ALGEBRA PROBLEMS

1. A vintner wishes to make 10,000 gallons of sherry by fortifying white wine, which has an
alcohol content of 10%, with brandy, which has an alcohol content of 35% by volume. The
sherry is to have an alcohol content of 15%. What volume of wine and brandy should be
mixed together to produce the desired result?
a. 7500 gallons, 2500 gallons c. 5500 gallons,4500 gallons
b. 8,000 gallons, 2000 gallons d. 6,000 gallons,4000 gallons

2. An investor with $70,000 wants to receive an annual income of $5000. He can invest his
funds 0n 6% government bonds and with greater risk in 8.5% mortgage bonds. How
should he invest his money in order to earn exactly $5000?
a. $45,000 in gov’t bonds & $25,000 in mortgage bonds
b. $40,000 in gov’t bonds & $30,000 in mortgage bonds
c. $38,000 in gov’t bonds & $32,000 in mortgage bonds
d. $23,000 in gov’t bonds & $47,000 in mortgage bonds

3. A pipe can fill a tank in 20 minutes and another pipe can empty it in 24 minutes. If the
tank is half full when both pipes are opened, how much time will it take to fill the tank?
a. 15 minutes c. 60 minutes
b. 44 minutes d. 120 minutes

4. The numerator of a function is 1 less than the denominator. If the numerator is increased
by 1 and the denominator is increased by 6, the new fraction is half the original one. What
is the original fraction?
a. 1/2 c. 5/6
b. 14/15 d. 9/10

5. Solve for the values of x, y and z.

3x – y + 2z = -1
2x + 2y – z = 5
x + 2y + z = 4

a. x = 3, y = 2, z = 1 c. x = -4, y = 1, z = 2
b. x = 1, y = 2, z = -1 d. x = 3, y = 5, z = 2

6. Find the value of 3 29 by differentiation.

a. 3.07407 c. 3.07318
b. 3.07232 d. 3.07256

7. What is the sum of the sequence 3/4 – 1/2 + 1/3…..

a. 11/12 c. 3/10
b. 16/35 d. 9/20

8. How many terms of the sequence 9, 12, 15, …. will make the sum 306?
a. 12 c. 9
b. 15 d. 17
9. What is the remainder when x53 – 1 is divided by (x + 1)?
a. 0 c. -2
b. -1 d. 4

10. Solve for x: 2x + 1 = 32 – 2x

a. 0.5204 c. 0.1625
b. 0.9235 d. 0.3168

11.A farmer has 500 yards of fencing with which to enclose a rectangular paddock. What is
largest area he can enclose?
a. 11,536 square yard c. 15,625 square yard
b. 10,285 square yard d. 17,320 square yard

2x  1
12. f  x  , f 1  y  =?
4x  3
7y  6 6y  5
a. 5y  3
c. 3y  8
3y  1 9y  5
b. 4y  2
d. 2y  1

13.  log a b  log b c log c d  log d a   ?

a. 0 c. abcd
b. 1 d. a + b + c+ d

14. Which term of the sequence 96, 48, 24, 12…. Is 3/16?
a. 9th c. 12th
th
b. 10 d. 15th

1 2  2 1
15. A  and B   . What is AB?
4 5  3 2
2 1 6 5
a. 11 13 c. 1
   9
  1 3 4 5
b. 2 d.
 5

7
 14