ALCORCON ENGINEERING REVIEW CENTER

Cebu Main: 4th floor Coast Pacific Downtown Center, Sanciangko St, Cebu City Tel # (032) 254-33-84
Manila: 3rd floor JPD Bldg. 1955, C M Recto Corner N. Reyes St, Sampaloc, Manila Tel # (02) 736-4438

MATHEMATICS (ALGEBRA) – DAY 1

I. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
Significant figures are numbers in a digit that represent the accuracy of the value.

Example:

1. 46 2 significant figures
2. 14000 2 significant figures
3. 3.4 x 104 2 significant figures
4. 45.60 4 significant figures
5. 68.00 4 significant figures
6. 1.0230 5 significant figures
7. 0.0010300 5 significant figures

II. FACTORING
Factoring is the process of reducing a mathematical expression into a product of simpler elements.

Common Factoring Identities:

1. a( x + y ) = ax + ay 6. ( x + y )3 = x 3 + 3x 2 y + 3xy 2 + y 3

2. ( x + a)( x + b) = x 2 + (a + b)x + ab 7. ( x - y )3 = x 3 - 3x 2 y + 3xy 2 - y 3

3. x 2 - y 2 = ( x + y )( x - y ) (difference of squares) 8. x 3 - y 3 = ( x - y )(x 2 + xy + y 2 ) (difference of cubes)

4. ( x + y )2 = x 2 + 2xy + y 2 9. x 3 + y 3 = ( x + y )( x 2 - xy + y 2 ) (sum of cubes)

5. ( x - y )2 = x 2 - 2xy + y 2 10. ( x + y + z)2 = x 2 + y 2 + z2 + 2xy + 2yz + 2xz

III. LAWS OF EXPONENTS

Laws of exponents are a set of rules in algebra that define how exponents of numbers can be algebraically
operationalized.

1. 𝑥! = 1 6. (𝑥 ∙ 𝑦)" = 𝑥 " ∙ 𝑦 " 11. 0(1 = 0

"$ " "
*𝑥(𝑦+ = 𝑥 (𝑦 " = 𝑥 " ∙ 𝑦 &"
!
2. 𝑥 # = √𝑥 " 7. 12. 1(0 = 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦

3. (𝑥 " )# = 𝑥 "# 1( &" = 𝑥 "

8. 𝑥 13. 1(∞ = 0
4. 𝑥 " ∙ 𝑥 # = 𝑥 "%#
9. 𝑥 " = 𝑥 # 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = 𝑏 14. 0(0 = 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
"
5. 𝑥 ( = 𝑥 "&#
𝑥# 10. 1(1 = 1 15. ∞⁄∞ = 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 1 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 PROBLEMS:

1. Which number has four significant figures?

A. 0.0014 B. 0.01414 C. 0.141 D. 1.4140

2. Solve 3 ∙ (9)'( = (3) )( for k.

3. Expand (x - 2)3 - 8y3.

4. Find the value of 𝑘 that will make the statement identity. (𝑥 − 𝑘)(𝑥 + 2𝑘) = 𝑥 ' − 3𝑥 − 18

IV. EQUATIONS

1. LINEAR EQUATION (First Degree Equation)

A. Linear equations with one unknown

Solution: Simple Transposition

B. Linear Equations with two or more unknowns

Solution:
1. Substitution method
2. Elimination method
3. Determinants

2. QUADRATIC EQUATION (Second Degree Equation)

A. Quadratic Equations with only one unknown

General Equation: ax2 + bx + c = 0
Example: Solve for x: x2 – x + 6 = 0

Solution:
1. Quadratic formula

!𝒃±$𝒃𝟐 !𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

*for any quadratic equation like: 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

Discriminant: 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄

a. A positive discriminant indicates that the quadratic has two distinct real number solutions.
b. A discriminant of zero indicates that the quadratic has a repeated real number solution.
c. A negative discriminant indicates that neither of the solutions are real numbers.

Note: b2 = 4ac - the roots are equal. Therefore, there is only one real solution.
b2 > 4ac - the roots are real and unequal
b2 < 4ac - the roots are imaginary

Properties of Roots:

!" $
Sum of roots: 𝑥+ + 𝑥' = Product of roots: 𝑥+ 𝑥' =
# #

2. Completing the square

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 2 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 3. Factoring if factorable

B. Quadratic equations with two unknowns:

Solution: 1. Elimination method

2. Substitution method
3. Determinants

Example: Solve for x and y:

x2 – y2 = 8 and x2 + y2 = 10

3. CUBIC EQUATION (Third Degree Equation)

Best Solution: Using Calculator

4. QUADRIC EQUATION (Fourth Degree Equation)

Best Solution: Trial and error

PROBLEMS
1. What is the solution to the following system of simultaneous linear equations?
10x + 3y + 10z = 5 8x – 2y + 9z = 3 8x + y – 10z = 7

2. What are the roots of the cubic equation x3 – 8x – 3 = 0?

3. If the 𝑧 = I1 − J1 − √1−. … … , what is the value of z?

A. 0.453 B. 0.618 C. 0.816 D. 0.681

4. Find the value of x if J2𝑥 + √2𝑥 + 4 = 4

A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6

5. Solve for z in the equation

𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 4
3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 11
2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 13

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

V. MATRICES
1. Transpose Matrix
The transpose (𝐴, ) of an m x n matrix is an n x m matrix constructed by taking ith row and making it the ith
column.
1 6 9 1 2 7
𝐴 = $2 3 4 $ 𝐴! = $6 3 1$
7 1 5 9 4 5
2. Multiplication and Addition of matrix.
Use calculator.

3. Determinant (can be solve using calculator)

A. If A has a row or column of zeros, the determinant is zero.
B. If A has two identical rows or columns, the determinant is zero.
4. Cofactor and Classical Adjoint

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 3 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 A. Cofactors are determinants of submatrices associated with particular entries in the original square matrix.
𝑎"" 𝑎"# 𝑎"$
For 3 x 3 matrix: 𝐴 = $𝑎#" 𝑎## 𝑎#$ $
𝑎$" 𝑎$# 𝑎$$

The minor corresponding to entry a12 in a 3 x 3 matrix is the determinant of the matrix created by eliminating
row 1 and column 2.
𝑎#" 𝑎#$
𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑎"# = 3𝑎 𝑎$$ 3
$"

𝑎#" 𝑎#$ 𝑎## 𝑎#$

And the cofactor entry of 𝑎"# = − 3𝑎 𝑎$$ 3 𝑎"" = + 3𝑎 𝑎$$ 3
$" $#

B. The classical adjoint is the transpose of the cofactor matrix.

𝑎'' 𝑎'. 𝑎'+ 𝑎'. 𝑎'+ 𝑎''
+ S 𝑎 𝑎 S − S 𝑎 𝑎 S + S 𝑎 𝑎 S
.' .. .+ .. .+ .'
⎛ ⎞
⎜ 𝑎+' 𝑎+. 𝑎++ 𝑎+. 𝑎++ 𝑎+' ⎟
𝐶 = ⎜− S 𝑎 𝑎 S + S 𝑎 𝑎 S − S 𝑎 𝑎 S⎟;
⎜ .' .. .+ .. .+ .' ⎟
⎜ ⎟
𝑎+' 𝑎+. 𝑎++ 𝑎+. 𝑎++ 𝑎+'
⎝+ S 𝑎'' 𝑎'. S − S 𝑎'+ 𝑎'. S + S 𝑎'+ 𝑎'' S⎠

𝑎'' 𝑎'. 𝑎+' 𝑎+. 𝑎+' 𝑎+.

+ S 𝑎 𝑎 S − S 𝑎 𝑎 S + S 𝑎 𝑎 S
.' .' .' .. '' '.
⎛ ⎞
/
⎜ 𝑎'+ 𝑎'. 𝑎++ 𝑎+. 𝑎++ 𝑎+. ⎟
adj (𝐀) = C = ⎜− S 𝑎 𝑎 S + S 𝑎 𝑎 S − S 𝑎 𝑎 S⎟
⎜ .+ .. .+ .. '+ '. ⎟
⎜ ⎟
𝑎'+ 𝑎'' 𝑎++ 𝑎+' 𝑎++ 𝑎+'
⎝+ S 𝑎.+ 𝑎.' S − S 𝑎.+ 𝑎.' S + S 𝑎'+ 𝑎'' S⎠

PROBLEMS:
1 6 0 1 −2 −4
1. Problem: Given: 𝐴 = \4 2 7\ 𝐵 = \−3 6 −7\
0 5 3 4 −4 −6

Find: A. Determinant of Matrix A and Matrix B.

B. Product of Matrix A and Matrix B.
C. Inverse of Matrix A
D. Transpose of matrix B
E. Cofactor of Matrix A
F. Classical adjoint of Matrix A

cos 𝜃 − sin 𝜃
2. What is the inverse of the given matrix a h
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

3. If the determinant of Matrix A is -40, what is the determinant of matrix B?

4 3 2 1 2 1.5 1 0.5
𝐴 = i0 1 2 −1i 𝐵 = i0 1 2 −1i
2 3 −1 1 2 3 −1 1
1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 4 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 ALCORCON ENGINEERING REVIEW CENTER
Cebu Main: 4th floor Coast Pacific Downtown Center, Sanciangko St, Cebu City Tel #(032) 254-33-84
Manila: 3rd floor JPD Bldg 1955, C M Recto corner N. Reyes St, Sampaloc, Manila Tel # (02) 736-4438

MATHEMATICS (ALGEBRA) – DAY 2

I. COMPLEX NUMBERS
A complex number is any number that can be written as 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, where 𝑖 is the imaginary unit and 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real
numbers.

𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡

A. To add two complex numbers, add the real part to the real part and the imaginary part to the imaginary
part.

(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) + (𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = (𝑎 + 𝑐) + (𝑏 + 𝑑)𝑖

B. To subtract two complex numbers, subtract the real part from the real part and the imaginary part from
the imaginary part.

(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) − (𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = (𝑎 − 𝑐) + (𝑏 − 𝑑)𝑖

C. To multiply two complex numbers, use the FOIL method and combine like terms.

(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑𝑖 + 𝑏𝑐𝑖 + 𝑏𝑑𝑖 !

= 𝑎𝑐 + (𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)𝑖 − 𝑏𝑑   (𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑖 ! = −1)                              
= (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + (𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)𝑖

D. To divide two complex numbers, multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate,
expand and simplify. Then, write the final answer in standard form.

𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑐 − 𝑑𝑖 (𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑) + (𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑑)𝑖

∗ =
𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 𝑐 − 𝑑𝑖 𝑐 ! + 𝑑!

II. COMPLEX OPERATIONS

Consist of real and imaginary numbers.

1. Rectangular Form: 𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

Where: 𝑖 = √−1

2. Polar Form: 𝑍 = 𝑟𝜃 (from calculator)

𝑍 = 𝑟 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

Where: 𝑎 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑏 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

$
𝑟 = √𝑎! + 𝑏! 𝜃 = tan"# %

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 1 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 3. Exponential Form: 𝑍 = 𝑟 𝑒 &'

4. Power: 𝑍 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)( = 𝑟 ( [𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑛𝜃) + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛𝜃)]

#* # ' +,-° ' +,-°

5. Roots: 𝑍 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) ) = 𝑟 *) Ecos I + 𝑛 J KL + 𝑖 sin I +𝑛J KLN
) ) ) )

PROBLEMS:

1. What is the rationalized value of the following complex quotient? 6 + 2.5i

3 + 4i
!
2. What is the product of the complex numbers 2 – 2i and √32 𝑒 "& ?
A. 16 B. 16i C. 16ei π/4 D. 16(1 – i)

3. What is the cube root of complex number (8, 60o)?

A. 2(cos60o + isin60o) C. (2.7)(cos20o + isin20o)
B. (2)(icos20o + sin20o) D. (2)(cos(20o + 120on) + isin(20o + 120on))

4. Evaluate (2 – 3i)6

III. VECTORS
Vectors are mathematical entities that have magnitude and direction. Furthermore, it can be decomposed into several
components i, j, and k which often corresponds to x, y, and z axes in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate
system.

For given two vectors, 𝐴 = 𝑎/ 𝑖 + 𝑎0 𝑗 + 𝑎1 𝑘 𝐵 = 𝑏/ 𝑖 + 𝑏0 𝑗 + 𝑏1 𝑘

1. Vector Magnitude: |𝐴| = V𝑎/ ! + 𝑎0 ! + 𝑎1 ! |𝐵| = V𝑏/ ! + 𝑏0 ! + 𝑏1 !

!! !" !# $! $" $#
2. Unit Vector: + + + +
|# | |# | |#| |% | |% | |% |

3. Sum: 𝐴 + 𝐵 = (𝑎/ + 𝑏/ )𝑖 + (𝑎0 + 𝑏0 )𝑗 + (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 )𝑘

4. Difference: 𝐴 − 𝐵 = (𝑎/ − 𝑏/ )𝑖 + (𝑎0 − 𝑏0 )𝑗 + (𝑎1 − 𝑏1 )𝑘

5. Dot Product: 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 𝑎/ 𝑏/ + 𝑎0 𝑏0 + 𝑎1 𝑏1
𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = |𝐴||𝐵| cos 𝜃
Where: 𝜃 is the angle between the two vectors

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
6. Cross Product: 𝐴 × 𝐵 = Y𝑎/ 𝑎0 𝑎1 Y
𝑏/ 𝑏0 𝑏1

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 2 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 PROBLEMS

1. Refer to the vectors A and B.

A = 2i + 4j + 8k B = -2i + j – 4k
Find:
A. The resultant vectors A and B
B. The dot product, A . B
C. The cross-product A x B
D. The (A + B).(B + C)
E. The unit vector of A
F. The angle between A and B

IV. PROBLEM-SOLVING IN ALGEBRA

1. NUMBER PROBLEMS

Consecutive numbers: Consecutive odd numbers: Consecutive even numbers

x = first number x = first number x = first number
x + 2 = second number x + 2 = second number
x + 1 = second number
x + 4 = third number x + 4 = third number
x + 2 = third number

2. RATE PROBLEMS

S S
ST = v t v = t=
t v
where: S = distance traveled
v = constant velocity t = time

For horizontal straight path:

Car moving in continuous path with different speed.

1. S = total distance = S1 + S2 = v1 t1 + v 2 t2
S1 S2
2. t = total time = t1 + t2 = +
v1 v2

3. Average velocity, vave vave = Total Dis tan ce = S1 + S2 = S1 + S2

Total Time t1 + t 2 S1 / v1 + S2 / v 2

3. WORK PROBLEMS
A. If both A and B working together could finish the work in 1 1 1 T days.
+ =
A B T
B. If the time of A is twice that of B and they could finish 1 1 1
working together in T days, then A = 2B + =
2B B T

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 3 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 A C
C. For pumping a reservoir.
If A and C are inlet pipes and B is the outlet pipe, 1 1 1 1
then if they are working together, they could finish the + - =
A C B T
work in time T.

B
D. Work replacement.
If A and B working together for x days and if C replaces B æ 1 1ö æ 1 1ö
xç + ÷ + yç + ÷ = 1
then A and B can finish the work in remaining y days. è A B ø è A Cø

4. AGE PROBLEM

Let: M = age of Maria now J = age of Jose now

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

Five years ago Today Six years from now

M-5 M M+6
J-5 J J+6

Note:
A. The difference of their ages at any time are equal
B. The sum of their ages 5 years ago = (M - 5) + (J - 5)
C. The sum of their ages 6 years from now = (M + 6) + (J + 6)

5. MIXTURE PROBLEM
A. If two substances added:

%x1 %x2 %x3

m1 m2 m1 + m2
+ =
m1 (%x1) + m2 (%x2) = (m1 + m2) (%x3)

B. If certain amount removed from the original amount:

%x1 %x2 %x3

m1 - m2 = m1 + m2
m1 (%x1) - m2 (%x2) = (m1 + m2) (%x3)

Note: For a mixture of water and NaCl, if water is evaporated, then 100% water is removed and 0% NaCl is removed.

PROBLEMS

1. The numbers have a ratio of 2:5:8. If the sum of the numbers is 60, what is the larger number?
A. 36 B. 32 C. 24 D. 22

2. A car travels 100 miles to city A in 3 hours, then travels 200 miles to city B in 4 hours. What is the average
speed of the car for the trip?
A. 45 mph B. 58.3 mph C. 60 mph D. 42.85 mph

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 4 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
3. Tukmol can paint a fence of 50% faster than Kikoy and 20% faster than Tiburcio and together they can paint a
given fence in 4 hours. How long will it take Tukmol to paint the same fence if he had to work alone?
A. 11 B. 8 C. 9 D. 10

4. Crew A can clean the Megadome in 8 hours and crew B can clean it in 12 hours. After a night game, Crew A
began a cleanup at midnight and was joined by crew B at 2:00 am. When was the job completed?

5. John is four times as old as Harry. In six years, John will be twice as old as Harry. What is the age of Harry now?
(April 2004)
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

6. Two thousand (2000) kg of steel containing 8% nickel is to be made by mixing a steel containing 14% nickel with
another containing 6% nickel. How much of each is needed?

7. Two runners run in a 500 m diameter circular track field at the same point and opposite direction. If one runner has
a rate of 1 m/sec and the other has 1.5 m/sec, find the time they will meet.
A. 10.47 minutes
B. 16.48 minutes
C. 20.47 minutes
D. 24.67 minutes

8. Karen drove a certain distance at an average speed of 80 km/hr and then another distance at 84 km/hr. If the
total distance traveled was 450 km and the total traveling time was 5.5 hr, find the distance she traveled at 84
km/hr.

9. A man can row 6 mph in still water. If it takes him 3 hours to row 8 miles downstream and then back, what is the
rate of the current?

10. A radiator contains 8 liters of a 40% anti-freeze solution. How many liters of pure anti-freeze must be added to
obtain a 50% solution?

This file is only for viewing and printing.

Page 5 Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 ALCORCON ENGINEERING REVIEW CENTER
Cebu Main: 4th floor Coast Pacific Downtown Center, Sanciangko St, Cebu City Tel #(032) 254-33-84
Manila: 3rd floor JPD Bldg 1955, C M Recto corner N. Reyes St, Sampaloc, Manila Tel # (02) 736-4438

MATHEMATICS (ALGEBRA) – DAY 3

I. PROBLEM SOLVING IN ALGEBRA (Continuation)

6. CLOCK PROBLEM
Where:
x = distance traveled by minute hand after 3 o’clock
𝑥/12 = distance traveled by hour hand after 3 o’clock

Note:
1. The minute hand travels 12 times faster than the hour hand.
2. If the hands of the clock are perpendicular, number of
minutes between them is 15 minutes (90°).
3. If they are opposite in direction, number of minutes between
them is 30 minutes (180o equivalent).

By angular method:
1. Each number corresponds in the clock (5 minutes equivalent) is 30o each.
2. t = the time in minutes traveled by the long hand.
2
t=(Ðref ± q )
11
where: Ð = reference angle of shorthand (30o for every 5 min.).
ref
θ = angle equivalent between long hand and shorthand.

Use: + if the long hand is ahead of the shorthand.

- if the long hand is behind the shorthand.

PROBLEMS:
1. At approximately what time between the hours of 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm would the angle between the hour
hand and the minute hand of continuously driven clock be
A. Exactly 180°
B. Perpendicular for the second time

2. What time after 3 o’clock will the hands of the clock be 60 degrees for the second time?

7. GEOMETRIC PROBLEMS

1. Square

A = x2 Perimeter = 4 x D = 2 x

Page 1 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
2. Rectangle
A = Lw P = 2L + 2w D = L2 + w 2

3. Triangle
A. Given triangle base and height
1
A= b h
2

B. Perimeter = a + b + c

PROBLEMS:

1. The sides of a right triangle are in arithmetic progression whose common difference is 6. Find the hypotenuse.

2. A picture 9 cm by 12 cm is framed in wood. What uniform width of the frame if it has an area of 162 cm2?
A. 1 cm
B. 2 cm
C. 3 cm
D. 4 cm

3. A deck 2m wide surrounds a rectangular pool. The pool itself is one and a half times as long as it is wide. The
area of the deck alone is 112 m2. Find the dimensions of the pool.

8. INVESTMENT PROBLEM
Let: PA = amount invested at iA interest
PB = amount invested at iB interest
Then,
A. Total investment = PA + PB

B. Profit = PA (iA) + PB (iB)

C. If they have the same profit: PA (iA) = PB (iB)

where: i = interest rate

PROBLEMS:
1. The salary of an employee’s job has five levels, each one 5% greater than the one below it. Due to
circumstances, the salary of the employee must be reduced from the top (fifth) level to the second level, which
results in a reduction of $122.00 per month. What is the employee’s present salary per month?
A. $440/mo B. 570/mo C. $680/mo D. $900/mo

2. Lynn invested 800 pesos at a certain interest rate and 2000 pesos at a rate of 4% higher. She earned 146 pesos
more in annual interest on the larger investment than on the smaller one. If the return on both investments totaled
234 pesos, find the interest rate in 800 pesos investment.

3. A group of fishermen chartered a boat for 3,000 pesos. Two members of the group were unable to go the trip and
as a consequence, each of the other had to pay 125 pesos more. How many were there in the original group?
A. 6 B. 8 C. 10 D. 12

Page 2 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
II. VARIATION PROBLEMS
Variations are relationships between two or more variables, where the change in the value of one variable is
dependent on the change in the value of the other variable.

1. Direct Variation:
If x varies directly as y

!
x∝y x = ky k=
"

2. Inverse Variation:
If x varies inversely as y

# $
x∝ x= k = xy
" "

3. Joint Variation:
If x varies directly as y and inversely as the square of z

" " !% !
x∝ x=𝑘 k=
%! %! "

III. BINOMIAL THEOREM

The binomial theorem refers to the algebraic expansion of powers in a binomial, commonly denoted as

(x + y)n

Note: The coefficient of any term after the first may be found from the preceding term by multiplying its coefficient by
the exponent of x and dividing by the number of terms.

IV. PARTIAL FRACTION

Case 1: Linear Factors not repeated.

7x 2 - 23x + 10 7x 2 - 23x + 10 A B C
= = + +
2
(3x - 1)( x + x - 2) (3x - 1)(( x - 1)( x + 2) (3x - 1) ( x - 1) ( x + 2)

Solving the equation, A = -2; B = -1; C = 4

Case 2: Repeated Linear Factors.

4x 3 + 16x 2 - 5x + 3 A B C D
= + + +
2
( x - 1) ( x + 2) 2 ( x - 1) ( x - 1) 2 ( x + 2) ( x + 2) 2

Solving the equation, A = 2; B = 3; C = 5; D = 1

Case 3: Quadratic Factors not Repeated.

3x 2 - x + 1 A Bx + C
= +
( x + 1)( x - x + 3) ( x + 1) ( x - x + 3)
2 2

Solving the equation, A = 1; B = 2; C = -2

Page 3 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 Case 4: Repeated Quadratic factors
x 4 + x 3 + 2x 2 - 7 A Bx + C Dx + E
= + +
( x + 2)( x 2 + x + 1) 2 ( x + 2) ( x 2 + x + 1) ( x 2 + x + 1) 2

Solving the equation, A = 1; B = 2; C = -3; D = 0; E = -1

PROBLEMS

1. 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.

2. For the given term (3x + 4y)8. Find the following:

A. 3rd term
B. Middle term
C. Term involving x5
D. Term involving y7

3. Determine the absolute sum of the coefficient of the variables in the expression (2x + 3y – z)8.
A. 65,536 B. 56,563 C. 63,655 D. 66,535
4. Resolve x + 2 .
x 2 - 7x + 12

5. Refer to the transform function L(s). What is the partial fraction expansion of L(s)?
s(s + 10)
L(s) =
(s + 5)(s + 15)

V. PERMUTATIONS
Permutations are groups of entities or objects arranged in a specific order.

nPr = the number of permutations of “n” things taken “r” at a time

n !
n Pr =
(n - r ) !

where: 5! = 5(4)(3)(2)(1) 0! = 1

Example:
How many permutations can be made out of the letters A, B and C taken three at a time?

Solution: For A, B & C, taken 3 at a time

The following arrangements can be made:

ABC, BCA, CAB, CBA, ACB, BAC = 6 ways

Using the formula: (n = 3; r = 3)

n ! 3 !
No. of ways = = = 6 ways
(n - r ) ! (3 - 3) !

Permutation of things, some of these are alike or similar.

The permutation of n things in which s are alike, t are alike, u are alike, and so on is:
n !
P =
s! t ! u!

Page 4 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
How many permutations are there in the word BANANA? (EE BD. APR. ‘97)

Solution: n = 6; 3 A’s and 2 N’s

n ! 6 !
P = = = 60 ways
A ! N! 3! 2!

Circular Permutations

Permutation in a circle or round table by taking one object or things at a time.

P = (n - 1) !

PROBLEMS:
1. How many permutations can be made out of the letters of the word ENGINEERING?
A. 277,200 B. 272,700 C. 200,277 D. 227,700

2. How many circular permutations are possible when seating four people around a table?
A. 4 B. 6 C. 12 D. 24

3. Four different colored flags can be hung in a row to make coded signal. In how many ways can have a display of
two or more flags?

Page 5 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 ALCORCON ENGINEERING REVIEW CENTER
Cebu Main: 4th floor Coast Pacific Downtown Center, Sanciangko St, Cebu City Tel #(032) 254-33-84
Manila: 3rd floor JPD Bldg 1955, C M Recto corner N. Reyes St, Sampaloc, Manila Tel # (02) 736-4438

MATHEMATICS (ALGEBRA) – DAY 4

I. COMBINATIONS
A combination is an arrangement of objects or things by taking r of n things without considering the definite order
of arrangement.

C = number of combination with “n” things taken “r” at a time. n!

C =
r ! (n - r ) !

Example:
How many combinations can be taken out of the letters A,B & C taken 3 at a time.
No. of combination: ABC = 1 way

Using formula: ( n = 3; r = 3)

n! 3!
C= = = 1 way
r! (n - r )! (3 - 3) ! 3 !

PROBLEMS

1. How many different committees of 6 can be formed from 12 boys and 8 girls if each
committee is consisting of 4 boys and 2 girls? (April 2007)
A. 2970 B. 13860 C. 15820 D. 27720

2. If three coins are tossed, how many possible ways are there of
A. exactly 2 heads?
A. at least one coin showing tails?
B. at most 2 coins showing heads?

3. How many ways can you invite one or more of five friends to a party?

4. How many different committees can be formed by choosing 4 men from an organization that has a membership of
15 men?

II. PROBABILITY
A probability is a numerical representation of the likeliness that a certain event will occur.

No. of occurences of certain event

Pr obability =
Total no. of occurences

Types of Events:

A. Single event: Event that occurs only once.

B. Mutually Exclusive events: Events that do not occur simultaneously

Joint probability = sum of the probability of each event

Page 1 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 C. Probability in independent events: One event will not be affected in the probability of another event.
Joint probability = product of probability of each event

D. Probability in dependent event: One event affects the probability of the other event.
Joint probability = product of probability of each event

PROBLEMS:

1. What is the probability of picking an orange ball and a white ball out of a bag containing seven orange balls,
eight green balls, and two white balls?
A. 0.071 B. 0.10 C. 0.36 D. 0.53

2. What is the probability that either two heads or three heads will be thrown if six fair coins are tossed at once?
A. 0.35 B. 0.55 C. 0.59 D. 0.63

3. Three standard 52-card decks are used in a probability experiment. One card is drawn from each deck. What is
the probability that a diamond is drawn from the first deck, an ace from the second, and the ace of hearts from
the third?
A. 0.000062 B. 0.00015 C. 0.00037 D. 0.0062

4. Two dice are rolled. Find the probability that the sum of the two die is 9.

III. LAWS OF PROBABILITY

A. General Character of Probability
If event A is certain to occur, then the probability P(A) is equal to 1. If event A is certain not to occur,
then the probability P(A) is zero.
Complementary probability, P(E) = 1 – P(not E)

B. Law of Total Probability

The probability that either event A or B, or both, will occur.
P(A + B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A) x P(B)
Where P(A) x P(B) = the probability that both events A and B will occur

Mathematical expectations = Probability x Price

IV. BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION

The binomial probability function is used when all outcomes can be categorized as either success or failures.
Let p = probability of success, and q = probability of failure
q=1–p

P(r) = probability of r success in n independent successive trials.

P(r) = nCr pr qn-r

PROBLEMS
1. A bag contains 100 balls numbered 1 to 100. One ball is drawn from the bag. What is the probability that the
number on the ball selected will be odd or greater than 80?
A. 0.10 B. 0.50 C. 0.60 D. 0.70

2. A marksman can hit a bull’s-eye from 100 m with three out of every four shots. What is the probability that he will
hit a bull’s-eye with at least one of the next three shots?
A. ¾ B. 15/16 C. 31/32 D. 63/64

Page 2 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
 3. Two students are working independently on a problem. Their respective probabilities of solving the problem are
1/3 and ¾. What is the probability that at least one of them will solve the problem?
A. ½ B. 5/8 C. 2/3 D. 5/6

4. A cat has a litter of seven kittens. If the probability is 0.52 that a kitten will be female, what is the probability that
exactly two of the seven will be male?
A. 0.07 B. 0.18 C. 0.23 D. 0.29

5. In a dice game, one fair die is used. The player wins P10.00 if he rolls either a 1 or 6. He losses P5.00 if he
turns up any other face. What is the expected winning for one roll of the die?
A. P0.00 B. P2.00 C. P10.00 D. P5.00

6. Box A has 4 white balls, 3 blue balls, and 3 orange balls. Box B has 2 white balls, 4 blue balls, and 4 orange
balls. If one ball is drawn from each box, what is the probability that one of the two balls will be orange?

7. A product’s cost distribution is given as a function of the probability. What is the expected cost?
Cost Probability

1 0.07

2 0.23

3 0.46

4 0.17

5 0.04

6 0.03

8. A class reunion, a television set is to be given as a door prize to the person whose ticket stub is drawn at random
from a bowl. A total of 90 tickets, numbered 1-190, are sold. Find the probability that the winning number is
between 79 and 179

9. A bridge hand consists of 13 cards drawn at random from a 52-card bridge deck. Find the probability getting a
hand contains no Aces.

10. A bridge hand consists of 13 cards drawn at random from a 52-card bridge deck. Find the probability getting a
hand contains all red cards.

V. MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

1. Mode – is observed value that occurs most frequently.

2. Median – is the point in the distribution that partitions the total set of observations into two parts containing
equal number of observations.

3. Arithmetic mean – is the arithmetic average of the observations.

2 2 2 2
x1 + x 2 + x 3 + ...... x n
4. RMS value =
n

Example: For given numbers 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 8, 7, 7, 9

Find the following:
A. Mode
B. Median
C. Mean
D. RMS value

Page 3 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.
VI. MEASURES OF DISPERSION

For the given numbers x1, x2, x3,……, xn

A. Standard Deviation, SD
For the given numbers x1, x2, x3,……, xn

( x - x 1 ) 2 + ( x - x 2 ) 2 + ( x - x 3 ) 2 + .. + ( x - x n ) 2
SD =
n

B. Standard Deviation of sample:

( x - x1)2 + ( x - x 2 )2 + ( x - x3 )2 + .. + ( x - xn )2
SD of Sample =
n -1

x 1 + x 2 + x 3 + ..... + x n
where: x = average value = n = number of terms
n

C. Variance = (Standard deviation of sample)2

PROBLEMS

1. 100 random samples were taken from a large population. A particular numerical characteristic of sampled items
was measured. The results of the measurements were as follows.
45 measurements were between 0.859 and 0.900
0.901 was observed once
0.902 was observed three times
0.903 was observed twice
0.904 was observed four times
45 measurements were between 0.905 and 0.958
The smallest value was 0.859, and the largest value was 0.958. The sum of all 100 measurement was 91.170. except
those noted, no measurements occurred more than twice.
A. What is the mean of the measurements?
B. What is the median of the measurements?
C. What is the mode of the measurement?

2. For the given numbers 4, 6, 8. Find:

1. Standard deviation
2. Standard deviation of sample.
3. Variance

VENN DIAGRAM
1. In a survey of 10 smokers, it was disclosed that 7 smokes M, 5 smoke H, 3 smoke W, it was further disclosed
that 3 smoke M & H, 2 M & W, 2 H & W, 1 M, H, W.
A. How many smoke M only?
B. Smoke W only
C. How many do not smoke M, H & W?
D. M or H nor W
E. M and H nor W

2. A survey of 100 persons revealed that 72 of them had eaten at restaurant P and that 52 of them had eaten at
restaurant Q. Which of the following could not be the number of persons in the surveyed group who had eaten at
both P and Q.
A. 20 B. 24 C. 34 D. 36

Page 4 This file is only for viewing and printing.

Contents are not allowed to be edited.