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Title: A Review of Algebra
Author: Rivenburg, Romeyn Henry
Language: English
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For the plain text version, the following conventions are used:
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Extra parentheses have been added as needed to clarify the correct order
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A REVIEW OF ALGEBRA
BY
ROMEYN HENRY RIVENBURG, A.M.
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
THE PEDDIE INSTITUTE, HIGHTSTOWN, N.J.
[Illustration]
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO
COPYRIGHT, 1914,
BY ROMEYN H. RIVENBURG.
COPYRIGHT, 1914, IN GREAT BRITAIN.
A REVIEW OF ALGEBRA.
E. P. 6
PREFACE
In most high schools the course in Elementary Algebra is finished by the
end of the second year. By the senior year, most students have forgotten
many of the principles, and a thorough review is necessary in order to
prepare college candidates for the entrance examinations and for
effective work in the freshman year in college. Recognizing this need,
many schools are devoting at least two periods a week for part of the
senior year to a review of algebra.
For such a review the regular textbook is inadequate. From an
embarrassment of riches the teacher finds it laborious to select the
proper examples, while the student wastes time in searching for
scattered assignments. The object of this book is to conserve the time
and effort of both teacher and student, by providing a thorough and
effective review that can readily be completed, if need be, in two
periods a week for a half year.
Each student is expected to use his regular textbook in algebra for
reference, as he would use a dictionary,--to recall a definition, a
rule, or a process that he has forgotten. He should be encouraged to
_think_ his way out wherever possible, however, and to refer to the
textbook only when _forced_ to do so as a last resort.
The definitions given in the General Outline should be reviewed as
occasion arises for their use. The whole Outline can be profitably
employed for rapid class reviews, by covering the part of the Outline
that indicates the answer, the method, the example, or the formula, as
the case may be.
The whole scheme of the book is ordinarily to have a page of problems
represent a day's work. This, of course, does not apply to the Outlines
or the few pages of theory, which can be covered more rapidly. By this
plan, making only a part of the omissions indicated in the next
paragraph, the essentials of the algebra can be readily covered, if need
be, in from thirty to thirty-two lessons, thus leaving time for tests,
even if only eighteen weeks, of two periods each, are allotted to the
course.
If a brief course is desired, the Miscellaneous Examples (pp. 31 to 35,
50 to 52), many of the problems at the end of the book, and the College
Entrance Examinations may be omitted without marring the continuity or
the comprehensiveness of the review.
ROMEYN H. RIVENBURG.
CONTENTS
PAGES
OUTLINE OF ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA 7-13
ORDER OF OPERATIONS, EVALUATION, PARENTHESES 14
SPECIAL RULES OF MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION 15
CASES IN FACTORING 16, 17
FACTORING 18
HIGHEST COMMON FACTOR AND LOWEST COMMON MULTIPLE 19
FRACTIONS 20
COMPLEX FRACTIONS AND FRACTIONAL EQUATIONS 21, 22
SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS AND INVOLUTION 23, 24
SQUARE ROOT 25
THEORY OF EXPONENTS 26-28
RADICALS 29, 30
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES, ALGEBRA TO QUADRATICS 31-35
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 36, 37
THE THEORY OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 38-41
OUTLINE OF SIMULTANEOUS QUADRATICS 42, 43
SIMULTANEOUS QUADRATICS 44
RATIO AND PROPORTION 45, 46
ARITHMETICAL PROGRESSION 47
GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION 48
THE BINOMIAL THEOREM 49
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES, QUADRATICS AND BEYOND 50-52
PROBLEMS--LINEAR EQUATIONS, SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS,
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS, SIMULTANEOUS QUADRATICS 53-57
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS 58-80
OUTLINE OF ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
~Important Definitions~
Factors; coefficient; exponent; power; base; term; algebraic
sum; similar terms; degree; homogeneous expression; linear
equation; root of an equation; root of an expression; identity;
conditional equation; prime quantity; highest common factor (H.
C. F.); lowest common multiple (L. C. M.); involution;
evolution; imaginary number; real number; rational; similar
radicals; binomial surd; pure quadratic equation; affected
quadratic equation; equation in the quadratic form; simultaneous
linear equations; simultaneous quadratic equations;
discriminant; symmetrical expression; ratio; proportion; fourth
proportional; third proportional; mean proportional; arithmetic
progression; geometric progression; S [infinity]
~Special Rules for Multiplication and Division~
1. Square of the sum of two quantities.
(x + y)^2.
2. Square of the difference of two quantities.
(x - y)^2.
3. Product of the sum and difference of two quantities.
(s + t)(s - t).
4. Product of two binomials having a common term.
(x + r)(x + m).
5. Product of two binomials whose corresponding terms are similar.
(3x + 2t)(2x - 5t).
6. Square of a polynomial.
(m - n/3 + k)^2.
7. Sum of two cubes.
(x^3 + y^3)/(x + y) = x^2 - xy + y^2.
8. Difference of two cubes.
(x^3 - y^3)/(x - y) = x^2 + xy + y^2.
9. Sum or difference of two like powers.
(x^7 + y^7)/(x + y),
(x^5 - y^5)/(x - y),
(x^4 - y^4)/(x - y),
(x^4 - y^4)/(x + y).
~Cases in Factoring~
1. Common monomial factor.
mx + my - mz = m(x + y - z).
2. Trinomial that is a perfect square.
x^2 ± 2xy + y^2 = (x ± y)^2.
3. The difference of two squares.
(a) Two terms.
x^2 - y^2 = (x + y)(x - y).
(b) Four terms.
x^2 + 2xy + y^2 - m^2 = (x + y + m)(x + y - m).
(c) Six terms.
x^2 + 2xy + y^2 - p^2 - 2pq - q^2
= [(x + y) + (p + q)][(x + y) - (p + q)].
(d) Incomplete square.
x^4 + x^2 y^2 + y^4
= x^4 + 2x^2 y^2 + y^4 - x^2 y^2
= (x^2 + y^2 + xy)(x^2 + y^2 - xy).
4. Trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c.
x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 2)(x - 3).
5. Trinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c.
20x^2 + 7x - 6 = (4x + 3)(5x - 2).
6. Sum or difference of
two cubes. See "Special Rules," 7 and 8.
two like powers. See "Special Rules," 9.
7. Common polynomial factor. Grouping.
t^2 p + t^2 q - 2mp - 2mq
= t^2(p + q) - 2m(p + q) = (p + q)(t^2 - 2m).
8. Factor Theorem.
x^3 + 17x - 18 = (x - 1)(x^2 + x + 18).
~H. C. F. and L. C. M.~
a^2 + 2a - 3 = (a + 3)(a - 1).
a^2 + 7a + 12 = (a + 3)(a + 4).
a^4 + 27a = a(a + 3)(a^2 - 3a + 9).
H. C. F. = a + 3.
L. C. M. = (a + 3)(a - 1)(a + 4)a(a^2 - 3a + 9).
~Fractions~
Reduction to lowest terms.
Reduction of a mixed number to an improper fraction.
Reduction of an improper fraction to a mixed number.
Addition and subtraction of fractions.
Multiplication and division of fractions.
Law of signs in division, changing signs of factors, etc.
Complex fractions.
~Simultaneous Equations~
Solved by
addition or subtraction.
substitution.
comparison.
Graphical representation.
~Involution~
Law of signs.
Binomial theorem laws.
Expansion of
monomials and fractions.
binomials.
trinomials.
~Evolution~
Law of signs.
Evolution of monomials and fractions.
Square root of algebraic expressions.
Square root of arithmetical numbers.
Optional
Cube root of algebraic expressions.
Cube root of arithmetical numbers.
~Theory of Exponents~
Proofs: a^m × a^n = a^(m + n);
(a^m)/(a^n) = a^(m - n);
(a^m)^n = a^(mn);
[a^(mn)]^(1/n) = a^m;
(a/b)^n = (a^n)/(b^n);
(abc)^n = a^n b^n c^n.
Meaning of
fractional exponent.
zero exponent.
negative exponent.
Four rules
To multiply quantities having the same base, add exponents.
To divide quantities having the same base, subtract
exponents.
To raise to a power, multiply exponents.
To extract a root, divide the exponent of the power by the
index of the root.
~Radicals~
Radical in its simplest form.
Transformation of radicals
Fraction under the radical sign.
Reduction to an entire surd.
Changing to surds of different order.
Reduction to simplest form.
Addition and subtraction of radicals.
Multiplication and division of radicals
a^(1/n) · b^(1/n) = [ab]^(1/n).
([ab]^(1/n))/(a^(1/n)) = b^(1/n).
Rationalization
Monomial denominator.
Binomial denominator.
Trinomial denominator.
Square root of a binomial surd.
Radical equations. _Always_ check results to avoid extraneous roots.
~Quadratic Equations~
Pure. x^2 = a.
Affected. ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
Methods of solving
Completing the square.
Formula. Developed from ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
Factoring.
Equations in the quadratic form.
Properties of quadratics
r_1 = -b/2a + ([b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2))/(2a).
r_2 = -b/2a - ([b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2))/(2a).
Then
r_1 + r_2 = -b/a.
r_1 · r_2 = c/a.
Discriminant, b^2 - 4ac, and its discussion.
Nature or character of the roots.
~Simultaneous Quadratics~
CASE I.
One equation linear.
The other quadratic.
3x - y = 12,
x^2 - y^2 = 16.
CASE II.
Both equations homogeneous and of the second degree.
x^2 - xy + y^2 = 21,
y^2 - 2xy = -15.
CASE III.
Any two of the quantities x + y, x^2 + y^2, xy, x^3 + y^3,
x^3 - y^3, x - y, x^2 ± xy + y^2, etc., given.
x^2 + y^2 = 41,
x + y = 9.
CASE IV.
Both equations symmetrical or symmetrical except for sign.
Usually one equation of high degree, the other of the first
degree.
x^5 + y^5 = 242,
x + y = 2.
CASE V. Special Devices
I. Solve for a compound unknown, like xy, x + y, (1)/(xy),
etc., first.
x^2y^2 + xy = 6,
x + 2y = -5.
II. Divide the equations, member by member.
x^4 - y^4 = 20,
x^2 - y^2 = 5.
III. Eliminate the quadratic terms.
4x + 3y = 2xy,
7x - 5y = 5xy.
~Ratio and Proportion~
Proportionals
mean,
third,
fourth.
Theorems
1. Product of means equals product of extremes.
2. If the product of two numbers equals the product of two
other numbers, either pair, etc.
3. Alternation.
4. Inversion.
5. Composition.
6. Division.
7. Composition and division.
8. In a series of equal ratios, the sum of the antecedents
is to the sum of the consequents as any antecedent, etc.
Special method of proving four quantities in proportion. Let
a/b = x, a = bx, etc.
~Progressions~
Development of formulas.
{ l = ar^(n - 1).
{ l = a + (n - 1)d. { S = (ar^n - a)/(r - 1).
{ S = (n/2)(a + l). { S = (rl - a)/(r - 1).
{ S = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]. { S[infinity] = (a)/(1 - r).
Insertion of means
Arithmetical.
Geometrical.
~Binomial Theorem~
Review of binomial theorem laws. See Involution.
Expansion of (a + b)^n.
Finding any term by
key number method.
r^(th) or (r + 1)^(th) term method.
A REVIEW OF ALGEBRA
ORDER OF OPERATIONS, EVALUATION, PARENTHESES
Order of operations:
First of all, raising to a power and extracting a root.
Next, multiplication and division.
Last of all, addition and subtraction.
Find the value of:
1. 5 · 2^2 - 25^(1/2) ÷ 5 + 2^2 · 8 ÷ 4 - 2.
2. (3 × 6 ÷ 9)/2 - 2[100^(1/2)] ÷ 5 + 4 · 2^3 - (14 · 2)/28.
3. 9 · 2 ÷ 6 + 3 - 2 · 4^2 ÷ 8^(1/3) - 4 + (3 · 2^2)/6.
Evaluate:
4. (a^4 - a^3 + b^3)/([a^2 b^2]^(1/2)) + (c[a^(1/2)] + a^3bc)/(abc),
if a = 1, b = 2, c = 3.
5. t^(1/3) + [tm]^(1/3) + m^(1/3), if t = 8, m = 27.
6. (2[3 + 2d + a]^(1/2))/(3[a + b - cx - c]^(1/2))
+ ((3c - d)x)/(7ad - [abc]^(1/2)), if
a = 5, b = 3, c = -1, d = -2, x = 0.
7. a - {5b - [a - (3c - 3b) + 2c - 3(a - 2b - c)]},
if a = -3, b = 4, c = -5. (_Yale._)
Simplify:
8. m - [2m - {3r - (4r - 2m)}].
9. 2a - [5d + {3c - (a + [2d - 3a + 4c])}].
10. 3c^2 + c(2a - [6c - {3a + c - 4a}]).
SPECIAL RULES OF MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
Give results by inspection:
1. (g + 1/2 k)^2.
2. (s - (2m)/3)^2.
3. (2v + 3w)(2v - 3w).
4. (x + 3ts)(x - 7ts).
5. (2l + 3g)(4l - 11g).
6. (a - (2b)/3 + c - d)^2.
7. (x^3 + 8m^3)/(x + 2m).
8. (y^3 - 27k^(3m))/(y - 3k^m).
9. (c^5 - d^5)/(c - d).
10. (e^5 + d^5)/(e + d).
11. (x^4 - y^4)/(x - y).
12. (x^4 - y^4)/(x + y).
13. (a - .03)(a - .0007).
14. (g^n - 1/2)(g^n + 3/4).
15. (t^7 - v^(7/2))/(t - v^(1/2)).
16. (k^32 + 1)(k^16 +1)(k^8 + 1)(k^4 +1)(k^2 +1)(k + 1)(k - 1).
17. [(a + b) + (c + d)][(a + b) - (c + d)].
18. (p - q + r - s)(p - q - r + s).
19. (3m - n - l + 2r)(3m + n - l - 2r).
20. (x + 5)(x - 2)(x - 5)(x + 2).
21. (a^2 + b^2 - c - 2d + 3e)^2.
22. (s + t - 2v/5 + 3w/6 + z^2)^2.
23. (x^5 + 32)/(x + 2).
~References:~ The chapter on Special Rules of Multiplication and
Division in any algebra.
Special Rules of Multiplication and Division in the
Outline in the front of the book.
CASES IN FACTORING
The number of terms in an expression usually gives the clue to the
possible cases under which it may come. By applying the _test_ for each
and eliminating the _possible_ cases one by one, the right case is
readily found. Hence, the number of terms in the expression and a ready
and accurate knowledge of the Cases in Factoring are the real keys to
success in this vitally important part of algebra.
CASE I. A common monomial factor. Applies to any number of terms.
5cx - 5ct + 5cv - 15 c^2 m + 25 c^3 m^2
= 5c(x - t + v - 3cm + 5c^2 m^2).
CASE II. A trinomial that is a perfect square. Three terms.
x^2 ± 2xm + m^2 = (x ± m)^2.
CASE III. The difference of two squares.
_A._ Two terms. x^2 - y^2 = (x + y)(x - y).
_B._ Four terms.
x^2 + 2xy + y^2 - m^2 = (x^2 + 2xy + y^2) - m^2
= (x + y + m)(x + y - m)
_C._ Six terms. x^2 - 2xy + y^2 - m^2 - 2mn - n^2
= (x^2 - 2xy + y^2) - (m^2 + 2mn + n^2)
= (x - y)^2 - (m + n)^2
= [(x - y) + (m + n)][(x - y) - (m + n)].
_D._ An incomplete square. Three terms, and
4th powers or multiples of 4.
c^4 + c^2 d^2 + d^4 = c^4 + 2c^2 d^2 + d^4 - c^2 d^2
= (c^2 + d^2)^2 - c^2 d^2
= (c^2 + d^2 + cd)(c^2 + d^2 - cd).
CASE IV. A trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c. Three terms.
x^2 + x - 30 = (x + 6)(x - 5).
CASE V. A trinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c. Three terms.
20x^2 + 7x - 6 = (4x + 3)(5x - 2).
CASE VI.
_A._ The sum or difference of two cubes. Two terms.
x^3 + y^3 = (x + y)(x^2 - xy + y^2);
x^3 - y^3 = (x - y)(x^2 + xy + y^2).
_B._ The sum or difference of two like powers. Two terms.
x^4 - y^4 = (x - y)(x^3 + x^2y + xy^2 + y^3);
x^5 + y^5 = (x + y)(x^4 - x^3y + x^2 y^2 - xy^3 + y^4).
CASE VII. A common polynomial factor. Any _composite_ number of terms.
t^2 p + t^2 q - t^2 r - g^2 p - g^2 q + g^2 r
= t^2 (p + q - r) - g^2 (p + q -r)
= (p + q - r)(t^2 - g^2)
= (p + q - r)(t + g)(t - g).
CASE VIII. The Factor Theorem. Any number of terms.
x^3 + 17x - 18 = (x - 1)(x^2 + x + 18).
FACTORING
Review the _Cases in Factoring_ (see Outline on preceding pages) and
write out the prime factors of the following:
1. 8a^(13) + am^(12).
2. x^7 + y^7.
3. 4x^2 + 11x - 3.
4. m^2 + n^2 - (1 + 2mn).
5. -x^2 + 2x - 1 + x^4.
6. x^(16) - y^(16). (Five factors.)
7. (x + 1)^2 - 5x - 29.
8. x^4 + x^2 y^2 + y^4.
9. x^4 - 11x^2 + 1.
10. x^(2m) + 2 + 1/(x^(2m)).
11. x^(6m) + 13x^(3m) + 12.
12. 4a^2 b^2 - (a^2 + b^2 - c^2)^2.
13. (x^2 - x - 6)(x^2 - x - 20).
14. a^4 - 8a - a^3 + 8.
15. p^3 + 7p^2 + 14p + 8.
16. 18a^2 b + 60ab^2 + 50b^3.
17. x^3 - 7x + 6.
18. 24c^2 d^2 - 47cd - 75.
19. (a^2 - b^2)^2 - (a^2 - ab)^2.
20. a^2 x^3 - (8a^2)/(y^3) - x^3 + 8/(y^3).
21. gt - gk + gl^2 + xt - xk + xl^2.
22. (m - n)(2a^2 - 2ab) + (n - m)(2ab - 2b^2).
23. a^2 - x^2 - y^2 + b^2 + 2ab + 2xy.
24. (2c^2 + 3d^2)a + (2a^2 + 3c^2)d.
25. (n(n - 1))/(1 · 2) a^(n - 2) b^2
+ (n(n - 1)(n - 2))/(1 · 2 · 3) a^(n - 3) b^3.
26. (x - x^2)^3 + (x^2 - 1)^3 + (1 - x)^3. (_M. I. T._)
27. (27y^3)^2 - 2(27y^3)(8b^3) + (8b^3)^2. (_Princeton._)
28. (a^3 + 8b^3)(a + b) - 6ab(a^2 - 2ab + 4b^2). (_M. I. T._)
Solve by factoring:
29. x^3 = x.
30. z^2 - 4z - 45 = 0.
31. x^3 - x^2 = 4x - 4.
~Reference:~ The chapter on Factoring in any algebra.
HIGHEST COMMON FACTOR AND LOWEST COMMON MULTIPLE
Define H. C. F. and L. C. M.
Find by factoring the H. C. F. and L. C. M.:
1. 3x^2 - 3x,
12x^2 (x^2 - 1),
18x^3 (x^3 - 1).
2. (x^2 - 1)(x^2 + 5x + 6),
(x^2 + 3x)(x^2 - x - 6). (_Harvard._)
3. x^2 - y^2,
x^2 + y^2,
x^3 + y^3,
x^6 + y^6,
x^6 - y^6. (_College Entrance Board._)
4. x^3 + x^2 - 2,
x^3 + 2x^2 - 3. (_Cornell._)
5. x^5 - 2x^4 + x^2,
2x^4 - 4x^3 - 4x + 6. (_Yale._)
6. x^2 + a^2 - b^2 + 2ax,
x^2 - a^2 + b^2 + 2bx,
x^2 - a^2 - b^2 - 2ab. (_Harvard._)
7. 2x^2 - x - 15,
3x^2 - 11x + 6,
2x^3 - x^2 - 13x - 6. (_College Entrance Board._)
8. (tv - v^2)^3,
v^3 - t^2v,
t^3 - v^3,
v^2 - 2vt + t^2.
Pick out the H. C. F. and the L. C. M. of the following:
9. 8(x^2 + y)^(32) (t^2 + z)^(19) (m - n^3)^(14),
12(x^2 + y)^(23) (t^2 + z)^(41) (m - n^3)^(17),
18(m - n^3)^(11) (x^2 + y)^(39) (t^2 + z)^(37).
10. 17ax^3 (y + z)^(10) (y - x)^(19) (x + z)^(27),
34a^2 x^4 (y + z)^(11) (y - x)^(21) (x + z)^(13),
51a^3 x^5 (y + z)^4 (x + z)^(32) (y - x)^(29).
~Reference:~ The chapter on H. C. F. and L. C. M. in any algebra.
FRACTIONS
Define: fraction, terms of a fraction, reciprocal of a number.
Look up _the law of signs_ as it applies to fractions. Except for this,
fractions in algebra are treated exactly the same as they are in
arithmetic.
1. Reduce to lowest terms:
(_a_) 32/24;
(_b_) (a^6 - x^6)/(a^4 - x^4);
(_c_) [(a + b)^2 - (c + d)^2]/[(a + c)^2 - (b + d)^2]. (_M. I. T._)
2. Reduce to a mixed expression:
(_a_) 756/11;
(_b_) (a^3 + b^3)/(a - b).
3. Reduce to an improper fraction:
(_a_) 45-1/8;
(_b_) 9-11/12 qt.;
(_c_) a^2 - ab + b^2 - (b^3)/(a + b).
Add:
4. 5/18 + 7/9 + 11/16 + 5/8.
5. 5/(1 + 2x) - (3x)/(1 - 2x) + (4 - 13x)/(4x^2 - 1).
6. 1/[x(x - a)(x - b)] + 1/[a(a - x)(a - b)] + 1/[b(b - x)(b - a)].
Multiply:
7. 72/121 × 55/56 × 77/90.
8. (b - y)/(a^3 + y^3) × (ca + cy)/(b^2 + by)
× (b^6 + y^6)/(b^2 + y^2) × b/c.
Divide:
9. (12/25) ÷ (6/50).
10. [1 - (ab)/(a^2 - ab + b^2)] [1 - (ab)/(a^2 + 2ab + b^2)]
÷ (a^3 - b^3)/(a^3 + b^3). (_Yale._)
11. [(x^4 - y^4)/(x^2 - y^2) ÷ (x + y)/(x^2 - xy)]
÷ [(x^2 + y^2)/(x - y) ÷ (x + y)/(xy - y^2)]. (_Sheffield._)
Simplify:
12. [(4y)/x - (15y^2)/(x^2) + 4] ÷ [4 - (16y)/x + (15y^2)/(x^2)]
× [3 - (4x + 20y)/(2x + 5y)].
~Reference:~ The chapter on Fractions in any algebra.
COMPLEX FRACTIONS AND FRACTIONAL EQUATIONS
Define a complex fraction.
Simplify:
1. (3/7 + 4/5)/(2 - 3/7 · 4/5).
2. (2 - 3/2 + 2/3)/(5 - 2/3 + 3/2).
3. 2 - 2/(1 - 1/[1 - 1/(1 + 1/2)]).
4. a/(b^2) - a/[b^2 + (cb)/(a - c/b)]. (_Harvard._)
5. If m = 1/(a + 1), n = 2/(a + 2), p = 3/(a + 3), what is the value
of m/(1 - m) + n/(1 - n) + p/(1 - p)? (_Univ. of Penn._)
6. Simplify the expression
{x + y - 1/[x + y - xy/(x + y)]}(x^3 - y^3)/(x^2 - y^2).
(_Cornell._)
7. Simplify [1 - (2xy)/((x + y)^2)]/[1 + (2xy)/((x - y)^2)]
÷ {(1 - y/x)/(1 + y/x)}^2.
8. Solve (7y + 9)/4 - [y - (2y - 1)/9] = 7.
9. Solve 2-1/3 - (2/5)(x^2 + 3) = (10x)/3 + 1 - (2x^2)/5.
10. How much water must be added to 80 pounds of a 5 per cent salt
solution to obtain a 4 per cent solution? (_Yale._)
~Reference:~ See Complex Fractions, and the first part of the chapter on
Fractional Equations in any algebra.
FRACTIONAL EQUATIONS
1. Solve for each letter in turn 1/b = 1/p + 1/q.
2. Solve and check:
(5x + 2)/3 - (3 - (3x - 1)/2) = (3x + 19)/2 - ((x + 1)/6 + 3).
3. Solve and check:
(1/2)(x - a/3) - (1/3)(x - a/4) + (1/4)(x - a/5) = 0.
4. Solve (after looking up the special _short_ method):
(3x - 1)/30 + (4x - 7)/15
= x/4 - (2x - 3)/(12x - 11) + (7x - 15)/60.
5. Solve by the special _short_ method:
1/(x - 2) - 1/(x - 3) = 1/(x - 4) - 1/(x - 5).
6. At what time between 8 and 9 o'clock are the hands of a watch
(_a_) opposite each other? (_b_) at right angles? (_c_) together?
Work out (_a_) and state the equations for (_b_) and (_c_).
7. The formula for converting a temperature of F degrees Fahrenheit
into its equivalent temperature of C degrees Centigrade is
C = (5/9)(F - 32). Express F in terms of C, and compute F for the
values C = 30 and C = 28. (_College Entrance Exam. Board._)
8. What is the price of eggs when 2 less for 24 cents raises the price
2 cents a dozen? (_Yale._)
9. Solve 2/(x - 2) + 2/(4 - x^2) = 5/(x + 2).
~Reference:~ The Chapter on Fractional Equations in any algebra. Note
particularly the special _short_ methods, usually given
about the middle of the chapter.
SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS
NOTE. Up to this point each topic presented has reviewed to some
extent the preceding topics. For example, factoring reviews the
special rules of multiplication and division; H. C. F. and L. C. M.
review factoring; addition and subtraction of fractions and
fractional equations review H. C. F. and L. C. M., etc. From this
point on, however, the interdependence is not so marked, and
miscellaneous examples illustrating the work already covered will
be given very frequently in order to keep the whole subject fresh
in mind.
1. Solve by three methods--addition and subtraction, substitution,
and comparison: { 5x + y = 11,
{ 3x + 2y = 1.
Solve and check:
2. { 12R_1 - 11R_2 = b + 12c,
{ R_1 + R_2 = 2b + c.
3. { (r - s)/2 = 25/6 - (r + s)/3,
{ (r + s - 9)/2 - (s - r - 6)/3 = 0.
4. One half of A's marbles exceeds one half of B's and C's together by
2; twice B's marbles falls short of A's and C's together by 16; if
C had four more marbles, he would have one fourth as many as A and
B together. How many has each? (_College Entrance Board._)
5. The sides of a triangle are a, b, c. Calculate the radii of the
three circles having the vertices as centers, each being tangent
externally to the other two. (_Harvard._)
6. Solve { 2x + 3y = 7, x - y = 1 } graphically; then solve
algebraically and compare results. (Use coördinate or squared
paper.)
Factor:
7. x^4 + 4.
8. 2d^(10) - 1024d.
9. 2(x^3 - 1) - 7(x^2 - 1).
~References:~ The chapters on Simultaneous Equations and Graphs in any
algebra.
SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS AND INVOLUTION
1. Solve (3/4)x - (5/3)y = 11-1/2,
(5/8)x - (3/2)y = 10-1/4.
Look up the method of solving when the unknowns are in the
denominator. Should you clear of fractions?
2. Solve 1/x - 1/y - 1/z = 1/a,
1/y - 1/z - 1/x = 1/b,
1/z - 1/x - 1/y = 1/c.
3. Solve graphically and algebraically
2x - y = 4,
2x + 3y = 12.
4. Solve graphically and algebraically
3x + 7y = 5,
8x + 3y = -18.
Review:
5. The squares of the numbers from 1 to 25.
6. The cubes of the numbers from 1 to 12.
7. The fourth powers of the numbers from 1 to 5.
8. The fifth powers of the numbers from 1 to 3.
9. The binomial theorem laws. (See Involution.)
Expand: (Indicate first, then reduce.)
10. (b + y)^7.
11. [(2a)/3 - 1]^5.
12. (x^2 + 2a)^5.
13. (x - y + 2z)^3.
14. A train lost one sixth of its passengers at the first stop, 25 at
the second stop, 20% of the remainder at the third stop, three
quarters of the remainder at the fourth stop; 25 remain. What was
the original number? (_M. I. T._)
~References:~ The chapter on Involution in any algebra. Also the
references on the preceding page.
SQUARE ROOT
Find the square root of:
1. 1 + 16m^6 - 40m^4 + 10m - 8m^3 + 25m^2.
2. (a^2)/(x^2) + (6a)/x + 11 + (6x)/a + (x^2)/(a^2).
3. Find the square root to three terms of x^2 + 5.
4. Find the square root of 337,561.
5. Find the square root of 1823.29.
6. Find to four decimal places the square root of 1.672.
(_Princeton._)
7. Add 2/[(x - 1)^3] + 1/[(1 - x)^2] - 2/(1 - x) - 1/x.
8. Find the value of:
(64^(1/3) · 12)/24 ÷ 2 × 3 - (2 · 7^2)/(14) ÷ 7
× 1 + (1^(1/3) · 1^7)/(1 · 1^2) - 4 · 0.
9. Simplify [(x + y)^5 + (x - y)^5][(x + y)^5 - (x - y)^5].
10. Solve by the short method:
5/(7 - x) - [(2-1/4)x - 3]/4 - (x + 11)/8 + (11x + 5)/16 = 0.
11. It takes 3/4 of a second for a ball to go from the pitcher to the
catcher, and 1/2 of a second for the catcher to handle it and get
off a throw to second base. It is 90 feet from first base to
second, and 130 feet from the catcher's position to second. A
runner stealing second has a start of 13 feet when the ball leaves
the pitcher's hand, and beats the throw to the base by 1/8 of a
second. The next time he tries it, he gets a start of only 3-1/2
feet, and is caught by 6 feet. What is his rate of running, and
the velocity of the catcher's throw? (_Cornell._)
~Reference:~ The chapter on Square Root in any algebra.
THEORY OF EXPONENTS
Review the proofs, for positive integral exponents, of:
I. a^m × a^n = a^(m + n).
II. (a^m)/(a^n) = a^(m - n).
III. (a^m)^n = a^(mn).
IV. [a^(mn)]^(1/n) = a^m.
V. [a/b]^n = (a^n)/(b^n).
VI. (abc)^n = a^n b^n c^n.
~To find the meaning of a fractional exponent.~
Assume that Law I holds for _all_ exponents.
If so, a^(2/3) · a^(2/3) · a^(2/3) = a^(6/3) = a^2.
Hence, a^(2/3) is _one of the three equal factors_ (hence the cube root)
of a^2.
Therefore a^(2/3) = [a^2]^(1/3).
In the same way,
a^(4/5) · a^(4/5) · a^(4/5) · a^(4/5) · a^(4/5) = a^(20/5) = a^4.
Hence, a^(4/5) is _one of the five equal factors_ (hence the fifth root)
of a^4.
Therefore a^(4/5) = [a^4]^(1/5).
In the same way, in general, a^(p/q) = [a^p]^(1/q).
Hence, _the numerator of a fractional exponent indicates the power, the
denominator indicates the root_.
~To find the meaning of a zero exponent.~
Assume that Law II holds for _all_ exponents.
If so, (a^m)/(a^m) = a^(m - m) = a^0. But by division, (a^m)/(a^m) = 1.
Therefore a^0 = 1. Axiom I.
~To find the meaning of a negative exponent.~
Assume that Law I holds for _all_ exponents.
If so, a^m × a^(-m) = a^(m - m) = a^0 = 1.
Hence, a^m × a^(-m) = 1.
Therefore a^(-m) = 1/(a^m).
Rules:
_To multiply quantities having the same base, add exponents._
_To divide quantities having the same base, subtract exponents._
_To raise a quantity to a power, multiply exponents._
_To extract a root, divide the exponent of the power by the
index of the root._
1. Find the value of 3^2 - 5 × 4^0 + 8^(-2/3) + 1^(2/5).
2. Find the value of 8^(-2/3) + 9^(3/2) - 2^(-2) + 1^(-2/5) - 7^0.
Give the value of each of the following:
3. (3^0)/5, 3/(5^0), (3^0)/(5^0),
3^0 × 5, 3 × 5^0, 3^0 × 5^0, 3^0 + 5^0, 3^0 - 5^0.
4. Express 7^0 as some power of 7 divided by itself.
Simplify:
5. 16^(1/3) · 2^(1/2) · 32^(5/6). (Change to the same base first.)
6. [2/(8^(-3))]^(1/5).
7. [(x^n)^(n + 2)]/[(x^(n + 1))(x^(n - 1))].
8. (x + 3x^(2/3) - 2x^(1/3))(3 - 2x^(-1/3) + 4x^(-2/3)).
9. [(a^2b)/(c^2d)]^(1/2) × [(c^3d)/(ab^3)]^(1/3)
× [(a^(1/3)c)/(b^(1/4)d^(5/12))]^2.
10. [(a^(-4))/(b^(-2)c)]^(-3/4)
× [(a^(-1)b[c^(-3)]^(1/2))/(ab^(-1))]^(1/2).
11. [([a^2]^(1/3))/([b^(-1)]^(1/4)) · ([c^(-3)]^(1/2))/(a^(1/3))
· (b^(-1/4)a^(1/3))/(c^(-1))]^(-6).
~Reference:~ The chapter on Theory of Exponents in any algebra.
Solve for x:
1. x^(2/3) = 4.
2. x^(-3/4) = 8.
Factor:
3. x^(2/3) - 9.
4. x^(3/5) + 27.
5. x^(2a) - y^(-6).
6. a^(1/3) x^(1/2) - 3a^(1/3) + 5x^(1/2) - 15.
7. Find the H. C. F. and L. C. M. of
a^2 + a^(3/2) b^(1/2) + a^(1/2) b^(3/2) - b^2,
a^2 - a^(3/2) b^(1/2) - a^(1/2) b^(3/2) - b^2.
8. Simplify the product of:
(ayx^(-1))^(1/2), (bxy^(-2))^(1/3),
and (y^2a^(-2)b^(-2))^(1/4). (_Princeton._)
9. Find the square root of:
25a^(4/3)b^(-3) - 10a^(2/3)b^(-3/2) - 49
+ 10a^(-2/3)b^(3/2) + 25a^(-4/3)b^3.
10. Simplify [(2^(n + 2))/(4^(-n)) ÷ (8^n)/(2^3)]^(1/5).
11. Find the value of
(7 · 13^0 ÷ 7)/(21^0) + 3^0 × (4^0 · 7^0)/[(7a + b)^0] + 8^(-2/3).
12. Express as a power of 2: 8^3; 4^5; 4^3 · 8^(2/3) · 16^(3/4).
13. Simplify
{[(x^(a + 1))/(x^(1 - a))]^a
÷ [(x^a)/(x^(1 - a))]^(a - 1)}^(1/(3a - 1)).
14. Simplify
[(x^(5/2) y^(4/3))/(z^(-5/4)) · (z^4)/(x^(-3) y^(-5/3))
÷ (y^(-2) z^(1/4))/(x^(-1/2))]^(1/5).
15. Expand (a^(1/2) + b^(1/3))^4, writing the result with fractional
exponents.
~Reference:~ The chapter on Theory of Exponents in any algebra.
RADICALS
1. Review all definitions in Radicals, also the methods of
transforming and simplifying radicals. When is _a radical in its
simplest form_?
2. Simplify (to simplest form):
[2/3]^(1/2);
[1/11]^(1/2);
[3/5]^(1/3);
3[5/6]^(1/2);
(2a/b)[(8b^2)/(27a)]^(1/2);
[5/(x^n)]^(1/2n);
(a + b)^2 [(-a^4)/((a + b)^5)]^(1/3);
27^(1/2);
[54]^(1/3);
-5[125^(1/2)].
3. Reduce to entire surds:
2[3^(1/2)];
2[3^(1/4)];
6[2^(1/3)];
a[[b^2]^(1/n)];
-3[2^(1/3)];
3a[[(a + 2)/(6a^2)]^(1/3)];
(a + 2y)[(a - 2y)/(a + 2y)]^(1/2).
4. Reduce to radicals of lower order (or simplify indices):
[a^2]^(1/4);
[a^3]^(1/6);
[27a^3]^(1/6);
[81 a^4 x^8]^(1/12);
[9x^2 y^4 z^10]^(1/2n).
5. Reduce to radicals of the same degree (order, or index):
7^(1/2) and [11]^(1/3);
5^(1/3) and 3^(1/4);
7^(1/6) and 3^(1/2);
[x^m]^(1/n) and [x^n]^(1/m);
[c^y]^(1/x), [c^z]^(1/y), and [c^x]^(1/z).
6. Which is greater, 3^(1/2) or 4^(1/3)? [23]^(1/3) or 2[2^(1/2)]?
7. Which is greatest, 3^(1/2), 5^(1/3), or 7^(1/4)? Give work and
arrange in descending order of magnitude.
Collect:
8. 128^(1/2) - 2[50^(1/2)] + 72^(1/2) - 18^(1/2).
9. 2[5/3]^(1/2) + (1/6)60^(1/2) + 15^(1/2) + [3/5]^(1/2).
10. [(m - n)^2a]^(1/2) + [(m + n)^2a]^(1/2) - [am^2]^(1/2)
+ [a(n - m)^2]^(1/2) - a^(1/2).
11. A and B each shoot thirty arrows at a target. B makes twice as
many hits as A, and A makes three times as many misses as B.
Find the number of hits and misses of each. (_Univ. of Cal._)
~Reference:~ The chapter on Radicals in any algebra (first part of the
chapter).
The most important principle in Radicals is the following:
(ab)^(1/n) = a^(1/n) b^(1/n).
Hence [ab]^(1/n) = a^(1/n) · b^(1/n).
Or, a^(1/n) · b^(1/n) = [ab]^(1/n).
From this also ([ab]^(1/n))/(a^(1/n)) = b^(1/n).
Multiply:
1. 2[4^(1/3)] by 3[6^(1/3)].
2. 2^(1/2) by 3^(1/3).
3. 2^(1/4) by 4^(1/6).
4. [a + x^(1/2)]^(1/2) by [a - x^(1/2)]^(1/2).
5. 2^(1/2) + 3^(1/2) - 5^(1/2) by 2^(1/2) - 3^(1/2) + 5^(1/2).
6. -p/2 + ([p^2 - 4q]^(1/2))/2 by -p/2 - ([p^2 - 4q]^(1/2))/2.
Divide:
7. 27^(1/2) by 3^(1/2).
8. 4[18^(1/2)] by 5[32^(1/2)].
9. 3[12]^(1/3) by 6^(1/2).
10. 3^(1/2) by 3^(1/4).
11. 6[105^(1/2)] + 18[40^(1/2)] - 45[12^(1/2)] by 3[15^(1/2)].
(_Short division._)
12. 10[18]^(1/3) - 4[60]^(1/3) + 5[100]^(1/3) by 3[30]^(1/3).
Rationalize the denominator:
13. 2/(3^(1/2));
7/(7^(1/2));
5/(2[5^(1/2)]);
3/([a^2]^(1/5));
4/([a^3]^(1/7)).
14. 2/(2^(1/2)) + 3^(1/2));
(a^(1/2) + b^(1/2))/(a^(1/2) - b^(1/2));
3/(3 - 3^(1/2)).
15. [3^(1/2) + 2^(1/2)]/[6^(1/2) + 3^(1/2) - 2^(1/2)].
Review the method of finding the square root of a binomial surd. (By
inspection preferably.) Then find square root of:
16. 5 + 2[6^(1/2)].
17. 17 - 12[2^(1/2)].
18. 7 - 33^(1/2).
~Reference:~ The chapter on Radicals in any algebra, beginning at
Addition and Subtraction of Radicals.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES, ALGEBRA TO QUADRATICS
Results by inspection, examples 1-10.
Divide:
1. (x^(5/17) + y^(5/17))/(x^(1/17) + y^(1/17)).
2. (x - y)/(x^(1/3) - y^(1/3)).
3. (m^2 + n^2)/(m^(2/3) + n^(2/3)).
4. (x - y^2)/(x^(1/3) - [y^2]^(1/3)).
Multiply:
5. [a^(-3/4) + 2/(m^(1/2))]^2.
6. (K^(-2/7) - g^(-11/25))^2.
7. (r^(2s) + l^(-3m))(r^(2s) - l^(-3m)).
8. [a^(-2) + b^(-3) - 1/(c^2)]^2.
9. (3K^x + 4t^(-3))(3K^x - 7t^(-3)).
10. (2y^(2/7) - 40K^3)(3y^(2/7) + 55K^3).
Factor:
11. x^(2/3) - 64.
12. y^(3/5) + 27.
13. b^(3/2) - 8m^(-1).
14. 3p - 8p^(1/2) - 35.
Factor, using radicals instead of exponents:
15. 60 - 7[3b^(1/2)] - 6b.
16. 15m - 2[[mn]^(1/2)] - 24n.
17. a - b (factor as difference of two squares).
18. a - b (factor as difference of two cubes).
19. a - b (factor as difference of two fourth powers).
20. Find the H. C. F. and L. C. M. of
x^2 + xy^(1/2) - 2y,
2x^2 + 5xy^(1/2) + 2y,
2x^2 - xy^(1/2) - y.
21. Solve (short method)
(x - 7)/(x - 8) - (x - 8)/(x - 9)
= (x - 4)/(x - 5) - (x - 5)/(x - 6).
22. Simplify
(ab/c + bc/a + ca/b)/(a/bc + b/ca + c/ab)
× [((a + b + c)^2)/(ab + bc + ca) - 2]. (_Princeton._)
1. Solve for p: 2^(p - 3) = 128.
2. Solve for t: t^(3/2) = -27.
3. Find the square root of 8114.4064. What, then, is the square root
of .0081144064? of 811440.64? From any of the above can you
determine the square root of .081144064?
4. The H. C. F. of two expressions is a(a - b), and their L. C. M. is
a^2b(a + b)(a - b). If one expression is ab(a^2 - b^2), what is the
other?
5. Solve (short method):
5/(7 - x) - [(2-1/4)x - 3]/4 - (x + 11)/8 + (11x + 5)/16 = 0.
6. Solve
2/m - 3/n + 10/p = -3,
4/m + 5/p + 6/n = 15,
1/m - 1/n + 5/p = -1/2.
7. Simplify
21[2/3]^(1/2) - 5[4/5]^(1/2) + 6[4-1/6]^(1/2)
- 10[3-1/5]^(1/2) + (40/3)[11-1/4]^(1/2).
8. Does [16 × 25]^(1/2) = 4 × 5? Does [16 + 25]^(1/2) = 4 + 5?
9. Write the fraction 5/(4 + 2[3^(1/2)]) with rational denominator,
and find its value correct to two decimal places.
10. Simplify
[{([p + [p^2 - q]^(1/2)]/2)^(1/2)
+ ([p - [p^2 - q]^(1/2)]/2)^(1/2)}^2]/[p + q^(1/2)].
(_Princeton._)
1. Rationalize the denominator of
{6^(1/2) + 3^(1/2) - 3[2^(1/2)]}/{6^(1/2) - 3^(1/2) + 3[2^(1/2)]}.
(_Univ. of Cal._)
2. Simplify [2^(n + 4) - 2(2^n)]/[2(2^(n + 3))]. (_Univ. of Penn._)
3. Find the value of [1 + 8^(-x/3)]/[(8x)^(1/2) + 10^(x - 2)],
when x = 2. (_Cornell._)
4. Find the value of x if
x^(6/5) = y^4,
y^(2/3) = 9. (_M. I. T._)
5. A fisherman told a yarn about a fish he had caught. If the fish
were half as long as he said it was, it would be 10 inches more
than twice as long as it is. If it were 4 inches longer than it
is, and he had further exaggerated its length by adding 4 inches,
it would be 1/5 as long as he now said it was. How long is the
fish, and how long did he first say it was? (_M. I. T._)
6. The force _P_ necessary to lift a weight _W_ by means of a certain
machine is given by the formula
P = a + bW,
where _a_ and _b_ are constants depending on the amount of friction
in the machine. If a force of 7 pounds will raise a weight of 20
pounds, and a force of 13 pounds will raise a weight of 50 pounds,
what force is necessary to raise a weight of 40 pounds? (First
determine the constants _a_ and _b_.) (_Harvard._)
7. Reduce to the simplest form:
[[4/[2^(n + 2)]]^(1/n);
[ax(a^(-1)x - ax^(-1))]/[x^(2/3) - a^(2/3)].
8. Determine the H. C. F. and L. C. M. of (xy - y^2)^3 and y^3 - x^2y.
(_College Entrance Board._)
1. Simplify (a - 8m)/(a^(1/3) - 2m^(1/3)) - 2a^(1/3)m^(1/3).
2. Simplify, writing the result with rational denominator:
([a^(1/2) + (1)/(x^(-1/2))]^2 - [(1)/(a^(-1/2)) - x^(1/2)]^2)
/ (x + [a^2 + x^2]^(1/2)). (_M. I. T._)
3. Find [7 - 48^(1/2)]^(1/2).
4. Expand ([a^3]^(1/2) - [b^5]^(1/2))^5.
5. Expand and simplify (1 - 2[3^(1/2)] + 3[2^(1/2)])^2.
6. Solve the simultaneous equations
x ^(-1/2) + 2y^(-1/2) = 7/6,
2x^(-1/2) - y^(-1/2) = 2/3. (_Yale._)
7. Find to three places of decimals the value of
{[(a + b)^(-1/3)]/[(11a + b^2)^(1/6)]
· [({a^3 - b^3)^(-1/2)]/[(a - b)^(1/2)]}^(1/2),
when a = 5 and b = 3. (_Columbia._)
8. Show that (10 - 4[5^(1/2)])/(5 + 3[5^(1/2)]) is the negative of
the reciprocal of (10 + 4[5^(1/2)])/(5 - 3[5^(1/2)]).
(_Columbia._)
9. Solve and check {5}/{[3x + 2]^(1/2)} = [3x + 2]^(1/2) + [3x - 1]^(1/2).
10. Assuming that when an apple falls from a tree the distance
(S meters) through which it falls in any time (t seconds) is
given by the formula S = (1/2)gt^2 (where g = 9.8), find to two
decimal places the time taken by an apple in falling 15 meters.
(_College Entrance Board._)
Excellent practice may be obtained by solving the ordinary formulas used
in arithmetic, geometry, and physics _orally, for each letter in turn_.
ARITHMETIC
p = br
i = prt
a = p + prt
GEOMETRY
K = (1/2) bh
K = bh
K = (a^2)/4 3^(1/2)
K = (1/2) (b + b') h
K = [pi] R^2
C = 2 [pi] R
K = [pi] R L
S = 4 [pi] R^2
V = [pi] R^2 H
V = (1/3) [pi] R^2 H
V = (4/3) [pi] R^3
S = ([pi] R^2 E)/(180)
C/(C') = R/(R')
K/(K') = (R^2)/(R'^2)
PHYSICS
v = gt
s = (1/2) gt^2
s = (v^2)/(2g)
C = E/R
E = (wv^2)/(2g)
e = (4Pl^3)/(bh^3 m)
E = (mv^2)/(2)
t = [pi] [l/g]^(1/2)
F = (mV^2)/(r)
mh = (mv^2)/(2g)
R = gs/(g + s)
E = (4n^2l^2w)/(g)
C = (5/9)(F - 32)
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
1. Define a quadratic equation; a pure quadratic; an affected (or
complete) quadratic; an equation in the quadratic form.
2. Solve the pure quadratic (7)/(3S^2) - (11)/(9S^2) = 5/6.
Review the first (or usual) method of completing the square. Solve by it
the following:
3. x^2 + 10x = 24.
4. 2x^2 - 5x = 7.
5. (x - 1)/2 + 2/(x - 1) = 2-1/2.
6. ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
Review the solution by factoring. Solve by it the following:
7. x^2 + 8x + 7 = 0.
8. 24x^2 = 2x + 15.
9. 3 = 10x - 3x^2.
10. -7 = 6x - x^2.
Solve, by factoring, these equations, which are not quadratics:
11. x^4 = 16.
12. x^3 = 8.
13. x^3 = x.
Review the solution by formula. Solve by it the following:
14. 5x^2 - 6x = 8.
15. (1/2)(x + 1) - (x/3)(2x - 1) = -12.
16. x^2 + 4ax = 12a^2.
17. 3x^2 = 2rx + 2r^2.
Solve graphically:
18. x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0.
19. x^2 + x - 2 = 0.
~Reference:~ The chapter on Quadratic Equations in any algebra (first
part of the chapter).
1. Solve by three methods--formula, factoring, and completing the
square: x^2 + 10x = 24.
Review equations in the quadratic form and solve:
2. x^4 - 5x^2 = -4.
3. 2[x^(-2)]^(1/3) - 3[x^(-1)]^(1/3) = 2.
4. (x + 3)/(x - 3) + 6 = 5[(x + 3)/(x - 3)]^(1/2).
(Let y = [(x + 3)/(x - 3)]^(1/2) and substitute.)
5. 3x^2 - 4x + 2[3x^2 - 4x - 6]^(1/2) = 21.
6. x^2 + 5x - 5 = (6)/(x^2 + 5x).
Solve and check:
7. [x + 7]^(1/2) + [3x - 2]^(1/2) = (4x + 9)/([3x - 2]^(1/2)).
8. [x^2 - 5]^(1/2) + 6/[[x^2 - 5]^(1/2)] = 5.
9. (10w)/([10w - 9]^(1/2)) - [10w + 2]^(1/2) = 2/([10w - 9]^(1/2)).
Give results by inspection:
10. (a^(1/2) + b^(1/2))(a^(1/2) - b^(1/2)).
11. ([10 + 19^(1/2)]^(1/2))([10 - 19^(1/2)]^(1/2)).
12. How many gallons each of cream containing 33% butter fat and
milk containing 6% butter fat must be mixed to produce 10
gallons of cream containing 25% butter fat?
13. I have $6 in dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, there being 33
coins in all. The number of dimes and quarters together is ten
times the number of half-dollars. How many coins of each kind
are there? (_College Entrance Board._)
~Reference:~ The last part of the chapter on Quadratic Equations in
any algebra.
THE THEORY OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
~I. To find the sum and the product of the roots.~
The general quadratic equation is
ax^2 + bx + c = 0. (1)
Or, x^2 + (b/a)x + c/a = 0. (2)
To derive the formula, we have by transposing
x^2 + (b/a)x = -c/a.
Completing the square,
x^2 + (b/a)x + [b/2a]^2 = (b^2)/(4a^2) - c/a = (b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2).
Extracting square root, x + b/2a = [±[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
Transposing, x = -b/2a ± [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
Hence, x = [-b ± [b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
These two values of x we call _roots_.
For convenience represent them by r_1 and r_2.
Hence, r_1 = -b/2a + [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
r_2 = -b/2a - [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
---------------------------------------------
Adding, r_1 + r_2 = -(2b)/(2a) = -b/a. (3)
Also, r_1 = -b/2a + [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
r_2 = -b/2a - [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
-------------------------------------------
Multiplying, r_1 r_2 = (b^2)/(4a^2) - (b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2)
= (b^2 - b^2 + 4ac)/(4a^2)
= (4ac)/(4a^2) = c/a. (4)
Hence we have shown that
r_1 + r_2 = -b/a,
and r_1 r_2 = c/a.
Or, referring to equation (2) above, we have the following rule:
_When the coefficient of x^2 is unity, the sum of the roots is
the coefficient of x with the sign changed; the product of the
roots is the independent term._
EXAMPLES:
1. x^2 - 9x + 21 = 0.
Sum of the roots = 9.
Products of the roots = 21.
2. 3x^2 - 7x - 18 = 0.
Sum of the roots = 7/3.
Product of the roots = -6.
3. -21x = 17 - 4x^2.
Sum of the roots = 21/4.
Product of the roots = -17/4.
~II. To find the nature or character of the roots.~
As before, r_1 = -b/2a + [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a),
r_2 = -b/2a - [[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a).
The [b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2) determines the _nature_ or _character_ of the
roots; hence it is called the _discriminant_.
~If b^2 - 4ac is positive, the roots are real, unequal, and either
rational or irrational.~
~If b^2 - 4ac is negative, the roots are imaginary and unequal.~
~If b^2 - 4ac is zero, the roots are real, equal, and rational.~
EXAMPLES:
1. x^2 - 4x + 2 = 0.
[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2) = [16 - 8]^(1/2) = 8^(1/2).
Therefore: The roots are real, unequal, and irrational.
2. x^2 - 4x + 6 = 0.
[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2) = [16 - 24]^(1/2) = -8^(1/2).
Therefore: The roots are imaginary and unequal.
3. x^2 - 4x + 4 = 0.
[b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2) = [16 - 16]^(1/2) = 0^(1/2).
Therefore: The roots are real, equal, and rational.
~III. To form the quadratic equation when the roots are given.~
Suppose the roots are 3, -7.
Then, x = 3, Or, x - 3 = 0,
x = -7. x + 7 = 0.
-------------------
Multiplying to get a quadratic, (x - 3)(x + 7) = 0.
Or, x^2 + 4x - 21 = 0.
_Or_, use the sum and product idea developed on the preceding page. The
coefficient of x^2 must be unity.
Add the roots and change the sign to get the coefficient of x.
Multiply the roots to get the independent term.
Therefore: The equation is x^2 + 4x - 21 = 0.
In the same way, if the roots are [2 + 3^(1/2)]/7, [2 - 3^(1/2)]/7, the
equation is
x^2 - (4/7)x + 1/49 = 0.
Find the sum, the product, and the nature or character of the roots of
the following:
1. x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0.
2. 9x^2 - 6x + 1 = 0.
3. x^2 + 2x + 9734 = 0.
4. 16 + 5/x = 17/(x^2).
5. (x - 8)/(x - 3) = x.
6. (x + 7)(x - 6) = 70.
7. x^2 - x(2)^(1/2) = 3.
8. pr^2 + qr + s = 0.
Form the equations whose roots are:
9. 5, -3.
10. 2/3, 5/3.
11. c + d, c - d.
12. -3, -5.
13. [2 ± -3^(1/2)]/5.
14. 8/3 + (2/3)37^(1/2), 8/3 - (2/3)37^(1/2).
15. [-2 ± -2^(1/2)]/2.
16. Solve x^2 - 3x + 4 = 0. Check by substituting the values of x;
then check by finding the sum and the product of the roots.
Compare the amount of labor required in each case.
17. Solve (x - 3)(x + 2)(x^2 + 3x - 4) = 0.
18. Is e^(4z) + 2e^(3z) + e^(2z) + 2e^z + 2 + e^(-2z) a perfect
square?
19. Find the square root (short method):
(x^2 - 1)(x^2 - 3x + 2)(x^2 - x - 2).
20. Solve (1.2x - 1.5)/(1.5) + (.4x + 1)/(.2x - .2) = (.4x + 1)/(.5).
21. The glass of a mirror is 18 inches by 12 inches, and it has a
frame of uniform width whose area is equal to that of the glass.
Find the width of the frame.
OUTLINE OF SIMULTANEOUS QUADRATICS
~Simultaneous Quadratics~
CASE I.
One equation linear.
The other quadratic.
2x + y = 7,
x^2 + 2y^2 = 22.
METHOD: Solve for x as in terms of y, or _vice versa_, in the
linear and substitute in the quadratic.
CASE II.
Both equations homogeneous and of the second degree.
x^2 - xy + y^2 = 39,
2x^2 - 3xy + 2y^2 = 43.
METHOD: Let y = vx, and substitute in both equations.
ALTERNATE METHOD: Solve for x in terms of y in one equation and substitute in the other.
CASE III.
Any two of the quantities
x + y
x^2 + y^2
xy
x - y
x^3 + y^3
x^3 - y^3
x^2 + xy + y^2
x^2 - xy + y^2
given.
x + y = 5,
x^2 - xy + y^2 = 7.
METHOD: Solve for x + y and x - y; then add to get x, subtract
to get y.
CASE IV.
Both equations symmetrical or symmetrical except for sign.
Usually one equation of high degree, the other of the first
degree.
x^5 + y^5 = 242,
x + y = 2.
METHOD: Let x = u + v and y = u - v, and substitute in both
equations.
~Special Devices~
I. Consider some compound quantity like xy, [x - y]^(1/2),
[xy]^(1/2), x/y, etc., as the unknown, at first. Solve
for the compound unknown, and combine the resulting
equation with the simpler original equation.
x^2 y^2 + xy = 6,
x + 2y = -5.
II. Divide the equations member by member. Then solve by
Case I, II, or III.
x^3 - y^3 = 152,
x - y = 2.
III. Eliminate the quadratic terms. Then solve by Case I,
II, or III.
xy + x = 15,
xy + y = 16.
SIMULTANEOUS QUADRATICS
Solve:
1. x + y = 7,
x^2 + 4xy = 57.
2. 2x^2 = 46 + y^2,
xy + y^2 = 14.
3. x^2 + y^2 = 25,
x + y = 1.
4. x^4 + y^4 = 2,
x - y = 2.
5. x^3 + y^3 = 28,
x + y = 4.
6. x^2 y^2 + xy - 12 = 0,
x + y = 4.
7. 2xy - x + 2y = 16,
3xy + 2x - 4y = 10.
8. (3x - 2y)(2x - 3y) = 26,
x + 1 = 2y.
9. 4x^2 + 3xy + 2y^2 = 18,
3x^2 + 2xy - y^2 = 3.
10. x^5 + y^5 = 242,
x + y = 2.
11. x - y + [x - y]^(1/2) = 6,
xy = 5.
12. 4x^2 - x + y = 67,
3x^2 - 3y = 27.
13. x - y - [x - y]^(1/2) = 2,
x^3 - y^3 = 2044. (_Yale._)
14. x^2 + xy + x = 14,
y^2 + xy + y = 28. (_Princeton._)
15. x^2 + y^2 = 13,
y^2 = 4(x - 2). Plot the graph of each equation. (_Cornell._)
16. x^2 + y^2 = xy + 37,
x + y = xy - 17. (_Columbia._)
_In grouping the answers, be sure to associate each value of x with the
corresponding value of y._
17. The course of a yacht is 30 miles in length and is in the shape of
a right triangle one arm of which is 2 miles longer than the
other. What is the distance along each side?
~Reference:~ The chapter on Simultaneous Quadratics in any algebra.
RATIO AND PROPORTION
1. Define ratio, proportion, mean proportional, third proportional,
fourth proportional.
2. Find a mean proportional between 4 and 16; 18 and 50; 12m^2n
and 3mn^2.
3. Find a third proportional to 4 and 7; 5 and 10; a^2 - 9 and a - 3.
4. Find a fourth proportional to 2, 5, and 4; 35, 20, and 14.
5. Write out the proofs for the following, stating the theorem in
full in each case:
(_a_) The product of the extremes equals etc.
(_b_) If the product of two numbers equals the product of two other
numbers, either pair etc.
(_c_) Alternation.
(_d_) Inversion.
(_e_) Composition.
(_f_) Division.
(_g_) Composition and division.
(_h_) In a series of equal ratios, the sum of the antecedents is to
the sum of the consequents etc.
(_i_) Like powers or like roots of the terms of a proportion etc.
6. If x : m :: 13 : 7, write all the possible proportions that can be
derived from it. [See (5) above.]
7. Given rs = 161m; write the eight proportions that may be derived
from it, and quote your authority.
8. (_a_) What theorem allows you to change any proportion into an
equation?
(_b_) What theorem allows you to change any equation into a
proportion?
9. If xy = rg, what is the ratio of x to g? of y to r? of y to g?
10. Find two numbers such that their sum, difference, and the sum of
their squares are in the ratio 5 : 3 : 51. (_Yale._)
~Reference:~ The chapter on Ratio and Proportion in any algebra.
An easy and powerful method of proving four expressions in proportion is
illustrated by the following example:
Given a : b = c : d;
prove that 3a^3 + 5ab^2 : 3a^3 - 5ab^2 = 3c^3 + 5cd^2 : 3c^3 - 5cd^2.
Let a/b = r. Therefore a = br.
Also c/d = r. Therefore c = dr.
Substitute the value of a in the first ratio, and c in the second:
Then
(3a^3 + 5ab^2)/(3a^3 - 5ab^2) = (3b^3r^3 + 5b^3r)/(3b^3r^3 - 5b^3r)
= [b^3r(3r^2 + 5)]/[b^3r(3r^2 - 5)] = (3r^2 + 5)/(3r^2 - 5).
Also
(3c^3 + 5cd^2)/(3c^3 - 5cd^2) = (3d^3r^3 + 5d^3r)/(3d^3r^3 - 5d^3r)
= [d^3r(3r^2 + 5)]/[d^3r(3r^2 - 5)] = (3r^2 + 5)/(3r^2 - 5).
Therefore (3a^3 + 5ab^2)/(3a^3 - 5ab^2) = (3c^3 + 5cd^2)/(3c^3 - 5cd^2).
Axiom 1.
Or, 3a^3 + 5ab^2 : 3a^3 - 5ab^2 = 3c^3 + 5cd^2 : 3c^3 - 5cd^2.
If a : b = c : d, prove:
1. a^2 + b^2 : a^2 = c^2 + d^2 : c^2.
2. a^2 + 3b^2 : a^2 - 3b^2 = c^2 + 3d^2 : c^2 - 3d^2.
3. a^2 + 2b^2 : 2b^2 = ac + 2bd : 2bd.
4. 2a + 3c : 2a - 3c = 8b + 12d : 8b - 12d.
5. a^2 - ab + b^2 : (a^3 - b^3)/a = c^2 - cd + d^2 : (c^3 - d^3)/c.
6. The second of three numbers is a mean proportional between the
other two. The third number exceeds the sum of the other two by 20;
and the sum of the first and third exceeds three times the second
by 4. Find the numbers.
7. Three numbers are proportional to 5, 7, and 9; and their sum is 14.
Find the numbers. (_College Entrance Board._)
8. A triangular field has the sides 15, 18, and 27 rods, respectively.
Find the dimensions of a similar field having 4 times the area.
~ARITHMETICAL PROGRESSION~
1. Define an arithmetical progression.
Learn to derive the three formulas in arithmetical progression:
l = a + (n - 1)d,
S = (n/2)(a + l),
S = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d].
2. Find the sum of the first 50 odd numbers.
3. In the series 2, 5, 8, ···, which term is 92?
4. How many terms must be taken from the series 3, 5, 7, ···, to
make a total of 255?
5. Insert 5 arithmetical means between 11 and 32.
6. Insert 9 arithmetical means between 7-1/2 and 30.
7. Find x, if 3 + 2x, 5 + 6x, 9 + 5x are in A. P.
8. The 7th term of an arithmetical progression is 17, and the 13th
term is 59. Find the 4th term.
9. How can you turn an A. P. into an equation?
10. Given a = -5/3, n = 20, S = -5/3, find d and l.
11. Find the sum of the first n odd numbers.
12. An arithmetical progression consists of 21 terms. The sum of the
three terms in the middle is 129; the sum of the last three terms
is 237. Find the series. (Look up the short method for such
problems.) (_Mass. Inst. of Technology._)
13. B travels 3 miles the first day, 7 miles the second day, 11 miles
the third day, etc. In how many days will B overtake A who started
from the same point 8 days in advance and who travels uniformly 15
miles a day?
~Reference:~ The chapter on Arithmetical Progression in any algebra.
~GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION~
1. Define a geometrical progression.
Learn to derive the four formulas in geometrical progression:
{ I. l = ar^(n - 1).
{II. S = (ar^n - a)/(r - 1).
{III. S = (rl - a)/(r - 1).
{ IV. S_{[infinity]} = (a)/(1 - r).
2. How many terms must be taken from the series 9, 18, 36, ··· to
make a total of 567?
3. In the G. P. 2, 6, 18, ···, which term is 486?
4. Find x, if 2x - 4, 5x - 7, 10x + 4 are in geometrical progression.
5. How can you turn a G. P. into an equation?
6. Insert 4 geometrical means between 4 and 972.
7. Insert 6 geometrical means between 5/16 and 5120.
8. Given a = -2, n = 5, l = -32; find r and S.
9. If the first term of a geometrical progression is 12 and the sum to
infinity is 36, find the 4th term.
10. If the series 3-1/3, 2-1/2, ··· be an A. P., find the 97th term.
If a G. P., find the sum to infinity.
11. The third term of a geometrical progression is 36; the 6th term is
972. Find the first and second terms.
12. Insert between 6 and 16 two numbers, such that the first three of
the four shall be in arithmetical progression, and the last three
in geometrical progression.
13. A rubber ball falls from a height of 40 inches and on each rebound
rises 40% of the previous height. Find by formula how far it falls
on its eighth descent. (_Yale._)
~Reference:~ The chapter on Geometrical Progression in any algebra.
~THE BINOMIAL THEOREM~
1. Review the Binomial Theorem laws. (See Involution.)
Expand:
2. (b - n)^7.
3. (x + x^(-1))^5.
4. [a/x - x/a]^6.
5. [x/2y - [xy]^(1/2)]^5.
6. (x^2 - x + 2)^3.
7. [(2[b^2]^(1/3))/(y) + (3[y^(1/2)])/(b^3)]^4.
8. (a + b)^n = a^n + na^(n - 1)b + [n(n - 1)]/(1·2) a^(n - 2)b^2
+ [n(n - 1)(n - 2)]/(1·2·3) a^(n - 3)b^3
+ [n(n - 1)(n - 2)(n - 3)]/(1·2·3·4) a^(n - 4) b^4 + ···.
Show by observation that the formula for the
(r + 1)th term
= [n(n - 1)(n - 2)···(n - r + 1)]/[1·2·3·4 ··· r] a^(n - r)b^r.
9. Indicate what the 97th term of (a + b)^n would be.
10. Using the expansion of (a + b)^n in (8), derive a formula for the
rth term by observing how each term is made up, then generalizing.
Using either the formula in (8) or (10), whichever you are familiar
with, find:
11. The 4th term of [a + 1/a]^(30).
12. The 8th term of (1 + x[y^(1/2)])^(13).
13. The middle term of (2a^(3/4) - y[a^(1/3)])^(10).
14. The term not containing x in [x^3 - 2/x]^(12).
15. The term containing x^(18) in [x^2 - a/x]^(15).
~Reference:~ The chapter on The Binomial Theorem in any algebra.
~MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES, QUADRATICS AND BEYOND~
1. Solve the equation x^2 - 1.6x - .23 = 0, obtaining the values of
the roots correct to three significant figures. (_Harvard._)
2. Write the roots of (x^2 + 2x)(x^2 - 2x - 3)(x^2 - x + 1) = 0.
(_Sheffield Scientific School._)
3. Solve
2[2x + 2]^(1/2) + [2x + 1]^(1/2) = (12x + 4)/([8x + 8]^{1/2}).
(_Yale._)
4. Solve the equation V = (H/3)(B + x + [Bx]^(1/2)) for x, taking
H = 6, B = 8, and V = 28; and verify your result. (_Harvard._)
5. Solve { x : y = 2 : 3,
{ x^2 + y^2 = 5(x + y) + 2.
6. Solve 2x^2 - 4x + 3[x^2 - 2x + 6]^(1/2) = 15. (_Coll. Ent. Board._)
7. Find all values of x and y which satisfy the equations:
{ x^(1/2) + y^(1/2) = 4,
{ 1/[[x + 1]^(1/2) - x^(1/2)] - 1/[[x + 1]^(1/2) + x^(1/2)] = y.
(_Mass. Inst. of Technology._)
8. If [alpha] and [beta] represent the roots of px^2 + qx + r = 0,
find [alpha] + [beta], [alpha] - [beta], and [alpha][beta] in terms
of p, q, and r. (_Princeton._)
9. Form the equation whose roots are 2 + [3]^(1/2) and 2 - [-3]^(1/2).
10. Determine, without solving, the character of the roots of
9x^2 - 24x + 16 = 0. (_College Entrance Board._)
11. If a : b = c : d, prove that
a + b : c + d = [a^2 + b^2]^(1/2) : [c^2 + d^2]^(1/2).
(_College Entrance Board._)
12. Given a : b = c : d. Prove that
a^2 + b^2 : (a^3)/(a + b) = c^2 + d^2 : (c^3)/(c + d).
(_Sheffield._)
13. The 9th term of an arithmetical progression is 1/6; the 16th term
is 5/2. Find the first term. (_Regents._)
Solve graphically:
1. x^2 - x - 6 = 0.
2. x^2 + 3x - 10 = 0.
3. Find four numbers in arithmetical progression, such that the sum of
the first two is 1, and the sum of the last two is -19.
4. What number added to 2, 20, 9, 34, will make the results
proportional?
5. Find the middle term of [3a^5 + (b^(3/4))/(2)]^8.
6. Solve (x + 1)/(3x + 2) = (2x - 3)/(3x - 2) - 1 - 36/(4 - 9x^2).
(_Princeton._)
7. A strip of carpet one half inch thick and 29-6/7 feet long is
rolled on a roller four inches in diameter. Find how many turns
there will be, remembering that each turn increases the diameter
by one inch, and that the circumference of a circle equals
(approximately) 22/7 times the diameter. (_Harvard._)
8. The sum of the first three terms of a geometrical progression is
21, and the sum of their squares is 189. What is the first term?
(_Yale._)
9. Find the geometrical progression whose sum to infinity is 4, and
whose second term is 3/4.
10. Solve 4x + 4[3x^2 - 7x + 3]^(1/2) = 3x^2 - 3x + 6.
11. Solve { 2x^2 + 3xy - 5y^2 = 4,
{ 2xy + 3y^2 = -3.
12. Two hundred stones are placed on the ground 3 feet apart, the
first being 3 feet from a basket. If the basket and all the stones
are in a straight line, how far does a person travel who starts
from the basket and brings the stones to it one by one?
Solve graphically; and check by solving algebraically:
1. { x^2 + y^2 = 25,
{ x + y = 1.
2. x^2 - 3x - 18 = 0.
3. x^2 + 3x - 10 = 0.
Determine the value of m for which the roots of the equation will be
equal: (HINT: See page 40. To have the roots equal, b^2 - 4ac must
equal 0.)
4. 2x^2 - mx + 12-1/2 = 0.
5. (m - 1)x^2 + mx + 2m - 3 = 0.
6. If 2a + 3b is a root of x^2 - 6bx - 4a^2 + 9b^2 = 0, find the other
root without solving the equation. (_Univ. of Penn._)
7. How many times does a common clock strike in 12 hours?
8. Find the sum to infinity of
2/(2^(1/2)), 1/(2^(1/2)), 1/(2[2]^(1/2)), ···.
9. Solve [x/2 + 6/x]^2 - 6[x/2 + 6/x] + 8 = 0.
10. Find the value of the recurring decimal 2.214214···.
11. A man purchases a $500 piano by paying monthly installments of $10
and interest on the debt. If the yearly rate is 6%, what is the
total amount of interest?
12. The arithmetical mean between two numbers is 42-1/2, and their
geometrical mean is 42. Find the numbers.
(_College Entrance Exam. Board._)
13. If the middle term of [3x - (1)/(2[x^(1/2)])]^4 is equal to the
fourth term of [2[x^(1/2)] + 1/2x]^7, find the value of x.
(_M. I. T._)
~PROBLEMS~
~Linear Equations, One Unknown~
1. A train running 30 miles an hour requires 21 minutes longer to go
a certain distance than does a train running 36 miles an hour. How
great is the distance? (_Cornell._)
2. A man can walk 2-1/2 miles an hour up hill and 3-1/2 miles an hour
down hill. He walks 56 miles in 20 hours on a road no part of which
is level. How much of it is up hill? (_Yale._)
3. A physician having 100 cubic centimeters of a 6% solution of a
certain medicine wishes to dilute it to a 3-1/2% solution. How much
water must he add? (A 6% solution contains 6% of medicine and 94%
of water.) (_Case._)
4. A clerk earned $504 in a certain number of months. His salary was
increased 25%, and he then earned $450 in two months less time than
it had previously taken him to earn $504. What was his original
salary per month? (_College Entrance Board._)
5. A person who possesses $15,000 employs a part of the money in
building a house. He invests one third of the money which remains
at 6%, and the other two thirds at 9%, and from these investments
he obtains an annual income of $500. What was the cost of the
house? (_M. I. T._)
6. Two travelers have together 400 pounds of baggage. One pays $1.20
and the other $1.80 for excess above the weight carried free. If
all had belonged to one person, he would have had to pay $4.50. How
much baggage is allowed to go free? (_Yale._)
7. A man who can row 4-1/3 miles an hour in still water rows
downstream and returns. The rate of the current is 2-1/4 miles per
hour, and the time required for the trip is 13 hours. How many
hours does he require to return?
~Simultaneous Equations, Two and Three Unknowns~
1. A manual training student in making a bookcase finds that the
distance from the top of the lowest shelf to the under side of
the top shelf is 4 ft. 6 in. He desires to put between these four
other shelves of inch boards in such a way that the book space
will diminish one inch for each shelf from the bottom to the top.
What will be the several spaces between the shelves?
2. A quantity of water, sufficient to fill three jars of different
sizes, will fill the smallest jar 4 times, or the largest jar twice
with 4 gallons to spare, or the second jar three times with 2
gallons to spare. What is the capacity of each jar? (_Case._)
3. A policeman is chasing a pickpocket. When the policeman is 80 yards
behind him, the pickpocket turns up an alley; but coming to the
end, he finds there is no outlet, turns back, and is caught just as
he comes out of the alley. If he had discovered that the alley had
no outlet when he had run halfway up and had then turned back, the
policeman would have had to pursue the thief 120 yards beyond the
alley before catching him. How long is the alley? (_Harvard._)
4. A and B together can do a piece of work in 14 days. After they have
worked 6 days on it, they are joined by C who works twice as fast
as A. The three finish the work in 4 days. How long would it take
each man alone to do it? (_Columbia._)
5. In a certain mill some of the workmen receive $1.50 a day, others
more. The total paid in wages each day is $350. An assessment made
by a labor union to raise $200 requires $1.00 from each man
receiving $1.50 a day, and half of one day's pay from every man
receiving more. How many men receive $1.50 a day? (_Harvard._)
6. There are two alloys of silver and copper, of which one contains
twice as much copper as silver, and the other three times as much
silver as copper. How much must be taken from each to obtain a
kilogram of an alloy to contain equal quantities of silver and
copper? (_M. I. T._)
7. Two automobiles travel toward each other over a distance of 120
miles. A leaves at 9 A.M., 1 hour before B starts to meet him, and
they meet at 12:00 M. If each had started at 9:15 A.M., they would
have met at 12:00 M. also. Find the rate at which each traveled.
(_M. I. T._)
~Quadratic Equations~
1. Telegraph poles are set at equal distances apart. In order to have
two less to the mile, it will be necessary to set them 20 feet
farther apart. Find how far apart they are now. (_Yale._)
2. The distance S that a body falls from rest in t seconds is given by
the formula S = 16t^2. A man drops a stone into a well and hears
the splash after 3 seconds. If the velocity of sound in air is 1086
feet a second, what is the depth of the well? (_Yale._)
3. It requires 2000 square tiles of a certain size to pave a hall, or
3125 square tiles whose dimensions are one inch less. Find the area
of the hall. How many solutions has the equation of this problem?
How many has the problem itself? Explain the apparent discrepancy.
(_Cornell._)
4. A rectangular tract of land, 800 feet long by 600 feet broad, is
divided into four rectangular blocks by two streets of equal width
running through it at right angles. Find the width of the streets,
if together they cover an area of 77,500 square feet. (_M. I. T._)
5. (_a_) The height y to which a ball thrown vertically upward with a
velocity of 100 feet per second rises in x seconds is given
by the formula, y = 100x - 16x^2. In how many seconds will
the ball rise to a height of 144 feet?
(_b_) Draw the graph of the equation y = 100x - 16x^2.
(_College Entrance Board._)
6. Two launches race over a course of 12 miles. The first steams 7-1/2
miles an hour. The other has a start of 10 minutes, runs over the
first half of the course with a certain speed, but increases its
speed over the second half of the course by 2 miles per hour,
winning the race by a minute. What is the speed of the second
launch? Explain the meaning of the negative answer.
(_Sheffield Scientific School._)
7. The circumference of a rear wheel of a certain wagon is 3 feet more
than the circumference of a front wheel. The rear wheel performs
100 fewer revolutions than the front wheel in traveling a distance
of 6000 feet. How large are the wheels? (_Harvard._)
8. A man starts from home to catch a train, walking at the rate of 1
yard in 1 second, and arrives 2 minutes late. If he had walked at
the rate of 4 yards in 3 seconds, he would have arrived 2-1/2
minutes early. Find the distance from his home to the station.
(_College Entrance Board._)
~Simultaneous Quadratics~
1. Two cubical coal bins together hold 280 cubic feet of coal, and
the sum of their lengths is 10 feet. Find the length of each bin.
2. The sum of the radii of two circles is 25 inches, and the
difference of their areas is 125[pi] square inches. Find the radii.
3. The area of a right triangle is 150 square feet, and its hypotenuse
is 25 feet. Find the arms of the triangle.
4. The combined capacity of two cubical tanks is 637 cubic feet, and
the sum of an edge of one and an edge of the other is 13 feet.
(_a_) Find the length of a diagonal of any face of each cube.
(_b_) Find the distance from upper left-hand corner to lower
right-hand corner in either cube.
5. A and B run a mile. In the first heat A gives B a start of 20 yards
and beats him by 30 seconds. In the second heat A gives B a start
of 32 seconds and beats him by 9-5/11 yards. Find the rate at which
each runs. (_Sheffield._)
6. After street improvement it is found that a certain corner
rectangular lot has lost 1/10 of its length and 1/15 of its width.
Its perimeter has been decreased by 28 feet, and the new area is
3024 square feet. Find the reduced dimensions of the lot. (_College
Entrance Board._)
7. A man spends $539 for sheep. He keeps 14 of the flock that he buys,
and sells the remainder at an advance of $2 per head, gaining $28
by the transaction. How many sheep did he buy, and what was the
cost of each? (_Yale._)
8. A boat's crew, rowing at half their usual speed, row 3 miles
downstream and back again in 2 hours and 40 minutes. At full speed
they can go over the same course in 1 hour and 4 minutes. Find the
rate of the crew, and the rate of the current in miles per hour.
(_College Entrance Board._)
9. Find the sides of a rectangle whose area is unchanged if its length
is increased by 4 feet and its breadth decreased by 3 feet, but
which loses one third of its area if the length is increased by 16
feet and the breadth decreased by 10 feet. (_M. I. T._)
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
~UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
1. If a = 4, b = -3, c = 2, and d = -4, find the value of:
(_a_) ab^3 - 3cd^2 + 2(3a - b)(c - 2d).
(_b_) 2a^3 - 3b^4 + (4c^3 + d^3)(4c^2 + d^2).
2. Reduce to a mixed number:
(3a^4 - 4a^3 - 10a^2 + 41a - 28)/(a^2 - 3a + 4).
Simplify:
3. (a + 2)/(a^2 + 3a - 40) - (b - 2)/(ab - 5b + 3a - 15).
4. [1 - (2 - 3b - 2c)/(a + 2)]
÷ (a^2 - 4c^2 + 9b^2 + 6ab)/(2a^2 + a - 6).
5. A's age 10 years hence will be 4 times what B's age was 11 years
ago, and the amount that A's age exceeds B's age is one third of
the sum of their ages 8 years ago. Find their present ages.
6. Draw the lines represented by the equations
3x - 2y = 13 and 2x + 5y = -4,
and find by algebra the coördinates of the point where they
intersect.
7. Solve the equations { bx - ay = b^2 - ab,
{ y - b = 2(x - 2a).
8. Solve (2x + 1)(3x - 2) - (5x - 7)(x - 2) = 41.
~COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
1. Solve by factoring: x^3 + 30x = 11x^2.
2. Show that 1 - [(a^2 + b^2 - c^2)/(2ab)]^2 = (a + b + c)(a + b - c)(a - b + c)(b + c - a) ÷ 4a^2b^2.
3. How many pairs of numbers will satisfy simultaneously the two
equations
{ 3x + 2y = 7,
{ x + y = 3?
Show by means of a graph that your answer is correct.
What is meant by eliminating x in the above equations by substitution?
by comparison? by subtraction?
4. Find the square root of 223,728.
5. Simplify: (_a_) [1/3]^(1/2) + [12]^(1/2) - [3/4]^(1/2).
(_b_) (-[-3[-4]^(1/2)]^(1/2))^4.
6. Solve the equation .03x^2 - 2.23x + 1.1075 = 0.
7. How far must a boy run in a potato race if there are n potatoes in
a straight line at a distance d feet apart, the first being at a
distance a feet from the basket?
~COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA COMPLETE
TIME: THREE HOURS
Six questions are required; two from Group _A_, two from Group _B_, and
both questions of Group _C_. No extra credit will be given for more than
six questions.
_Group A_
1. (_a_) Resolve the following into their prime factors:
(1) (x^2 - y^2)^2 - y^4.
(2) 10x^2 - 7x - 6.
(_b_) Find the H. C. F. and the L. C. M. of
x^3 - 3x^2 + x - 3,
x^3 - 3x^2 - x + 3.
2. (_a_) Simplify
[x/y + y/x - 2]/[1/x + 1/y] + [x/y + y/x + 2]/[1/x - 1/y].
(_b_) If x : y = (x - z)^2 : (y - z)^2, prove that z is a mean
proportional between x and y.
3. A crew can row 10 miles in 50 minutes downstream, and 12 miles in
an hour and a half upstream. Find the rate of the current and of
the crew in still water.
_Group B_
4. (_a_) Determine the values of k so that the equation
(2 + k)x^2 + 2kx + 1 = 0
shall have equal roots.
(_b_) Solve the equations
x^2 - xy + y^2 = 7,
2x - 3y = 0.
(_c_) Plot the following two equations, and find from the graphs
the approximate values of their common solutions:
x^2 + y^2 = 25,
4x^2 + 9y^2 = 144.
5. Two integers are in the ratio 4 : 5. Increase each by 15, and the
difference of their squares is 999. What are the integers?
6. A man has $539 to spend for sheep. He wishes to keep 14 of the
flock that he buys, but to sell the remainder at a gain of $2 per
head. This he does and gains $28. How many sheep did he buy, and at
what price each?
_Group C_
7. (_a_) Find the seventh term of [a + 1/a]^(13).
(_b_) Derive the formula for the sum of n terms of an arithmetic
progression.
8. A ball falling from a height of 60 feet rebounds after each fall
one third of its last descent. What distance has it passed over
when it strikes the ground for the eighth time?
~CORNELL UNIVERSITY~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
1. Find the H. C. F.:
x^4 - y^4,
x^3 - xy^2 + x^2y - y^3,
x^4 + 2x^2y^2 - 3y^4.
2. Solve the following set of equations:
x + y = -1,
x + 3y + 2z = -4,
x - y + 4z = 5.
3. Expand and simplify:
[2x^3 - 1/x]^7.
4. An automobile goes 80 miles and back in 9 hours. The rate of speed
returning was 4 miles per hour faster than the rate going. Find the
rate each way.
5. Simplify:
{[(x + 1)/(x - 1)]^2 - 2 + [(x - 1)/(x + 1)]^2}
/{[(x + 1)/(x - 1)]^2 - [(x - 1)/(x + 1)]^2}.
6. Solve for x:
(2x + 3)/(x - 1) - 6 = 5/(x^2 + 2x - 3).
7. A, B, and C, all working together, can do a piece of work in
2-2/3 days. A works twice as fast as C, and A and C together could
do the work in 4 days. How long would it take each one of the three
to do the work alone?
~CORNELL UNIVERSITY~
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
1. Solve the following set of equations:
x + y = -1,
2z + 5w = 1,
x + 3y + 2z = -4,
x - y + 4z + 4w = 5.
2. Simplify:
(_a_) [6 - 20^(1/2)]^(1/2).
(_b_) [1 + [x^2 + 1]^(1/2)]/[1 + [x^2 + 1]^(1/2) + x^2].
3. Find, and simplify, the 23d term in the expansion of
[(2x^2)/(3) - 3/4]^(28).
4. The weight of an object varies directly as its distance from the
center of the earth when it is below the earth's surface, and
inversely as the square of its distance from the center when it is
above the surface. If an object weighs 10 pounds at the surface,
how far above, and how far below the surface will it weigh 9
pounds? (The radius of the earth may be taken as 4000 miles.)
5. Solve the following pair of equations for x and y:
x^2 + y^2 = 4,
x = (1 + 2^(1/2))y - 2.
6. Find the value of [1 + 8^(-x/3)]/[(8x)^(1/2) + 10^(x - 2)], when
x = 2.
7. From a square of pasteboard, 12 inches on a side, square corners
are cut, and the sides are turned up to form a rectangular box. If
the squares cut out from the corners had been 1 inch larger on a
side, the volume of the box would have been increased 28 cubic
inches. What is the size of the square corners cut out? (See the
figure on the blackboard.)
~HARVARD UNIVERSITY~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
TIME: ONE HOUR AND A HALF
Arrange your work neatly and clearly, beginning each question on a
separate page.
1. Simplify the following expression:
[[1/a + 1/(b + c)]/[1/a - 1/(b + c)] [1 + (b^2 + c^2 - a^2)/(2bc)].
2. (_a_) Write the middle term of the expansion of (a - b)^14 by the
binomial theorem.
(_b_) Find the value of a^7b^7, if
a = x^(2/7)y^(-3/2) and b = (1/2) x^(-1/7)y^(1/2),
and reduce the result to a form having only positive
exponents.
3. Find correct to three significant figures the negative root of the
equation
1 - 2/(x + 1) + 4x/{(x + 1)^2} = 0.
4. Prove the rule for finding the sum of n terms of a geometrical
progression of which the first term is a and the constant ratio
is r.
Find the sum of 8 terms of the progression 5 + 3-1/3 + 2-2/9 + ···.
5. A goldsmith has two alloys of gold, the first being 3/4 pure gold,
the second 5/12 pure gold. How much of each must he take to produce
100 ounces of an alloy which shall be 2/3 pure gold?
~HARVARD UNIVERSITY~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
TIME: ONE HOUR AND A HALF
1. Solve the simultaneous equations
x + y = a + b,
(y + b)/(x + a) = a/b,
and verify your results.
2. Solve the equation x^2 - 1.6x - 0.23 = 0, obtaining the values of
the roots correct to three significant figures.
3. Write out the first four terms of (a - b)^7. Find the fourth term
of this expansion when
a = [x^(-1) y^(1/2)]^(1/3), b = [9xy^(-4)]^(1/6),
expressing the result in terms of a single radical, and without
fractional or negative exponents.
4. Reduce the following expression to a polynomial in a and b:
(6a^3 + 7ab^2 + 12b^3)/(3a^2 - 5ab - 4b^2)
- 1/[3/19b - (5a + 4b)/(19a^2)].
5. The cost of publishing a book consists of two main items: first,
the fixed expense of setting up the type; and, second, the running
expenses of presswork, binding, etc., which may be assumed to be
proportional to the number of copies. A certain book costs 35 cents
a copy if 1000 copies are published at one time, but only 19 cents
a copy if 5000 copies are published at one time. Find (_a_) the
cost of setting up the type for the book, and (_b_) the cost of
presswork, binding, etc., per thousand copies.
~HARVARD UNIVERSITY~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
TIME: ONE HOUR AND A HALF
1. Find the highest common factor and the lowest common multiple of
the three expressions
a^4 - b^4; a^3 + b^3; a^3 + 2a^2 b + 2ab^2 + b^3.
2. Solve the quadratic equation
x^2 - 1.6x + 0.3 = 0,
computing the value of the larger root correct to three significant
figures.
3. In the expression
x^2 - 2xy + y^2 - 4[2^(1/2)](x + y) + 8,
substitute for x and y the values
x = (u + v + 1)/[2^(1/2)], y = (u - v + 1)/[2^(1/2)],
and reduce the resulting expression to its simplest form.
4. State and prove the formula for the sum of the first n terms of a
geometric progression in which a is the first term and r the
constant ratio.
5. A state legislature is to elect a United States senator, a majority
of all the votes cast being necessary for a choice. There are three
candidates, A, B, and C, and 100 members vote. On the first ballot
A has the largest number of votes, receiving 9 more votes than his
nearest competitor, B; but he fails of the necessary majority. On
the second ballot C's name is withdrawn, and all the members who
voted for C now vote for B, whereupon B is elected by a majority of
2. How many votes were cast for each candidate on the first ballot?
~MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY~
ALGEBRA A
TIME: ONE HOUR AND THREE QUARTERS
1. Factor the expressions:
x^3 + x^2 = 2x. x^3 + x^2 - 4x - 4.
2. Simplify the expression:
[1 - (b^2)/(a^2)][1 - (ab - b^2)/(a^2)](a^4)/(a^3 + b^3)
· (a - b)/(a^2 + b^2).
3. Find the value of x + [1 + x^2]^(1/2), when
x = (1/2)[[a/b]^(1/2) - [b/a]^(1/2)].
4. Solve the equations:
(7x + 6)/11 + y - 16 = (5x - 13)/2 - (8y - x)/5,
3(3x + 4) = 10y - 15.
5. Solve the equations:
A + C = 2,
-A + B + C + D = 1,
2A - B + 2C + D = 5,
B + D = 1.
6. Two squares are formed with a combined perimeter of 16 inches. One
square contains 4 square inches more than the other. Find the area
of each.
7. A man walked to a railway station at the rate of 4 miles an hour
and traveled by train at the rate of 30 miles an hour, reaching his
destination in 20 hours. If he had walked 3 miles an hour and
ridden 35 miles an hour, he would have made the journey in 18
hours. Required the total distance traveled.
~MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY~
ALGEBRA B
TIME: ONE HOUR AND THREE QUARTERS
1. How many terms must be taken in the series 2, 5, 8, 11, ··· so
that the sum shall be 345?
2. Prove the formula x = [-b ± [b^2 - 4ac]^(1/2)]/(2a) for solving the
quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
3. Find all values of a for which [\sq]a is a root of x^2 + x + 20 =
2a, and check your results.
4. Solve {x^2 + 3y^2 = 10, x - y = 2,} and sketch the graphs.
5. The sum of two numbers x and y is 5, and the sum of the two middle
terms in the expansion of (x + y)^3 is equal to the sum of the
first and last terms. Find the numbers.
6. Solve x^4 - 2x^3 + 3x^2 - 2x + 1 = 0.
(HINT: Divide by x^2 and substitute x + 1/x = z.)
7. In anticipation of a holiday a merchant makes an outlay of $50,
which will be a total loss in case of rain, but which will bring
him a clear profit of $150 above the outlay if the day is pleasant.
To insure against loss he takes out an insurance policy against
rain for a certain sum of money for which he has to pay a certain
percentage. He then finds that whether the day be rainy or pleasant
he will make $80 clear. What is the amount of the policy, and what
rate did the company charge him?
~MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY~
ALGEBRA A
TIME: TWO HOURS
1. Simplify
[m + 1/m]^2 + [n + 1/n]^2 + [mn + 1/mn]^2
- [m + 1/m][n + 1/n][mn + 1/mn].
2. Find the prime factors of
(_a_) (x - x^2)^3 + (x^2 - 1)^3 + (1 - x)^3.
(_b_) (2x + a - b)^4 - (x - a + b)^4.
3. (_a_) Simplify
[(x^q)/(x^r)]^(q + r) [(x^r)/(x^p)]^(r + p)[{x^p/{x^q}]^(p + q).
(_b_) Show that
([[x]^[1/(n+1)]]^(1/n))/([[x]^[1/(n+2)]]^[1/(n+1)]) =
{x^(1/n) · [x]^[1/(n+2)]}/{[x^2]^[1/(n+1)]}.
4. Define _homogeneous terms_.
For what value of n is x^n y^(5 - n/2) + x^(n + 1) y^(2n - 6) a
homogeneous binomial?
5. Extract the square root of
x(x - 2^(1/2))(x - 8^(1/2))(x - 18^(1/2)) + 4.
6. Two vessels contain each a mixture of wine and water. In the first
vessel the quantity of wine is to the quantity of water as 1 : 3,
and in the second as 3 : 5. What quantity must be taken from each,
so as to form a third mixture which shall contain 5 gallons of wine
and 9 gallons of water?
7. Find a quantity such that by adding it to each of the quantities a,
b, c, d, we obtain four quantities in proportion.
8. What values must be given to a and b, so that (3a + 2b + 17)/2,
(2a - 3b + 25)/3, 4 - 5a - 13b may be equal?
~MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
TIME: TWO HOURS
1. Factor the following expressions:
(_a_) a^(3/4) - b^(3/4).
(_b_) x^2 y^2 z^2 - x^2 z - y^2 z + 1.
(_c_) 16(x + y)^4 - (2x - y)^4.
2. (_a_) Simplify
(a^2 + b^2){(b^4)/(b^2 - a^2) - a^2}/{a/(a + b) + b/(a - b)}}.
(_b_) Extract the square root of x^4 - 2x^3 + 5x^2 - 4x + 4.
3. Solve the following equations:
(_a_) 1/x + 1/y = 5, 1/(x^2) + 1/(y^2) = 13.
(_b_) x^2 - 5x + 2 = 0.
(_c_) [27x + 1]^(1/2) = 2 - 3[3x^(1/2)].
4. Simplify:
(_a_) 7[54]^(1/3) + 256^(1/6) + [432/(-250)]^(1/3).
(_b_) 1/[(a - b)(b - c)] + 1/[(c - a)(b - a)].
(_c_) Find [19 - 8[3^(1/2)]]^(1/2).
5. Plot the graphs of the following system, and determine the solution
from the point of intersection:
{ x - 2y = 0,
{ 2x - 3y = 4.
6. (_a_) Derive the formula for the solution of ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
(_b_) Determine the value of m for which the roots of
2x^2 + 4x + m = 0 are (i) equal, (ii) real, (iii) imaginary.
(_c_) Form the quadratic equation whose roots are
2 + 3^(1/2) and 2 - 3^(1/2).
7. A page is to have a margin of 1 inch, and is to contain 35 square
inches of printing. How large must the page be, if the length is to
exceed the width by 2 inches?
8. (_a_) In an arithmetical progression the sum of the first six terms
is 261, and the sum of the first nine terms is 297. Find the
common difference.
(_b_) Three numbers whose sum is 27 are in arithmetical
progression. If 1 is added to the first, 3 to the second, and
11 to the third, the sums will be in geometrical progression.
Find the numbers.
(_c_) Derive the formula for the sum of _n_ terms of a geometrical
progression.
9. (_a_) Expand and simplify (2a^2 - 3x^3)^7.
(_b_) For what value of x will the ratio 7 + x : 12 + x be equal to
the ratio 5 : 6?
~UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
TIME: THREE HOURS
1. Simplify: [(a + x)/(a - x) - (a - x)/(a + x)] ÷ (4ax)/(a^2 - x^2).
2. Find the H. C. F. and L. C. M. of
10ab^2(x^2 - 2ax), 15a^3b(x^2 - ax - 2a^2), 25b^3(x^2 - a^2)^2.
3. A grocer buys eggs at 4 for 7¢. He sells 1/4 of them at 5 for 12¢,
and the rest at 6 for 11¢, making 27¢ by the transaction. How many
eggs does he buy?
4. Solve for t:
(t + 4a + b)/(t + a + b) - (4t - a - 2b)/(t + a - b) = -3.
5. Find the square root of
a^2 - (3/2)a^(3/2) - (3/2)a^(1/2) + (41/16)a + 1.
6. (_a_) For what values of m will the roots of 2x^2 + 3mx = -2 be
equal?
(_b_) If 2a + 3b is a root of x^2 - 6bx - 4a^2 + 9b^2 = 0, find the
other root without solving the equation.
7. (_a_) Solve for x: [2x - 3a]^(1/2) + [3x - 2a]^(1/2) = 3[a^(1/2)].
(_b_) Solve for m: 1 - (1)/(2 - m) = 1/(m + 2) + (m - 6)/(4 - m^2).
8. Solve the system: x^2 + 2y^2 = 17; xy - y^2 = 2.
9. Two boats leave simultaneously opposite shores of a river 2-1/4 mi.
wide and pass each other in 15 min. The faster boat completes the
trip 6-3/4 min. before the other reaches the opposite shore. Find
the rates of the boats in miles per hour.
10. Write the sixth term of [x/(2[y^2]^(1/3)) - (y^(1/2))/x]^9
without writing the preceding terms.
11. The sum of the 2d and 20th terms of an A. P. is 10, and their
product is 23-47/64. What is the sum of sixteen terms?
~PRINCETON UNIVERSITY~
ALGEBRA A
TIME: TWO HOURS
Candidates who are at this time taking _both_ Algebra A and Algebra B
may omit from Algebra A questions 4, 5, and 6, and from Algebra B
questions 1 (_a_), 3, and 4.
1. Simplify
(a^3 + a^2b + ab^2)/(a^2 - 3ab - 4b^2) ÷ {(a^2 + 6ab - 7b^2)/(a^2 +
8ab - 9b^2) · (a^3 - b^3)/(a^2 - 7ab + 12b^2)}.
2. (_a_) Divide a^(5/2) + ab^(3/2) + b^(5/2) - 2a^(1/2)b^2 - a^(3/2)b
by a^(3/2) - b^(3/2) + a^(1/2)b - ab^(1/2).
(_b_) Simplify (1)/(x^(-1) + y^(-1)} · (x^(1/4)y^(1/2))^3 + 1.
3. Factor: (_a_) (x^2 + 3x)^2 - (2x - 6)^2.
(_b_) a^2 + ac - 4b^2 - 2bc.
4. Solve 1/(x + 1) - (1)/(x - 1) - (1)/(x - 3) + (1)/(x - 5) = 0.
5. Solve for x and y: mx + ax = my - by, x - y = a + b.
6. The road from A to B is uphill for 5 mi., level for 4 mi., and then
downhill for 6 mi. A man walks from B to A in 4 hr.; later he walks
halfway from A to B and back again to A in 3 hr. and 55 min.; and
later he walks from A to B in 3 hr. and 52 min. What are his rates
of walking uphill, downhill, and on the level, if these do not
vary?
ALGEBRA B
1. Solve
(_a_) (x + 1)/(x - 2) + (2x + 1)/(x + 1) + (3x + 3)/(1 - x) = 0.
(_b_) [2x + 7]^(1/2) + [3x - 18]^(1/2) - [7x + 1]^(1/2) = 0.
(_c_) 6/(x^2 + 2x) = 5 - 2x - x^2.
2. Solve for x and y, checking one solution in each problem:
(_a_) 2x + 3y = 1, 6/x + 1/y = 2.
(_b_) x^2 = x + y, y^2 = 3y - x.
3. A man arranges to pay a debt of $3600 in 40 monthly payments which
form an A. P. After paying 30 of them he still owes 1/3 of his
debt. What was his first payment?
4. If 4 quantities are in proportion and the second is a mean
proportional between the third and fourth, prove that the third
will be a mean prop. between the first and second.
5. In the expansion of [2x + 1/3x]^6 the ratio of the fourth term to
the fifth is 2 : 1. Find x.
6. Two men A and B can together do a piece of work in 12 days; B would
need 10 days more than A to do the whole work. How many days would
it take A alone to do the work?
ALGEBRA TO QUADRATICS
1. Simplify
(ab^(-2)c^2)^(1/2) · (a^3b^2c^(-3))^(1/3) + [(a^6)/(b)]^(1/3).
2. Simplify
a/[(a - b)(a - c)] + b/[(b - c)(b - a)] + c/[(c - a)(c - b)].
3. Factor (_a_) x^4 - 10x^2 + 9.
(_b_) x^2 + 2xy - a^2 - 2ay.
(_c_) (a + b)^2 + (a + c)^2 - (c + d)^2 - (b + d)^2.
4. Find H. C. F. of x^4 - x^3 + 2x^2 + x + 3 and (x + 2)(x^3 - 1).
5. Solve
x/(x - 2) + (x - 9)/(x - 7) = (x + 1)/(x - 1) + (x - 8)/(x - 6).
6. The sum of three numbers is 51; if the first number be divided by
the second, the quotient is 2 and the remainder 5; if the second
number be divided by the third, the quotient is 3 and the remainder
2. What are the numbers?
~SMITH COLLEGE~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
1. Factor e^(2x) - 2 + e^(-2x), x^(12) - 8, x^2 - x - y^2 - y,
18a^2x^2 -24axy - 10y^2.
2. Solve [7 + 4x + 3[2x^2 + 5x + 7]^(1/2)]^(1/2) - 3 = 0.
3. The second term of a geometrical progression is 3[2^(1/2)], and the
fifth term is 3/16. Find the first term and the ratio.
4. Solve the following equations and check your results by plotting:
{ x^2 + y^2 - xy = 7,
{ x + y = 4.
5. Solve
1/(x^3) + 1/(y^3) = 243/8,
1/x + 1/y = 9/2.
6. In an arithmetical progression d = -11, n = 13, s = 0. Find a
and l.
7. Expand by the binomial theorem and simplify:
[(2x)/(y^3) - (y^4)/(x^5 [-6]^(1/2))]^5.
8. The diagonal of a rectangle is 13 ft. long. If each side were
longer by 2 ft., the area would be increased by 38 sq. ft. Find the
lengths of the sides.
~SMITH COLLEGE~
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
1. Find the H. C. F. of 8x^3 - 27, 32x^5 - 243, and
6x^3 - 9x^2 + 4x - 6.
2. Solve:
(_a_) (2x + 5)^(-5) + 31(2x + 5)^(-5/2) = 32.
(_b_) (x - 1)^(1/2) + (3x + 1)^(1/2) = 4.
3. A farmer sold a horse at $75 for which he had paid x dollars. He
realized x per cent profit by his sale. Find x.
4. Find the 13th term and the sum of 13 terms of the arithmetical
progression
(2^(1/2) - 1)/2, (2^(1/2))/2, (1)/[2([2]^(1/2) - 1)], ···.
5. The difference between two numbers is 48. Their arithmetical mean
exceeds their geometrical mean by 18. Find the numbers.
6. Expand by the binomial theorem and simplify
[3a^(-2) - a/[-2]^(1/2)]^5.
7. Solve:
1/x + 1/y = 3/2,
1/(x^2) + 1/(y^2) = 5/4.
8. Solve the following equations and check the results by finding the
intersections of the graphs of the two equations:
{ x^2 = 4y,
{ x + 2y = 4.
~VASSAR COLLEGE~
ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
Answer any six questions.
1. Find the product of
[1 + 2a/3 - (5a^2)/(6)] and [2 - 3a/4 + (a^2)/(3)].
2. Resolve into linear factors:
(_a_) 4x^2 - 25;
(_b_) 6x^2 - x - 12;
(_c_) a^2b^2 + 1 - a^2 - b^2;
(_d_) y^3 + (x - 3)y^2 - (3x - 2)y + 2x.
3. Reduce to simplest form:
(_a_) z/(1/x - 1/y) + y/(1 - y/x) - x/(1 - x/y).
(_b_) [-(x^3)^(1/2)]^(1/3) × (4y^(-3))^(1/2).
4. (_a_) Divide x^(3/2) - x^(-3/2) by x^(1/2) - x^(-1/2).
(_b_) Find correct to one place of decimals the value of
[5^(1/2) + 7^(1/2)]/[2 - 3^(1/2)].
5. (_a_) If a/b = c/d, show that (a^2 + c^2)/(b^2 + d^2) = ac/bd.
(_b_) Two numbers are in the ratio 3 : 4, and if 7 be subtracted
from each the remainders are in the ratio 2 : 3. Find the
numbers.
6. Solve the equations:
(_a_) (x + 1)/(2) - 3/x = x/3 - (5 - x)/(6).
(_b_) 11x^2 - 11-1/4 = 9x.
(_c_) { x^2 - 2y^2 = 71,
{ x + y = 20.
7. A field could be made into a square by diminishing the length by 10
feet and increasing the breadth by 5 feet, but its area would then
be diminished by 210 square feet. Find the length and the breadth
of the field.
~VASSAR COLLEGE~
ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
Answer six questions, including No. 5 and No. 7 or 8. Candidates in
Intermediate Algebra will answer Nos. 5-9.
1. Find two numbers whose ratio is 3 and such that two sevenths of
the larger is 15 more than one half the smaller.
2. Determine the factors of the lowest common multiple of
3x^4 (x^3 - y^3), 15 (x^4 - 2x^2y^2 + y^4), and
10y (x^4 + x^2y^2 + y^4).
3. Find to two decimal places the value of
[4a^(-2/5) + b^0[ab^(-1)]^(1/2)]^(1/2), when a = -32 and b = -8.
4. Solve the equations: 2x + 5y = 85, 2y + 5z = 103, 2z + 5x = 57.
5. Solve any 3 of these equations:
(_a_) x^2 + 44 - 15x = 0.
(_b_) 2/x - x/5 = x/20 - 223/30.
(_c_) x^2 + 8x - [4x^2 + 32x + 12]^(1/2) = 21.
(_d_) 5/(x + 1) + 8/(x - 2) = 12/(40 - 2x).
6. The sum of two numbers is 13, and the sum of their cubes is 910.
Find the smaller number, correct to the second decimal place.
7. The sum of 9 terms of an arithmetical progression is 46; the sum of
the first 5 terms is 25. Find the common difference.
8. Explain the terms, and prove that if four numbers are in
proportion, they are in proportion by _alternation_, by
_inversion_, and by _composition_. Find x when
(3 + x)/(3 - x) = (40 + x^3)/(40 - x^3).
9. Find the value of x in each of these equations:
(_a_) 7x^(1/4) - 3x^(1/2) = 2.
(_b_) (x^2 + 2)^(5/2) + 3/{[x^2 + 2]^(1/2)} = 4x^2 + 8.
~YALE UNIVERSITY~
ALGEBRA A
TIME: ONE HOUR
Omit one question in Group II and one in Group III. Credit will be given
for _six_ questions only.
_Group I_
1. Resolve into prime factors: (_a_) 6x^2 - 7x - 20;
(_b_) (x^2 - 5x)^2 - 2(x^2 - 5x) - 24; (_c_) a^4 + 4a^2 + 16.
2. Simplify
[5 - (a^2 - 19x^2)/(a^2 - 4x^2)] ÷ [3 - (a - 5x)/(a - 2x)].
3. Solve
[2(x - 7)]/(x^2 + 3x - 28) + (2 - x)/(4 - x) - (x + 3)/(x + 7) = 0.
_Group II_
4. Simplify [2^(1/2) + 2[3^(1/2)]]/[2^(1/2) - 12^(1/2)], and compute
the value of the fraction to two decimal places.
5. Solve the simultaneous equations
{ x^(-1/2) + 2y^(-1/2) = 7/6,
{ 2x^(-1/2) - y^(-1/2) = 2/3.
_Group III_
6. Two numbers are in the ratio of c : d. If a be added to the first
and subtracted from the second, the results will be in the ratio
of 3 : 2. Find the numbers.
7. A dealer has two kinds of coffee, worth 30 and 40 cents per pound.
How many pounds of each must be taken to make a mixture of 70
pounds, worth 36 cents per pound?
8. A, B, and C can do a piece of work in 30 hours. A can do half as
much again as B, and B two thirds as much again as C. How long
would each require to do the work alone?
~YALE UNIVERSITY~
ALGEBRA B
TIME: ONE HOUR
Omit one question in Group I and one in Group II. Credit will be given
for _five_ questions only.
_Group I_
1. Solve (x + a)/(x + b) + (x + b)/(x + a) = 5/2.
2. Solve the simultaneous equations
{ x^2y^2 + 28xy - 480 = 0,
{ 2x + y = 11.
Arrange the roots in corresponding pairs.
3. Solve 3x^(-3/2) + 20x^(-3/4) = 32.
_Group II_
4. In going 7500 yd. a front wheel of a wagon makes 1000 more
revolutions than a rear one. If the wheels were each 1 yd. greater
in circumference, a front wheel would make 625 more revolutions
than a rear one. Find the circumference of each.
5. Two cars of equal speed leave A and B, 20 mi. apart, at different
times. Just as the cars pass each other an accident reduces the
power and their speed is decreased 10 mi. per hour. One car makes
the journey from A to B in 56 min., and the other from B to A in 72
min. What is their common speed?
_Group III_
6. Write in the simplest form the last three terms of the expansion
of (4a^(3/2) - a^(1/2) x^(1/3))^8.
7. (_a_) Derive the formula for the sum of an A. P.
(_b_) Find the sum to infinity of the series 1, -1/2, 1/4,
-1/8, ···. Also find the sum of the positive terms.
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