LECTURE 1 : ALGEBRA 01

I.

QUADRATIC EQUATION :
1.

ME Board Problem
Find the value of x in the equation 6x2 + 11x + 3 = 0?
A. -1/3, 3/2
C. 1/3, 3/2
B. -1/3, -3/2
D. 3/2, -1/3

Solution:

b b24 ac
2a

x=

Solution:
In order for x + 4 to be a factor of x3 + 2x2 7x + k the remainder
must be zero.
R = (-4)3 + 2(-4)2 7(-4) + k = 0

= -1/3 & -3/2

III. BINOMIAL THEOREM:

Alternate2:
RE, substitution using CALC
Enter equation: 6x2 + 11x + 3
Press CALC X?
Enter the item from the choices, example -1/3
Press =
0
(solution)

6. ME Board Problem:
Find the term involving x9 in the expansion of (x2 + 1/x)12.
Solution:

ME Board Problem
Find the value of k of the equation x 2 + kx + 4 = 0 so that
the roots are equal.
A. 2
C. 6
B. 4
D. 8

k k 4( 1)( 4)
x=
2(1)
2

12C e

(x2)12-e (x-1)e

12C e

x24-2e x-e

12C e

x24-3e where 24 3e must be 9

12C5 x9 = 792x9

7. ME Board Problem
Find the 7th term of the expansion (2x y)11.

Equate discriminant to zero

2

, so k = 4 or -4

Alternate: MODE EQN 3(QUAD)

Enter data
1
2(letter A)
Press =

1+ 3 i

Press =

1 3i

Solution:
11C6 (2x)5(-y)6

(the exponent of the last term is one

less than its position)

8. ME Board Problem
Find the sum of the coefficients of the expansion of (2x + y
z)8.

(roots are not equal; its not A)

Solution:
(2 + 1 1)8 = 256

IV. LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS :

Repeat the same step for Letter B, C, or D.

ME Board Problem
The roots of the quadratic equation are 2 and 3, what is
the quadratic equation?
A. x2 + 5x + 6 = 0
C. x2 + 5x - 6 = 0
B. x2 - 5x + 6 = 0
D. x2 + 7x + 6 = 0

9. ME Board Oct. 1997:

Find the value of x if log12x = 2.
A. 150
C. 144
B. 130
D. 140
Solution:
122 = x

Solution:
(x-2)(x-3) = 0
x2 - 5x + 6 = 0

Alternate1:

Alternate1:
MODE EQN 3(QUAD)

Enter

For A.

For B.

-5

x = 2, 3(answer)

2, 3

Alternate2:
RE, substitution using CALC (see #1)

II . THEORY OF EQUATIONS :
4. ME Board Problem
If the polynomial x3 + 4x2 3x + 8 is divided by x 5, what
is the remainder?
Solution:
Remainder theorem:
Given the expression f(x), and an expression (x r).
The remainder R, if f(x) is divided by (x-r) is given by: R = f(r)
3

An-e Be

24 3e = 9, so e = 5
Answer:

k 4 (1)( 4)=0

n Ce

The (e+1)th term of binomial expansion:

Solution:

3.

, so k = 4

Alternate:
Using SOLVE function for two or more variables
Enter x3 + 2x2 7x + A = 0, A
(calcu will solve for A)
Press SHIFT SOLVE
X?
Enter -4
Press =
Solve for A
Press =
A=4

Alternate1:
MODE EQN 3(QUAD)
Enter data
6
11
3
Press =
-1/3
Press =
-3/2

2.

5. ME Board Problem
Find the value of k for which x + 4 is a factor of x 3 + 2x2
7x + k =0.
A. 2
C. 4
B. 3
D. 5

R = f(5) = (5) + 4(5) 3(5) + 8 = 218 or evaluate using CALC

log 12 x=2

Press SHIFT SOLVE

Press =

Solve for X
X = 144

Alternate2:
R.E. using CALC function
Transpose all values in one side

log 12 x2

Press CALC
X?
Enter 150 (letter A)
Press =
0.0164 (not zero)
Repeat steps for B, C, or D until the result is zero
The item that gives zero is the answer

10. ME Board Problem

The log10 (8)(6) is equal to :
A. log108 + log106
B. log108log106
Solution:

C. log108 log106
D. log108 / log106

log b xy=log b x + log b y

a
( 1+(x1) d)
n

S=

Alternate:
R.E. evaluate the expressions and compare the values

1+(x1)(2)
()
=S=

11. ME Board Problem

If log 2 = x and log 3 = y, find log 1.2 in terms of x and y.
A. x + y + 1
C. x y 1
B. 2x + y 1
D. xy + 1
Solution:
Log 1.2 = log (12/10) = log (2x2x3/10)
= log 2 + log 2 + log 3 log 10
= 2log 2 + log 3 log 10
= 2x + y 1

15. ME Board Problem

Find the 7 th term of an AP if the 10 th term is 32 and the 15th
term is 47.
Solution:
a10 = 32
a15 = 47

Alternate:
R.E.
Evaluate log 1.2
Evaluate option A
Evaluate option B
Evaluate option C
Evaluate option D

31

a7 = ?
0.079
log 2 + log 3 + 1
2log 2 + log 3 1
log 2 log 3 1
(log 2) (log 3) + 1

1.778
0.079
-1.176
1.144

*
*

V. PROGRESSION

32 = a1 + (9)d
47 = a1 + (14)d
Solve for a, and d.manually, or by using MODE EQN 1
a1 =
5
d=
3
a7 = 5 + 6(3) =

A. Arithmetic Progression
12. ME Board Problem
Find the last term of the series of numbers 2, 5, 8, to the
8th
term.
Solution:
an = a1 + (n 1)d

23

alternate:
MODE STAT A+BX
X
Y
10
32
15
47
Press AC
Enter 7 SHIFT 1(STAT) 5(REG) 5(Y) = 23

a1 = 2
n=8
d = 5 -2 = 3

16. ME Board Problem

How many terms of the progression 3, 5, 7, must be
taken in order that their sum will be 2600?

a8 = 2 + (8 1)(3) = 23

Solution:

Alternate:
MODE 3(STAT) 2(A+BX)
X
Y
1
2
2
5
Press AC
Press 8 SHIFT 1(STAT) 5(REG) 5(

( n2 ) (a +a )
1

S=

an = a1 + (n 1)d = 91

) = 23

13. ME Board Problem

Find the 30th term of an A.P. 4,7,10,
Solution:
an = a1 + (n 1)d = 91
Alternate:
Same alternate as number 12

14. ME Board Problem

Find the sum of the odd numbers from 1 to 61.

( n2 ) ( 3+( 3+(n1)(2)))

2600 =

solve for

n
n = 50

B. Geometric Progression
17. ME Board Problem
Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric
progression 2,4,8,16,
Solution:
S=

a1

1r n
1r

( )

Solution:
S=

n
( a +a )
2 1 n

()

a1 = 2
n = 10
r = 4/2 = 2
S=

a1 = 1
an = 61
n=?
solve for n
an = a1 + (n 1)d
61 = 1 + (x 1)(2)
n = 31

Alternate:
Using summation function( can be used only if the first term, and the
number of terms are known or can be approximated)
n

S=

so S = 961

S=

an
1

a
( 1 r n1)

alternate:
using summationn (can be used only if the first term, and number
of terms are known)
n

2046

S=

an

10

S=

(2(2x1 ))
1

18. ME Board Problem

2046

If the 3rd term of GP is 20, and the 6th term is 160, what is
the first term?
Solution:
an = a1rn-1
20 = a1r2
160 = a1r5

22. The 3rd term of a harmonic progression is 15 and the 9 th

term is 6. Find the 11th term,
Solution:
Illustration: for an arithmetic progression
2, 4, 6, 8, ...
The corresponding harmonic progression is:1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, ..

equatio 1
equation 2

By dividing equation 2 by equation 1

We get 160/20 = r3, so r = 2
From equation 1:
a1 = 5

H.P.
a3 = 15
a9 = 6
a11 = ?

C. Infinite Geometric Progression

there is no direct formula to calculate for harmonic, use the AP

formulas instead and convert to HP by reciprocating.

19. ME Board Problem

Find the sum of the infinite geometric progression 6, -2,2/3,

Solution:
S=

a1

1
1r

( )

Using calcu method:

A.P.
a3 = 1/15
a9 = 1/6
a9 = ?

MODE
3
9

STAT
1/15
1/6

Press AC
Enter 11 SHIFT 1(STAT) 5(REG) 5(Y) =

A + BX

1/5

So the ninth term of the AP is 1/5, and the corresponding ninth term of
the HP must be 1/(1/5) or 5..

Practice Problems
a1 = 6
r = -2/6 = -1/3
so, S =

INSTRUCTION: Choose the best answer.

4.5

1.

Alternate:
Using summation function( first term is known, but the number of
terms is infinite; use 20 as the upper limit, it will give a sufficiently
close result)

an
1

2.

a
( 1 r n1)
n

S=

C. log108 log106
D. log108 / log106

Solution:
Same as sample no. 10

S=

ME Board Problem
The log10 (8)(6) is equal to :
A. log108 + log106 *
B. log108log106

ME Board Problem
ln 7.18xy equals
A.1.97xy *
B. xy

C. 0.86 xy
D. 7.18xy

Solution:

By property of logarithm

log b a =xlog b a

20

(6((1 /3)x1 ))

S=

Alternate:
R.E. (substitute values to x and y, i.e x=1, y=2)
ln 7.181*2 equals = 3.886
A.1.97*1*2 * = 3.94
C. 0.86*1*2 = 1.72
B. 1*2 = 2
D. 7.18*1*2 = 14.36

4.5

20. ME Board Problem

What is the fraction in lowest term equivalent to 0.77777

3.

ME Board Problem
38.5 to the x power = 6.5 to the x 2 power, solve for x
using logarithms.
A. 2.70
C. 2.10
B. 2.10 *
D. 2.02

4.

ME Board Problem
What is the value of log to the base 10 of 10003.3 ?
A. 9.9 *
C. 10.9
B. 99.9
D. 9.0

5.

What is the value of log2 5 + log3 5 ?

A. 7.39
C. 3.97
B. 3.79 *
D. 9.37

6.

ME Board Problem
Solve for x: 6x 4 = 2x + 6
A. -5
B. 2.5 *

Solution:
The number can be written as the sum of series of number
0.7, 0.07, 0.007,...
a1 = 0.7
r = 0.07/0.7 = 0.1

S=

1
a1
1r

( )

7/9

Alternate:
Evaluate the items from A to D and compare to 0.7777...

21. ME Board Problem

A rubber ball is made to fall from a height of 50 ft and is
observed to rebound 2/3 of the distance it falls. How far
will the ball travel before coming to rest if the ball
continues to fall in this manner?
Solution:
a1 = 50
r = 2/3

S=

a1

( 1r1 )

x 2 50

Alternate: see number 19 for guide

D. Harmonic Progression

C. 10
D. 5

7.

ME Board Problem
What are the characteristic and mantissa of the common
logarithm of 407.09?
A. 2, 0.60969 *
C. 4, 0.0709
B. 4, 0.60969
D. 2, 0.0709

8.

ME Board Problem
What is the value of x in the expression x 1/x = 0 ?
A. -1
C. 1
B. 1, 1/2
D. 1, -1 *

250

9.

20 - x x

ME Board Problem
Solve for x : x2 + x 12 = 0
A. 6, -2
B. 1, 12

C. 3, -4 *
D. 4, -3

10. ME Board Problem

Solve for x : Ax B = Cx + D
D+B
A-C
A.
*
D+B
A+C
B.

A-B
C+D

C.
D-B
A-C

D.

12. The sum of roots of the equation x2 3x 10 = 0 is

A. 3 *
C. -10
B. -3
D. 10
13. The logarithm of the quotient M/N and the logarithm of the
product MN is equal to 1.55630251 and 0.352182518
respectively. Find the value of M.
A. 6
C. 8
B. 7
D. 9 *
C. 3.76 *
D. 4.48

15. Find the numerical coefficient of the term involving b4 in

the expansion of (a2 2b)10.
A. 3360 *
C. 6330
B. 3630
D. 6033
16. Given f(x) = (x 4)(x + 3) + 4, when f(x) is divided by (x
k), the remainder is k. Find k.
A. -12
C. 4 *
B. 8
D. 2
17. What is the value of x if log 2 to the base 2 plus log x to
the base 2 is equal to 2?
A. 4
C. -2
B. 2 *
D. -1
18. The equation whose roots are the reciprocals of the roots
of the equation, 2x2 3x 5 = 0
A. 2x2 5x 3 = 0
C. 5x2 + 3x 2 = 0 *
2
B. 5x 2x 3 = 0
D. 3x2 5x 2 = 0
x

19. Solve for x in the equation: 3 + 9 = 27 .

A. 0.438 *
C. 0.416
B. 0.460
D. 0.482
20. Find the value of k in the quadratic equation 3x2 kx + x
7k = 0 if 3 is one of the roots.
A. 3 *
C. 5
B. 9
D. 14
21. What is the sum of the coefficients of the expansion of (2x
1)20
A. 0 *
C. 2
B. 1
D. 3
22. What is the 5th term of the expansion of (ex + e-x)8 ?
A. 60
C. 70 *
B. e4x
D. sinh x
23. ME Board Problem
Find the value of x which will satisfy the following
x-2 x 2
expression
A. 3/2
C. 9/4
B. 9/2
D. no solution *
24. ME Board Problem

C. -4, 5
D. no solution

25. If log 9! = 5.5598, what is the value of log 10!?

A. 5.6598
C. 6.5598 *
B. 9.6855
D. 8.6955

11. ME Board Problem

If 4x 3 + 18x2 + 8x 4 is divided by 2x + 3, compute the
remainder.
A. 11*
C. -8
B. -9
D. 10

14. What is the value of log6845?

A. 5.84
B. 2.98

Solve for x if
A. 4, -5 *
B. -4, -5

26. What is the middle term in the expansion of (x2 5)8?

A. 47350x8
C. 45370x8
B. 43750x8 *
D. 47530x8
27. ME Board Problem
Factor the expression x2 + 6x + 8 as completely as
possible.
A. (x + 4)(x + 2) *
C. (x - 4)(x - 2)
B. (x - 4)(x + 2)
D. (x + 4)(x - 2)
28. Which of the following is a factor of 3x3 + 2x2 32.
A. x 2 *
C. x + 2
B. x 3
D. x + 3
39. If the roots of the equation are -1, 2 and 4, what is the
equation?
A. x3 5x2 + 2x + 8 = 0 *
C. x3 5x2 - 3x + 6 = 0
B. x3 4x2 + 3x + 8 = 0
D. x3 4x2 + 2x + 6 = 0
30. Find the value of k so that x + 2 is a factor of 3x 3 kx2 + 2x
4.
A. 8
C. -8 *
B. 28
D. -28
31. Form a quartic equation with rational coefficients having 3
2
2
and 1 + 2
as roots.
A. x4 + 8x3 + 12x2 28x 49=0 C. x 4 - 8x3 - 12x2 28x
49 = 0
B. x4 - 8x3 + 12x2 + 28x 49= 0*D. x4 + 8x3 +12x2 +28x +
49 = 0
32. The expression x4 + ax3 + 5x2 bx + 6 when divided by x
2 leaves the remainder 16, and when divided by x + 1
leaves the remainder 10. Find the values of a and b.
A. 5, 7
C. -5, -7
B. 5, -7
D. -5, 7 *
33. Two engineering students attempt to solve a problem that
reduces to a quadratic equation. One of the students
made a mistake only in the constant term of the quadratic
equation and gives an answer of 8 and 2 for the roots. The
other student solving the same problem made an error in
the coefficient of the first degree term only and gives his
answer as -9 and -1 for the roots. If you are to check their
solutions, what would be the correct quadratic equation?
A. x2 + 10x + 9 = 0
B. x2 + 10x 9 = 0

C. x2 10x 9 = 0
D. X2 10x + 9 = 0 *

34. Find the LCM of the numbers 15, 21, 36.

A. 1260 *
C. 3
B. 9
D. 36
35. What is the GCF of 27, 81, and 108?
A. 27 *
C. 81
B. 324
D. 3
36. In the expansion of ( x + 4y ) 12 , the numerical coefficient
of the 5th term is :
A. 63,360
C. 506,880
B.126,720 *
D. 253,440
37. What is the sum of the coefficients of the expansion of
( 2x 1 )20 .
A. 0*
C. 2
B. 1
D. 3
38. Determine the sum of the positive valued solution to the
simultaneous equations : xy = 15 , yz = 35 , zx = 21.
A.15
C. 17
B.13
D. 19
39. ME Board Problem
Solve for x : 10x2 + 10x + 1 = 0
A. 0.113 , 0.887 *
C. 0.331 , 0.788

B. 0.113 , 0.788
40. ME Board Problem
Solve for x : x-6/8 = 0.001
A. 10
B. 0

D. 0.311 , 0.887

C. 100
D. 10,000 *

46. -3x2 3x + 1 = -3(x + a)2 + b is an identity in x. What is the

value of a?
A. 1/2 *
C. 7/4
B. 1/2
D. -7/4
47. Find the remainder when x4 10x2 9x 20 is divided
by x 4 .

41. If 3a = 7b, then 3a2 / 7b2 is equal to

A. 1
C. 7/3 *
B. 3/7
D. 49/9
42. If 1/x = a + b, 1/y = a b, then x y is equal to
A. 2b/(b2 a2) *
C. 2a/(a2 b2)
B. 1/2a
D. 1/2b
43. If f(x) = 10x + 1, then f(x + 1) f(x) is equal to
A. 1
C. 11
B. 9(10x) *
D. 10x + 1

A. 40
B. 30

48. One factor of a3 - 2a2 a + 2 is a =1, find the other factors.

A. ( a 2 ) ( a + 1 ) *
C. ( a + 2 ) ( a 1 )
B. ( a + 2 ) ( a + 1 )
D. ( a 2 ) ( a 1 )
49. Find the value of k so that the remainder upon dividing
x 2 8x k
x 4

by

44. If 10x = 4, then the value of 102x + 1 is

A. 26
C. 40
B. 160 *
D. 900
45. If x + y = m and xy = n, then the value of (x y)2 is
A. m2 4n *
C. m2 2n
B. m2 + 2n
D. m2 + n2

C. 50
D. 20

A. 4
B. 48
50.

is zero.
C. -48 *
D. 64

What is the remainder when 8100 is divided by 5?

A. 1 *
C. 3
B. 2
D. 4