| Mathematics Major [3]

Philippine Normal University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS (LET)
Refresher Course

WHAT TO EXPECT

MAJORSHIP

Area: MATHEMATICS

Focus: Advanced Algebra

LET Competencies
Solve for the roots of a given quadratic equation
Solve problems on quadratic equations
Determine an equation given a set of roots which are imaginary/complex numbers
Perform operations involving exponential and logarithmic functions
Solve for the solution set of a given inequality
Determine the rth term of the expansion (a + b)n
Solve problems involving arithmetic and geometric progressions
Solve problems involving variations
Determine the number of positive and negative roots of a given polynomial

PART I - CONTENT UPDATE:

QUADRATIC EQUATION
An equation of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a 0, a ,b, and c are constants, is a quadratic equation.

Examples:
The following are quadratic equations:
1. 3x2 + 4x + 5 = 0
2. 2x2 - 21x = 0
3. 5x2 - 25 = 0

ROOTS OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

To solve a quadratic equation in x means to find the value/s of x (unknown) that will satisfy the given equation.
The values of x that will make the equation true are called the roots or solutions of the quadratic equation.

Methods of Finding the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

1. Factoring (Use this method if ax2 + bx + c is factorable)
Example: Find the roots of x2 + 2x - 15 = 0

Factoring the left side of the equation,

(x + 5) (x 3) = 0

Equating each factor to zero,

(x + 5) = 0 (x 3) = 0
Solving the resulting linear equations,
x=-5 x=3
2
2. Quadratic Formula (Use this method if ax + bx + c is not factorable)
The quadratic formula is

b b 2 4ac
x
2a
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Example: Solve 3x2 2x 7 = 0
Substitute a = 3 b = -2 c = -7 in the quadratic formula,

2 (2) 2 4(3)(7)
x
2(3)

1 22
x
3

BINOMIAL FORMULA
To obtain the terms of the binomial expansion (a + b)n, we use the binomial formula:
n 1 n (n 1)a n 2 b 2 n (n 1)(n 2)a n 3 b 3
(a + b) = a na
n n
b ... nab n 1 b n
2! 3!

THE rth TERM OF THE EXPANSION (a + b)n

n (n 1)(n 2)...(n r 2)a n r 1 b r 1
rth term =
(r 1)!
Example:

Find the fifth term of (2a 3b)8

n=8 r=5 nr+2=5
(8)(7)(6)(5)(2a ) 4 (5b) 4
5th term =
4!
5th term = 90, 720 a4b4

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An exponential function with base b is defined by an equation of the form

f (x) = b x, where b and x are real numbers and b> 0,b 1.

Note: An exponential function has a constant base and a variable exponent.

Examples:
The following are examples of exponential functions
1. f(x) = 2x
2. f(x) = 32x - 2
4 x 3
1
3. f(x) =
2

PROPERTIES OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The exponential functions f (x) = bx and g(x) = by where x and y are real numbers, b> 0, b 1 , satisfy the
following properties
1. bxby = bx+y
2. bx = by , if and only if x = y
1
3. b-x =
bx
4. If b>1, and x< y, then bx < by
5. If 0 < b < 1 and x < y, then bx > by

NATURAL EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The natural exponential function is defined by the equation

f(x) = ex where e = 2.71828
Notice that e is an irrational number.
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EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

An equation where the unknown quantity appears in an exponent is called an exponential equation.

Examples:
The following are exponential equations:
1. 60 = 2x-3
2. 5x-3 = 23x-2
3. 62x 6x+3 = 24x+5

SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

To solve an exponential equation is to find the value of the unknown quantity in the given equation.
Example 1: Solve for x in 64 = 8x-2
Solution:
Rewriting the given equation, we have
82 = 8x-2

Since the bases are equal, the exponents must be equal. Thus,
2=x2
4=x
Hence, x = 4

Example 2: Solve for x in the equation 2 x 4 x 2 3

2

Equating the exponents, we have

x2 + 4x= -3
x2 + 4x + 3 = 0
(x + 3) (x + 1) = 0
x = -3 x = -1.

Therefore x = -3 x = -1.

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

The equation f(x) = logb x, where b 1 , x> 0 and b> 0 is called a logarithmic function.
Examples:
The following are logarithmic functions:
1. f(x) = log2 (3x -2)
2. f(x) = log2 x
3. f(x) = log8 (6x -3)

Note:
1. If the base of the logarithm is not indicated it is understood that the base is 10.
2. If the base of the logarithm is the number e, then it is called a natural logarithm and it is written as
f(x) = ln x.

LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

A logarithmic equation is an equation that contains logarithm.

Examples:
The following are logarithmic equations
1. log3 81 = 4
2. log2 8 = 3
3. log2 16 = 4
4. log 100 = 2

The logarithmic equation y = logb x can be written in exponential form as by = x and vice-versa.

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Here are some examples:
Logarithmic Form Exponential Form
log2 8 = 3 23 = 8
log10 100 = 2 102 = 100
1 1
log4 = -2 4 2
16 16

Log3 81 = 4 34 = 81

PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

1. logb x + logb y = logb (xy)

Example:
log2 (2x + 3) + log2 x = log2 [x(2x + 3)]

x
2. logb x logb y = logb
y
Example:

log3 (3x -5) log3 5x = log3

3x 5

5x

3. logb xn = nlogb x

Example:

log2 x3 = 3 log2 x

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

To solve a logarithmic equation means to find the value of the unknown quantity in the given equation.

Example 1: Solve for x in log (x + 2) log x = log (x + 2)

Rewriting the given equation, we have

x2
log log( x 2)
x

Since the logarithmic of both sides of the equation are equal, then we have

x2
x2
x
x(x + 2) = x + 2
x2 + x - 2 = 0
(x + 2) (x-1) = 0
x = -2 x = 1
Thus, x = 1

Example 2
Solve for x in log(x 4) + log(x 3) = log 30

Solution
Rewriting the given equation, we obtain
log(x 4)(x 3) = log 30
(x 4) (x 3) = 30
x2 - 7x + 12 = 30
x2 - 7x -18 = 0
(x 9) (x + 2) = 0
x = 9 x= -2
Thus, x = 9.
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INEQUALITIES

Any relation expressed using the symbols <, >, > or < is called an inequality.
An absolute inequality is an inequality which is always true. A conditional inequality is one which is true only for
certain values of the variable involved.
1. 4 > 3 is an absolute inequality
2. x > 3 is a conditional inequality

PROPERTIES OF INEQUALITIES

Let a, b, c, & d be real numbers. The following hold.

1. Trichotomy Property
a > b or a < b or a = b
2. a > b if a - b > 0
a < b if a b < 0
3.
a. If a> 0 and b> 0, then a + b> 0 and ab>0.
b. If a < 0 and b < 0, then a+b< 0 and ab> 0

4. Transitivity

If a < b and b < c then a < c.

5. Addition Property

If a < b and c < d, then a + c < b+ d

6. Multiplication Property

If a < b and c > 0, then ac < bc

If a < b and c < 0, then ac > bc

SOLVING INEQUALITIES

To solve an inequality means to find the value of the unknown that will make the inequality true.

Examples:
1. Solve the inequality 4x + 3 < x + 8
Solution:
4x + 3 < x + 8
4x x < 8 3
3x < 5
5
x<
3

2. Solve the inequality 2x - 3 < 5x + 7

Solution:
2x 3 < 5x + 7
2x 5x < 7 + 3
-3x < 10
10
x>
3
3. Solve the inequality 3x2 5 x + 7
Solution:
3x2 - 5x < 0
x(3x 5) < 0
Case I
x > 0 and 3x 5 < 0
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x > 0 and 3x < 5
5
x > 0 and x <
3

5
Thus, 0 < x <
3
Case II
x < 0 and 3x 5 . 0
x < 0 and 3x > 5
5
x < 0 and x >
3
Thus, the solution is a null set.
5
Therefore the general solution is 0 < x <
3
4. Solve the inequality 3x2 4 < 3x
Solution:
x2 4 < 3 x
2
x +3x4< 0
(x + 4) ( x 1) < 0

Case I
x + 4 < 0 and x 1 > 0
x < 4 and x > 1

Thus, theres no solution.

Case II

x + 4 > 0 and x 1 < 0

x > -4 and x < 1

Thus, x = ( -4, 1)

Therefore, the general solution set is (-4, 1) or -4 < x < 1.

SEQUENCES AND SERIES

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers called terms.

Example:
For the sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, , the first term is 1, the second term is 3, and so on and so forth.

The sum of the terms of a sequence is called a series.

Example:
The sum of the sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, denoted by 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + is a series.

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

A sequence in which a constant d is added to the previous term to get the next is called an arithmetic sequence.
The constant d is called the common difference.

Examples:

1. The sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, is an arithmetic sequence whose constant difference is 2.

2. The sequence 35, 30, 25, 20, is an arithmetic sequence whose constant difference is -5
The nth Term of an Arithmetic Sequence (tn )
The nth term of an arithmetic sequence can be found by using the formula,
tn = t1 + (n 1) d
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where
tn = nth term of the arithmetic sequence
t1 = first term of the arithmetic sequence
n = number of terms
d = common difference

Example 1
Find the 20th term of the sequence 4, 14, 24, 34,

Solution:
Here t1 = 4, n = 20, d = 10
Thus,
t20 = t1 + (20 1) (10)
= 4 + (19) (10)
= 4 + (190)
t20 = 194
Example 2
Find the 50th term of the sequence 13, 10, 7, 4,

Solution:
Here t1 = 13, n = 50, d = -3
Thus,
t50 = t1 + (n 1) (d)
= 13 + (50 1) (-3)
= 13 + (49) (-3)
t50 = 134

ARITHMETIC SERIES

The indicated sum of an arithmetic sequence is an Arithmetic Series.

The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence, denoted by Sn is given by the formula

n
Sn= ( t 1 t 2 ) or
2
n
Sn = [(2t1 + (n 1)d]
2

Example 1: Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the sequence 1, 8, 15 . . .

Solution:
20
S20= [2(1) + (20 1) (7)]
2

=10 [2+ 133]

=10 (135)
S20=1350

Example 2:
How many multiples of 4 are there between 15 and 94?
Solution:

Here t1 = 16, tn = 92, d=4

Thus,
tn = t1 + (n 1)d
92 = 16 + (n 1) 4
92 = 16 + 4n 4
80 = 4n
20 = n
So, there are 20 numbers which are multiples of 4 between 15 and 94.

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GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
A sequence in which a constant r is multiplied by the previous term to get the next term is called a geometric
sequence. The constant r is called the common ratio.
Example:
1. The sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, is a geometric sequence whose constant ratio is 2.
8 1
2. The sequence 24, 8, , is a geometric sequence whose constant ratio is .
3 3

The nth Term of a Geometric Sequence

The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by the formula,
tn = t, r n-1
th
where tn= n term of the geometric sequence
ti = first term of the geometric sequence
Example:
Find the 15th term of the sequence 1, 4, 16, 64,
Solution
Here t1 = 1, n = 15, r=4
Thus,
t15 = t1 r n-1
= (1)(415-1)

POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION
The function defined by the equation
f(x) = a0xn +a1xn-1 + a2xn-2 + . . .+ an-2x2 + an-1x + an
where n is a nonnegative integer and a0, a1, . . ., an are constants, a0, 0 is a polynomial function in x of degree n.
The zeros or roots of f(x) are the numbers x such that f(x) = 0.

The Number of Positive and Negative Roots of a Polynomial Function

If f(x) is a polynomial function with real coefficients,
The number of positive real zeros of f(x) is either equal to the number of variations in sign in f(x), or to
that number diminished by a positive even integer.
The number of negative real zeros of f(x) is either equal to the number of variations in sign in f(-x), or to
that number diminished by a positive even integer.
Example: Determine the possible number of positive and negative zeros of f(x).
1. f(x) = 8x3 12x2 2x + 3
Because f(x) is of degree 3, there would be 3 zeros. f(x) has 2 variations in signs, while f(-x) = -8x3 12x2
+ 2x + 3 has 1 variation in sign.
Thus, f(x) may have the following possible roots
1. 2 positive zeros and 1 negative zero
2. no positive zero, 1 negative zero, and 2 imaginary zeros
2. f(x) = 4x6 3x5 + 7x3 3
Because f(x) is of degree 6, there would be 6 zeros. f(x) has 3 variations in signs, while f(-x) = -8x3 12x2
+ 2x + 3 has 1 variation in sign.
Thus, f(x) may have the following possible roots
1. 3 positive zeros, 1 negative zero, and 2 imaginary zeros
2. 1 positive zero, 1 negative zero, and 4 imaginary zeros
VARIATION
The term use to denote the effect of changes among two or more related quantities. There are different types of
variation:
Direct Variation
If y varies directly as x, then we write y kx where k is the constant of variation.
Inverse Variation
k
If y varies inversely as x, then we write y where k is the constant of variation.
x
Joint Variation
If y varies jointly as x and w, then we write y = kwx where k is the constant of variation.
Combined Variation
wx
If y varies jointly as w and x and inversely as z, then we write y k where k is the
z
constant of variation.

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Part II: Analyzing Test Items

Directions: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. What is the value of x so that the sequence 4x-3, 3x 2,4,.. forms an arithmetic sequence
a. 1 c. 2
b. 1.5 d. 2.5
1
2. What is the value of log28 + log5 ?
5
a. 2 c. 4
b. 3 d. -3
3. Seven different weights are used to balance small masses in a laboratory. These weights are in geometric
progression. What is the greatest weight if the lightest is 0.5g and the median (middle) weight is 4g?
a. 24g c. 32g
b. 30g d. 42
4. What is the sum of the geometric series 0.3 + 3 + 30 + 300,000.?
a. 3, 333.3 c. 333,333.3
b. 33,333.3 d. 3, 333, 333.3
5. If log x =1, what is the value of x?
a. 0 c. 1
b. 10 d. -1
6. What is the value of x if log x = 1 + 2log 2?
a. 40 c. 4
b. 4 d. 10
7. What is the value of x in the equation 5x + 2 + 5x + 1 + 5x = 3875?
a. 5 c. 9
b. 3 d. 25
8. Which of the following ordered pairs belongs to the polynomial function f(x) = x4 4x3
+ 3x 2 ?
a. (1, 0) c. (0, 2 )
b. (1, 4) d. (1, 4)
3 2
9. What is the value of k in f(x) = x +3x 12x + k so that x 2 is a factor?
a. 9 c. 4
b. 3 d. 5
10. One diagonal of a rectangle is 10 cm long. The rectangles length is 8cm. What is the area of the rectangle?
a. 24 cm2 c. 48 cm2
2
b. 36cm d. 80cm2
11. A rectangular piece of cardboard is 70 cm by 50 cm. A 10-cm square is cut from each corner and the four flaps
are folded up to form an open box. What is the volume of the box?
a. 1, 500 cm3 c. 24, 000cm3
b. 15, 000 cm3 d. 80 cm2
12. What is the third term of the expansion ( x 2 3y) 5 ?
a. 15x8y c. 270x8y2
b. 90x6y2 d. 15x8y3
2x -x
13.If 21 = 9, what is the value of 21 ?
a. 1
b. 3 d.
3
1 e. 3
c.
3
14.What is the value of x if 16x + 2 = 642x 1 ?
7 1
a. c.
4 4
b. 2 d. 2
15. Hookes Law states that the distance a string stretches varies directly as the weight on the spring. A weight
of 40 pounds stretches 1.5 inches. How far will weight of 225 pounds stretch the spring?
a. 6.4 in c. 8.4 in
b. 7.4 in d. 9.4
16. The volume V of a cube varies directly as the cube of its edge e, if the value of e doubled, what happens to the value
of V?
a. Four times as great c. Six time as great
b. Eight times as great d. Twelve times as great
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17.What are the roots of x2 = 8x 15?

a. {3, 5} c. {3, 5}
b. {3, 5} d. {3, 5}
2
18.What is the missing term in x + 6x + ___ so that the resulting expression is a perfect square trinomial?
a. 1 c. 9
b. 6 d. 3
2
19.For what value of k will the equation x 6x + k have equal roots?
a. 6 c. 3
b. 8 d. 9
20. Which is a property of the function y = logbx?
a. The domain is the set of real numbers. c. The range is the set of real numbers.
b. The y-intercept of the graph is 1. d. The x-axis is an asymptote of the graph.
21. What are the roots of the quadratic equation x2 x 6 = 0?
a. 2 and 3 c. 2 and 3
b. 2 and 3 d. 2 and 3
22. A tank contains 243 L of gasoline. Each time that a valve is opened, one-third of the gasoline is released.
How much gas will be in the tank after the valve is opened 5 times?
a. 32 L c. 53L
b. 48L d. 54L
23. What is the first term of the geometric progression whose 7th term is 512 and 8th term is 1, 024.?
a. 4 c. 12
b. 8 d. 16
24. What is the number of bacteria produced from 500 bacteria at the end of 4 hours if simple fission (splitting into two)
occurs every 12 minutes?
a. 524 million c. 584 million
b. 560 million d. 420 million
25. A parachutist in free fall travels 5 meters in the first second, 15 meters during the second, 25 meters during the third
second. How far would the parachutist travel in free fall during the eight second?
a. 95 m c. 75 m
b. 85 m d. 65 m
26. A teacher gives a grade of 2.00 to a student whose test score average is at least 80% and not greater than 89%. If
Sherinas grade on her first four tests were 98%, 76%, 84% and 86%, what is the least score she should get on then fifth
test to have a grade of 2.00?
a. > 50 c. < 56
b. >52 d. > 56

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