
triangle as base, find the total number of spheres in the pile if each side of the base
contains 4 spheres.
A. 15
B. 20
C. 18
D. 21

Total spheres = 10 +6 + 3 + 1
= 20 spheres

253: Find the 6th term of the sequence 55, 40,28,19,13,

A. 10
B. 9
C. 8
D. 11
Let: x = the 6th term of the number series
55

40

28

19

13

-15

-12

-9

-6

-3

x= 13+(-3)
x = 10

254: EE Board October 1997

In the series 1, 1, , 1/6, 1/24, , determine the 6 th term
A. 1/80
B. 1/74
C. 1/100
D. 1/120
Let: y = the 6th term of the number series
1

1
x1

1/2
x1/2

1/6
x1/3

1/24
x1/4

y
x1/5

y= 1/24(1/5)
y=1/120

255: ECE BOARD April 1998

Find the 1987th digit in the decimal equivalent to 1785/9999 starting from the
decimal point.
A. 8
B. 1
C. 7
D. 5
1785/9999 = 0.178517851..
The number above is a repeating decimal number.
The four repeated digits are 1, 7, 8 & 5

1987 / 4 = 496.75; 496(4) = 1984

Therefore, 1984th digit = 5
1986th digit = 7
1985th digit = 1
1987th digit = 8