Elementary Algebra

SHEILA MARIE C. NAVARRO

REAL NUMBERS SYSTEM
Real Number
(R)
Notes:
1. Real numbers are composed of rational
Irrationals
Odd No. (O)
Rationals (Q)
(Q’) and irrational numbers.
2. Rational numbers are either terminating
Even No. (E)
Integers (Z) Fractions (F)
or repeating decimals, otherwise it is
called irrational.
Negative Whole
Integers (Z-) Number (W) 3. Zero (0) is neither positive nor negative.
4. One (1) is not a prime no.
{0}
Positive
Integers (Z+) 5. If an integer is not odd, then it is even.
6. 6.4 is not an even number.
Composite
Prime No. (P) {1}
No. (C)
Question:
1. What is the sum of the smallest prime and largest
2-digit prime number?
a. 95
b. 98
c. 99
d. 100

ANS: C
Question:
Find the sum of all odd integers from -100 to 110?
a. 520
b. 525 -100+(-99)+…+99+100=0
c. 530 101+103+105+107+109=525
d. 540

ANS: B
 A = {1, 4, 5}
SETS B = {1, 3, 7, 8}
U = {1, 2, …, 10}

Union (“or” / ∪) All elements of two 𝑨 ∪ 𝑩 = {𝟏, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓, 𝟕, 𝟖}

sets
Intersection (“and” / ∩) All common elements 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1}
of two sets
Complement ( ‘/ (𝑈 − 𝐴)) Elements in 𝑈 not in 𝐴 𝐴′ = {2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
Difference (− / (𝐴 − 𝐵)) Elements in 𝐴 not in 𝐵 𝐴 − 𝐵 = {4, 5}
Cross Product (𝐴 × 𝐵) Ordered pairs with 𝐴×𝐵
domain from 𝐴 and = { 1,1 , 1, 3 , … , 5, 7 , 5,8 )
abscisa from 𝐵
Question:
Which of the following statement is true?
a. If 𝑄 is the universal set, then 𝐹 ′ = 𝑍.
b. 𝑄 ′ − 𝑄 = { }
c. 𝑄 ∩ 𝑍 = 𝐹
d. 𝑍 − 𝑍 − = 𝑍 +

ANS: A
Question:
During a survey, the following data were gathered: 60 students like
algebra, 50 students like calculus, and 45 likes physics. Thirty students like
both algebra and calculus; 25 students like both calculus and physics; and
20 students like algebra and physics. Only 15 students like all the three
subjects. How many students were surveyed?
a. 155 Algebra Calculus
b. 125 25
15 10

c. 115 5
15
10
d. 95 15
25+5+15+15+10+10+15=95

Physics ANS: D
SOME THEOREMS ON REAL
NUMBERS
𝑎 −𝑎 𝑎
• Theorem 1. − 𝑏 = = −𝑏.
𝑏 Common Mistake
𝑎𝑐 𝑎
• Theorem 2. = . 𝑥 2 −3𝑥+2 (𝑥−2)(𝑥−1) 𝑥−2
𝑏𝑐 𝑏
• 𝑥 2 −2𝑥+1
= (𝑥−1)(𝑥−1) = 𝑥−1
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎+𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎𝑑+𝑏𝑐
• Theorem 3. +𝑐 = or +𝑑 = .
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐𝑑
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐
• Theorem 4. × = . 𝑥−2 𝑥+1 𝑥−2 𝑥+1
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
• =
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑑 𝑎𝑑 𝑥−2 𝑥−3 𝑥−2 𝑥−3
• Theorem 5. ÷𝑑 =𝑏×𝑐 = .
𝑏 𝑏𝑐

NOTE: In the following theorems, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 may stand for any algebraic

expression.
; ; = 0.
0 𝑎 𝑎
= 0 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑎 0 ∞
Fundamental Operations
• Addition and Subtraction is only applicable to
similar terms.
1. 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 + (5𝑥 + 2𝑦) = 𝟕𝒙 − 𝒚
2. 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 5𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓𝒚

• For Multiplication and Division, laws of exponents

are needed.
Laws of Exponents
𝑚
1. 𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 6. 𝑎 = 𝑎𝑚
𝑛
𝑛

2.
𝑎𝑚
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 7. 𝑎0 = 1 provided 𝑎 ≠ 0.
𝑎𝑛
Note: 00 is indeterminate.
3. 𝑎𝑚 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 1
6. 𝑎−𝑚 =
𝑚 𝑎𝑚
4. 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑚
7. If 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎 , then 𝑚 = 𝑛.
𝑛

𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚
5. 𝑏
= 𝑏𝑚
Laws of Radicals
1
𝑛
1. 𝑎 = 𝑛 𝑎
𝑚 Illustration:
𝑛 𝑚
2. 𝑎 = 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑛 𝑎
𝑛 1. 2𝑥 3 = 23 𝑥 3 = 𝟖𝒙𝟑
2 2
3. 𝑛 𝑎 𝑛 = 𝑎 2.
𝑥3
=
𝑥3
=
𝒙𝟔
𝑛 𝑛 𝑦 𝑦2 𝒚𝟐
4. 𝑛 𝑎 × 𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏 4 4

𝑛 3. 2𝑥𝑦 3 = 2𝑥𝑦 3 2
𝑎 𝑎
provided that 𝑏 ≠ 0
𝑛
5. 𝑛
𝑏
= 𝑏 = 22 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 2

= 𝟒𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟔
Question:
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑏 ∙ 𝑎 − 𝑏 𝑏 is equivalent to?
a. 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑏
b. 𝑎2 − 𝑏3 𝑎+𝑏 𝑏 𝑎−𝑏 𝑏
c. 𝑎 − 𝑏 𝑏 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 𝑏
d. 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 𝒂 𝟐 − 𝒃𝟑

ANS: B
Question:
1 2 1 2
Simplify: 𝑎 + − 𝑎− .
𝑎 𝑎
a. −4
1 1 1 1
b. 0 𝑎+ +𝑎− 𝑎+ − 𝑎−
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
c. 4 2
2 2𝑎
d. − 2 𝑎
𝑎
𝟒

ANS: C
Question:
1
2 3 −2 −3 −
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 −3 𝑦𝑧 3 2
Simplify: 5 . 3 1 3
− − −
𝑥𝑦𝑧 −3 2 𝑥 −6 𝑦 −9 𝑧 6 𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 2
1 =
a. 5 5 15
𝑥 2𝑦7 𝑧 3 𝑥
− 2 −2 2
𝑦 𝑧
1
b. 𝑥 −6 𝑦 −9 𝑧 6
𝑥 2𝑦7 𝑧 5 =
1 𝑥 −4 𝑦 −2 𝑧 9
c. 𝑥 2𝑦5 𝑧 3 𝟏
1 = 𝟐 𝟕 𝟑
d. 𝒙 𝒚 𝒛
𝑥 5𝑦7 𝑧 3
ANS: A
Special Products and Factoring
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑦) Multinomial Common Factor
𝑥2 − 𝑦2 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑥 − 𝑦 Difference of two squares
𝑥 3 ± 𝑦 3 = (𝑥 ± 𝑦)(𝑥 2 ∓ 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ) Sum/Diff. of two cubes
𝑥 2 ± 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 ± 𝑦 2 Perfect Square Trinomials
𝑎𝑐𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐 𝑥 + 𝑏𝑑 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)(𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑) FOIL/Trial-and-Error
If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is a perfect square the quadratic trinomial is
factorable.
𝒏!
𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 𝒃𝒓−𝟏
𝒏−𝒓+𝟏 ! 𝒓−𝟏 !
Where 𝑟 is the unknown terms and 𝑛 is the total number of
unknown terms
Horizontal Multiplication
We can always multiply polynomials by polynomials
using the distribution methods.
Multiply (2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )(−3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑦 2 ).

−3𝑥 2 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 3y 2 (2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )

−6𝑥 4 + 9𝑥 3 𝑦 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 3 𝑦 − 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 3 − 6𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 9𝑥𝑦 3 − 3𝑦 4
−𝟔𝒙𝟒 + 𝟏𝟑𝒙𝟑 𝒚 − 𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟏𝟏𝒙𝒚𝟑 − 𝟑𝒚𝟒
Division of Polynomials
• Divide 𝑥 4 − 18𝑥 2 + 32 by 𝑥 − 4
𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 4 + 0𝑥 3 − 18𝑥 2 + 0𝑥 + 32 1 0 -18 0 32 |4
𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 4 16 -8 -32
4𝑥 3 − 18𝑥 2 1 4 -2 -8 0
4𝑥 3 − 16𝑥 2
−2𝑥 2 + 0𝑥
−2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥
−8𝑥 + 32
−8𝑥 + 32
Long Division Synthetic Division
0
Factor and Remainder theorem
Given a function 𝑓(𝑥) and a binomial 𝑥 − 𝑐 where c is
constant.
FACTOR. If 𝑓 𝑐 = 0, then 𝑥 − 𝑐 is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥).
Example: f x = 2𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 and 𝑥 + 2.
𝑓 −2 = 2 −2 3 + 5 −22 − −2 − 6 = 0

REMAINDER. If 𝑓 𝑐 = 𝑧 where 𝑧 ≠ 0, then 𝑧 is the

exponent whenever 𝑓(𝑥) is divided by 𝑥 − 𝑐.
Example: 𝑓 2 = 2 23 + 5 22 − 2 − 6 = 28
Sum of Coefficient of Variables
Substitute 1 to each variables in the polynomials
then simplify the expression to get the sum of its
coefficients.

Example: Find the coefficients of the variables in the

expansion 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 1 4 .
2 1 +3 1 −1 4 = 44 = 256
Question:
If 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 22 and 𝑥𝑦 = 9, find the value of 𝑥 − 𝑦 2 ?
a. 4
b. 13 𝑥 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2
c. 31 = 22 − 2 9
d. 40 =4

ANS: A
Question:
Factor 𝑎4 − 𝑏2 + 𝑏 − 𝑎2 as completely as possible.
a. 𝑎2 + 𝑏 𝑎2 + 𝑏 − 1 4 − 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 − 𝑏
= 𝑎
b. 𝑎2 + 𝑏 𝑎2 − 𝑏 − 1 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 𝑎2 − 𝑏 − 𝑎2 − 𝑏
c. 𝑎2 − 𝑏 𝑎2 + 𝑏 − 1 = (𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃)(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃 − 𝟏)
d. 𝑎2 − 𝑏 𝑎2 − 𝑏 − 1

ANS: C
Question:
Which of the following are the correct factors of
6𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 − 4?
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 6: 3, 2, 1, 6
a. 6𝑥 − 1 𝑥 + 4
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 − 4: 1, −4, 2, −2
b. 6𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 4
c. 3𝑥 + 4 2𝑥 − 1 6𝑥 𝑥
(𝟔𝒙 − 𝟏)(𝒙 + 𝟒)
d. (3𝑥 − 4)(2𝑥 + 1)

ANS: A
Question:
Factor the expression 𝑥 6 − 1 as completely as
possible.
a. 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 − 1
b. 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1 𝑥2 − 1 𝑥4 + 𝑥2 + 1
4 + 𝑥 2 + 1)
c. 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1
4 2 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥

d. (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 + 1)

ANS: D
Question:
Give a 3rd term so that 4𝑥 4 + 9𝑦 2 becomes a perfect
square trinomial. 4 2
4𝑥 + 9𝑦
a. 6𝑥 2 𝑦
1st = 2𝑥 2
b. 12𝑥 2 𝑦 2 2nd = 3𝑦
c. 12𝑥 2 𝑦 3rd = 2*1st *2nd
2
d. 36𝑥 𝑦2 = 2 2𝑥 3𝑦
𝟐
= 𝟏𝟐𝒙 𝒚

ANS: C
Question:
5𝑥 𝑥+3 2𝑥+1
Simplify: − 2𝑥 2−3𝑥−2 + .
2𝑥 2 +7𝑥+3 2
𝑥 +𝑥−6
2
a. =
5𝑥
−
𝑥+3
+
2𝑥 + 1
𝑥−3 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 3 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 2 𝑥+3 𝑥−2
𝑥−3
b. =
5𝑥 𝑥 − 2 − 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 3 + 2𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 + 1
5 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2
𝑥+3
c. =
5𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9 + 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1
𝑥−1 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2
4
d.
2
8𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 8
=
𝑥+3 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2
4 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 2 𝟒
= =
2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2 𝒙+𝟑
ANS: D
Question:
𝑚3 −8 2𝑚2 +3𝑚−2
Simplify: 2𝑚−1 ∙ 𝑚2 −4 .
a. 𝑚2 + 2𝑚 + 4
𝑚 − 2 𝑚2 + 2𝑚 + 4 2𝑚 − 1 𝑚 + 2
b. 𝑚2 + 2𝑚 − 4 =
2𝑚 − 1
∙
𝑚+2 𝑚−2
c. 𝑚2 − 2𝑚 + 4
= 𝒎𝟐 + 𝟐𝒎 + 𝟒
d. 𝑚2 − 2𝑚 − 4

ANS: A
Question:
What is the remainder if 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4 is divided
by 𝑥 − 1?
a. 0
𝑥 − 𝑐 = 𝑥 − 1 𝑠𝑜 𝑐 = 1
b. -8 =2 1 3−3 1 2+5 1 −4
c. -4 =𝟎
d. 6

ANS: A
Question:
Given: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 4 + 4 when divided by (𝑥 − 𝑘),
the remainder is 𝑘. Find 𝑘.
a. 2 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 8
b. 3 𝑓 𝑘 =𝑘
𝑘 = 𝑘2 + 𝑘 − 8
c. 4 0 = 𝑘2 − 8
d. -3 𝒌 = ±𝟒

ANS: C
Question:
Find the sum of the coefficients of all terms in
5𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2 8 ?
a. 186
Substitute 1 to all variables
b. 256
= 5 1 2−3 1 2 8
c. 512 = 28 or 256
d. 542

ANS: B
Linear Equations in One Unknown
• The ultimate goal is to transform the equation into
𝑎
𝑥 = 𝑏, which specifies the value of x. This is called
the solution or roots.
No Solution Unique Solution Infinitely Many Solution
𝑥+5 𝑥 4 4 3 Solve 5 2𝑥 − 1 = 2 8𝑥 − 7 −
Solve = 1; 𝑥 ≠ 5. Solve + = +
𝑥−5 𝑥−1 15 5𝑥−5 5
3 2𝑥 − 3
𝑥+5 (3) 5 𝑥 + 𝑥– 1 4 = 3 4 +
𝑥−5 = 1 𝑥−5 10𝑥 − 5 = 16𝑥 − 14 − 6𝑥 + 9
𝑥−5 3(𝑥– 1)(3)
10𝑥 − 5 = 10𝑥 − 5
𝑥+5=𝑥−5 15𝑥 + 4𝑥– 4 = 12 + 9𝑥– 9
0=0
5 = −5 19𝑥 – 4 = 9𝑥 + 3
True Statement
False Statement 19𝑥 – 9𝑥 = 3 + 4
7
𝑥 = 10
Solving Linear Equation w/ Two
Unknown
• Graphical Method

Unique Solution Infinitely Many No Solution

Solving Linear Equation w/ Two
Unknown
SUBSTITUTION ELIMINATION DETERMINANTS
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3 2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3 2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3
Solve: Solve: Solve:
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 7 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 7 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 7

EQN 1: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 3 3 −1
EQN 2: −(2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 7) 7 3 3 3 − 7 −1 16
𝑥= = = =2
2𝑥 + 3 2𝑥 − 3 = 7 −4𝑦 = −4 2 −1 2 3 − 2 −1 8
2𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 9 = 7 𝑦=1 2 3
8𝑥 = 16 2 3
𝑥=2 EQN 1: 2𝑥 − 1 = 3 2 7 2 7 −2 3 8
𝑥=2 𝑦= = = =1
2 −1 2 3 − 2 −1 8
EQN 1: 𝑦 = 2 2 − 3 = 1 2 3
Question:
Find the value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 that satisfies the system of
equations: 3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 6 and 9𝑥 − 𝑦 = 12.
a. 𝑥 = 3; 𝑦 = 1 3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 6
b. 𝑥 = 1; y = −3 − 9𝑥 − 𝑦 = 12
−6𝑥 = −6
c. 𝑥 = 2; 𝑦 = 2 Implies 𝒙 = 𝟏.
d. 𝑥 = 4; 𝑦 = 2
3 1 −𝑦 =6
𝒚 = −𝟑
ANS: B
Question:
If 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1, what is the value of 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥 + 1)?
a. 4x-1
b. -4x-1
= 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1 − 2 𝑥 + 1 2 − 𝑥 + 1 + 1
c. 4x+1 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1 − 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 2 + 𝑥 + 1 − 1
d. 1-4x = −𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏

ANS: B
Solving Quadratic Equation
FACTORING QUADRATIC FORMULA ROOTS
- The goal is to factor the equation For quadratic eqn 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐; 𝒙 = Sum : 𝒓𝟏 + 𝒓𝟐 = − 𝒃
𝒂
completely. Make sure the factors −𝒃± 𝒃𝟐 −𝟒𝒂𝒄 𝒄
are on left-hand side and zero (0) on 𝟐𝒂
Product: 𝒓𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝟐 = 𝒂
right-hand side.
Solve: 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 2 = 0 Solve: 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 2 = 0 One root of the eqn 3𝑥 2 −
3𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 2 = 0 − −5 ± −5 2 − 4 3 −2 5𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 is 2. Find the other
3𝑥 + 1 = 0 | 𝑥 − 2 = 0 𝑥= root and the value of 𝑐.
1
2 3 5
𝑥 = − 3 or 𝑥 = 2 5 ± 49 Sum: 𝑟 + 2 = 3 → 𝑟 = −1/3
𝑥= 1 𝑐
6 Product: 2 − 3 = 3
1
𝑥 = − 3 or 𝑥 = 2 → 𝑐 = −2
Remarks:
1. 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation.

2 𝑏
2. If 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0, then the roots are real and both are equal to − 2𝑎

3. If 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0, then the roots are real and unequal.

4. If 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, then the roots are imaginary numbers.

Question:
2 1
The values of 𝑥 in the equation 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0 are:
5 5

a. 1 & -2
1 2 1
b. -1 & 2 𝑥5 − 𝑥5 − 2 = 0
By factoring,
c. -1 & 32 1 1
𝑥5 − 2 𝑥5 + 1 = 0
d. 1 & -32 1 1
𝑥 5 − 2 = 0 or 𝑥5 + 1 = 0
𝒙 = 𝟐𝟓 = 𝟑𝟐 or 𝒙 = −𝟏 𝟓 = −𝟏

ANS: C
Question:
Give the sum of the roots of 2𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 1 = 0.
a. 4
b. -5 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 = −
−8
=𝟒
c. -2 2
d. 2

ANS: A
Question:
Find 𝑘 in the equation 4𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 9 = 0 so that it will
only have one real root.
a. 10
Real and unique roots if 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0
b. 11 𝑘2 − 4 4 9 = 0
c. 12 𝑘 2 = 144
𝒌 = ±𝟏𝟐
d. 13

ANS: C
Question:
Find the roots of 𝑥 2 − 4 + 4𝑥 = 0. 𝑥 2 − 4 = − 4𝑥
a. 2 𝑥 2 − 4 = 4𝑥
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4 = 0
b. 2 and -2
𝑥−2 2 =0
c. 0 𝑥=2
d. no root
Checking: 0 + 16 ≠ 0.
False statement → No roots

ANS: D
Partial Fractions
Illustrations:
3 𝐴 𝐵
• 𝑥−1 𝑥+2
= 𝑥−1 + 𝑥+2
3𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
• 𝑥−1 3
= 𝑥−1 + 𝑥−1 2 + 𝑥−1 3
3𝑥−5 𝐴 𝐵𝑥+𝐶 𝐷𝑥+𝐸
• 2 2 = + 2 + 2
𝑥−1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 𝑥−1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 2
3𝑥−2 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶𝑥+𝐷
• 2 2 = + 2 +
𝑥−1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥 2 +𝑥+1
Question:
𝑥+10 𝐴 𝐵
Find A and B such that = + .
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥−2 𝑥+2
a. A= -3; B= 2 𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐵 𝑥 − 2
b. A= -3; B= -2 𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 𝑥 + 2𝐴 − 2𝐵
This implies
c. A= 3; B= -2 𝐴+𝐵 =1 and 2𝐴 − 2𝐵 = 10
Then, 2 1 − 𝐵 − 2𝐵 = 10
d. A= 3; B= 2 −4𝐵 = 8
𝑩 = −𝟐
From 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 1
𝑨=𝟑

ANS: C
Question:
Find the value of A:
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 𝐴 𝐵 2𝑥 + 2 𝐶
3 2
= + 2 + 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5
a. 2
b. -2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 + 𝐵𝑥 2𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶𝑥
2 2
c. ½ 𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴 + 2𝐵 𝑥 + 2𝐴 + 2𝐵 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 5𝐴
5𝐴 = 10
d. -1/2 𝑨=𝟐

ANS: A
Progression

DESCRIPTION LAST TERM SUM MEAN

Arithmetic Sequence of number with a 𝐿 =𝑎+ 𝑛−1 𝑑 𝑛 𝑎+𝑐
𝑆= (𝑎 + 𝐿) 𝑏=
Progression fixed common difference 2 2
i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

Geometric Sequence of number with a 𝐿 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1 𝑎 1 − 𝑟𝑛 𝑏 = ± 𝑎𝑐

Progression fixed common ratio 𝑆=
1−𝑟
i.e., 1, 3, 9, 27

Harmonic The sequence of numbers formed by the reciprocals of the terms of an arithmetic
Progression 1 1 1 1
progression (i.e., 1, , , , ).
3 5 7 9
Question:
What is the 30th element of the arithmetic sequence
for which the first element is 5 and the third is 13?
a. 237 Given:
𝑎 = 5; 𝑎3 = 13; 𝑛 = 30
b. 125 5 + 13
𝑎2 = =9
c. 121 2
𝑑=4
d. 150 𝑎30 = 5 + 30 − 1 4
𝒂𝟑𝟎 = 𝟏𝟐𝟏
ANS: C
Question:
Find the 12th term of the series 6, 3, 2.
a. ½ 1 1 1
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: , , is an arithmetic seq.
b. ¼
6 3 2
Given:
1 1
c. 1/8 𝑎 1 =
6
; 𝑑 =
6
; 𝑛 = 12

d. 1/12
1 1
𝑎12 = + 12 − 1
6 6
12
𝑎12 = 𝑜𝑟 2
6
𝟏
Thus, the 12th term is 𝟐.

ANS: A
Question:
The 1st term of a geometric progression is 64, the
last term is -2 and the sum of the terms is 42. How
many terms are there? 42 = 64 1−𝑟 𝑛
−2 = 64𝑟 𝑛−1
a. 12
1−𝑟
2𝑟
42 − 42𝑟 = 64 − 64𝑟 𝑛 − 64 = 𝑟 𝑛
b. 10 2𝑟
42 − 42𝑟 = 64 − 64 − 64
c. 8 42 − 42𝑟 = 64 + 2𝑟
1
− 32 = − 2
1 𝑛−1

d. 6 44𝑟 = −22
1 5
−2 = −2
1 𝑛−1

1
𝑟 = −2 𝑛 − 1 = 5 𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 6

ANS: D
Problem Solving
Step 1. Identify the given and unknowns

Step 2. Translate word phrases into algebraic symbols

Step 3. Perform the operations and solve for the

unknowns

Step 4. Verify your answer.

Question:
One pipe can fill a tank in 45 minutes and another
pipe can fill it in 30 minutes. If these two pipes are
open while a 3rd pipe is drawing water from the
tank, it takes 27 minutes to fill the tank. How long
will it take the 3rd pipe alone to empty a full tank?
a. 48 min TIME RATE
b. 20 min Pipe 1 45min 1/45
1
+
1 1
− =
1
45 30 𝑥 27
c. 54 min Pipe 2 30min 1/30
𝑥 = 54 𝑚𝑖𝑛
d. 60 min Pipe 3 X min 1/x

ANS: C
Question:
A student in a chemistry laboratory wants to form a
32 ml mixture of 2 solutions to contain 30% acid.
Solution A contains 42% acid and solution B
contains18% acid. How many ml of each solution
must be used?
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 32
a. A=16; B=16 0.42𝑥 + 0.18𝑦 = 32 0.3
mL %
Soln 1 X 42%
b. A=14; B=18 0.42 32 − 𝑦 + 0.18𝑦 = 9.6 Soln 2 y 18%
c. A=10; B=22 13.44 − 0.24𝑦 = 9.6
d. A=15; B=17 𝑦 = 16
𝑥 = 16
ANS: A
Question:
Mary was four times as old as Ann four years ago
and if Mary will be twice as old as Ann four years
hence. How old is Ann?
a. 14 -4 Present +4 2 𝑥 + 4 = 4𝑥 − 8
b. 12 Mary 4(x-4) 4x-8 2𝑥 = 16
c. 10 Ann X-4 x X+4 𝑥=8
d. 8

ANS: D
Question:
The number of centimeters in the perimeter of a
certain square is equal to the number of square
centimeter in its area. Find the length of the sides of
the square.
2
a. 5 cm 4𝑠 = 𝑠
𝑠 2 − 4𝑠 = 0
b. 2 cm 𝑠 𝑠−4 =0
c. 4 cm 𝑠 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝒔 = 𝟒
d. 6 cm
ANS: C
Question:
Find two consecutive even integers such that the
square of larger is 44 greater than the square of the
smaller integer.
a. 10 & 12 Let 𝑥 and 𝑥 + 2 be the two even integers
𝑥 + 2 2 = 𝑥 2 + 44
b. 12 & 14 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 2 + 44
c. 8 & 10 4𝑥 = 40
d. 14 & 16 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎
𝒙 + 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐

ANS: A
Question:
A boat travels at the rate of 28 kph in still water. It
took the boat 2.75 hrs to travel downstream and 4.25
hrs to cover the same distance upstream. Find the
rate of the water current.
𝐷 = 𝑅𝑇
a. 5 kph 2.75 𝑥 + 28 = 4.25 28 − 𝑥
b. 6 kph 2.75𝑥 + 77 = −4.25𝑥 + 119
c. 7 kph 7𝑥 = 42
𝑥=6
d. 8 kph
ANS: B
Question:
The unit digits of a 2-digit no. exceeds the tens digit
by 3. If the digits are reversed and divided by the
original, the quotient is 2 and remainder is 2. Find
the number. 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡 = 10𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3
Reverse = 10 𝑥 + 3 + 𝑥
a. 25 10 𝑥 + 3 + 𝑥 2
=2+
b. 36 10𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3 10𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3
11𝑥 + 30 22𝑥 + 8
=
c. 14 11𝑥 + 3 11𝑥 + 3
11𝑥 + 30 = 22𝑥 + 8
d. 22 11𝑥 = 22
𝑥=2
Digit = 20 + 2 + 3 = 25 ANS: A
Complex Number:
Complex numbers are written in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖,
where 𝑎 is the real part and 𝑏𝑖 is the imaginary part.
When dealing with imaginary number always
remember that 𝑖 2 = −1.

Example: 𝑖15 = 𝑖14 𝑖 = 𝑖 2 7 𝑖 = −1 7 𝑖 = −𝑖

Question:
(3 – 2i)(4 + 2i) is equal to ________.
a. 12 – 4i
= 12 − 8𝑖 + 6𝑖 − 4𝑖 2
b. 8 – 2i
= 12 − 2𝑖 − 4 −1
c. 16 – 2i = 16 − 2𝑖
d. 8 + 2i

ANS: C