GENERAL EDUCATION SUMMARY

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS (LET)

PART I: Content Update
I. PROPERTIES OF NUMBERS
A. SETS OF NUMBERS
The Real Number System
Set Definition
Real Numbers (R)  All numbers that we encounter everyday
 Consist of rational and irrational numbers
Rational Numbers (Q)  Numbers that can be expressed as the quotient or ratio of two integers a and b, represented as ,
where b ≠ 0
 Have a specific place on the number line.
 Can be written as terminating (e.g. 1.75, 2.5) or repeating decimals (e.g. 0.1111…, 2. 090909…)
Subsets Definition
Natural Numbers 👎  Consist of the numbers 1, 2, 3, ….
Whole Numbers (W)  Consist of the natural numbers and zero
Integers  Consist of the natural numbers, their negatives, and zero
Irrational Numbers (H)  Numbers that cannot be expressed as fractions
 Have decimal representations that are non-terminating and non-repeating
B. THE ORDER OF OPERATIONS
When performing multiple operations, remember PEMDAS:
P Parentheses (grouping symbols)
E Exponents
MD Multiply and divide from left to right
AS Add and subtract from left to right
C. NUMBER PROPERTIES
Property Definition Examples
Closure Property  When we add or multiply any element in a set of numbers, the sum or product is a unique real number
which belongs to that same set. 14 + 25 + 44 + 52 = 135
23 x 14 x 10 = 3 220
Commutative Property  states that changing the position of the addends or the factors does not affect the sum or the
product 33 + 10 = 10 + 33
18 x 9 = 9 x 18
Associative Property  states that changing the grouping of addends in a sum or the grouping of factors in a product does
not change the resulting sum or product (5 + 6) + 7 = 5 + (6 + 7)
2 x (4 x 6) = (2 x 4) x 6
Identity Property Addition  The sum of any number and zero is the same number.
 0 is the identity. 512 + 0 = 512
Multiplication  The product of any number and one is the same number.
 1 is the identity 512 x 1 = 512
Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition / Subtraction  states that multiplication distributes over addition
and subtraction 7(9 + 12) = 7(9) + 7(12)
II. NUMBER THEORY
A. DIVISIBILITY RULES
Divisibility by Rule
2 If the number is an even number
3 If the sum of all individual digits in the number is divisible by 3
4 If the last two digits of the number is divisible by 4
5 If the last digit of the number is 0 or 5
6 If the number is even and is divisible by 3
7 Double the last digit. Subtract the doubled last digit from the number without the last digit. If the difference is a multiple
of 7, then it is divisible by 7.
8 If the last three digits of the number is divisible by 8
9 If the sum of the individual digits in the number is divisible by 9
10 If the last digit of the number is 0
11 If after subtracting and adding the digits successively the result is divisible by 11
B. FACTORS and MULTIPLES
 The factors of integer n are the positive integers that divide n evenly without remainder.
Ex: factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
 The multiples of n are the integers that n divides without any remainder.
Ex: multiples of 7: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35…
C. PRIME and COMPOSITE NUMBERS
 Prime Numbers – counting numbers that have exactly two distinct, positive divisors
e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 …
 Composite Numbers – counting numbers greater than 1 that have positive factors other than 1 and itself
e.g. 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16…
Prime Factorization
 expressing a number as a product of factors, each of which is a prime number
Methods in Finding the Prime Factors of a Given Number
Factor Tree Method Continuous Division Method
2 56
2 28
2 14
7
D. GCF and LCM
 Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
 Refers to the largest common factor of two or more numbers
Ex: Find the GCF of 45 and 60
METHODS
Intersection of Sets
For each of the given numbers, list their factors in ascending order, and pick out the factor that is common to both lists.
Factors of 45  {1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 45}
Factors of 60  {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60}
Common Factors  {1, 3, 5, 15}
GCF  15
Prime Factorization Repeated Division by Primes
45  3 ∙ 3 ∙ 5
60  2 ∙ 2 ∙ 3 ∙ 5
GCF  3 ∙ 5 = 15
3 45 60
5 15 20
34
The resulting quotients, 3 and 4 have no common factors. Therefore, the GCF of 45 and 60 is the product of their common
factors:
(3)(5) = 15
GCF  15
 Least Common Multiple (LCM)
 Refers to the smallest number that two or more numbers will divide without remainder
Ex: Find the LCM of 18 and 20
METHODS
Intersection of Sets
For each of the given numbers, list their multiples in ascending order, and pick out the smallest non-zero multiple that is
common to both lists.
Multiples of 18  {18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162, 180, 198…}
Multiples of 20  {20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200}
Common Multiple  180
LCM  180
Prime Factorization Repeated Division by Primes
Write the prime factorization for each of the given numbers in such a way that common, and only common, prime factors
are in the same column. The LCM is the product of the highest powers occurring in a column of any of the prime
factorizations.
18 = 2 x 32 
20 = 22 x x 5 
22 x 32 x 5 = 180
LCM  180 
2 18 20
2 9 10
395
35
LCM  2 ∙ 2 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 5
 180
III. INTEGERS
 Integers – refer to the set of whole numbers and their opposites
 Absolute Value – the number of units a number is away from 0 in a number line
Ex: -7 = 7
 Integer Operations
Operation Like Signs Unlike Signs
Addition Add the integers and keep the sign.
Examples:
5+3=8
(-6) + (-10) = -16
Subtract the integers and take the sign of the integer with the largest absolute value.
Examples:
7 + (-4) = 3
(-9) + 4 = -5
Subtraction Change the sign of the subtrahend, and then proceed to addition.
Examples:
Multiplication and Division If the signs of the factors or dividend/divisors are the same, the product/quotient is positive.
Examples:
(3)(7) = 21
(-32) ÷ (-8) = 4 If the signs are different, the product/quotient is negative.
Examples:
(-9)(5) = -45
100 ÷ (-10) = -10
IV. FRACTIONS
 Fractions
 A number whose value can be expressed as the quotient or ratio of any two numbers a and b, represented as , where b ≠
0. It is a part of a whole or a set.
 Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms
Divide the numerator and the denominator by its GCF.
Example:
÷=
 Conversions
Mixed Number to Improper Fraction Improper Fraction to Mixed Number
1. Multiply the denominator to the whole number.
2. Add the product to the numerator.
3. The sum is the new numerator, then copy the same denominator.
Example:
= (3 x 3) + 1 = 10 → new numerator
= 
1. Divide the numerator by the denominator. 
2. The quotient is the whole number for the mixed number.
3. The remainder is the new numerator over the same denominator.
Example:
= 77 ÷ 6 = 12 r. 5
=
 FRACTION OPERATIONS
A. Addition and Subtraction
a. Of Similar Fractions:
 Just add/subtract the numerators and copy the denominator.
Examples:
+ = - = 
b. Of Dissimilar Fractions:
 Convert the fractions first to similar fractions. Then add/subtract the numerators and keep the denominators. Reduce to
lowest terms if necessary.
Changing Dissimilar Fractions to Similar Fractions
 Find the LCM of the denominators involved (hence called Least Common Denominator or LCD). Divide the LCD by
each of the denominators, and then multiply each quotient to their corresponding numerators. 
Examples:
+==
- = = or 
B. Multiplication of Fractions
 Simply multiply the numerators, and multiply the denominators. Reduce the product to lowest terms, if necessary.
Example: 
x = 
÷ = 
C. Division of Fractions
 Take the first fraction and multiply it by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
Example: 
÷ = x = 
÷ = 
 Complex Fractions
 Fractions whose numerator and/or denominator is/are also fraction/s
 To simplify these fractions, remember that the fraction bar means to divide. Rewrite the fraction as a division problem,
and follow the procedure for dividing fractions.
Example: 
Simplify .
= ÷ 4 
= x = or
V. RATIO and PROPORTION
Ratio Rate Proportion
A comparison of two or more amounts or quantities, such as a and b, which can be expressed in the following equivalent
ways: a:b, , 
Refers to a ratio whose two amounts represent different quantities
Examples: 
35 , 5 
An equation or statement that expresses the equality of two ratios.
May be expressed as:
1) = , or
2) a : b = c : d
In each form, b and c are called means, and a and d are called extremes.
Extremes-Means Property:
 In any proportion, the product of the means is equal to the product of the extremes.
From = or a : b = c : d, we get ad = bc
 Finding the Missing Terms of a Proportion
 To find the missing term of a proportion, use the Extremes-Means Property and solve for the unknown.
Example:
4 : x = 8 : 10
(8)(x) = (10)(4)
8x = 40
x=5
 TYPES OF PROPORTIONS
A. Direct Proportion
 As one quantity increases, the other also increases.
Example:
If 4 kg of mangoes cost as much as 3 kg of guavas, how many kg of mangoes would cost as much as 75 kg of guavas?
Solution:
Equate the ratio of the terms in the first condition to the ratio of the terms in the second condition. So, we have:
First Condition Second Condition
=
Using the Extremes-Means Property, solve for the unknown.
n = 
n = 100
Answer: 100 kg of mangoes would cost as much as 75 kg of guavas.
B. Inverse Proportion
 As one quantity increases, the other quantity decreases, and vice versa.
Example:
If the food in a crate is sufficient to feed 15 castaways in 14 days, how many days would it last for 30 castaways?
Solution:
Equate the product of the terms in the first condition to the product of the terms of the second condition. So, we have:
First Condition Second Condition
(15 castaways)(13 days) = (30 castaways)(n days)
n = 
n=7
Answer: The food supply will last for only 7 days for 30 castaways.
C. Partitive Proportion
 One quantity is being partitioned into different proportions.
Example:
A piece of wood 150 cm long is cut in the ratio 2:3:5. Find the measure of each part.
Solution:
1. Add the terms of the ratio.
2 + 3 + 5 = 10
2. Divide the whole measure that was partitioned by the sum of the terms.
150 cm ÷ 10 = 15 cm
3. Multiply the quotient to each term of the ratio to find the measure of each part.
2 (15 cm) = 30 cm
3 (15 cm) = 45 cm
5 (15 cm) = 75 cm
Answer: The measures of the cut parts of wood are 30 cm, 45 cm, and 75 cm.
 APPLICATIONS INVOLVING RATIOS and PROPORTIONS
A. Scales
When working with scale models, the scale is often given as the ratio:
model measurement : actual measurement
Example:
If the scale model of a boat measures 6 inches and the model has a scale of 1:20, what is the actual measurement of the
boat?
Solution: = = 
= 
x = 120
Answer: The actual measurement of the boat is 120 in., or 10 ft.
B. Similarity
 When figures have corresponding sides that are in proportion with one another and corresponding angles with the same
measure, the figures are similar.
 Proportions can be used to determine that figures are similar, and calculate the missing part/s of known similar figures
Example:
Find the missing side of the larger triangle.
Answer: The measure of the missing side of the larger triangle is 9 cm.
VI. DECIMALS
Hundred Thousands Ten Thousands Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones Tenths Hundredths Thousandths Ten Thousandths
Hundred Thousandths
100 000 10 000 1 000 100 10 1 0 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.00001
A. CONVERSIONS
Decimal to Fraction / Mixed Number Fraction to Decimal Mixed Number to Decimal
Simply use the place value and then reduce to lowest terms, if necessary. Recognize that a fraction bar means ‘to divide’.
Thus, to change a fraction to a decimal, simply divide the numerator by the denominator. Separate and keep the whole
number part (this is the number to the left of the decimal point). Then divide the fractional part as described on the left.
Example:
18.6 = 18 + 0.6
= 18 + ( ) 
= 18 + ( ) 
18.6 = 18 
Example:
= 6 ÷ 15 
= 0.4
Example:
= 12 + 
= 12 + (0.75) 
= 12.75
B. DECIMAL OPERATIONS
a) Addition and Subtraction
 Make sure to LINE UP the decimal points first. Add trailing zeroes if necessary to avoid careless mistakes. Then
perform the indicated operation.
b) Multiplication
Steps:
1. Multiply the numbers without regard to the decimal point to obtain a whole number product.
2. Count the number of digits that are to the right of the decimal point of BOTH factors.
3. Alter the whole number product to have the same number of digits to the right of the decimal point, as counted in step
2. 
c) Division
Steps:
1. Set up the long division problem.
2. Count how many digits there are to the right of the decimal point in the divisor.
3. Move the decimal point in the dividend with the amount from step 2.
4. Raise the newly placed decimal point up to the quotient.
5. Divide as usual, as if there were no decimal points.
VII. PERCENTS
 Percent
 Literally meaning ‘per hundred’, it refers to a special ratio that compares a numerical quantity to 100.
 CONVERSIONS
Between Decimals and Percents Between Fractions and Percents
A. Percent to Decimal
 Remove the percent symbol (%) and move the decimal point two places to the left.
B. Decimal to Percent
1. Multiply the decimal by 100; or
2. Move the decimal point two places to the right and write a percent symbol
A. Percent to Fraction
 Use the proportion = , and cross-multiply to solve for the variable x.
B. Fraction to Percent
 Remove the percent symbol (%) and multiply the number by .
 PERCENTAGE, BASE, and RATE
Percent Formula:
Part = Percent x Whole
Remember, in Mathematics:
 “Of” usually means multiply.
 “Is” usually means equals.
75 is 30% of 250
Formulas: 
P = R x B R = B = 
 APPLICATIONS INVOLVING PERCENT
A. Percent Increase or Decrease
 To increase a number by a certain percent, (1) add 100% to the given percent, (2) convert the sum to a decimal, and (3)
multiply the number by that decimal.
Example: increase 40 by 45%
Solution: 45% + 100% = 145% = 1.45
40 x 1.45 = 58
B. Simple Interest Rate
I = Prt
Example: 
If Cedric borrows P15,000 at an interest rate of 17% for 18 months, how much will he have paid in simple interest at the
end of the 18 months?
Solution:
P  P15,000
r  17%
t  18 months = 1.5 years I = Prt
I = (P15,000)(17%)(1.5)
I = P3,825
Answer: At the end of 18 months, Cedric will pay P3,825 in simple interest. 
VIII. PLANE GEOMETRY
A. BASIC NOTIONS
LINEAR NOTIONS
Term Definition Illustration
Point
point A, point B
Line
line m, line AB or BA
Collinear Points Points that lie on the same line
Line l contains points D, E, and F.
Points D, E, and F belong to line l.
Points D, E, and F are collinear.
Point D, E, and G are not collinear.
Line Segment A subset of a line that contains two points of the line and all points between those two points
Ray A subset of a line that contains the endpoint and all points on the line on one side of the point.
PLANAR NOTIONS
Term Definition Illustration
Coplanar Points Points that lie in the same plane
Points A, B, and C are coplanar.
Points A, B, C, and D are noncoplanar.
Lines AB, BC, and AC are coplanar.
Lines AB and AC are intersecting lines. They intersect at point A.
Lines AC, BC, and DC are concurrent.
Lines AB and CD are skew lines.
Coplanar Lines Lines that lie in the same plane 
Intersecting Lines Two coplanar lines with exactly one point in common. 
Concurrent Lines Lines that contain the same point 
Skew Lines Lines that do not intersect, and there is no plane that contains them 
Parallel Lines Two distinct coplanar lines that have no points in common.
l is parallel to m, written as l  m.
Perpendicular Lines Lines in the same plane that intersect at one point and form four 90° angles.
B. OTHER PLANAR NOTIONS
 ANGLES
 An angle is formed by two distinct rays sharing the same endpoint.
a. Classification of Angles
Type of Angle Description
Acute Measure is between 0° and 90°
Right Measures exactly 90°
Obtuse Measure is between 90° and 180°
Straight Measures exactly 180°
b. Special Angle Pair Relationships
Term Definition Illustration
Complimentary Angles Any two angles whose combined measures equal to 90°. 
Supplementary Angles Any two angles whose combined measures equal to 180°. 
Vertical Angles Formed when two lines intersect;
Two angles that share a common vertex but share no common sides
Ex: ∠1 ≅ ∠4; ∠2 ≅ ∠3; ∠5 ≅ ∠8; ∠6 ≅ ∠7 
A transversal cuts through two parallel lines:
Corresponding Angles Two angles on the same side of the transversal, but one is in the interior of the parallel lines, the
other on the exterior
Ex: ∠1 ≅ ∠5; ∠2 ≅ ∠6; ∠3 ≅ ∠7; ∠4 ≅ ∠8 
Alternate Interior Angles Two angles on different sides of the transversal, both in the interior of the parallel lines
Ex: ∠3 ≅ ∠6; ∠4 ≅ ∠5 
Alternate Exterior Angles Two angles on different sides of the transversal, both in the exterior of the parallel lines
Ex: ∠1 ≅ ∠8; ∠2 ≅ ∠7
C. POLYGONS
 Polygon
 A simple and closed geometric figure which have sides that are line segments
 A point where two sides of a polygon meet is a vertex.

 TRIANGLES
Name Definition Illustration
CLASSIFICATION According to the Angle Measures Acute Triangle A triangle containing one right angle
Right Triangle A triangle in which all the angles are acute
Obtuse Triangle A triangle containing one obtuse angle
According to the Measures of Sides Scalene Triangle A triangle with no congruent sides
Isosceles Triangle A triangle with at least two congruent sides
Equilateral Triangle A triangle with three congruent sides
 QUADRILATERALS
Name Definition Illustration
Trapezoid A quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides
Kite A quadrilateral with two adjacent sides congruent and the other two sides also congruent
Isosceles Trapezoid A trapezoid with exactly one pair of congruent sides
Parallelogram A quadrilateral in which each pair of opposite sides is parallel
Rectangle A quadrilateral with 4 right angles
Rhombus A quadrilateral with all sides congruent
Square A quadrilateral with 4 right angles and 4 congruent sides
IX. MEASUREMENT
PLANE FIGURES
Figure Name of Figure Formula
Perimeter Area
Rectangle 2l + 2w lw
Square 4s s2
Parallelogram 2a + 2b bh
Trapezoid a1 + a2 + b1 + b2 ( ) h
Triangle s + s + s ½ bh
Circle Circumference:
2r
r2
SOLID FIGURES
Figure Name of Figure Formula
Total Surface Area Volume
Rectangular Prism 2lw + 2wh + 2hl lwh
Cube 6e2
(e = edge) e3
Cylinder 2 r2 + 2 rh
r2h
Pyramid s2 + 2sl
s = side of the base
l = slant height of the pyramid ⅓ bh
Cone r2 + rs
⅓ r2h
Sphere 4 r2
r3
 METRIC SYSTEM
Metric System
Prefix Equivalent Dimension
Length Capacity Mass
Greek kilo 1000 meter liter gram
hecto 100 
deca 10 
Latin deci 1/10 
centi 1/100 
milli 1/1000
 UNIT CONVERSIONS
Length: 1 foot (ft) = 12 inches (in) 
1 yard (yd) = 3 feet 
1 mile (mi) = 5280 feet = 1760 yards
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters 
1 foot = 0.3 meter 
1 meter = 1.1 yards 
1 mile = 1.6 kilometers
Area: 1 acre = 43,560 sq. ft. 
1 sq. m. = 640 acres 
= 
Mass: 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz) 
1 ton = 2000 pounds 
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
Time 1 minute (min) = 60 seconds (s) 
1 hour (hr) = 60 minutes 
1 day (d) = 24 hours 
1 year (yr) = 365 days 
1 decade = 10 years 
1 millennium = 1000 years
Volume: 1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt) 
1 quart = 2 pints (pt) 
1 cup = 16 tablespoons 
1 liter = 1.06 quarts
 PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
 In every right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
c2 = a2 + b2
X. PROBABILITY
A. SIMPLE PROBABILITY
 The probability (P) of an event (E) is defined as:
P(E) = 
Example:
A gumball machine has 18 pieces remaining (6 blue, 5, yellow, 7, red). The probability of getting a blue gumball is or .
B. COUNTING TECHNIQUES
a) Permutation
 refers to the number of possible arrangements for a given set of objects
Case 1: All of the objects are considered for each different arrangement
(nPn, read as “the permutation of n objects taken n at a time”)
This is represented by this operation:
nPn = n! (read as “n factorial”)
The factorial of a whole number is the product of that whole number and each of the natural numbers less than the
number.
n! = n x (n – 1) x (n – 2) x … x 1
Example: 
In how many ways can 6 books be placed on a shelf?
Solution: 6! = 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 720
Answer: There are 720 ways that 6 books can be placed on a shelf.
Case 2: Not all of the objects are considered for each different arrangement
(nPr, read as “the permutation of n objects taken r at a time”)
nPr = 
Example: 
How many different arrangements of 5 students can be made in a row of 3 desks?
Solution:
nPr = 
5P3 = → 5P3 = = = 5 ∙ 4 ∙ 3 = 60
Answer: 
There are 60 different arrangements of 5 students that can be made in a row of 3 desks.
b) Combination
 refers to the total number of groupings of a set of objects.
 The order of the objects is not important when dealing with combinations.
nCr = 
Example:
How many different 4-person committees can be formed from a total of 8 people?
Solution:
nCr = 
8C4 = → = = = 70
Answer: There are 70 different 4-person committees that can be formed from 8 people.
XI. BASIC ALGEBRA
A. ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
 TRANSLATING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
Add
(+) Subtract
(-) Multiply
(x) Divide
(÷) Equal
(=)
plus, sum, increased by, more than, exceeds minus, difference, decreased by, less than, reduced times, multiplied by,
product, of, divide by, quotient, into is, result, total, equal to
Algebraic Expression – contains numbers, variables, and operations to state a relationship
Examples: 5, 7n, 3x + 2, x2+4x+4
Equation – two algebraic expressions set equal to each other
Example: 3x + 5 = x + 7
 EXPONENTS
Exponent or Power – the total number of times a base is used as a factor
a) Multiplying and Dividing Like Bases
Multiplication Division
When multiplying like bases, add the exponents:
xm · xn = xm+n
Example: 
a3 · a2 = a3+2 = a5 When dividing like bases, subtract the exponents:
= xm-n
Example:
= b5-2 = b3
b) Operations with Powers
Raising a Power to a Power Simply multiply the exponents:
(xm)n = xmn
Example:
(a2)3 = a(2)(3) = a6
Raising a Product to a Power Raise each base number and/or variable to that exponent:
(xmyn)t = xm·t yn·t
Example:
(4x2)3 = (41·3)(x2·3) = 64x6
Raising a Quotient/Fraction to a Power Raise both numerator and denominator to that exponent and simplify the
expression:
= 
Example:
= = = 
c) Negative Exponents
To simplify an expression with negative exponents, remember that:
x-m = 
 POLYNOMIALS
a) Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
When adding and subtracting polynomials, only like terms can be combined.
Examples:
5z + 6z = 11z
18x2 - 8x2 = 10x2
b) Multiplying Polynomials
1. Monomial by a monomial
 Multiply the coefficients and then follow the rules for multiplying the exponents for like bases.
Example:
2x3 ∙ 4x4
Solution:
2x3 ∙ 4x4 = (2)(4)∙(x3)(x4) = 8x7
2. Monomial by a Polynomial
 Use the distributive property
Example:
3a2 (2a + 4)
Solution:
3a2 (2a + 4) = (3a2)(2a) + (3a2)(4)
= 6a3 + 12a2
3. Binomial by a Binomial
 Use FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last)
Example:
(x – 3)(x + 4)
Terms Factors Product
First x ∙ x x2
Outer x ∙ 4 4x
Inner -3 ∙ x -3x
Last -3 ∙ 4 -12
(x – 3)(x + 4) = x2 + 4x – 3x – 12
= x2 + x – 12
4. Any polynomial by a polynomial
 Use the distributive property
Example:
(2x – 1)(3x2 – 5x + 2)
Solution:
(2x – 1)(3x2 – 5x + 2) = 6x3 – 10x2 + 4x - 3x2 + 5x – 2
= 6x3 – 13x2 + 9x – 2
 FACTORING
a) Using GCF
 To find the GCF of any polynomial, look for common factors in the coefficients, and common variables between each
term.
Example:
Factor 4x4 + 12x3.
Solution: 
The GCF of 4x4 + 12x3.is 4x3, so factor out 4x3 from each term.
4x4 + 12x3 = 4x3 (x + 3)
b) Difference Between Two Perfect Squares
 To factor the difference between two perfect squares, take the square root of each term. Then, express the factors in the
following form:
(x – a)(x + a)
Example:
Factor x2 – 49.
Solution: 
x2 – 49 = (x – 7)(x + 7)
c) Polynomials in the form ax2 + bx + c
 When factoring any factorable polynomial in the form ax2 + bx + c, where a = 1, the constant terms of the factors have
a sum of b and a product of c. If the value of a 1, use the factors of c with trial-and-error to find the factors.
Example:
Factor x2 + 5x + 6
Solution:
x2 + 5x + 6
a = 1, b = 5, c = 6
1. List the factors of 6 (c): 1 and 6, -1 and -6, 2 and 3, -2 and -3
2. Find the pair of factors that has a sum of 5 (b). Here that pair is 2 and 3.
3. Use the factors 2 and 3 as the second terms in the binomial factors.
(x + 2)(x + 3)
Answer: The factors of x2 + 5x + 6 are (x + 2)(x + 3). 
d) Perfect Square Trinomials
 Has two equal binomial factors; they have two forms and factored as follows:
x2 + 2ax + a2 = (x + a)2
x2 – 2ax + a2 = (x – a)2
Example:
Factor b2 – 10b + 25.
Solution:
b2 – 10b + 25.= (b – 5)(b – 5)
= (b – 5)2
e) Factoring Completely
 To factor polynomials completely, the expression must be broken down into its smallest possible factors.
Steps:
1. Factor out the GCF, if it exists.
2. Factor the difference between two squares.
3. Factor the trinomial into two binomials (FOIL).
 RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
 Expressions that may involve constants and/or variables in the form , where b ≠ 0. 
a) Simplifying
 When simplifying rational expressions, factor first and make sure to only cancel factors.
Example:
Solution:
= 
=
b) Adding and Subtracting
Steps:
1. Find a common denominator (LCD) by finding the smallest expression that each denominator will divide into without a
remainder.
2. When this denominator is found, multiply both the numerator and denominator of the rational expressions by the
missing factor needed to make the LCD. 
3. Combine the expressions.
4. Keep the common denominator.
Example:
+
Solution:
+ = + 
= + 
=
c) Multiplying and Dividing
Steps:
1. Factor each numerator and denominator of the fractions when possible.
2. Cancel out any common factors between the numerators and denominators.
3. Multiply across any remaining factors.
4. When dividing, simply take the reciprocal of the fraction being divided by and then multiply as explained in steps (1) to
(3).
Example:
÷
Solution:
÷ = x 
= x 
= 2 ∙ 
=
B. ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS
 Solving Equations
Here are the steps to ensure success when solving an equation:
1. Simplify each side of the equation separately:
 Apply the distributive property when needed.
 Combine like terms when needed.
2. Move the variable to one side of the equation.
3. Perform the inverse operations of either addition or subtraction.
4. Perform the inverse operations of multiplication or division.
5. Check your answer by substituting the value of the variable into the original equation.
Example 1: -2(x + 😎 = 32
Solution:
-2(x + 😎 = 32 Given
(-2 ∙ x) + (-2 ∙ 😎 = 32
-2x – 16 = 32 Apply the distributive property to get rid of the parentheses.
-2x – 16 + 16 = 32 + 16
-2x = 48 Add 16 to both sides.
= 
x = -24 Divide both sides of the equation by -2.
Check: Substitute in the equation the value of -24 for x:
-2(x + 😎 = 32
-2(-24 + 😎 = 32
-2(-16) = 32
32 = 32
Example 2: 4x – 6 – 7x = 27
Solution:
4x – 6 – 7x = 27 Given
4x – 7x – 6 = 27 Apply the commutative property.
-3x – 6 = 27 Combine like terms
-3x – 6 + 6 = 27 + 6
-3x = 33 Add 6 to both sides of the equation
= 
x = -11 Divide both sides of the equation by -3.
Check: Substitute in the equation the value of -24 for x:
4x – 6 – 7x = 27
4(-11) – 6 – 7(-11) = 27
-44 – 6 +77 = 27
-50 + 77 = 27
27 = 27
C. SEQUENCES and SERIES
 Sequence
 An ordered set whose elements consist of consecutive natural numbers
Types of Sequences: 
1. Arithmetic Progression
 a sequence of numbers in which the difference between any two successive terms is constant; the constant difference is
called the common difference (d)
Elements of an Arithmetic Progression:
a1 = the first term
an = general term
n = no. of terms
d = the common difference
Sn = sum of the first n terms

To find any term (nth term): an = a1 + (n – 1)d

To find the sum of n terms (Sn) of an arithmetic progression:
Sn = (a1 + an)
2. Geometric Progression
 a sequence of numbers in which the ratio of every pair of successive terms is constant; the constant ratio is called the
common ratio (r).

Elements of a Geometric Progression:

a1 = the first term
an = general/nth term
n = no. of terms
r = the common ratio
Sn = sum of the first n terms
To find any term (nth term): an = a1rn – 1
To find the sum of n terms (Sn) of a geometric progression:
Sn = a1 where r ≠ 1
3. Infinite Geometric Progression
 A geometric progression with an infinite number of terms
To find the sum of n terms (Sn) of an infinite geometric progression:
Sn = where │r│< 1
4. Harmonic Progression
 A sequence of numbers whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression
Example:
AP: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14
HP: , , , ,
PART II: Analyzing Test Items
1. How many thirds are there in ?
A. 35
B. 36
C. 37
D. 38

2. An artist ordered cans of red paint, white paint, and green paint in the ratio 2 : 4 : 6, respectively. If he ordered a total of
24 cans of paint, how many cans of white paint did he order?
A. 4
B. 8
C. 12
D. 16

3. A scale replica of a building is 18 inches tall. If the actual height of the building is 36 feet, then the scale used between
the model and the actual building is 1 inch = __________.
A. 1.5 ft
B. 2 ft
C. 18 ft
D. 24 ft

4. John and Bob are cycling on a track. Bob completes one lap every 12 seconds, and John completes one lap every 15
seconds. When will Bob lap John, assuming that they started together?
A. after 45 seconds
B. after 3 minutes
C. after 2 minutes
D. after 1 minute

5. A store reduced the price of a computer by 20% and sold it for P56,400. How much did the computer originally for?
A. P 60,400
B. P 65,000
C. P 70,500
D. P 72,500
6. Mr. Jimenez owns a 10 ½ hectare tract of land. He plans to subdivide this tract into ¼ hectare lots. He must first set
aside of the total land for roads. How many lots will this tract yield?
A. 32
B. 35
C. 42
D. 4
7. The first 5 numbers in a sequence are 5,6,8,11 and 15. What are the 8th and 10th numbers in the sequence?
A. 27 and 42
B. 26 and 49
C. 32 and 49
D. 33 and 50
8. The carat is a unit of measure used to weigh precious stones. It equals 3.086 grains. How many grains does a 2.8 carat
diamond weigh?
A. 8.6408
B. 86.408
C. 864.08
D. 8640.8

9. A carpenter wanted three pieces of wood each feet long. If he planned to cut them from a 6-foot piece of wood, how
much of the piece would be left?
A. ft
B. ft
C. ft
D. 3 ft

10. Four mangoes cost P29.00. At what price will 2 ½ dozen mangoes cost?
A. P 217.50
B. P 188.50
C. P 348.50
D. P 870.00

11. How many integers between 1 and 150 are divisible by both 4 and 5?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10

12. If P75.00 is shared among three children in the ratio of 3:7:15. What is the size of the smallest share?
A. P 35
B. P 25
C. P 15
D. P 9

13. Which is the sum of the infinite progression , 1, , …?

A. 6 ½
B. 5 ½
C. 4 ½
D. 7 ½

14. Which of the following is a factor of the equation x2 – 2x – 24 = 0?

A. x – 4
B. x + 2
C. x + 4
D. x + 6
15. In the progression 18, -12, 8…, which term is ?
A. the 8th 
B. the 6th
C. the 9th
D. the 7th

16. What is the sum of all the two digit numbers which are divisible by 5?
A. 945
B. 950
C. 960
D. 1050

17. All the seats in a bus are occupied and six persons are standing. At the next bus stop, 13 persons got off and 5 got in.
How many seats were empty after this stop if everyone had a seat?
A. 0
B. 2
C. 23
D. 24

18. If a baseball player hits 10 home runs in the first 45 games, at the same rate how many home runs can he expect to hit
during the 162-game season?
A. 38
B. 42
C. 36
D. 40

19. You buy a refrigerator for P12,800.00 and make a down payment of P2,500.00. If you finance the remainder at 8%
annually for three years, how much will you actually pay for the refrigerator?
A. P 12,190.00
B. P 10,300.00
C. P 15,272.00
D. P 12,772.00

20. Joan bought 120 handkerchiefs at 10 pesos each. Then she sold them at 3 handkerchiefs for P 50. If she sold all the
handkerchiefs, how much profit did she make?
A. P170
B. P400
C. P733
D. P800

21. Employees at Highwire Musictown get a 20% discount on all purchases. If Luis buys three tapes at P7.49 each, how
much will he have to pay after his employee discount?
A. P 16.98
B. P 17.98
C. P 18.98
D. P 19.98

22. How many ways can a committee of 4 people be selected from a group of 7 people?
A. 35
B. 70
C. 140
D. 210

23. If the area of one circle is twice of another circle, what is the ratio in percent, of the smaller to larger circle?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 70%
D. 75%
24. How many gallons of water will fill a fish tank that is 18 inches by 12 inches by 48 inches? (There are 231 cubic
inches per gallon). Round your answer to the nearest gallon.
A. 45 gallons
B. 38 gallons
C. 47 gallons
D. 40 gallons

25. What day follows the day before yesterday if 2 days from now will be Sunday?
A. Wednesday
B. Thursday
C. Friday
D. Saturday

26. A, B, and C are consecutive numbers. If A>B>C, what is the value of (A-B) (A-C) (B-C)?
A. -2
B. -1
C. 1
D. 2

27. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 feet. If one leg is 24 feet, what is the length of the other leg?
A. 6 ft
B. 5 ft
C. 7 ft
D. 20 ft

28. What is the average of ½, ¼, and ⅓?

A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

29. Write the expression 4x3 + x in factored form.

A. 4 (x3 + 1)
B. 4x2 (x + 1)
C. x (4x2 + 1)
D. 4x (x2 + 1)

30. Which of the following is the smallest prime number greater than 200?
A. 214
B. 205
C. 201
D. 211

31. If a car travels 96 miles on 8 liters of gas, how far can the car travel on a full tank of gas that holds 20 liters?
A. 230 miles
B. 235 miles
C. 240 miles
D. 245 miles

32. A vendor sold one sack of rice more than she paid for it. What information is needed to find his gain?
A. The amount paid by the customer per sack
B. The number of sacks sold
C. The amount she was paid
D. The amount she paid for it

33. In a group of 250 students, 40 are freshmen. What percentage of the group are freshmen?
A. 15
B. 16
C. 30
D. 40

34. If x – 6 > 24, then:

A. x > 6
B. x > 4
C. x > 24
D. x > 30

35. A recipe which is good for 4 persons calls for 2/3 cup of milk. How much milk will be needed by a recipe for 6
persons?
A. 1 cup
B. 2 cups
C. 4 cups
D. 8 cups

36. Write the following in factored form: 65y3 – 35y2 + 15y

A. 5 (13y3 – 7y2 + 3y)
B. 5 (13 – 7y2 + 3y)
C. 5y (13y2 – 7y + 3)
D. 5y (13 – 7y + 3)

37. A certain bank issues 3-letter identification codes to its customers. If each letter can be used only once per code, how
many different codes are possible?
A. 326
B. 78
C. 15,600
D. 17,576

38. Three brothers inherited a cash amount of P 120,000 and they divided it among themselves in the radio of 5:2:1. How
much more is the largest share than smallest share?
A. P15,000
B. P30,000
C. P60,000
D. P75,000

39. If - is an integer, which of the following statements is true?

A. x is a multiple of 6
B. x is even
C. x is a multiple of 3
D. x is odd

40. What is the volume of a cube whose surface area is 54?

A. 54
B. 81
C. 27
D. 729

41. What are the odds of getting two 5’s in a single throw of a pair of dice?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

42. What percent of P340.00 is P30.60?

A. 9%
B. 8%
C. 7%
D. 6%

43. What is the length of the diagonal BD of the rectangle pictured below?

A. 50
B. 40
C. 30
D. 20

44. What part of an hour has passed from 2:48 pm. to 3:20 pm?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

45. Which of the following is equivalent to 777 - 776?

A. 777 + 76
B. 777 – 76
C. 776 (6)
D. 7 (77 -76)

46. Mr. Manlapaz is 44 years old. He was 21 years old when his eldest daughter was born who is six years older than his
younger son. How old is Mr. Manlapaz’s youngest son now?
A. 18
B. 22
C. 17
D. 23

47. A street vendor sells roasted peanut at P5 per packet of 25 gm which she bought for P80 per kilo. She spent P20 for
oil, fuel, and plastic bag. What is her net gain from selling all the peanuts?
A. P360
B. P380
C. P400
D. P480

48. Divide ÷
A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

49. How much interest would be paid on a bank loan of P30,000 for 8 months at 12% annual interest?
A. P2,400
B. P2,800
C. P3,240
D. P3,600

50. What value of x will satisfy the equation 0.2(2x+1470) =x?

A. 490
B. 560
C. 1470
D. 2130

PART III: Enhancing Test-Taking Skills

1. If the price of round-trip fare to Malolos, Bulacan is P285, how much will it cost a family of four if the husband pays
full fare, the wife pays ⅔ of full fare, and the two children each pay ½ of the regular price?
A. P 475
B. P 570
C. P 760
D. P 1140

2. What number subtracted from each of 71 and 58 will result in two perfect squares?
A. 22
B. 33
C. 35
D. 42

3. Jessica has 6 red t-shirts and 9 yellow t-shirts. If she picks one t-shirt at random, what is the probability that it will not
be yellow?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

4. The simplest expression for 240/420 is _____________.

A. 1
B. 4
C. (½)20
D. 220

5. What percent of 4 is 3/5 of 8?

A. 48%
B. 80%
C. 83 %
D. 120%

6. Three times the first of three consecutive odd integers is 3 more than twice the third. Find the third integer.
A. 9
B. 13
C. 11
D. 15

7. Which of the following is/are TRUE?

I. x3 - y3 = (x – y)(x2 + y2)
II. (5x – 2y)(5x – 2y) = 25x2 – 20xy + 4y2
III. x2 + y2 = (x + y)(x + y)

A. I only
B. I and III
C. II only
D. I and II

8. How many members of Set A are factors of any members of Set B?

SET A = {0,1,2,3,4,5}
SET B = {1,2,7,9,10}

A. 6
B. 5
C. 4
D. 3

9. A meter stick was cut into two pieces at the 64-cm mark. What is the ratio of the smaller piece to the largest piece?
A. 9:16
B. 16:25
C. 13:50
D. 9:25

10. The product of 2 whole numbers is 36, and their ratio is 1:4. Which of these is the smaller number?
A. 9
B. 3
C. 2
D. 12

11. Find, in feet, the amount of framing needed to frame a picture 8 ½ inches by 11 inches?
A. 3 ¼ ft 
B. 2 ¼ ft
C. 4 ¼ ft
D. 5 ¼ ft

12. If a certain job can be finished by 18 workers in 26 days, how many workers are needed to finish the job in 12 days?
A. 24
B. 30
C. 39
D. 45

13. Which of these weights is heaviest?

A. 2250 g
B. 2.5 kg
C. 4200 mg
D. 5 pounds

14. A certain pole cast a shadow 24 feet long. At the same time another pole 3 feet high casts a shadow 4 feet long. How
high is the first pole, given that the heights & shadows are in proportion?
A. 24 ft
B. 21 ft
C. 18 ft
D. 20 ft

15. What is the median of the following numbers 8, 5, 7, 5, 9, 9, 1, 8, and 10?

A. 5
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9

16. Which is the 10th term of the progression -8, -4, -2, …, ___?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D.

17. Two buses leave the same station at 9:00 pm. One bus travels north at the rate of 30 kph and the other travels east at
40 kph. How many kilometers apart are the buses at 10 pm?
A. 50 km
B. 70 km
C. 100 km
D. 140 km

18. A park has a triangular shape. It has a base of 12m and a height of 9m. What is its area?
A. 122 m2
B. 108 m2
C. 42 m2
D. 54 m2
19. Joel repacks a 60 kg sack of sugar into small packs of 750g. How many small packs can be made?
A. 90
B. 45
C. 75
D. 80

20. What is the value of ?

A. 21
B. 21 
C. 21 
D. 22

21. An employee earning P9,200 a month will receive a 15% increase next month. How much will his/her new salary be?
A. P10,500
B. P10,530
C. P10,530
D. P10,560

22. What is 3 m +.28 dm when converted to centimeters?

A. 480
B. 580
C. 4800
D. 5800

23. What is the smallest positive integer that has 6, 8 and 10 as factors?
A. 300
B. 240
C. 80
D. 120

24. If dosage of medicine is ⅔ milliliter, how many dosages can be given from a bottle containing 20 milliliters?
A. 13⅓
B. 19⅓
C. 20
D. 30
25. A box is 12 inches wide, 16 inches long and 6 inches high. How many square inches of paper would be needed to
cover it on all sides?
A. 192 sq. in.
B. 900 sq. in.
C. 360 sq. in.
D. 720 sq. in.

26. If x2 is odd, which of these statements is true?

I. x is odd
II. x2 is odd
III. x2 + 1 is odd

A. I and III only

B. I and II only
C. I only
D. II only

27. What are the missing terms in the series 5, 10, 20 _____, 80, ____320?
A. 40, 160
B. 40, 120
C. 50, 120
D. 35, 135
28. Michael is 15 years older than his brother Rafael. However, y years ago Michael was twice as old as Rafael. If Rafael
is now x years old and x > y, find the value of x-y.
A. 13
B. 14
C. 15
D. 16

29. Which of the following sets of numbers can be sides of a right triangle?
A. 4, 5, 6
B. 6, 6, 2, 3
C. 3, 6, 3
D. 2, 2, 3

30. Which of the following could be a factor of n (n+1) if n is a positive integer less than 3?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 8
D. 9

31. In a certain school, the ratio of boys to girls is 3 to 7. If there are 150 boys and girls in the school, how many boys are
there?
A. 45
B. 105
C. 75
D. 90

32. In one senior class, ⅓ of the students are honor students. Of these honor students, 2/7 are varsity athletes. If there are
four athletes in the class, how many students are there in the class?
A. 42
B. 52
C. 60
D. 84

33. If the variance of distribution is 25, then the standard deviation is ________.
A. 12.5
B. 30
C. 625
D. 5

34. How long will it take P10,000 to grow to P12,000 if it is invested at 9% compounded monthly?
A. 25 months
B. 18 months
C. 20 months
D. 15 months

35. The school cafeteria raised the price of a plate of rice from P8 to P10. If the same rate of increase was applied to a
regular order of viand which used to cost P20, how much does an order of viand cost now?
A. P 22
B. P 24
C. P 25
D. P 26

36. A 737-model plane has 29 rows with 5 seats per row, except for the last three rows which had 3 seats each. What is
the seating capacity of the plane?
A. 144
B. 145
C. 142
D. 139

37. The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 42 in. The 2 equal sides are each 3 times as long as the third side. What are
the lengths of these sides?
A. 18,21,3
B. 21,21,21
C. 6,6,8
D. 18,18,6

38. Julie spent one-sixth of her money in one store. In the next store, she spent three times as much as she spent in the first
store, and had 80 pesos left. How much money did she have at the start?
A. P 240
B. P 252
C. P 300
D. P 360

39. How many ounces of pure acid must be added to 20 ounces of a solution that is 5% acid to strengthen it to a solution
that is 24% acid?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 10
D. 2 ½

40. If 50% of x is 20, what is 30% of x?

A. 30
B. 12
C. 20
D. 16

41. Kath’s grades in three math quizzes are 82, 78, 86. What grade should get in her next quiz to raise her average to 85?
A. 94
B. 90
C. 88
D. 87

42. P8,000 is invested at 12% simple interest. What is the amount at the end of 2 years?
A. P 8,960
B. P 8,240
C. P 9,600
D. P 9,920

43. Anthony has 5 action figures. In how many ways can he arrange the figures in his shelf?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 100
D. 120

44. Which of these numbers is greater than ¼?

A. .04
B. (1/2)2
C. 1/8
D. 1/0.04
45. A senior class of 50 girls and 70 boys sponsored a dance. If 40% of the girls and 50% of the boys attended the dance
approximately what percent attended?
A. 44
B. 46
C. 42
D. 40
46. Give the factors of 2x3 + 9x2 + 9x
A. x (2x – 3)(x + 3)
B. x (2x + 3)(x + 3)
C. x (3x – 2)(x + 3)
D. x (2x + 3)(x – 3)

47. Joseph has more money than Mila but less than Billy. If the amounts held by Joseph, Mila and Billy are x, y and z
respectively, which of the following is TRUE?
A. Z < X < Y
B. X < Z < Y
C. Y < X < Z
D. Y < Z < X

48. If x =-5, what is the value of ?

A. -8
B. -6
C. 5
D. 7

49. What percent is 3/4 of 5/6?

A. 65%
B. 90%
C. 80%
D. 75%

50. A man started painting a wall at 9:00 AM and was able to finish painting 3/5 of it at 10:30 AM. Continuing at this
rate, at what time will he finish painting the wall?
A. 11:35 AM
B. 11:30 AM
C. 12:30 AM
D. 12:15 AM
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