Week 3

PART 1:
ALGEBRA

1
Outline
• Radicals and Rational Exponents
• Equations in One Variable
• Word Problems
• Inequalities
Word Problems
• Number Problems
• Geometric Problems
• Money and Coin Problems
• Age Problems
• Mixture Problems
• Work Problems
Number Problems
• Number problems involve real numbers, usually
integers, and their relationship with each other.
• Make sure to read, understand, and represent the
relationship of the numbers correctly.
• When dealing with number problems in one
variable, assign a variable to one of the numbers.
Express the other numbers in terms of the
variable assigned to one of the numbers.
Number Problems
• The larger of two numbers is four more than the
smaller and their sum is 20. Find the numbers.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the smaller number and 𝑥 + 4
be the larger number.

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 = 20
2𝑥 + 4 = 20
2𝑥 = 20 − 4
2𝑥 = 16
Number Problems
• The larger of two numbers is four more than the
smaller and their sum is 20. Find the numbers.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the smaller number and 𝑥 + 4
be the larger number.

2𝑥 16
=
2 2
𝑥 = 8 (smaller number)
𝑥 + 4 = 8 + 4 = 12 (larger number)
Number Problems
• Find three consecutive integers whose sum is
126.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the first integer, 𝑥 + 1 be the
second integer, and 𝑥 + 2 be the third integer.

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + (𝑥 + 2) = 126
3𝑥 + 3 = 126
3𝑥 = 126 − 3
3𝑥 = 126 − 3
3𝑥 123
=
3 3
Number Problems
• Find three consecutive integers whose sum is
126.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the first integer, 𝑥 + 1 be the
second integer, and 𝑥 + 2 be the third integer.

𝑥 = 41 (first integer)
𝑥 + 1 = 41 + 1 = 42 (second integer)
𝑥 + 2 = 41 + 2 = 43 (third integer)
Number Problems
• Find a number whose square exceeds 14 times
the number by 51.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the number.

𝑥 2 = 14𝑥 + 51
𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 − 51 = 0
𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 17 = 0
𝑥 = −3, 𝑥 = 17
Number Problems
• The denominator of a fraction is 1 more than the
5
numerator. When is added to the fraction, the numerator
6
and denominator are interchanged. Find the original
fraction.
𝑥
• Solution: Let be the fraction
𝑥+1
𝑥 5 𝑥+1
+ =
𝑥+1 6 𝑥
6𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 1 𝑥+1
=
6 𝑥+1 𝑥
6𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 1
=
6 𝑥+1 𝑥
Number Problems
• The denominator of a fraction is 1 more than the
5
numerator. When is added to the fraction, the numerator
6
and denominator are interchanged. Find the original
fraction.
𝑥
• Solution: Let be the fraction
𝑥+1
11𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 1
=
6 𝑥+1 𝑥
𝑥 11𝑥 + 5 = 6 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1
11𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 6
11𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 6 = 0
5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 6 = 0
Number Problems
• The denominator of a fraction is 1 more than the
5
numerator. When is added to the fraction, the numerator
6
and denominator are interchanged. Find the original
fraction.
𝑥
• Solution: Let be the fraction
𝑥+1

𝑎 = 5,
𝑏 = −7, 𝑐 = −6
−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
− −7 ± −7 2 − 4 5 −6
𝑥=
2 5
Number Problems
• The denominator of a fraction is 1 more than the
5
numerator. When is added to the fraction, the numerator
6
and denominator are interchanged. Find the original
fraction.
𝑥
• Solution: Let be the fraction
𝑥+1

7 ± 49 + 120 7 ± 169 7 ± 13
𝑥= = =
10 10 10
7 + 13 7 − 13
𝑥= , 𝑥=
10 10
3
𝑥 = 2, 𝑥=−
5
Number Problems
• The denominator of a fraction is 1 more than the
5
numerator. When is added to the fraction, the numerator
6
and denominator are interchanged. Find the original
fraction.
𝑥
• Solution: Let be the fraction
𝑥+1

𝑥 2 2
If 𝑥 = 2, the fraction is = = ; and
𝑥+1 2+1 3
3
3 𝑥 − 3
5
If 𝑥 = − , the fraction is = 3 =−
5 𝑥+1 −5+1 2
Geometric Problems
• Geometric problems involve formulas from
geometry.
• Common formulas involved are for perimeter,
area, surface area, and volume but are not
limited to these.
• Again, the trick is to express the unknowns in
terms of one variable.
Geometric Problems
• The third side of a triangle is 4 𝑐𝑚 longer than the shortest
side and 2 𝑐𝑚 smaller than the longest side. If the
perimeter of the triangle is 31 𝑐𝑚, what is the length of
each side?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the shortest side of the triangle, 𝑥 + 4 be
the third side, and 𝑥 + 4 + 2 be the longest side.
𝑃𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 𝑠1 + 𝑠2 + 𝑠3
31 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑥 + 4 + 2
31 = 3𝑥 + 10
31 − 10 = 3𝑥
21 = 3𝑥
21 3𝑥
=
3 3
Geometric Problems
• The third side of a triangle is 4 𝑐𝑚 longer than the shortest
side and 2 𝑐𝑚 smaller than the longest side. If the
perimeter of the triangle is 31 𝑐𝑚, what is the length of
each side?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the shortest side of the triangle, 𝑥 + 4 be
the third side, and 𝑥 + 4 + 2 be the longest side.

𝑥 = 7 cm (shortest side)
𝑥 + 4 = 7 + 4 = 11 cm (third side)
𝑥 + 4 + 2 = 7 + 4 + 2 = 13 cm (longest side)
Geometric Problems
• The length of a rectangle is 2 less than twice its width and
its perimeter is 32 𝑐𝑚. What are the dimensions of the
rectangle?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the width of the rectangle and 2𝑥 − 2 be
the length.

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 2𝑙 + 2𝑤
32 = 2 2𝑥 − 2 + 2 𝑥
32 = 4𝑥 − 4 + 2𝑥
32 = 6𝑥 − 4
32 + 4 = 36 = 6𝑥
36 6𝑥
=
6 6
Geometric Problems
• The length of a rectangle is 2 less than twice its width and
its perimeter is 32 𝑐𝑚. What are the dimensions of the
rectangle?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the width of the rectangle and 2𝑥 − 2 be
the length.

𝑥 = 6 cm (width)
2𝑥 − 2 = 2 6 − 2 = 10 cm (length)
Money and Coin Problems
• Money and coin problems involve denominations
and how many of each you have.
• For Philippine money, the names of the
denominations are their values themselves.
• For American denomination (US Dollar), their
coins are called the following:
• Penny = 1 cent
• Nickel = 5 cents
• Dime = 10 cents
• Quarter = 25 cents
• Half = 50 cents
Money and Coin Problems
• A donation box has 5-peso coins and 1-peso coins. When it
was emptied, there were 55 coins and a total of
𝑃ℎ𝑝 155.00. How many 5-peso and 1-peso coins were
there?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the number of 5-peso coins and 55 − 𝑥
be the number of 1-peso coins in the donation box.
5 𝑥 + 1 55 − 𝑥 = 155
5𝑥 + 55 − 𝑥 = 155
4𝑥 + 55 = 155
4𝑥 = 155 − 55 = 100
4𝑥 100
=
4 4
Money and Coin Problems
• A donation box has 5-peso coins and 1-peso coins. When it
was emptied, there were 55 coins and a total of
𝑃ℎ𝑝 155.00. How many 5-peso and 1-peso coins were
there?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the number of 5-peso coins and 55 − 𝑥
be the number of 1-peso coins in the donation box.

𝑥 = 25 (number of 5-peso coins)

55 − 𝑥 = 55 − 25 = 30 (number of 1-peso coins)
Money and Coin Problems
• A piggy bank contains 20 coins in 25-cents and 1-peso
coins. The total value of the coins is 𝑃ℎ𝑝 8.75. How many
of each kind are present?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the number of 25-cent coins in the piggy
bank and 20 − 𝑥 be the number of 1-peso coins.

0.25 𝑥 + 1 20 − 𝑥 = 8.75
0.25𝑥 + 20 − 𝑥 = 8.75
−0.75𝑥 = 8.75 − 20 = −11.25
−0.75𝑥 −11.25
=
−0.75 −0.75
Money and Coin Problems
• A piggy bank contains 20 coins in 25-cents and 1-peso
coins. The total value of the coins is 𝑃ℎ𝑝 8.75. How many
of each kind are present?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the number of 25-cent coins in the piggy
bank and 20 − 𝑥 be the number of 1-peso coins.

𝑥 = 15 (number of 25-cents coins)

20 − 𝑥 = 20 − 15 = 5 (number of 1-peso coins)
Age Problems
• For Age Problems, the trick is to assign a variable
to the present age of one of the given. Then
tabulate what is known about the ages at each
period of time.
• You can simply refer to the time periods as past,
present and future to simplify most problems.
Age Problems
• Four years ago, Mike is three times the age of his son Carl.
In ten years, he will be twice his age. How old are they
now?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the present age of Carl.

Past Present Future

Mike 3(𝑥 − 4) 3 𝑥−4 +4 3 𝑥 − 4 + 4 + 10
Carl 𝑥−4 𝑥 𝑥 + 10
Age Problems
• Four years ago, Mike is three times the age of his son Carl.
In ten years, he will be twice his age. How old are they
now?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the present age of Carl.

3 𝑥 − 4 + 4 + 10 = 2(𝑥 + 10) (Future: in 10 years)

3𝑥 − 12 + 4 + 10 = 2𝑥 + 20
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 20 + 12 − 4 − 10
𝑥 = 18 (Carl’s present age)
3 𝑥 − 4 + 4 = 3 18 − 4 + 4 = 46 (Mike’s present age)
Age Problems
• The sum of the ages of Harry, Ron, and Hermione is 39.
Three years from now, Ron will be twice as old as Harry. If
Hermione was thrice as old as Harry three years ago, how
old are they?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the present age of Harry

Past Present Future

Harry 𝑥−3 𝑥 𝑥+3
Ron 2 𝑥+3 −3 2(𝑥 + 3)
Hermione 3(𝑥 − 3) 3 𝑥−3 +3
Age Problems
• The sum of the ages of Harry, Ron, and Hermione is 39.
Three years from now, Ron will be twice as old as Harry. If
Hermione was thrice as old as Harry three years ago, how
old are they?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the present age of Harry

𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 3 − 3 + 3 𝑥 − 3 + 3 = 39
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 6 − 3 + 3𝑥 − 9 + 3 = 39
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3 + 3𝑥 − 6 = 39
6𝑥 = 39 − 3 + 6 = 42
6𝑥 42
=
6 6
Age Problems
• The sum of the ages of Harry, Ron, and Hermione is 39.
Three years from now, Ron will be twice as old as Harry. If
Hermione was thrice as old as Harry three years ago, how
old are they?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the present age of Harry

𝑥=7 (Harry’s present age)

2 𝑥 + 3 − 3 = 2 7 + 3 − 3 = 17 (Ron’s present age)
3 𝑥 − 3 + 3 = 3 7 − 3 + 3 = 15 (Hermione’s present age)
Mixture Problems
• The easiest way to solve a mixture problem is to
draw a box to illustrate the content of the mixture
and then relate the contents of the mixture to the
other given.
Mixture Problems
• How many pounds of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120 per pound
may be mixed with 10 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240
per pound to produce a mixture that can be sold for 𝑃ℎ𝑝 180 per
pound if the price is dependent on the original chocolates used
without profit?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120/𝑙𝑏 chocolate to be
mixed with the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240/𝑙𝑏 chocolate

𝑃ℎ𝑝 120/𝑙𝑏 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240/𝑙𝑏 𝑃ℎ𝑝 180/𝑙𝑏

+ =
𝑥 𝑙𝑏 10 𝑙𝑏 𝑥 + 10 𝑙𝑏
Mixture Problems
• How many pounds of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120 per pound
may be mixed with 10 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240
per pound to produce a mixture that can be sold for 𝑃ℎ𝑝 180 per
pound if the price is dependent on the original chocolates used?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120/𝑙𝑏 chocolate to be
mixed with the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240/𝑙𝑏 chocolate

120 𝑥 + 240 10 = 180 𝑥 + 10

120𝑥 + 2400 = 180𝑥 + 1800
120𝑥 − 180𝑥 = 1800 − 2400
−60𝑥 −600
=
−60 −60
𝑥 = 10 𝑙𝑏
Mixture Problems
• Determine how many liters of 45% iodine solution and how many
liters of 20% iodine solution should be mixed so that 60 liters of
30% iodine solution is obtained.
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the volume of the 45% iodine solution needed
and 60 − 𝑥 be the volume of the 20% iodine solution needed.

20%
45% 30%
+ (60 − 𝑥) =
𝑥 liters 60 liters
liters
Mixture Problems
• How many pounds of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120 per pound
may be mixed with 10 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 of chocolates that cost 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240
per pound to produce a mixture that can be sold for 𝑃ℎ𝑝 180 per
pound if the price is dependent on the original chocolates used?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 120/𝑙𝑏 chocolate to be
mixed with the 𝑃ℎ𝑝 240/𝑙𝑏 chocolate

0.45 𝑥 + 0.20 60 − 𝑥 = 0.30 60

0.45𝑥 + 12 − 0.20𝑥 = 18
0.25𝑥 = 18 − 12
0.25𝑥 6
=
0.25 0.25
𝑥 = 24 liters (volume of 45% iodine solution)
60 − 𝑥 = 60 − 24 = 36 liters (volume of 20% iodine solution)
Work Problems
• The formula for work problems is 𝑊 = 𝑟𝑡.
• 𝑊 is the work done;
• 𝑟 is the rate of doing the work; and
• 𝑡 is the time to finish the work.
• Suppose that a person can do a certain work in 4 days.
This means that the said person can finish 1/4 of the
work in one day. The rate of work is 1/4 of the work
per day.
• When there is a specific work, specific time, and
specific number of people working, the rate of doing
the work can be expressed in terms of man-hour.
Work Problems
• Josh can do the household chores in 2 hours while Fred can do it
in 3 hours. If they work together, how long will it take them to
finish the household chores?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the time it will take them working together to
finish the household chores.
1 1
• is the rate of Fred while 3 is the rate of Josh.
2

1 1
𝑥+ 𝑥=1
2 3
3𝑥 + 2𝑥
=1
6
5𝑥
=1
6
Work Problems
• Josh can do the household chores in 2 hours while Fred can do it
in 3 hours. If they work together, how long will it take them to
finish the household chores?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the time it will take them working together to
finish the household chores.
1 1
• is the rate of Fred while 3 is the rate of Josh.
2

6 5𝑥 6
= 1
5 6 5
6
𝑥 = = 1.2 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
5
Work Problems
• One pipe can fill a tank in 55 minutes and another pipe can fill it in
60 minutes. If these two pipes are open and a third pipe is
draining water from the tank, it takes 70 minutes to fill the tank.
How long will it take the third pipe to empty a full tank alone?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of time the third pipe needs to
empty the full tank alone.

1 1 1
70 + 70 − 70 = 1
55 60 𝑥
70 70 70
+ − =1
55 60 𝑥
70 70 70
+ −1=
55 60 𝑥
Work Problems
• One pipe can fill a tank in 55 minutes and another pipe can fill it in
60 minutes. If these two pipes are open and a third pipe is
draining water from the tank, it takes 70 minutes to fill the tank.
How long will it take the third pipe to empty a full tank alone?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of time the third pipe needs to
empty the full tank alone.

14 7 70
+ −1=
11 6 𝑥
84 + 77 − 66 95 70
= =
66 66 𝑥
95𝑥 = 70 66 = 4620
Work Problems
• One pipe can fill a tank in 55 minutes and another pipe can fill it in
60 minutes. If these two pipes are open and a third pipe is
draining water from the tank, it takes 70 minutes to fill the tank.
How long will it take the third pipe to empty a full tank alone?
• Solution: Let 𝑥 be the amount of time the third pipe needs to
empty the full tank alone.

95𝑥 4620
=
95 95
924 12
𝑥= minutes = 48 + minutes
19 19
Any
questions?