MSTE REFRESHER EXAM 9

1. Michael and Angelo started working for different firms at the same salary. Last year Michael
had a raise of 10%, and Angelo had a drop in pay of 10%. This year Michael had the 10%.
drop and Angelo the 10% raise. Who is making more now?
a) Michael
b) Angelo
c) Both salaries are the same
d) Cannot be determined.

Solution:
Let:
x – initial salary of both individual

Final Salary of Michael:

= x + 0.10x ------------------------------------ raise of 10%
= 1.10x
= 1.10x – 0.10(1.10x) --------------------------10% drop
= 0.99x----------------------------final salary of Michael
Final Salary of Angelo:
= x – 0.10x --------------------------- drop in pay of 10%
= 0.90x
= 0.90x + 0.10(0.90x) --------------------------10% raise
= 0.99x ---------------------------- final salary of Angelo

Therefore both salaries are the same after their respective changes.

2. A store owner orders 19 large and 3 small packets of candies. When the candies arrived at
his shop, he finds the packets broken open with all the candies loose in the container. If the
total number of candies is 224, how many candies are in each large packet, initially?
a) 2
b) 5
c) 8
d) 11
Solution:
Let:
x - number of candies in each large packets
 y – number of candies in each small packets

According to the problem, the total number of candies is 224, therefore

19x + 3y = 224 ------------------------------------- eqn. 1

Equation 1 is an example of a Diophantine Equation, a polynomial equation of

two or more unknowns with integer coefficients, such that the only solution of
interest are the integer ones.

To solve this problem, we must perform trial and error. Using the choices as x,
solve for their corresponding y values.

From equation 1,
y = (224 – 19x)/3
Substituting each choices:

x 2 5 8 11
y 62 43 24 5

Note that the number of candies in the large packets should be greater than that
in the small packets so x > y.

Therefore the only possible answer is 11.

3. The maximum value of the given trigonometric function is?

𝜋
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 sin ( 𝑥 + 4) + 3
2
a) 5
b) -1
c) 1
d) 4
 Solution:
For the function to be maximum, sin (πx/2 + 4) should be equal to 1. (The maximum
value of a sin(x) is 1). Therefore the maximum value is,
Max. Value = 2 (1) + 3
Max Value = 5

4. A pole 5 m tall stands vertically on a sloping ground. A cable 7 m long holds the pole from its
top up to a point on the roof 6 m up from the bottom of the pole. Determine the angle of
inclination of the ground with respect to the horizontal.
a) 78.46°
b) 23.13°
c) 11.54°
d) 66.87°

Solution:

Solving for β using cosine law:

7² = 5² + 6² - 2(5)(6)cos(β)
β = 78.46°

Solving for α:
α = 90° – 78.46°
α = 11.54°

5. An acute angle is formed by two lines of slope 1 and 7. What is the slope of the line which
bisects this angle?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 3
d) 5
Solution:

From the figure:

α = θ2 – θ1
α = tan-1(7) – tan-1(1)
α = 36.87°

α/2 = 18.43°

Blue Line – angle bisector

Let ‘m’ be the slope of the blue line

α/2 = θ1 – θ3
18.43° = tan-1(7) – tan-1(m)
 m=2

6. Find the length of a common tangent to two externally tangent circles with radii 9 and 4.
a) 11
b) 12
c) 13
d) 14

Solution:

Solving for x:
x² + (5)² = (13)²
x = 12

7. If a solid sphere has a radius ‘a’, then the total surface area of a hemisphere is _____.
a) πa2
b) 2πa2
c) 3πa2
d) 4πa2
 Solution:
Hemisphere – half of a sphere

Total SA of a solid hemisphere = Area of Green + Area of Yellow

Area of Green = Half the surface area of a sphere
Area of Yellow = area of a circle with radius ‘a’

Total SA of a solid hemisphere = (1/2)(4πa²) + πa²

Total SA of a solid hemisphere = 3πa²

8. A gateway arch is a parabola that is 630 ft high and 630 ft wide. How high is the arch 250
from its foundation?
a) 376 ft
b) 546 ft
c) 523 ft
d) 343 ft

Solution:
ERRONEOUS! The only way to get an answer in the choices is by changing 250 to 200.
 Using your calculator (Mode – 3 – 3):

X Y
-315 0
0 630
315 0

Solving for y:
Apps -> Regression -> ŷ
y = 115ŷ = 546 ft

9. A stone dropped into a still pond causes a circular wave. Assume the radius of the wave
expands at a constant rate of 2 ft/s. How fast does the area expand when the radius is 3 ft?
a) 33.20 ft2/s
b) 37.70 ft2/s
c) 23.30 ft2/s
d) 73.12 ft2/s

Solution:
Let:
r – radius of the circular wave
A – area of the circular wave

Given:
dr/dt = +2 ft/s ---------------------- positive means increasing/expanding

Find:
dA/dt when r = 3 ft?
 A = πr² ----------------------------------------------- area of a circular wave
Differentiating w/ respect to time:

(dA/dt) = 2πr (dr/dt)

Substituting the given values:

dA/dt = 2π(3 ft)(2 ft/s)

dA/dt = 12π or 37.79 ft²/s

10. A study of crayfish indicates that the carapace length C is related to the total length T
according to the formula C = 0.493T – 0.913, where C and T are measured in millimeters. As
the crayfish grows, does the ratio R of the carapace length to the total length increase or
decrease?
a) The ratio R increases.
b) The ratio R decreases.
c) The ratio R stays the same
d) Cannot say.

Solution:
Given:
C = 0.493T – 0.913
R = C/T
dT/dt is positive since the crayfish grows

Find:
dR/dt = ?

C = 0.493T – 0.913
C/T = 0.493 – 0.913/T ----------------------------- Divide equation by T
R = 0.493 – 0.913/T
dR/dt = (-0.913)(-1)(T)-1 – 1(dT/dt) ---------------- Differentiating w/ respect to time t
dR/dt = 0.913T-2(dT/dt)

Since dT/dt is positive, then dR/dt is also positive. Therefore the ratio R increases.
11. Determine the point in the graph of f(x) = 3x3 + x2 – x + 6 where the graph changes in
concavity.
a) (0.61, -0.12)
b) (0.61, 0.12)
c) (0.11, -6.12)
d) (-0.11, 6.12)

Solution:
The point where the graph changes concavity is also known as the point of
inflection.

At the point of inflection, y’’ = 0.

y = 3x³ + x² - x + 6
y’ = 9x² + 2x – 1
y’’ = 18x + 2

Equating y’’ to zero:

0 = 18x + 2
x = -0.11

Substituting x = -0.11 to the original equation:

y =3(-0.11)³ + (-0.11)² - (-0.11) + 6

y = 6.12

Therefore the point of inflection is (-0.11, 6.12).

12. Three gun shooters simultaneously shoot at and hit a rapidly spinning spherical target. What
is the probability that the three points of impact are on the same hemisphere?
a) ½
b) 1
c) ¾
d) ¼

Solution:
Note that a great circle can pass to any two points on the surface of a sphere. A great
circle is a circle that divides a sphere in to two equal parts known as hemispheres.
 For example, if we have points A and B, then we can draw a great circle that passes
through both of the points.

The great circle that passes through points A and B divides the sphere into two
hemispheres (yellow and green).

Since points A and B lie on the great circle, we can say that they belong to either
hemisphere. A third point can lie on either hemisphere, and on both cases all three
points are on the same hemisphere.

Therefore the probability that three points are on the same hemisphere is 100% or 1.

13. Two 6-sided dice are tossed simultaneously. If the dice are fair, what is the probability that
the sum of the two numbers on the dice is divisible by 4?
a) ¼
b) 1/3
c) ¾
d) ½

Solution:
The total number of outcomes in tossing two dice is 6x6 = 36.

Out of the 36 outcomes, the minimum sum is 2 (when you get (1,1)) and the
maximum sum is 12 (when you get (6,6)).

The possible sums that is divisible by 4 are a sum of 4, 8 and 12.

 Listing all the pairs:
Sum of 4 = { (1,3) , (3,1) , (2,2)}
Sum of 8 = { (2,6) , (6,2) , (3,5) , (5,3) , (4,4)}
Sum of 12 = { (6,6) }

Therefore:
P(sum divisible by 4) = (3 + 5 + 1)/36
P(sum divisible by 4) = 9/36 or 1/4

14. A toy store owner wants to find the break-even point in units. The fixed cost total is ₱6000.00
and the variable cost per unit is ₱25.00. Determine the break-even.
a) 210
b) 260
c) 220
d) 240

Solution:
Break-even point based on units is the number of units to be sold so that the
total cost is equal to the total revenue. It is the point where there is neither profit
nor loss.

Let:
x – number of units to be sold to break-even

Total Cost = 6000 + 25x

The problem is that the price of each unit is not given. Therefore the problem is
ERRONEOUS! A somewhat similar problem from May 2022 CE Board Exam.

Let:
P – price of each unit

Total Revenue = Px

To break-even:
Total Cost = Total Revenue
6000 + 25x = Px

Making an equation of P in terms of x:

 P = (6000/x) + 25 -------------------------------- equation 1

We will perform trial and error. Using the choices as values of x, solve for their
corresponding P using equation 1.

x P
210 53.57
260 48.08
220 52.27
240 50.00

Out of the computed P, 50.00 is the only one that is a whole number. Most likely
the price of each units is ₱50.00 and the break-even point is 240 units.

15. The maintenance of an engine is expected to be $160 at the end of the first year and it is
expected to increase $40 each year for the following years. What is the sum of money should
be set aside now to pay the maintenance for the eight-year period?
Assume MARR to 6%
Capital Recovery factor (A/P, 6%, 8) = 0.1610
Uniform gradient series factor (P/G, 6%, 8) = 19.845
a) $1787.37
b) $1877.73
c) $1586.44
d) $1658.97
Solution:
Cash Flow Diagram:

+
=
 Solving for Uniform Series Present Worth Factor (P/A , 6% , 8):
Present Worth Factor = 1/Capital Recovery Factor
(P/A, 6%, 8) = 1/0.1610
(P/A, 6%, 8) = 6.2112

From the dash flow diagram:

P = P1 + P2
P = (160)(P/A, 6%, 8) + (40)(P/G, 6%, 8)
P = (160)(6.2112) + (40)(19.845)
P = $1787.37

16. A truck for hauling coal has an estimated net cost of $55,000 and is expected to provide
service for 250,000 miles, resulting in a $5,000 salvage value. Compute the allowed
depreciation amount for truck usage of 30,000 miles.
a) $6,600
b) $3,000
c) $6,000
d) $4,400

Solution:
Solving for depreciation per mile of usage:
= ($55,000 – $5,000)/(250,000 miles)
= $0.20 per mile

Solving for depreciation for usage of 30,000 miles:

= ($0.20/mile)(30,000 miles)
= $6,000

17. A distance of 200 m can be taped with an error of ±0.04 m if a certain technique is employed.
Determine the error in taping 5 km using the same technique.
a) ±0.20 m
b) ±2.83 m
c) ±1.00 m
d) ±0.50 m
 Solution:
The total error in a series of observation is directly proportional to the square
root of the number of observation:
ESeries = ±E√(n)
Where:
E – error in one observation
n – total number of observation

Using the formula:

ESeries = ±E√(n)
ESeries = ±0.04√(5000/200)
ESeries = ±0.20 m
18. The absolute nearness of observed quantity to their true values.
Discrepancy
Accuracy
Precision
Mistakes

Explanation:
19. The shallow-water wavelength is 30 m and the deep-water wavelength is 66.7 m. Determine
the depth of the shallow water. Hint: Assume equal period (T)
a) 1.50
b) 2.31
c) 1.76
d) 2.87

Solution:
Given:
LS = 30 m
LD = 66.7 m

Formula for Wave length of a Shallow Water Wave:

LS = (gT/2π) tanh (2πd/LS)
30 = (gT/2π) tanh (2πd/30) ---------------------------- equation 1
Formula for Wave length of a Deep Water Wave:
LD = gT/2π
66.7 = gT/2π ----------------------------------------------- equation 2

Substituting equation 2 to equation 1:

30 = (66.7) tanh (2πd/30)
d = 2.31 m
20. In the design of port and harbor facilities, seismic effects must be taken into consideration. If
A – dead weight
B – surcharge
C – design seismic coefficient
Find the seismic force using seismic coefficient method.
a) (A + (B/2))C
b) ((A/2) + B)C
c) (A + B)(C/2)
d) (A + 2B)(C)

21. Vehicles arrived at the entrance of a bridge at a rate of 150 vehicles per hour. Vehicles must
stop at the tollgate where vehicles will have to pay a toll fee upon entering the bridge. It
would take 12 sec. per vehicle for the attendant to issue a trip ticket. Compute the traffic
intensity at the bridge.
a) 0.75
b) 1.33
c) 0.50
d) 2.00

Solution:
Arrival rate (λ) = 150 veh/hr
Service rate or Departure rate (μ) = (1 veh/12 sec) (3600 sec/hr) = 300 veh/hr

Solving for traffic intensity (rho):

Rho = λ/μ
Rho = (150 veh/hr) / (300 veh/hr)
Rho = 0.50
22. A 5.00 kg box is pushed from the top of an incline and travels down the incline with an initial
speed of 10.0 m/s. The incline is 5.00 m long, and the angle of the incline is 30°. The
coefficient of friction between the box and the incline is 0.20. Determine the loss of potential
energy.
a) -132 J
b) – 123 J
c) -373 J
d) -250 J

Solution:

Potential Energy is a function of the box’s height w/ respect to a datum line. The formula
for potential energy is:
U = mgh
Where:
m – mass of object
g – acceleration due to gravity
h – height w/ respect to a datum line

Solving for change in Potential Energy:

∆U = U2 – U1
∆U = mgh2 – mgh1
 ∆U = (5kg)(9.81 m/s²)(0) – (5kg)(9.81 m/s²)(5sin(30°))
∆U = -123 Joules

23. Since speed of sound depends on the density of the material, and density depends on the
temperature, there is a relationship between the temperature of a given medium and the
speed of sound (v) in the medium. Calculate the wavelength of sound at the lowest extreme
of the audible range, 20 Hz, in 30.0 °C.
𝑇𝐾 𝑣
Hint: 𝑣 = 331√ and 𝜆 =
273 𝐾 𝑓
a) 17.44 m
b) 15.33 m
c) 16.22 m
d) 18.37 m

Solution:
Convert 30°C to Kelvin:
= 30°C + 273
= 303 K

Solving for v:
v = 331√(303/273)
v = 348.71 m/s

Solving for wavelength (λ):

λ = v/f = (347.71 m/s) / (20 Hz) = 17.44 m
24. The following materials are used in a compacted paving mixture.

Materials S.G. Bulk S.G. % by weight

Coarse Aggregate - 2.689 47.4

Fine Aggregate - 2.716 47.3

Asphalt Cement 1.03 - 5.3

Max specific gravity of paving mixture = 2.535

Bulk specific gravity of compacted mixture = 2.442
Compute the effective specific gravity of aggregate.
𝑃𝑀𝑀 −𝑃𝐵
Hint: 𝐺𝑆𝐸 = 𝑃𝑀𝑀 𝑃𝐵
−
𝐺𝑀𝑀 𝐺𝐵

a) 2.761
b) 2.702
c) 2.592
d) 2.631

Solution:
Note:
PMM – total loose mixture (PMM = 100%)
PB – percent of asphalt by total weight of mixture (PB = 5.30%)
GMM – maximum specific gravity of paving mixture (GMM = 2.535)
GB – specific gravity of asphalt ( GB = 1.03)

Using the formula:

GSE= (100 – 5.30) / [ (100/2.535) – (5.30/1.03) ]
GSE= 2.761
25. Small reflective panels or buttons mounted on guideposts or guard fence as an effective aid
to delineate the roadway for driving at night.
a) Reflectors
b) Illuminators
c) Barriers
d) Delineators