Mary is 24 years old.

Mary is twice as old as Ann was when

Mary was as old as Ann is now. How old is Ann now?

Solution: PAST PRESENT

24 − 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 12 MARY X 24

36 = 2𝑥 ANN 12 X
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟖
Robert is 15 years older than his brother Stan. However, “y” years
ago. Robert was twice as old as Stan. If Stan is now “b” years old and
b>y, find the value of (b-y)

Solution: PAST PRESENT

𝑏 + 15 − 𝑦 = 2(𝑏 − 𝑦) ROBERT b + 15 – y b + 15

𝑏 + 15 − 𝑦 = 2𝑏 − 2𝑦 STAN b–y b
2𝑏 − 𝑏 − 2𝑦 = 15
𝒃 − 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟓
JJ is three times as old as Jan Jan. Three years ago, JJ was four times
as old as Jan Jan. The sum of their ages is.

Solution:
PAST PRESENT
3𝑥 − 3 = 4 𝑥 − 3
JJ 3x – 3 3x
3𝑥 − 3 = 4𝑥 − 12
𝑥 = 9 𝑦𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑙𝑑. JAN JAN x–3 x

3x = 3(9) = 27 yrs old

Sum of ages = 9 + 27 = 36 years
At present, the sum of the parents’ ages is twice the sum of
the children’s ages. Five years ago, the sum of the parents’
ages was 4 times the sum of the children’s ages. Fifteen years
hence, the sum of the parents’ ages will be equal to the sum of
the children’s ages. How many children are there?

Solution:
PAST PRESENT FUTURE
2𝑥 − 10 = 4 𝑥 − 5𝑛
2𝑥 − 10 = 4𝑥 − 20𝑛 PARENTS 2X-10 2X 2X+30
2𝑥 = 20𝑛 − 10
𝑥 = 10𝑛 − 5
CHILDREN X – 5N X X + 15N
2𝑥 + 30 = 𝑥 + 15𝑛
𝑥 = 15𝑛 − 30

Equate (1) and (2)

15𝑛 − 30 = 10𝑛 − 5
𝒏 = 𝟓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏
A pump can pump out water from a tank in 11 hours. Another
pump can pump out water from the same tank in 20 hours.
How long will it take both pumps to pump out water in the
tank?

Solution:
Let x = time needed to complete the work

1 1 1
+ =
20 11 𝑥
𝑥 = 7.096 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
A tank is filled with an intake pipe in 2 hrs and emptied by an
outlet pipe in 4 hrs. if both pipes are opened, how long will it
take to fill the empty tank?

Solution:
Let x = time needed to complete the work

1 1 1
− =
2 4 𝑥
𝑥 = 4 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
Pedro can paint a fence 50% faster than Juan and 20% faster
than Pilar, and together they can paint a given fence in 4 hours.
How long will it take Pedro to paint the same fence if he had to
work alone?
Solution:
Let A= number of hours Pedro can paint the house
B= number of hours Juan can paint the house
C= number of hours Pilar can paint the house

1 1 1 1
+ + =
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶 4 1 1 1 1
+ 0.666 + 0.833 =
𝐴 𝐴 𝐴 4
1 1 1 1
+ 1.5 ; = 0.666 𝑨 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔
𝐴 𝐵 𝐵 𝐴
1 1 1 1
+ 1.2 ; = 0.833
𝐴 𝐶 𝐶 𝐴
Glenn can paint a house in 9 hours while Stewart can paint the
same house in 16 hours. They work together for 4 hours. After
4 hours, Stewart left and Glenn finished the job alone. How
many more hours did it take Glenn to finish the job?
Solution:
Note: (rate)(time) = 1(complete job)

1 1 1
+ 4+ 𝑥 =1
9 16 9

0.6944 + 0.111𝑥 = 1

𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔
It takes Butch twice as long as it takes Dan to do a certain piece
of work. Working together they can do the work in 6 days. How
long would it take Dan to do it alone?
Solution:
Let x= time for Butch to finish a certain job working alone
y= time for Butch to finish a certain job working alone

1 1 1 Substitute:
+ = 1 1 1
𝑥 𝑦 6 + =
2𝑦 𝑦 6
𝑥 = 2𝑦 1+2 1
=
2𝑦 6

𝒚 = 𝟗 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔
A farmer can plow the field in 8 days. After working for 3 days,
his son joins him and together they plow the field in 3 more
days. How many days will it require for the son to plow the
field alone?
Solution:
Let x= time for the farmer to flow the field
y= time for the son to flow the field

1 1 1
3 + [ + ](3) = 1
𝑥 𝑥 𝑦
Substitute x = 8

1 1 1 1
3 + + 3 =1
8 8 𝑦 3

1 1 1 1
+ + =
8 8 𝑦 3

𝑦 = 12 days
On one job, two power shovels excavate 20,000 cubic meters
of earth, the larger shovel working 40 hours and the smaller
for 35 hours. On another job, they removed 40,000 cubic
meters with the larger shovel working 70 hours and the
smaller working 90 hours. How much earth can each remove in
1 hour working alone?
Solution:
Let x= Capacity of the larger shovel
y= Capacity of the smaller shovel

40𝑥 + 35𝑦 = 20,000

𝑥 = 500 − 0.875𝑦
70𝑥 + 90𝑦 = 40,000
Substitute:
70 500 − 0.875𝑦 + 90𝑦 = 40,000
35,000 − 61.25𝑦 + 90𝑦 = 40,000
𝑦 = 173.9 𝑚3 /ℎ𝑟
𝑥 = 500 − 0.875 173.9 = 𝟑𝟒𝟕. 𝟖𝒎𝟑 /𝒉𝒓
A chemist of distillery experimented on two alcohol solutions
of different strength, 35% alcohol and 50% alcohol,
respectively. How many cubic meters of each strength must he
use in order to produce a mixture of 60 cubic meters that
contain 40% alcohol?
Solution:

35% + 50% = 40%

x 60 – x 60

0.35𝑥 + 0.50 60 − 𝑥 = 0.40 60

0.35𝑥 + 30 − 0.5𝑥 = 24

𝒙 = 𝟒𝟎𝒎𝟑

𝟔𝟎 − 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎𝒎𝟑
How much water must be evaporated from a 10kg solution
which has 4% salt to make a solution of 10% salt?

Solution:

4% − 0% = 10%
10 x 10 – x

0.4(10) + 0 𝑥 = 0.10 10 − 𝑥
0.4 = 1 − 0.1𝑥

𝒙 = 𝟔 𝒌𝒈
If a two-digit number has x for its unit’s digit and y for its ten’s
digit, represent the number.

Solution:
Let: y = tens’ digit of the number
x = units’ digit of the number

The two digit number is represented by: 10y + x

The sum of two numbers is 21 and one number is twice the
other, find the numbers.

Solution:
Let: x = the first number
2x = the second number

𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 21
𝑥=7
2𝑥 = 14

Thus, the numbers are 7 and 14.

If eight is added to the product of nine and the numerical
number, the sum is seventy-one. Find the unknown number.

Solution:
Let: x = the number

9𝑥 + 8 = 71

𝒙=𝟕
Find the fraction such that if 2 is subtracted from its terms, it
becomes ¼, but if 4 is added to its terms, it becomes ½.

Solution:
𝑥
Let: 𝑦
= the number
Substitute
𝑥−2 1 2𝑥 + 8 = 4𝑥 − 6 + 4
= 10 = 2𝑥
𝑦−2 4

𝑥=5
4𝑥 − 8 = 𝑦 − 2
𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 6
𝑦 = 4 5 − 6 = 14
𝑥+4 1
=
𝑦+4 2
𝟓
2𝑥 + 8 = 𝑦 + 4 Thus, the fraction is 𝟏𝟒
If 3 is subtracted from the numerator of a certain fraction, the
value of the fraction becomes 3/5. If 1 is subtracted from the
denominator of the same fraction, it becomes 2/3. Find the
original fraction
Solution:
𝑥
Let: = the fraction
𝑦 Substitute
5
𝑥−3 3 3𝑥 = 2 𝑥−5 −2
= 3
𝑦 5
10
3𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 15 3𝑥 = 𝑥 − 10 − 2
5 3
𝑦 = 𝑥−5 10 = 0.333𝑥
3 𝑥 = 36
5
𝑥 2 𝑦 = 36 − 5 = 55
= 3
𝑦−1 3
𝟑𝟔
3𝑥 = 2𝑦 − 2 Thus, the fraction is 𝟓𝟓
The denominator of a certain fraction is three more than twice
the numerator. If 7 is added to both terms of the fraction, the
resulting fraction is 3/5. Find the original fraction.

Solution:
Let: 𝑥 = numerator
Substitute
y = denominator

5𝑥 + 35 = 3 2𝑥 + 3 + 21)

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 5𝑥 + 35 = 6𝑥 + 9 + 21
𝑥=5
𝑥+7 3
= 𝑦 = 2 5 + 3 = 13
𝑦+7 5
Thus, the fraction is 5/13
5𝑥 + 35 = 3𝑦 + 21
Find the product of two numbers such that twice the first
added to the second equals 19 and three times the first is 21
more than the second.

Solution:
Let: 𝑥 = the first fraction
Substitute
y = the second number 3𝑥 = 19 − 2𝑥 + 21

2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 19 5𝑥 = 40

𝑦 = 19 − 2𝑥 𝑥=8

3𝑥 = 𝑦 + 21 𝑦 = 19 − 2 8 = 3

Thus, the product of the

number is 8(3) = 24
The tens’ digit of a number is 3 less than the units’ digit, if the
number is divided by the sum of the digits, the quotient is 4
and the remainder is 3. What is the original number?

Solution:
Let: 𝑡 = tens digit
Substitute
u = units digit
10t + u = the number 6 𝑢 − 3 − 3 = 3𝑢
𝑡 =𝑢−3
6𝑢 − 18 − 3 = 3𝑢
10𝑡 + 𝑢 3
= 4+ 3𝑢 = 21
𝑡+𝑢 𝑡+𝑢
𝑢=7
10𝑡 + 𝑢 − 3
=4 𝑡 =7−3=4
𝑡+𝑢
10𝑡 + 𝑢 − 3 = 4𝑡 + 4𝑢 Thus, the number = 47
6𝑡 − 3 = 3𝑢
A boat travels downstream in 2/3 of the time as it goes going
upstream. If the velocity of the river’s current is 8 kph.,
determine the velocity of the boat in still water

Solution:
Let: 𝑉 = Velocity of the boat in still water
S1 = distance travelled upstream
S2 = distance travelled downstream
𝑆1 = 𝑆2

2
𝑉−8 𝑡 = 𝑉+8 𝑡
3

2 16
𝑉−8= 𝑉+
3 3
𝑉 = 40 𝑘𝑝ℎ
Two planes leave Manila for a southern city, a distance of 900
km. Plane A travels at a ground speed of 90 kph faster than the
plane B. Plane A arrives in their destination 2 hours and 15
minutes ahead of Plane B. What is the ground speed of plane
A?
Solution:
Let: 𝑉1 = Ground speed of Plane A
Multiply both sides by V:
𝑉2 = Ground speed of Plane B
2.25𝑉 2 − 81000 + 202.5𝑣 = 0
𝑆1 = 𝑆2
2.25𝑉 2 + 202.5𝑉 − 81000 = 0
𝑉𝑡 = 𝑉 + 90 𝑇 − 2.25
𝑉𝑡 = 𝑉𝑡 − 2.25𝑉 + 90𝑡 − 202.5 Divide all by 2.25
2.25𝑉 − 90𝑡 + 202.5 = 0 𝑉 2 + 90𝑉 − 36000 = 0
900 𝑉 − 240 𝑉 + 150 = 0
But, 𝑡 = 𝑣
𝑽 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝒑𝒉
900
2.25𝑉 − 90 + 202.5 = 0
𝑉
On a certain trip, Edgar drive 231 km in exactly the same time
as Erwin drive 308 km. if Erwin’s rate exceeded that of Edgar by
13 kph, determine the rate of Erwin.

Solution:
Let: V = Rate of Erwin
V – 13 = Rate of Edgar

𝑡1 = 𝑡2
231 308
=
𝑉 − 13 𝑉
231𝑉 = 308𝑉 − 4004
𝑽 = 𝟓𝟐 𝒌𝒑𝒉
What time after 3 o’clock will the hands of the clock be
together for the first time?

Solution:

𝑥
𝑥 = 15 +
12
𝑥 = 16.36 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Thus, the time is 3:16.36’

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

Solution:
30 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
Note 120°
180°
= 20 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
𝑥
12

𝑥
𝑥= + 20
12 𝑥

𝑥 = 21.818 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

𝑻𝒉𝒖𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝟏𝟐: 𝟐𝟏. 𝟖𝟏𝟖′

At what time between 8 and 9 o’clock will the minute hand
coincide with the hour hand?

Solution:

𝑥
𝑥= + 40
12
𝑥 = 43.6 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

𝑥
𝑻𝒉𝒖𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝟖: 𝟒𝟑. 𝟔′ 12

𝑥
A man left his home at past 3:00 PM as indicated in his wall
clock, between 2 to 3 hours after, he returns home and
noticed the hand of the clock interchanged. At what time did
the man leave his home?

Solution:
𝑦
𝑥 = 30 + 𝑥 Time when he left his
12
𝑥 home
𝑦 = 15 +
12 𝑥
Substitute 12

𝑥
15 +
𝑥 = 30 + 12
12

𝑥
15 +
𝑥 = 30 + 12 12 𝑦

12
𝑥 Time when he returned
12𝑥 = 360 + 15 + home
12
𝑥 = 31.47 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
𝑦
12
Thus the time when he left home was 3:31.47’
From the time 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM of the same day, the
minute hand of a standard clock describes an arc of

Solution:
Let x = the number of minute difference

6: 15 = 6 60 + 15 = 375 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
7: 45 = 7 60 + 45 = 465 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
𝑥 = 465 − 375 = 90 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

180°
𝑥 = 90 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 = 𝟓𝟒𝟎°
30 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
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

Solution:

𝑦
𝑥=𝑘
𝑧
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 14, 𝑦 = 7 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 2, 𝑙 =?

7
14 = 𝑘
2
𝑘=4
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 16, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 4, 𝑥 =?

16
𝑥=4 = 𝟏𝟔
4
An electric power which 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 kV
line rated 100 A can transmit 150 MW over 150 km. How much
power, in MW can a 230 kV line rated 150 A transmit over 100
km?
Solution:
𝑉𝐼
𝑃=𝑘
𝑑
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑃 = 150, 𝑉 = 115, 𝐼 = 100 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 = 150, 𝑘 =?

𝑘 115 100
150 = = 1.956
150
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑉 = 230, 𝐼 = 150 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 = 100, 𝑃 =?

230(150)
𝑃 = 1.956 = 𝟔𝟕𝟓 𝒎𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔
100
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?
Solution:
Let x = price of 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 + 285
𝒙 = 𝑷 𝟒𝟐𝟎𝟎
In a certain community of 1,200 people, 60% are literate. Of
the males, 50% are literate and of the females 70% are literate.
What is the female population?

Solution:
Let x = number of men in population
y = number of female in the population

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1200
𝑥 = 1200 − 𝑦
0.5𝑥 + 0.70𝑦 = 0.6(1200)

Substitute
0.5 1200 − 𝑦 − 0.7𝑦 = 7200
600 − 0.5𝑦 + 0.7𝑦 = 720
𝒚 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝒇𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔
 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?
Solution:
Let x = number of radios sold
y = number of clocks sold
z = number of flashlight sold Substitute x=20 and y=4
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 100
50𝑥 + 30𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1000 16 + 4 + 𝑧 = 100
𝑧 = 80
50𝑥 + 30𝑦 + 𝑧 − 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1000 − 100
49𝑥 + 29𝑦 = 900 Substitute x = 20, y = 4, z = 80
50 16 + 30 4 + 80 = 1000
Assume x = 16 1000 = 1000

49 16 + 29𝑦 = 900
Thus, x = 16 radios
𝑦=4
 Gravity causes a body to fall 16.1 ft in the first second, 48.3 in
the 2nd second, 80.5 in the 3rd second. How far did the body
fall during the 10th second?

Solution:

𝑎1 = 16.1; 𝑎2 = 48.3; 𝑎3 = 80.5

𝑑 = 𝑎1 − 𝑎1 = 48.3 − 16.1 = 32.2

𝑎10 = 𝑎1 + 9𝑑

𝑎10 = 16.1 + 9 32.2 = 𝟑𝟎𝟓. 𝟗 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕

 Find the 30th term of the arithmetic progression 4, 7, 10,

Solution:

𝑎1 = 4; 𝑎2 = 7; 𝑎3 = 10

By inspection, d = 3
𝑎30 = 𝑎1 + 29𝑑

𝑎30 = 4 + 29 3 = 𝟗𝟏
 Determine the sum of the progression if there are 7 arithmetic
mean between 3 and 35

Solution:

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

By inspection, 𝑎1 = 3; 𝑎𝑛 = 35; 𝑛 = 7 + 2 = 9
𝑛
𝑆 = (𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 )
2
9
𝑆= (3 + 35) = 𝟏𝟕𝟏
2
 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?

Solution:
Total provision = 5700 66 = 376,200
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝑎1 = 5700; 𝑑 = −20
𝑛
𝑆 = 2𝑎1 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
2
𝑛 𝑛
376,200 = 2 5700 + 𝑛 − 1 −20 = 11400 − 20𝑛 + 20
2 2
376200 = 5710𝑛 − 10𝑛2
𝑛2 − 571𝑚 + 37620 = 0
𝑛 − 76 𝑛 − 495 = 0
𝒏 = 𝟕𝟔 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔
 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?
Solution:
𝑎1 = 30; 𝑎𝑠 = 90
𝑎𝑠 = 𝑎1 + 4𝑑
90 = 30 + 4𝑑
𝑑 = 15

𝑛 5
𝑆 = 2𝑎1 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 = 2 30 + 4 15
2 2
𝑆 = 300

300
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 = = 𝟔𝟎%
5
 A girl on a bicycle coasts downhill covering 4 feet the first
second, 12 feet the second 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?

Solution:
𝑎1 = 4; 𝑑 = 8; 𝑛 = 14

𝑛
𝑆= 2𝑎1 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
2
14
= 2 4 + 13 8
2
= 𝟕𝟖𝟒 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕
 Find the fourth term of the progression ½, 0.2, 0.125

Solution:
1 1 1
ℎ1 = ; 𝑎1 = 2, ℎ1 = 0.2 = ; 𝑎1 = 5, ℎ1 = 0.125 = ; 𝑎1 = 8
2 5 8
𝐵𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑑 = 3
𝑎4 = 𝑎1 + 3𝑑
𝑎4 = 2 + 3 3 = 11

1 𝟏
𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠, ℎ4 = =
𝑎4 𝟏𝟏
 The sum of the first 10 terms of a geometric progression 2, 4,
8, … is
Solution:

𝑎1 = 2, 𝑎2 = 4 , 𝑎3 = 8, 𝑛 = 10

𝐵𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑟 = 2

𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛 − 1 2 210 − 1
𝑆= = = 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟔
𝑟−1 2−1
 In a benefit show, a number of wealthy men agreed that the
first one to arrive would pay 10 centavos to enter and each
later arrive would pay twice as much as the preceding man.
The total cost amount collected from all of them was P
104,857.50. How many wealthy men paid?
Solution:
𝑎1 = 0.1, 𝑟 = 2
𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠:
𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛 − 1 ln 2𝑛 = ln 1048576
𝑆=
𝑟−1
𝑛 ln 2 = ln 1048576
0.1 2𝑛 − 1
104,857.5 =
2−1 𝑙𝑛1048576
𝑛= = 𝟐𝟎 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆𝒏
ln 2
2𝑛 = 1 = 1048575

2𝑛 = 1048586
 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 costs P 4 per letter?
Solution:

𝑎1 = 0.1, 𝑟 = 10, 𝑛 = 6

𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛 − 1 10 106 − 1
𝑆= = = 1,111,110
𝑟−1 10 − 1

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 4 1,111,110 = 𝑷 𝟒, 𝟒𝟒𝟒, 𝟒𝟒𝟎

 Determine the sum of the infinite series: S – 1/3 + 1/9 + 1/27 +
… + (1/3)n
Solution:

1 1 1
𝑎1 = , 𝑎2 = , 𝑎3 =
3 9 27

1
𝑏𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑟 =
3

1
𝑎1 𝟏 3
𝑆= = =
1−𝑟 1−1 𝟐
3
 What is the fraction in lowest term equivalent to
0.133133133?
Solution:
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

0.000133 1
𝑟= =
0.133 1000

𝑎1 0.133 0.133 𝟏𝟑𝟑

𝑆= = = =
1−𝑟 1− 1 999 𝟗𝟗𝟗
1000 1000
 Find the sum of the infinite geometric progression 6, -2, 2/3

Solution:

𝑎1 = 6; 𝑎2 = −2

𝑎2 2 1
𝑟= =− =−
𝑎1 6 3

𝑎1 6 𝟗
𝑆= = =
1 − 𝑟 1 − −1 𝟐
3
 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
Solution:
Total spheres = 10+6+3+1 = 20 spheres

Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4

 Find the 1987th digit in the decimal equivalent to 1785/999
starting from the decimal point.

Solution:
1785
= 0.178517851 … This is a repeating digit decimal number
9999

1987
= 496.75; 496 4 = 1984
4

Thus: 1984th digit = 5

1985th digit = 1
1986th digit = 7
1987th digit = 8