Algebra Questions

ALJEBRA
1.
If x – y = 2 and , Then what would be the value of :

[A]38
[B]36
[C]16
[D]1 2
Hide Answer
36
= 20 + 16 = 36
So option (B) is the right answer.
2.
If , Then what would be the value of x-y:
[A]4
[B]-4
[C]0
[D]8
Hide Answer
0
So option [C] is the right answer.
3.
If , then what would be the value of xy:
[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
Hence option [A] is the right answer.

4.
If , Then is equals to :
[A]4
[B]6
[C]8
[D]10
Hide Answer
10
Hence option (D) is the right answer.
5.
If , Then (a+1) is equals to :
[A]a – 1
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
Such type of questions can be solve quickly by using alternativ method so by the alternative
Hence option [D] is correct.
6.
If x is a real number, Then what would be the minimum value of :
[A]
[B]0
[C]1
[D]
Hide Answer
Because for expression , a>0
Minimum value is :
Because here expression is :
Then Minimum value is :
7.
If a * b = 2 (a + b), then 5 * 2 is equal to :
[A]20
[B]3
[C]10
[D]14
Hide Answer
14
Given that
Hence option [D] is the rigth answer.
8.
If a * b = 2a – 3b + ab, then 3 * 5 + 5 * 3 is equal to :
[A]28
[B]26
[C]22
[D]24
Hide Answer
22
Give that a * b = 2a – 3b + ab
Therefore,
Hence option [C] is the rigth answer.
9.
Two numbers x and y (x > y) are such that their sum is equal to three times their difference. Then value of will be :
[A]
[B]1
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
1
Hence option [C] is the rigth answer.
10.
Find the value of
:
[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Show Answer
Given expression
Hence option [B] is the rigth answer.
11.
If , then find the value of

[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
Given that,
Then,
Hence option [B] is the rigth answer.
12.
If a * b = a + b + ab, then 3 * 4 – 2 * 3 is equal to
[A]14
[B]10
[C]5
[D]8
Hide Answer
8
Given a * b = a + b + ab
∴3*4–2*3
= (3 + 4 + 3 4) – (2 + 3 + 2 3)
= (7 + 12) – (5 + 6) = 19 – 11 = 8
Hence option [D] is the right answer.
13.
If then is equal to:
[A]0
[B]3
[C]1
[D]2
Hide Answer
2
Let
a = 3k, b = 4k, c = 7k
14.
If , then the value of is:

[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
14
Hence option [C] is the right answer.
15.
If x = , then the value of is :

[A]3
[B]2
[C]4
[D]1
Hide Answer
4
16.
What will be the value of 8 2, if

[A]16
[B]14
[C]6
[D]10
Hide Answer
14
Given that,
Hence option [B] is the right answer.
17.
If x*y = 3x + 2y, Then 2*3 + 3*4 is equal to :
[A]38
[B]18
[C]29
[D]32
Hide Answer
29
18.
If , then the value of x is :
[A]1.44
[B]144
[C]0.0144
[D]14.4
Hide Answer
0.0144
Given that,
Hence option [C] is the correct answer.
19.
If , then equals to :
[A]50
[B]42
[C]12
[D]35
Hide Answer
42
Given that
20.
If , then the value of is:

[A]2
[B]2x – 4
[C]1
[D]3
Hide Answer
2
Since 1 < x < 2, we have x – 1 > 0 and x – 3 > 0 or 3 – x > 0
21.
Given that and , then the value of z is close to
[A]3.7
[B]2.9
[C]1.45
[D]1.88
Hide Answer
2.9
Given that,
22.
If , then the value of 9 * 11 is
[A]121
[B]93
[C]113
[D]103
Hide Answer
103
Given,
23.
If then the value of is :

[A]4
[B]10
[C]12
[D]5
Hide Answer
10
Given Expression :
24.
If then x equals to :
[A]0
[B]1
[C]-1
[D]
Hide Answer
-1
Given that,
25.
If then x is equals to :
[A]1
[B]2
[C]3
[D]5
Hide Answer
2
26.
If , then what would be the value of x :
[A]36
[B]37
[C]32
[D]31
Hide Answer
36
The given expression is,
to 30 terms
27.
Find out the value of
[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
9
Given Expression,
28.
If x = 0.5 and y = 0.2, then value of is equal to :

[A]1.3
[B]1.1
[C]0.5
[D]0.6
Hide Answer
0.6
Given that, x = 0.5 and y = 0.2
Now we have to find the value of
putting on values of x and y
29.
If a = 7, b = 5 and c = 3, then the value of is:
[A]0
[B]8
[C]-12
[D]12
Show Answer
30.
If , then x equals :
[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
Hide Answer
Given Expression,
or
x = 0 given indeterminate value.

1 . The set of all real numbers under the usual multiplication operation is not a group since
A.zero has no inverse
B. identity element does not exist
C.multiplication is not associative
D.multiplication is not a binary operation

Answer: A
Explanation:
zero has no inverse
2 . If (G, .) is a group such that (ab)- 1 = a-1b-1, ∀ a, b ∈ G, then G is a/an
A.commutative semi group
B. non-abelian group
C.abelian group
D.None of these
Answer: C
Explanation:
abelian group
3 . If (G, .) is a group such that a2 = e, ∀a ∈ G, then G is
A. abelian group B. non-abelian group
C. semi group D. none of these

Answer: A
Explanation:
abelian group
4 . The inverse of - i in the multiplicative group, {1, - 1, i , - i} is
A. -1 B. 1
C. -i D. i
Answer: D
Explanation:
5 . The set of integers Z with the binary operation "*" defined as a*b =a +b+ 1 for a, b ∈ Z, is a group. The identity element of this group is
A. -1 B. 0
C. 1 D. 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
-1
. If R = {(1, 2),(2, 3),(3, 3)} be a relation defined on A= {1, 2, 3} then R . R (= R2) is
A.{(1, 2),(1, 3),(3, 3)}
B. {(1, 3),(2, 3),(3, 3)}
C.{(2, 1),(1, 3),(2, 3)}
D.R itself
Answer: B
Explanation:
{(1, 3),(2, 3),(3, 3)}
7 . Which of the following statements is false ?
A.If R is relexive, then R ∩ R-1 ≠ φ
B. R ∩ R-1 ≠ φ =>R is anti-symmetric.

C.If R, R' are relexive relations in A, then R - R' is reflexive
D.If R, R' are equivalence relations in a set A, then R ∩ R' is also an equivalence relation in A
Answer: C
Explanation:
If R, R' are relexive relations in A, then R - R' is reflexive
8 . If (G, .) is a group, such that (ab)2 = a2 b2 ∀ a, b ∈ G, then G is a/an
A.abelian group
B. non-abelian group
C.commutative semi group
D.none of these
Answer: A
Explanation:
abelian group
9 . (Z,*) is a group with a*b = a+b+1 ∀ a, b ∈Z. The inverse of a is
A. 0 B. -2
C. a-2 D. -a-2
Answer: D
Explanation:
-a-2
10 . Let G denoted the set of all n x n non-singular matrices with rational numbers as entries. Then under multiplication G is a/an
A.subgroup
B. ininite, abelian
C.finite abelian group
D.infinite, non abelian group

Answer: D
Explanation:
infinite, non abelian group

. Let A be the set of all non-singular matrices over real numbers and let * be the matrix multiplication operator. Then
A.< A, * > is a monoid but not a group
B. < A, * > is a group but not an abelian group
C.< A, * > is a semi group but not a monoid
D.A is closed under * but < A, * > is not a semi group

Answer: B
Explanation:
< A, * > is a group but not an abelian group
12 . Let (Z, *) be an algebraic structure, where Z is the set of integers and the operation * is defined by n * m = maximum (n, m). Which of
the following statements is TRUE for (Z, *) ?
A.(Z, *) is a group
B. (Z, *) is a monoid
C.(Z, *) is an abelian group
D.None of these
Answer: D
Explanation:
None of these
13 . Some group (G, 0) is known to be abelian. Then which one of the following is TRUE for G ?
A.G is of finite order

B. g = g² for every g ∈ G
C.g = g-1 for every g ∈ G
D.(g o h)² = g²o h² for every g,h ∈ G

Answer: D
Explanation:
(g o h)² = g²o h² for every g,h ∈ G
14 . If the binary operation * is deined on a set of ordered pairs of real numbers as (a,b)*(c,d)=(ad+bc,bd) and is associative, then (1,
2)*(3, 5)*(3, 4) equals
A. (7,11) B. (23,11)
C. (32,40) D. (74,40)
Answer: D
Explanation:
(74,40)
15 . If A = (1, 2, 3, 4). Let ~= {(1, 2), (1, 3), (4, 2)}. Then ~ is
A. reflexive B. transitive
C. symmetric D. not anti-symmetric

Answer: B
Explanation:
Transitive
1)(x + 1/x)2= 2 then find the value of (x94+x90+x82+x78+x64+x60+x54+x50)
A)104
B)94
C)0
D)1
2)If x/y= 5/7 then find the value of (5x2 -17xy+9y2)/y2

A)29/49
B)- (29/49)
C)39/49
D)19/49
3)If (1/x + 1/y + 1/z) = 0 & x + y + z = 11 then what is value of x3 + y3+z3-3xyz
A)1331
B)2662
C)3993
D)14641
4)If x2-3x + 1= 0 then what is the value of (x2+ 1/x2)
A)3
B)7
C)9
D)11
5)(x2/yz) + (y2/zx)+ (z2/xy) =3 the what is the value of (x+y+z)3
A)0
B)1
C)2
D)3
6)If x 1/4 + x-1/4=2 then what is the value of x81+ (1/x81)
A)-2
B)0
C)1
D)2
7)If x4 + (1/x4)= 34 then the value of x3 – (1/x3)
A)0
B)6
C)8
D)14
8)If c + 1/c= 3 then the value of (c-3)7 + (1/c7)
A)2
B)0
C)3
D)1
9)p =1/(p-7) (p>0) then the value of (p+ 1/p) is
A)√51
B)√53
C)√54
D)√52
10)if a,b,c are three factors of p3-7p+6 , then the value of (a+b+c) will be
A)3
B)P
C)3P
D)6P
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1.C)
Given (x+1/x)2=2
or x2+ (1/x)2+2.x.1/x=2
or x2+1/x2=0
x4+1=0
Now (x94+x90+x82+x78+x64+x60+x54+x50)
=x90(x4+1)+x78(x4+1)+ x60(x4+1)+ x50(x4+1)
=0
2.B)
Given x/y= 5/7
Now, (5x2 -17xy+9y2)/y2
= 5 (x/y)2-17(x/y)+9
=5 (5/7)2-17(5/7) + 9
=-29/49
3.A)
(1/x + 1/y + 1/z) = 0
So xy + yz + zx = 0
x3 + y3+z3-3xyz
= (x+y+z) (x2+y2+z2-xy-yz-zx)
=(x+y+z) (x2+y2+z2+2xy+2yz+2zx -3xy-3yz-3zx)
=(x+y+z) (x2+y2+z2+2xy+2yz+2zx)-3(xy+yz+zx)
=(x+y+z) (x+y+z)2
=(x+y+z)3
=1331
4.B)
x2-3x + 1= 0
or x2+ 1= 3x
or x+1/x= 3
on squaring both sides

(x+1/x)2=9
(x2+ 1/x2)=9-2=7
5.A)
(x2/yz) + (y2/zx)+ (z2/xy) =3
or (x3+y3+ z3)=3xyz
or (x+y+z)=0
So (x+y+z)3=0
6.D)
x 1/4 + x-1/4=2
x 1/4 + 1/ (x4)=2
(x 1/4 -1)2=0
x 1/4=1
x=1
x81+ (1/x81)
=1+1=2
7.D)
x4 + (1/x4)= 34
(x2 + 1/ x2)2-2= 34
X2+1/x2= 6
Again
(x-1/x )+2=6
x-1/x= 2
on cubing both sides
(x-1/x)3= 8
X3-1/x3= 6+8=14
8.B)
c+1/c=3
c-3=-1/c
(c-3)7 + (1/c7)
=(-1/c)7 + 1/c7
=0
9.D)
p= 1/(p-7)
p2-7p-1=0
p-1/p=7
square both sides
p2+1/p2-2=49
(p+1/p)2=53
(p+1/p)=√53
10.C)
P3-7p+ 6
=(p-1) ( p2+p-6)
=(p-1) (p-2) (p +3)
So sum of factors
(a+b+c)
=(p-1+p-2+p+3)
=3p
1)If P= 999 , then find the value of ∛(p(p^2+3p+3)+1)

A)1000
B)999
C)998
D)840
2)If (√(x+4) + √(x-4))/ ((√(x+4) - √(x-4))=2 then x is equal to

A)2.4
B)3.2
C)4
D)5
3)If x= (4√15)/(√5+√3) , then the value of

(x+√20)/(x-√20) + (x+ √12)/(x-√12) is
A)1
B)2
C)√3
D)√5
4)If a= √(7+2√12) and b= √(7-2√12) , then (a^(3 )+b^3) is equal to

A)40
B)44
C)48
D)52
5)if a^2+ b^2 = x and ab= y then find the value of

(a^4+b^4)/(a^2-ab√2+b^2 )
A)x+2y
B)x+√2 y
C)√2x+ y
D)2x+y
6)If 2√x= (√5+√3)/(√5-√3) - (√5-√3)/(√5+√3) then the value of x is

A)30
B)√15
C)15
D)6
7)If a = (√3-√2)/(√3+√2) ,b=(√3+√2)/(√3-√2) then the value of a^2/b + b^2/a
A)970
B)1030
C)930
D)900
8)1/√(11-2√30)- 3/√(7-2√10)-4/√(8+4√3)
A)0
B)1
C)-1
D)-2√3
9)Find the value of √(15+2√15+2√35+2√21 )

A)(-√3+√5+7)
B)√3-√5+√7
C)√3+√5-√7
D)√3+ √5+√7
10)Find the value of √(-√3+√(3+8√(7+4√3)) )

A)1
B)2
C).3
D)8
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
1.A)
∛(p(p^2+3p+3)+1)
=∛((p+1))3 = (p+1)=999+1=1000
2.D)
(√(x+4) + √(x-4))/ ((√(x+4) - √(x-4))=2
(√(x+4) + √(x-4))/ ((√(x+4) - √(x-4))=2/1
Using C & D
√(x+4) / (√(x-4)=3/1
Squaring both sides
9x-36=x+4
X=5
3.B)
x= (4√15)/(√5+√3) = (4√5(√5-√3))/((√5+√3)(√5-√3) = 10√(3 )- 6√5
(x+√20)/(x-√20) + (x+ √12)/(x-√12)

=(10√3-6√5+2√5)/(10√3-6√5-2√5) + (10√3-6√5+2√3)/(10√3-6√5-2√3)
After solving , we get =2
4.D)
a=√(7+2√12) =2+√3
b=√(7-2√12) = 2-√3
a+b= 4
(a^(3 )+b^3)= 〖(a+b)〗^3-3ab(a+b)=64-3*4=52
5.B)
(a^4+b^4)/(a^2+ab√2+b^2 )
=(〖(a〗^2+b^2 )^2-2a^2 b^2)/(a^2+b^2-√(2 ) ab)
=((a^2+b^2-√2 ab)(a^2+b^2+√2 ab))/((a^2+b^2-√2 ab) )

=a^2+b^2+√2 ab
= x+√2 y
6.C)
2√x= (√5+√3)/(√5-√3) – (√5-√3)/(√5+√3)
2√x=((√5+√3 )^2-(√5-√3 )^2)/((√5 )^2-√3 )^2 )

2√x=(4*√5*√3)/(5-3) = 2√15
x=15
7.A)
a=5-2√6
b=5+2√6
ab=1
a^2/b + b^2/a
=(a^3+b^3)/ab
=970
8.A)
1/√(11-2√30)- 3/√(7-2√0)-4/√(8+4√3)
=√6+√5-√5-√2-√6+ √2
=0
9.D)
10.B)
Intermediate Algebra Problems With Answers -

Sample 1
A set of intermediate algebra problems, with answers, are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1. For what value of the constant K does the equation 2x + Kx = 3 have one solution?.
2. For what value of the consatnt K does the equation Kx2 + 2x = 1 have two real solutions?
3. For what value of the constant K does the system of equations 2x - y = 4 and 6x - 3y = 3K have an infinite
number of solutions?
4. Find Y so that the points A(0 , 0), B(2 , 2) and C(-4 , Y) are the vertices of a right triangle with hypotenuse
AC.
5. Find M so that the lines with equations -2x + My = 5 and 4y + x = -9 are perpendicular.
6. The length of a rectangular field is 7/5 its width. If the perimeter of the field is 240 meters, what are the
length and width of the field?
7. Peter wants to get $200,000 for his house. An agent charges 20% of the selling price for selling the house
for Peter.
a) What should be the selling price?
b) What will be the agent's commission?
8. John's annual salary after a raise of 15% is $45,000. What was his salary before the raise?
9. It took Malcom 3.5 hours to drive from city A to city B. On his way back to city A, he increased his speed by
20 km per hour and it took him 3 hours.
a) Find the average speed for the whole journey.
10. Let R be a relation defined by R = {(4,3),(x 2,2),(1,6),(-4,0)}.
a) Find all values of x so that R is not a function.
Answers to the Above Questions

11. Solve for x to obtain: x = 3/(2 + k)
The given equation has one solution for all real values of k not equal to -2.
12. Rewrite the given quadratic equation in standard form: Kx 2 + 2x - 1 = 0
Discrimant = 4 - 4(K)(-1) = 4 + 4K
For the equation to have two real solutions, the discriminant has to be positive. Hence we need to solve the
inequality 4 + 4K > 0.
The solution set to the above inequality is given by: K > -1 for which the given equation has two real
solutions.
13. For the system of equations 2x - y = 4 and 6x - 3y = 3K to have an infinite number of solutions, the two
equations must be equivalent.
If we multiply all terms of the first equation by 3, we obtain

6x - 3y = 12
For the two equations to be equivalent we must have 12 = 3K which when solved gives K = 4.
14. Let us first find the square of the lengths of the sides of triangle A, B and C.
Hypotenuse: AC 2 = 16 + y 2
Side AB: AB 2 = 4 + 4 = 8
Side BC: BC 2 = (y - 2) 2 + 36
We now apply Pythagora's theorem: 16 + y 2 = 8 + (y - 2) 2 + 36
Solve the equation to find y = 8.
15. We first find the slopes of the two lines: 2/M and -1/4
For two lines to be perpendicylar, the product of their slopes must be equal to -1. Hence the equation
(2/M)*(-1/4) = -1. Solve for M to find M = 1/2.
16. Let L be the length and W be the width. L = (7/5)W
Perimeter: 2L + 2W = 240, 2(7/5)W + 2W = 240
Solve the above equation to find: W = 50 m and L = 70 m.
17. Let x be the selling price: x - 20%x = 200,000
a) Solve for x to find x = $250,000
b) 20% *250,000 = $50,000
18. Let x be the salary before the increase. Hence x + 15% x = $45,000
Solve for x to find x = $39,130
19. Let x and x + 20 be the speeds of the car from A to B and then from B to A. Hence the distance from A to B
may expressed as 3.5 x and the distance from B to A as 3(x + 20)
The average speed = total distance / total time = (3.5 x + 3 (x + 20)) / (3.5 + 3)
The distance from A to B is equal to the distance from B to A, hence: 3.5 x = 3(x + 20). Solve for x to obtain
x = 120 km/hr.
We now substitute x by 120 in the formula for the average speed to obtain.
average speed = 129.2 km/hr
20. Relation R is not a function if x 2 = 4 or x 2 = 1
Hence, R is not a function fo the following values of x: -2, -1, 1 and 2.

Sample 2
1. Line L passes through the points (1,3) and (-3,4).
a) Fine the slope of line L.
b) Find the y-intercept of L.
c) Find the x-intercept of L.
d) Find b so that line L passes through the point (-4,b).
2. The graph of function f is shown below.
a) Find the domain of f.
b) Find the range of f.
c) Find f(0), f(1) and f(2).
d) Find all values of x for which f(x) = 5.

.
3. The graph of line segment AB is shown below.
a) Use the graph to find the coordinates of points A and B.
b) Find the length of the line segment AB.
c) Find the midpoint of the line segment AB.
4. Line L1 passes through the point (1 , b) as shown below.
Find the equation of line L2 that passes through point A and is perpendicular to line L1.
.
5. Are the two lines L1 through the points (-1,4) and (0,4) and L2 through the points (5,6) and (5,2) parallel,
perpendicular or neither. Explain your answer.
6. Find all values of the constant K so that the inequality 5(x - K + 2) ≥ 2(x + 4) - 7 has a solution set given by
the interval [10 , + infinity).
7. Linda walked for 2 hours then ran for 1 hour. If she runs three times as fast as she walks and the total trip
was 20 kilometers, then how fast does she run?
8. Each pair of the three lines defined by their equations y = (1/2) x - 1, y = 2x + 2 and y = -x + 2 has a point of
intersection so that when put together there are three points of intersection making a triangle ABC.
Show that triangle ABC is isosceles.

9. a) slope = (4 - 3) / (-3 - 1) = -1/4
b) Equation of line L: y - 3 = (-1/4)(x - 1)
To find the y-intercept, put x = 0 in the equation: y - 3 = 1/4 , y = 13/4
c) To find the x-intercept, put y = 0 in the equation: 0 - 3 = (-1/4)(x - 1) , x = 13
d) Substitute x and y by -4 and b respectively in the equation of line L and solve for b.
b - 3 = (-1/4)(-4 - 1) , b = 17/4
10. a) Domain: (-4 , 4]
b) Range: [-4 , 12]
c) f(0) = -4, f(1) = -3, f(2) = 0
d) f(x) = 5 for x = -3 or x = 3
11. a) A(-2 , 4) , B(4 , 2)
b) length of AB = √[ (2 - 4) 2 + (2 - 4) 2 ] = 2√10
c) Midpoint coordinates: x = (-2+4)/2 = 1 , y = (4+2)/2 = 3
12. From graph, x-intercept (-3 , 0), y-intercept (0 , 2)
Slope of L1 = (2 - 0) / (0 - (-3)) = 2/3
Find b: slope using the y-intercept and point (1 , b)
(b - 2)/(1 - 0) = 2/3
solve to find b = 8/3
Slope of L2 = - 1/slope of L1 = -3/2 (relationship between slopes of perpendicular lines)
equation of L2: y - 8/3 = -3/2 (x - 1) or y = (-3/2) x + 25/6
13. Slope of L1 = (4 - 4) / (0 + 1) = 0 , L1 is horizontal
Slope of L2 = (6 - 2) / (5 - 5) = undefined , L2 is vertical
The two lines are perpendicular.

14. Solve the given inequality 5(x - K + 2) ≥ 2(x + 4) - 7 to obtain the solution set
x ≥ -3 + 5K/3
For the above set to be equal to the set [10 , +infinity) we need to have
-3 + 5K/3 = 10
Solve the above for K to obtain: K = 39/5
15. Let x be the walking speed. 3x will be the running speed. 2*(x) will be the distance walked and 1*(3x) will
be the distance run. Total distance is 20 km. Hence
2x + 3x = 20
x = 4 km/hr , 3x = 12 km/hr and it is the speed of Linda when running.
16. let A be the point of intersection of the lines y = (1/2) x - 1 and y = 2x + 2. Solve the system of equations
made by the equations of the two lines to find the point.
(1/2) x - 1 = 2x + 2 , solve for x to find x = -2 and substitute to find y = -2. Hence point A has coordinates (-2
, -2).
Let point B be the point of intersection of the lines y = (1/2) x - 1 and y = -x + 2. using the same ideas as
above to find the coordinates of B as (2 , 0).
Let point C be the point of intersection of the lines y = -x + 2 and y = 2x + 2. And similar ideas can be used
to find the coordinates of C as (0 , 2).
length of line segment AB = √(2 2 + 4 2) = 2√5
length of line segment AC = √(4 2 + 2 2) = 2√5
length of line segment BC = √(2 2 + 2 2) = 2√2
length of AB = length of AC and therefore the triangle is isosceles

Sample 3
1. Solve the follwoing system of equations
-x/2 + y/3 = 0
x + 6y = 16
2. How many real solutions does each quadratic equation shown below have?
a) x 2 + (4 / 5) x = - 1/4
b) x 2 - 7x + 10 = 0
c) x 2 - (2/3) x + 1/9= 0
3. Does the data in the table below represents y as a function of x? Explain.
x y
1 - 10 4
11 - 20 6
21 - 30 8
30 - 40 12
40 - 50 16
51 - 60 34
4.
5.
6. Solve the following quadratic equation.
0.01 x 2 - 0.1 x - 0.3 = 0
7. In a cafeteria, 3 coffees and 4 donuts cost $10.05. In the same cafeteria, 5 coffees and 7 donuts cost
$17.15 Dirhams. How much do you have to pay for 4 coffees and 6 donuts?
8. Find the slope of the lines through the given points and state whether each line is vertical, horizontal or
neither.
Line L1 : (-2 , 3) and (8 , 3)
Line L2 : (4 , 3) and (4 , -3)
Line L3 : (-1 , 7) and (3 , -3)
9. Find four consecutive even integer numbers whose sum is 388.
10. Going for a long trip, Thomas drove for 2 hours and had lunch. After lunch he drove for 3 more hours at a
speed that is 20 km/hour more than before lunch. The total trip was 460 km.
a) What was his speed after lunch?
11. Compare the following expressions: a) 2 -4 , b) (-2) -4 , c) (-1/2) 4
12. Evaluate and convert to scientific notation.
(3.4 × 10 11)(5.4 × 10 -3)

13.
We first multiply all terms of the first equation by the LCM of 2 and 3 which is 6.
6(-x/2 + y/3) = 6(0)
x + 6y = 16
We then solve the following equivalent system of equations.
-3x + 2y = 0
x + 6y = 16
which gives the solution
x = 8/5 and y = 12/5

14.
Find the discriminant of each equation.
a) (4/5) 2 - 4(1)(1/4) = 16/25 - 1 < 0 , no real solutions.
b) (-7) 2 - 4(1)(10) = 49 - 40 = 9 > 0 , 2 real solutions.
c) (-2/3) 2 - 4(1)(1/9) = 4/9 - 4/9 = 0 , 1 real solutions.
15.
No y is not a function of x. According to the table, for x = 30 or x = 40 there are two possible values for the
output.
16.
Multiply all terms of the equation by 100 to obtain an equivalent equation with integer coefficients.
x 2 - 10 x - 30 = 0
Discrminant = (-10) 2 - 4(1)(-30) = 220
Solutions: x = (10 ~+mn~ 2√55) / 2 = 5 ~+mn~ √55
17.
Let x be the price of 1 coffee and y be the price of 1 donut.
We now use "3 coffees and 4 donuts cost $10.05" to write the equation
3x + 4y = 10.05
and use "5 coffees and 7 donuts costs $17.15 " to write the equation
5x + 7y = 17.15
Subtract the terms of the first equation from the terms of the second equation to obtain
2x + 3y = 7.10
Mutliply all terms of the last equation to obtain
4x + 6y = 14.2
4 coffees and 6 donuts cost $14.2.
18.
Slope of line L1 = (3 - 3)/(8 + 2) = 0 , horizontal line.
Slope of line L2 = (-3 - 3)/(4 - 4) = -6/0 undefined, vertical line.
Slope of line L3 = (-3 - 7) / (3 + 1) = -10/3, L3 is neither horizontal nor vertical.
19.
Let x, x + 2, x + 4 and x + 6 be the 4 consecutive integer.
Their sum is 388, hence the equation: x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) + (x + 6) = 388
Solve the above equation to find x = 94.
The four numbers are: 94, 96, 98 and 100. Add them to check that their sum is 388.
20.
Let x be the speed before lunch, hence the distance driven before lunch is equal to 2 x. After lunch his
speed is 20 km/hr more than before lunch and is therefore x + 20. The distance after lunch is 3 (x + 20).
The total distance is 460 , hence the equation: 2 x + 3 (x + 20) = 460
Solve the above equation to find speed before lunch x = 80 km/hr
The speed after lunch is 20 km/hr more than before lunch and is therefore equal to 80 km/hr + 20 km/hr =
100 km/hr.
21.
We first simplify each expression.
2 -4 = 1 / 2 4 = 1/16
(-2) -4 = 1 / (-2) 4 = 1/16
(-1/2) 4 = (-1) 4 / 2 4 = 1 / 16
The 3 expression simplify to the same value.
22.
(3.4 × 10 11)(5.4 × 10 -3) = (3.4 × 5.4) 10 11 x 10 -3 = 18.36 × 10 8 = 1.836 × 10 9

Sample 4
1. Find the constant b so that the three points A(2 , 3), B(4 , 7) and C(8 , b) are collinear (i.e. on the same
line).
2. Which of the following equations represent y as a function of x?
a) x 2 + y = 5
b) x 2 - 7x + y 2 = 0
c) x 2 - y 3 - 9 = 0
d) |x| - |y| = 0
3. Which set of ordered pairs represents a function?
a) A = { (a , 3) , (b , 5) , (c , 9) , (d , 9) }
b) B = { (a , -3) , (b , 6) , (c , 1) , (b , 9) }
c) C = { (a , 3) , (b , 3) , (c , 3) , (d , 3) }
d) D = { (a , 5) , (a , -9) , (a , 0) , (a , 12) }
4. Find the domain of each function.
a) f(x) = 1 / (x - 2)
b) g(x) = √(x + 5)
c) h(x) = 3 / √(x - 4)
d) j(x) = 1 / [ (x + 1)(x -7) ]
5. Find the zeros of each function.
a) f(x) = 3 - 5/x
b) g(x) = √(x - 1)
c) h(x) = | x - 9 | - 4
d) i(x) = | x - 9 | + 7
d) j(x) = x 2 - 16
d) k(x) = x 2 + 3
6. Find the range of each function.
a) f(x) = x 2
b) g(x) = | x |
c) h(x) = x 2 + 6
d) j(x) = | x | + 2
7. Let f(x) = 2x 2 - 4x + 4 and h(x) = 2x - 4. Find
a) f(2) =
b) h(5) =
c) f(3) + h(3) =
8. Find the x and y intercepts of the graphs of the following equations.
a) 2x + 4y = 5
b) x 2 + (y - 3) 2 = 9
c) |x - 3| + |5 - y| = 6
9. Find the linear function f(x) = A x + B such that f(2) = 1 and f(4) = -3.
10. Which of these functions is even?
a) f(x) = -x 2 + 7
b) g(x) = | x - 6 |
c) h(x) = x 3 + 9
d) j(x) = | x | + 1
Detailed Solutions to the Above Questions
11.
The slope of the line through A and B must be equal to the slope of the line through B and C.
(7 - 3)/(4- 2) = (b - 7)/(8 - 4)
solve the above for b to find b = 15.
12.
a) solve for to find: y = 5 - x 2 , for each value of x there is only one corresponding value of y. y is a function
of y.
b) Solve for y to find: y = ~+mn~√(7x - x 2) , there are values of x that give two values of y and therefore y is
not a function of x.
c) solve for y to find: y 3 = ( x 2 - 9 ) 1/3 , for each value of x there is one value of y and therefore y is a
function of x.
d) solve for y to find: y = ~+mn~x , there are values of x that give two values of y and therefore y is not a
function of x.
13.
a) Relation A is a function. For each x (first value) value corresponds only one value of y (second value).
b) Relation B is not a function. The two pairs (b , 6) and (b , 9) means that for x = b there are two different
values of y: 6 and 9.
c) Relation C is a function. For each x value corresponds only one value of y.
d) Relation D is not a function. For x = a, y has different values.
14.
a) f(x) = 1 / (x - 2) , division by zero is not allowed hence x - 2 must be different from 0.
domain (-infinity , 2) U (2 , infinity)
b) g(x) = √(x + 5) , for g(x) to be real x + 5 must be greater then or equal to 0. Hence x + 5 ≥ 0
domain: [-5 , + infinity)
c) h(x) = 3 / √(x - 4) , for h(x) to be real x - 4 must be positive.
domain: (4 , + infinity)
d) j(x) = 1 / [ (x + 1)(x - 7) ] , division by 0 is not allowed hence x cannot be equal to -1 or 7.

domain: (-infinity , - 1) U (-1 , 7) U (7 , + infinity)
15.
The zeros of a given function f are the solution(s) to the equation f(x) = 0.
a) 3 - 5/x = 0 , zero at x = 5/3
b) √(x - 1) = 0 , zero at x = 1
c) | x - 9 | - 4 = 0 , zeros at x = 13 and x = 5
d) | x - 9 | + 7 = 0 , no zeros
e) x 2 - 16 = 0 , zeros at x = 4 and x = -4
f) x 2 + 3 = 0 , no zeros.
16.
The range of a given function f is the set of values of f(x) for x in the domian of f.
a) f(x) = x 2. The square of a real number x is either positive or zero for x = 0, hence x 2 ≥ 0. The domain of f
is given by the interval [0 , + infinity).
b) g(x) = | x |. The absolute value of a real number x is either positive or zero for x = 0, hence | x | ≥ 0. The
domain of g is given by the interval [0 , + infinity).
c) h(x) = x 2 + 6. We have seen above that x 2 ≥ 0. Add 6 to both sides of the inequality to obtain x 2+ 6 ≥ 6.
The left side of the inequality is h(x). Hence h(x) ≥ 6 and the domain of h is given by the interval [6 , +
infinity).
c) j(x) = | x | + 2. We have seen above that | x | ≥ 0. Add 2 to both sides of the inequality to obtain | x | + 2 ≥
2. The left side of the inequality is j(x). Hence j(x) ≥ 2 and the domain of j is given by the interval [2 , +
infinity).
17. f(x) = 2x 2 - 4x + 4 and h(x) = 2x - 4.
a) f(2) = 2(2) 2 - 4(2) + 4 = 4
a) h(5) = 2(5) - 4 = 6
a) f(3) + h(3) = 2(3) 2 - 4(3) + 4 + 2(3) - 4 = 12
18.
a) 2x + 4y = 5. To find the x intercept set y = 0 in the given equation and solve for x.
2x + 4(0) = 5 , x = 5/2 , x intercept (5/2 , 0)

To find the y intercept set x = 0 in the given equation and solve for y.
2(0) + 4y = 5 , y = 5/4 , y intercept (0 , 5/4)
b) x 2 + (y - 3) 2 = 9
set y = 0 and solve for x: x 2 + (0 - 3) 2 = 9
x = 0 , x intercept (0 , 0)
set x = 0 and solve for y: 0 2 + (y - 3) 2 = 9
y = 0 , y = 6 ; 2 y intercpets: (0 , 0) and (0 , 6)
c) |x - 3| + |5 - y| = 6
y = 0, |x - 3| + |5 - 0| = 6, solve for x: x = 4 , x = 2.
x intercepts: (4 , 0) and (2 , 0)
x = 0, |0 - 3| + |5 - y| = 6, solve for y: y = 8 , y = 2
y intercepts: (0 , 8) and (0 , 2)
19. f(x) = A x + B, f(2) = 1 and f(4) = -3.
f(2) = 1 gives the equation: 1 = 2A + B
f(4) = -3 gives the equation: -3 = 4A + B
Solve the system of equations: 1 = 2A + B and -3 = 4A + B to find A = -2 and B = 5
Hence f(x) = -2x + 5
20. If a given function f is such that f(-x) = f(x), then f is an even function.
a) f(x) = -x 2 + 7 , f(-x) = - (- x) 2 + 7 = -x 2 + 7. Function f is an even function.
b) g(x) = | x - 6 |, g(-x) = | - x - 6 | = |-(x + 6) | = |x + 6| . Function g is not even.
c) h(x) = x 3 + 9, h(-x) = (-x) 3 + 9 = -x 3 + 9. Function h is not even.
d) j(x) = | x | + 1, j(-x) = | -x | + 1 = | x | + 1. Function j is even.

Sample 5 - Scientific Notation
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to scientific notation, with answers, are presented. The solutions are
at the bottom of the page.
Review: A number x is written in scientific notation when it is written in the form:
x = a × 10 N
with 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and N is an integer.
1. Convert from decimal notation to scientific notation.
a) 234
b) 0.000052
c) -220,000
d) -0.00000000000000182
2. Convert from scientific to decimal notation.
a) 1.01 × 10 2
b) 8.2 × 10 -6
c) 3.456 × 10 10
d) -1.2 × 10 -8
3. Perform the multiplication and write the result in scientific notation.
a) (5 × 10 2)(7 × 10 5)
b) (1.2 × 10 -6)(3.5 × 10 14)
c) (-4.5 × 10 -7)(8.62 × 10 10)
d) (-7.2 × 10 -6)(0.00039)
4. Perform the division and write the result in scientific notation.
a) (4 × 10 13) / (5 × 10 -4)
b) 0.000012 / (2.4 × 10 -8)
c) (-1.2 × 10 -6) / (1.5 × 10 -10)

d) 0.00000065 / 0.000013
5. Evaluate and express in scientific notation.
a) (1.3 × 10 -6) 2
b) (1.5 × 10 -8) 2(2.1 × 10 5)
c) [ (1.144 × 10 2)(6 × 10 7) ] / (2.2 × 10 4)
d) [ (0.00001)(2,500) ] / [ (0.0003)(150,000) ]
6. Evaluate in scientific notation.
a) The diameter of an atom: 0.0000000000001 meter
b) diameter of earth = 12,756,000 meters
c) 1 billion: 1000,0000,000
d) 1 micron: 0.000001 meter
e) 1 trillion: 1000,000,000,000
f) Diameter of earth / diameter of atom
g) Speed of light: 300,000,000 m/sec
h) Distance travelled by light in one year.

7.
a) 234 = 2.34× 10 2
b) 0.000052 = 5.2× 10 -5
c) -220,000 = -2.2× 10 5
d) -0.00000000000000182 = -1.82× 10 -15
8.
a) 1.01 × 10 2 = 101
b) 8.2 × 10 -6 = 0.0000082
c) 3.456 × 10 10 = 34560000000
d) -1.2 × 10 -8 = -0.000000012
9.
a) (5 × 10 2)(7 × 10 5)
= (5 × 7)(10 2 × 10 5)
= 35 × 10 7 = 3.5 × 10 8
b) (1.2 × 10 -6)(3.5 × 10 14)
= (1.2×3.5)(10 -6 × 10 14)
= 4.2 × 10 8
c) (- 4.5 × 10 -7)(8.62 × 10 10)
= (- 4.5 × 8.62)(10 -7 × 10 10)
= - 38.79 × 10 3 = - 3.879 × 10 4
d) (- 7.2 × 10 -6)(0.00039)
= (- 7.2 × 10 -6)(3.9 × 10 -4)
= (- 7.2 × 3.9)(10 -6 × 10 -4)
= - 28.08 × 10 -10 = - 2.808 × 10 -9
10.
a) (4 × 10 13) / (5 × 10 -4) = (4/5)(10 13 / 10 -4) = 0.8 × 10 17 = 8.0 × 10 16
b) 0.000012 / (2.4 × 10 -8) = (0.000012 / 2.4)(1 / 10 -8) = (0.000005)(1 / 10 -8)
= (5.0 × 10 -6)(10 8) = 5.0 × 10 2
c) (-1.2 × 10 -6) / (1.5 × 10 -10) = (-1.2 / 1.5)(10 -6 / 10 -10)
= -0.8 × 10 4 = -8.0 × 10 3
d) 0.00000065 / 0.000013 = 0.05 = 5.0 × 10 -2
11.
a) (1.3 × 10 -6) 2 = (1.3) 2 (10 -6) 2 = 1.69 × 10 -12
b) (1.5 × 10 -8) 2(2.1 × 10 5) = 1.5 2 (10 -8) 2 (2.1 × 10 5)
= (2.25 × 10 -16)(2.1 × 10 5) = 4.725 × 10 -11
c) [ (1.144 × 10 2)(6 × 10 7) ] / (2.2 × 10 4) = (6.864 × 10 9) / (2.2 × 10 4)
= (6.864 / 2.2) (10 9 / 10 4) = 3.12 × 10 5
d) [ (0.00001)(2,500) ] / [ (0.0003)(150,000) ] = 0.025 / 45 = 0.000555 = 5.6 × 10 -4
12.
a) The diameter of an atom: 0.0000000001 meter = 1.0 × 10 -9 meter
b) diameter of earth = 12,756,000 meters = 1.2756 × 10 7 meters
c) 1 billion: 1000,0000,000 = 1.0 × 10 9
d) 1 micron: 0.000001 meter = 1.0 × 10 -6
e) 1 trillion: 1000,000,000,000 = 1.0 × 10 12
f) Diameter of earth / diameter of atom = 1.2756 × 10 7 / 1.0 × 10 -9 = 1.2756 × 10 16
g) Speed of light: 300,000,000 meters per second = 3.0 10 8 m/s
h) Distance travelled by light in one year:
There are (365 * 24 * 60 * 60) = 3.1536 × 10 7 seconds in one year.
Distance travelled by light in one year = time * speed of light
= (3.1536 × 10 7)(3.0 10 8) = 9.4608 × 10 15 meters = 9.4608 × 10 12 kilometers

Sample 6 - Equations of Lines
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to equations of lines, with answers, are presented. The solutions are
1. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (0 , -6) and has a slope equal to 5.
2. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (-2 , 3) and has a slope equal to -2.
3. Is there a line that passes through all the following 3 points: A(2 , 3), B(4 , 7) and C(5 , 6).
4. Find the equation of the line through the point (3 , 0) and is perpendicular to the line through the points (2 ,
1) and (4 , 5).
5. What are the values of m and w so that the line with equation y - mx = w passes through the points (0 , 4)
and (2 , 0)?
6. Find the equation of the line through the point (-4 , 5) and is perpendicular to the x axis.
7. Find the equation of the line through the point (6 , -1) and is perpendicular to the y axis.
8. The graph shown below is that of a linear function f. Use the graph to approximate f(120).
.
9. Is the line with equation 0.5 y + 0.5 x = 5 perpendicular to the line shown in the graph below? Explain your
answer.
10. If the two lines with equations 2x - 3y = 5 and -4x + 5y = 7 are graphed in the same system of axes, will
they have a point of intersection? If yes what are its coordinates?
11. Find the equations of two lines with a point of intersection at (2 , -3) and one of the lines passes through the
origin of the system of axes.
12. Find the equations of a line that passes through the origin and is tangent to the circle with center at (2 , 4)
and radius equal to 1.
13. Which of the points A(2 , 0) , B(-2 , -5), C(-4 , -4) , D(0 , 2), E(5 , 2), F(2 , 3) lie on the graph of the line
whose equation is given by
-3y + 2x - 6 = 0

14.
given slope and y intercept, slope intercept form of the equation is: y = 5x - 6
15.
given slope and a point, point slope form of the equation is: y - 3 = -2(x + 2) or in slope intercept form: y = -
2x - 1

Sample 7 - Slopes of Lines
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to slopes of lines, with answers, are presented. The solutions are at
the bottom of the page.
1. Find the slopes of the lines given by the following equations
a) 2x + 3y = 2
b) y = 2
c) x = 4
2. Find the slopes of the lines through the points A and B given by
a) A(2 , 1) , B(3 , 4)
b) A(3 , -4) , B(5 , -4)
c) A(2 , -6) , B(2 , -7)
3. Find the slopes of the lines
a) parallel to the line whose equation is given by 5x - 3y = -3
b) perpendicular to the line whose equation is given by -4x - 8y = -3
c) parallel to the line whose equation is given x = 2
d) perpendicular to the line whose equation is given by x = -9
e) parallel to the line whose equation is given y = 3
f) perpendicular to the line whose equation is given by x = 0
4. Find the slope of each of the lines graphed below.

.
5. Find the value of k so that the slope of the line through the points (4 , 2) and (k , 6) is equal to -2.
6. Find the value of a so that the lines with equations 2y + ax = 2 and 3x - 2y = 6 have equal slopes.
7. Find the value of m so that the lines with equations -3y + 2x = 4 and mx + 2y = 3 are perpendicular.
8. The oil consumption of a certain country was 330 thousands barrels per day in 2004 and 450 thousands
barrels per day in 2006. Assume that the oil consumption in this country increases linearly and estimate the
oil consumption in 2015.
9. A family spent $3600 on food last year and $3000 the year before the last. Assume that the spending on
food of this family increases linearly and estimate their spending on food this year.
10. To convert the measure of temperature given in degree Fahrenheit Tf into degree Celcius Tc you may use
the formula given by
Tc = (5 / 9)(Tf - 32)
If the temperature of an item increases by 9 degree Fahrenheit, by how many degrees Celcius has the
temperature of this item increased?
11. To convert the measure of temperature given in degree Celcius Tc into degree Fahrenheit, you may use the
formula given by
Tf = (9 / 5)Tc + 32
If the temperature of an item increases by 10 degree Celcius, by how many degrees Fahrenheit has the
temperature of this item increased?

12.
a) Solve equation for y: y = (-2/3)x + 2/3 , slope = -2/3
b) The slope of a horizontal line such as y = 2 is equal to 0.
c) The slope of a vertical line such as x = 4 is undefined.
13.
a) slope = (4 - 1) / (3 - 2) = 3
b) slope = (-4 - (-4)) / (5 - 3) = 0 , the line through A(3 , -4) and B(5 , -4) is a horizontal line.
c) slope = (-7 - (-6)) / (2 - 2) = undefined , the line through A(2 , -6) and B(2 , -7) is a vertical line.
14.
a) The line 5x - 3y = -3 has slope equal to 5/3 and the line parallel to it will have equal to 5/3. (parallel lines
have equal slopes)
b) The line -4x - 8y = -3 has slope equal to -1/2 and the line perpendicular to it will have equal to 2. (the
product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is equal to -1)
c) x = 2 is a vertical line. The line parallel to a vertical line is also vertical and its slope is undefined.
d) x = -9 is a vertical line and the line perpendicular to it is horizontal and its slope is equal to 0.
e) y = 3 is a horizontal line and a parallel to it is also horizontal and its slope is equal to 0.
f) x = 0 is a vertical line and the perpendicular to it is horizontal and therefore its slope is equal to 0.
15.
a) L1 is a vertical line and its slope is undefined.
b) L2 is a horizontal line and its slope is equal to 0.
c) the slope of L3 may be found using the x and y intercepts: slope = (4 - 0) / (0 - (-4)) = 1

Sample 8 - Absolute Value Expressions
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related simplifying expressions with absolute value, are presented along
with their answers. The solutions are at the bottom of the page. These questions may be used with the tutorials
on Simplifying Absolute Value Expressions and exploring Absolute Value Functions.
1. Simplify the following absolute value expressions
a) | 5 | =
b) | -6 | =
c) | -7 + 10 | =
d) | -2 - 9 | =
e) | 10 - 20 | - | -7 | =
f) | π - 4 | - | 2 | =
g) | -5/3 - 1/2 | - | 7/9 - 1 1/2 | =
h) | -1.5 - 3.9 | - | -1.6 | =
2. Simplify the following absolute value expressions
a) | x 2 | =
b) | x | 2 =
c) | | x | | =
d) | x 2 + 4 | =
e) | -x 4 - 9 | =
f) | -| x | - 2 | =
g) | -x / 3 | =
h) | -x 2 - y 2 + 2xy| =
3. Use absolute value to simplify the expressions
a) √ (x 2) =
b) √ (x + 3) 2) =
c) √ (x 2 + 1 + 2x) =
d) √ ( 25 / x 2) =

4. a) | 5 | = 5
b) | -6 | = 6
c) | -7 + 10 | = | 3 | = 3
d) | -2 - 9 | = | -11 | = 11
e) | 10 - 20 | - | -7 | = | -10 | - | -7 | = 10 - 7 = 3
f) | π - 4 | - | 2 | = - (π - 4) - 2 = 2 - π
g) | -5/3 - 1/2 | - | 7/9 - 1 1/2 | = | -13/6 | - | -13/8 | = 13/6 + 13/8 = 3 19/24
h) | -1.5 - 3.9 | - | -1.6 | = | -5.4 | - | -1.6 | = 5.4 - 1.6 = 3.8
5. a) | x 2 | = x 2
b) | x | 2 = x 2
c) | | x | | = | x |
d) | x 2 + 4 | = x 2 + 4
e) | -x 4 - 9 | = x 4 + 9
f) | -| x | - 2 | = | x | + 2
g) | -x / 3 | = | x | / 3
h) | -x 2 - y 2 + 2xy| = | -(x 2 + y 2 - 2xy) | = | -(x - y) 2 | = (x - y) 2
6. a) √ (x 2) = | x |
b) √ (x + 3) 2) = | x + 3 |
c) √ (x 2 + 1 + 2x) = √ (x + 1) 2 = |x + 1|
d) √ ( 25 / x 2) = 5 / | x |

Sample 9 - Solve Absolute Value Equations
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to solving equations with absolute value, are presented along with
their answers. The solutions are at the bottom of the page. These questions may be used with the tutorials on how
to Solve Equations with Absolute Value.
1. Solve the following absolute value equations.
a) | x | = 5
b) | x - 2 | = 7
c) | 89 x + 4 | = -2
d) | -11 x - 9 | = 0
e) 2 | x + 5 | = 10
f) 3 | -9 x - 7 | - 2 = 13
g) -5 | -x + 2 | + 8 = -12
h) | -3 x - 2 | / 3 = 7
i) | (x - 5) / 4 | = 6
j) | x + 1 | = |-4 x + 3|
k) | x + 3 | = - |-x - 3 |

2. a) {-5 , 5}
b) {-5 , 9}
c) No solutions (absolute value is not negative)
d) {-9/11}
e) {0 , -10}
f) given equation is equivalent to | -9 x - 7 | = 5 , solutions: {-4/3 , -2/9}
g) given equation is equivalent to | -x + 2 | = 4 , solutions: {-2 , 6}
h) given equation is equivalent to | -3 x - 2 | = 21 , solutions: {-23/3 , 19/3}
i) given equation is equivalent to | x - 5 | = 24, solutions: {-19 , 29}
j) {1/6 , 1}
k) given equation is equivalent to 2| x + 3 | = 0 , solution: {-3}

Sample 10 - Solve Absolute Value Inequalities
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related solving inequalities with absolute value, are presented along with
their answers. The solutions are at the bottom of the page. These questions may be used with the tutorials on how
to Solve Inequalities With Absolute Value.
1. Solve the following absolute value inequalities.
a) | x | ≤ 3
b) | x | ≥ 5
c) | x | ≤ 0
d) | x | < 0
e) | x | ≥ 0
f) | x | > 0
g) | 2 x + 2 | ≤ 10
h) | 3 x - 7 | ≤ 0
i) | -x + 3 | ≥ 7
j) | 3 x + 9 | > 0
k) 2 | 4x - 10 | + 3 ≥ 17
l) -3 | -5x + 2 | + 5 < -10

a) [-3 , 3]
b) (-infinity , -5] U [5 , + infinity)
c) {0}
d) no solutions
e) (-ininity , + infinity)
f) (-ininity , 0) U (0 , + infinity)
g) [-6 , 4]
h) {7/3}
i) (-ininity , -4] U [10 , + infinity)
j) (-ininity , -3) U (-3 , + infinity)
k) (-ininity , 3/4] U [17/4 , + infinity)
k) (-ininity , -3/5] U [7/5 , + infinity)

Sample 11 - Simplify Algebraic Expressions by
Removing Brackets
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to simplifying algebraic expressions by using
the distributivity property to remove brackets is presented. The solutions to these problems are at the bottom of the
page.
1. Problems with one pair of brackets: Simplify by removing the brackets and grouping like terms.
a) 2 ( 3x + 4 ) + 6
b) -4 ( x + 3 ) - 7
c) -2 ( x - 2 ) + 4
d) -2 ( -x - 8 ) + 4
e) -(3/2) ( -x - 8 ) + 4
f) -1.2 ( -2.2x - 1.7 ) + 0.2
g) 5(2x + 3y -4) - x + 2y + 6
h) x(2x + 3y -4) - x 2 + 4xy - 12
2. Problems with two pairs of brackets: Simplify by removing the brackets and grouping like terms.
a) 3 ( x - 5 ) + 6 ( x + 3 )
b) -5 ( 2x + 3 ) - 2 ( x - 3 )
c) ( x - 2 ) ( x + 3 ) + 8
d) (x - 2) 2 + 2 ( x - 4 )
e) y(x + 3) - x(2y + 4) - 7x - 8y + 2
3. Problems with nested brackets: Simplify by removing the brackets and grouping like terms.
a) -2 ( 3 ( x + 2 ) + 4 ) - 8
b) 4 ( -3x - 2 ( x - 9) ) - 7 ( x - 2)
c) 2 - ( 3 - ( -5 ( 3x + 1 ) + 4 ) )
d) [ (3 - x) (x + 2) + (-x + 4) (7x + 2) - (x - y) (2x - y) ] - 3x 2 - 7x + 5

4. a) 2 ( 3x + 4 ) + 6
= 6x + 8 + 6
= 6x + 14
b) -4 ( x + 3 ) - 7
= -4x - 12 - 7
= -4x - 19
c) -2 ( x - 2 ) + 4
= -2x + 4 + 4
= -2x + 8
d) -2 ( -x - 8 ) + 4
= 2x + 16 + 4
= 2x + 20
e) -(3/2) ( -x - 8 ) + 4
= (3/2)x + 12 + 4
= (3/2)x + 16
f) -1.2 ( -2.2x - 1.7 ) + 0.2

= 2.64x + 2.04 + 0.2
= 2.64x + 2.24
g) 5(2x + 3y - 4) - x + 2y +6
= 10x + 15y - 20 - x + 2y + 6
= 9x + 17y - 14
h) x(2x + 3y -4) - x 2 + 4xy - 12

= 2x 2 + 3xy - 4x - x 2 + 4xy - 12
= x 2 + 7xy - 4x - 12
5. a) 3 ( x - 5 ) + 6 ( x + 3 )
= 3x - 15 + 6x + 18
= 9x + 3
b) -5 ( 2x + 3 ) - 2 ( x - 3 )
= -10x - 15 -2x + 6
= -12x - 9
c) ( x - 2 ) ( x + 3 ) + 8
= x 2 + 3x - 2x - 6 + 8
= x2 + x + 2
d) (x - 2) 2 + 2 ( x - 4 )
= x 2 -4x + 4 + 2x - 8
= x 2 -2x - 4
e) y(x + 3) - x(2y + 4) - 7x - 8y + 2
= yx + 3y - 2xy - 4x - 7x - 8y + 2
= -xy - 11x - 5y + 2
6. a) -2 ( 3 ( x + 2 ) + 4 ) - 8
= -2 ( 3x + 6 + 4) - 8
= -2 ( 3x + 10 ) - 8
= -6x - 20 - 8
= -6x - 28
b) 4 ( -3x - 2 ( x - 9) ) - 7 ( x - 2)
= 4 ( -3x -2x + 18 ) - 7x + 14
= 4 (-5x + 18) - 7x + 14
= -20x + 72 - 7x + 14
= -27x + 86
c) 2 - ( 3 - ( -5 ( 3x + 1 ) + 4 ) )
= 2 - ( 3 - ( -15x - 5 + 4))
= 2 - (3 - (-15x - 1))
= 2 - (3 + 15x + 1)
= 2 - (15x + 4)
= 2 - 15x - 4
= -15x - 2
d) [ (3 - x) (x + 2) + (-x + 4) (7x + 2) - (x - y) (2x - y) ] - 3x 2 - 7x + 5

= [ (3x + 6 - x 2 - 2x) + (- 7x 2 - 2x + 28x + 8) - (2x 2 - xy - 2yx + y 2) ] - 3x 2 - 7x + 5
= [ - x 2 + x + 6 - 7x 2 + 26x + 8 - 2x 2 + xy + 2yx - y 2 ] - 3x 2 - 7x + 5
= [ (- x 2 - 7x 2 - 2x 2 ) + (xy + 2yx )+ (x + 26x) + 6 + 8 - y 2 ] - 3x 2 - 7x + 5
= -10x 2 + 3xy + 27x - y 2 + 14 - 3x 2 - 7x + 5
= -13x 2 + 3xy - y 2 + 20x + 19

Sample 12 - Simplify Algebraic Expressions with
Exponents
A set of intermediate algebra problems, related to simplifying algebraic expressions using the rules and properties of
exponents. The solutions to these problems are at the bottom of the page.
Note: all letters used in the expressions below represent numbers that are not equal to 0.
1. Simplify the following expressions and write them with positive exponents.
a) x 2 x 3
b) a -2 a -3
c) a 5 / a 2
d) a -3 / a 7
e) (x 2) 3
f) (x -2) 5
g) (x 2 y 3) 3
h) (x -2 y 3) 8
a) ( y 4 / y 2 ) 3
b) ( y 4 / y -3 ) -2
c) ( y 4 x 12 / y 2 ) 3
d) ( y 12 x 56 / y 3 ) 0
e) (x 2 y 4) 2 / (x y -2 ) 3
a) ( x y 2 ) 2 ( x 2 y 2 ) 2 / ( x y ) 4
b) ( (a b 2) 3 (a 2 b 2) 4 ) 2
c) ( x 2 y 3 ) 0 ( x 4 y 3 ) 4 / ( x y 2 ) 3
d) ( x 3 y -2 ) 2 ( x -2 y 3 ) 4 / ( x -2 y -2 ) 3

4. a) x 2 x 3
= x2+3 = x5
b) a -2 a -3
= a -2 -3
= a -5 = 1 / a 5
c) a 5 / a 2
= a 5-2 = a 3
d) a -3 / a 7
= a -3 a -7
= a -10 = 1 / a 10
e) (x 2) 3
= x2*3 = x6
f) (x -2) 5
= x -2 * 5
= x -10 = 1 / x 10
g) (x 2 y 3) 3
= x2*3 y3*3 = x2*3 y3*3
College Algebra Problems With Answers

Sample 1 : Quadratic Functions
A set of college algebra problems, with answers, are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1. Write the quadratic function f(x) = -2x2 -12x - 20 in standard form (or vertex form).
2. Let f(x) = -2x2 + 4x + 6.
a) Find the vertex of the graph of f.
b) Find the range of f.
c) Find the x - intercepts of the graph of f.
c) Find the y - intercept of the graph of f.

3. f is a quadratic function whose graph has a vertex at the point (-3 , 2) and has a y-intercept at the point (0 ,
-16).
a) Find the equation for function f.
b) Find the x-intercepts of the graph of f.
4. Find all values of b and c so that the quadratic function f(x) = x2 + bx + c has a graph that is tangent to the x
axis and a y-intercept at (0 , 4).
5. Find the equation of a quadratic function f whose graph has a vertical axis of symmetry x = -2, the range of
f is given by the interval [4 , +infinity) and f(2) = 8.
6. A graph of a parabola is shown below. Find
a) The vertex of the parabola. (round the x and y coordinates to the nearest integer).
b) The x and y intercepts of the parabola. (round the x and y coordinates to the nearest integer).
c) The equation of the axis of symmetry of the parabola.
d) The equation of the line tangent to the parabola at the vertex.
e) The equation of parabola.

.
7. A rectangular picture measuring 10 cm by 15 cm is surrounded by a frame with uniform width x. Write a

quadratic function that gives the area A of the frame as a function of x.
8. Function g is given by g(x) = 2(x - 3)(x- 7). Find the value of x that makes g(x) maximum.
Answers to the Above Problems

9. f(x) = -2x2 -12x - 20 = -2(x + 3)2 - 2 (completing square)
10.
a. (1 , 8)
b. (-infinity , 8]
c. (-1 , 0) , (3 , 0)
d. (0 , 6)
11.
a. f(x) = -2(x + 3)2 + 2
b. (-2 , 0) , (-4 , 0)
12. c = 4 , b = 4 or -4
13. f(x) = (1/4)(x + 3)2 + 4
14.
a. (-2 , 4)
b. x-intercept: (-4 , 0) , (0 , 0) y-intercept:(0 , 0)
c. x = -2
d. y=4
e. y = -(x + 2)2 + 4
15. A = (10 + 2x)(15 + 2x) - 10*15 = 4x2 + 50x
16. g(x) is maximum at x = 10

sample 2 : Composite and Inverse Functions
A set of college algebra problems, with answers, are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1. Let f(x) = √(x - 4) + 3.
a) Find the inverse of f.
b) Find the range of f -1.
2. Let h(x) = (x - 1) / (-x + 3).
a) Find the inverse of h.
b) Find the range of h.
3. Let f(x) = (x - 1)/(x + 5) and g(x) = 1/(x + 3).
a) Find the composite function (f o g)(x).
b) Find the domain of f o g.
4. Function f is a function with inverse f -1. Function h is defined by h(x) = f(x) + k where k is a constant.
Express the inverse function of h in terms of f -1 and k.
5. Function f is a function with inverse f -1. Function h is defined by h(x) = A*f(x - h) + k where A, k and h are
constants. Express the inverse function of h in terms of f -1, A, k and h.
6. The graphs of functions f and g are shown below.
a) Use the graph to find (f o g)(-4)
b) Use the graph to find (g o f)(1)
.
.
7. Functions f and h are defined by the tables
x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
f(x) -6 -4 -2 1 2 6 16
8.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
h(x) 1 2 5 10 17 26 37
9.
Use the values in the tables to find
a) (f o h)(1)
b) (f o f)(0)
c) (f o h)(5)
d) (f o h-1)(5)
e) (h o f-1)(6)
10.

11.
a. f -1(x) = (x - 3)3 + 4 , x≥3
b. [4 , +infinity) : it is the domain of f
12.
a. h -1(x) = (-3x - 1) / (x + 1)
b. (-infinity , -1) U (-1 , +infinity) : it is the domain of h-1
13.
a. (f o g)(x) = -(x + 2) / (5x + 16)
b. domain of the composite function f o g : (-infinity , -16/5) U (-16/5 , -3) U (-3 , +infinity)
14. h -1(x) = f -1(x - k)
15. h -1(x) = f -1((x - k) / A) + h
16.
a. (f o g)(-4) = f(g(-4)) = f(2) = -2
b. (g o f)(1) = g(f(1) = g(-3) = -1
17.
a. (f o h)(1) = f(h(1)) = f(2) = 6
b. (f o f)(0) = f(1) = 2
c. (f o h)(5) = f(26) = undefined
d. (f o h-1)(5) = f(2) = 6
e. (h o f-1)(6) = h(2) = 5
sample 3 : Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
A set of college algebra problems on logarithmic and exponential function with answers, are presented.
The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1. Let the logarithmic function f be defined by f(x) = 2ln(2x - 1).
a) Find the domain of f.
b) Find vertical asymptote of the graph of f.
2. Let the exponential function h be defined by h(x) = 2 + ex
a) Find the range of h.
b) Find the horizontal asymptote of the graph of h.
3. The population of city A changes according to the exponential function
A(t) = 2.9 (2) 0.11 t (millions)
and the population of city B changes according to the exponential function
B(t) = 1.7 (2) 0.17 t (millions)
where t = 0 correspond to 2009.
a) Which city had larger population in 2009?
b) When will the sizes of the populations of the two cities be equal?
4. Find the inverse of the logarithmic function f defined by f(x) = 2 Log 5 (2x - 8) + 3
5. Find the inverse of the exponential function h defined by h(x) = - 2*3-3x + 9 - 4
6. Solve the logarithmic equation defined by
ln(2x - 2) + ln(4x - 3) = 2 ln(2x)
7. A, B and k in the exponential function f given by
f(x) = A ek x + B
are constants. Find A, B and k if f(0) = 1 and f(1) = 2 and the graph of f has a horizontal asymptote y = -4.
8.
a. solve 2x - 1 > 0 to find domain: x > 1/2
b. solve 2x - 1 v = 0 to find vertical asymptote: x = 1/2
9.
a. range of h: (2, +infinity)
b. horizontal asymptote: y = 2
10.
a. A(0) = 2.9 millions , B(0) = 1.7 millions, city A had larger population.
b. solve 2.9 (2) 0.11 t = 1.7 (2) 0.17 t, to find t.
take ln of both sides of the equation
ln[ 2.9 (2) 0.11 t ] = ln[ 1.7 (2) 0.17 t ]
ln(2.9) + 0.11t ln(2) = ln(1.7) + 0.17t ln(2)
solve for t:
t = (ln1.7 - ln2.9) / (0.11ln2 - 0.17ln2) = 13 (approximated to the nearest unit)
The size of the two populations will be the same in 2009 + 13 = 2022.
11.
solve the equation: x = 2 Log5 (2y - 8) + 3 for y to obtain the inverse of the function.
f -1(x) = (1/2) 5 (x-3)/2 + 4
12.
solve the equation: x = - 2*3-3y + 9 - 4 for y to obtain the inverse of the function.
h -1(x) = (-1/3)Log3 [(x+4)/-2] + 3
13.
Rewrite the given equation as follows
ln(2x - 2)(4x - 3) = ln(2x)2
The above gives the algebraic equation
(2x - 2)(4x - 3) = (2x)2
Solve the above quadratic equation for x
x = 3 and x = 1/2
Check the two values of x and only x = 3 is a solution to the given equation.
14.
Horizontal asymptote y = - 4 gives B = - 4.
f(0) = A + B = 1
which gives A = 5 since B = - 4

f(1) = 5ek - 4 = 2
solve for k to obtain: k = ln(6 / 5)

sample 4 : Graphs of Functions
A set of college algebra problems on graphs of functions with answers, are presented. The solutions are at the
bottom of the page.
1. The graph of f(x) is shown below. Draw the graph of y = -f(x - 3) - 2
2. Complete the graph given below so that it is symmetric with respect to the origin.
.
3. The graph of f(x) is shown below. Sketch the graph of y = f(-x + 1) - 1

.
4. The graph of f(x) is shown below. Sketch the graph of the inverse of f.
.
5. The graph of h(x) is shown below.

.
a) evaluate: h(-2) + h(2) =
b) What is the domain of h?
c) What is the range of h?
d) Find the interval(s) over which h is increasing.
e) Find the interval(s) over which h is decreasing.
f) Find the interval(s) over which h is constant.
6. The graph of f(x) is shown below. Sketch the graph of f(2x).

.
7. The graph of f -1(x) is shown below.
Evaluate the following: f(0) , f(2)

.

8.
Select points whose coordinates are easy to determine on the given graph (see graph in black
below) and then transform them as follows:
1 - shift right 3 units : f(x - 3)
2- reflect on the x-axis : - f(x - 3)
3 - shift down 2 units : - f(x - 3) - 2
4 - connect the transformed points to sketch the transformed graph shown in red below.
.
9. A graph is symmetric with respect to the origin if for each point (a,b) on the graph there exists a point (-a,-b)
on the same graph.
We select points (a,b) on the given graph and then transform them into (-a,-b) to obtain more points. When
put together the graph is symmeteric with respect to the origin.(see the whole graph black and red below).
10. Select points on the given graph and then transform them as follows:
1 - reflect on the y - axis : f(-x)
2- shift right one unit: f(- x + 1) = f(-(x - 1))
3 - shift down 1 unit : f(- x + 1) - 1
4 - connect the transformed points to sketch the transformed graph shown in red below.
11. We first determine points (a , b) on the graph of the given function and then use the definition of the inverse
to determine points (b , a) on the graph of the inverse. Or use the line y = x to reflect points (a , b) into (b ,
a).
.
12.
a. h(-2) + h(2) = -3 + 1 = -2
b. Domain: [-5 , 5]
c. Range: {-3} U [0 , 5]
d. increase: [-3 , 2) , [2 , 5]
e. decrease: [-5 , -3]
f. constant: [-2 , 2)
13. Function f has two x-intercepts: x = 2 and x = -2 . f(2x) will also have x-intercepts such that 2x = 2 which
gives x = 1 and 2x = -2 which gives x = -1. Hence f(2x) will have x intercepts at x = 1 and x = -1. The y-
intercept is at y = 2 since f(0) = 2 and f(2*0) = f(0) = 2.
.
14.
a. since f -1(1) = 0 , f(0) = 1 , and since f -1(0) = 2 , f(2) = 0

sample 5 : Domain and Range of Functions
A set of college algebra problems on finding the domain and range of functions with answers, are presented.
The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1.
Find the domain of the functions
a. f(x) = 1 / |x 2 - 4|
b. g(x) = 1 / (x 2 + 4x + 3)
c. h(x) = √(x 2 + 5x - 6)
d. k(x) = 1 / √(x - 2) 2
e. j(x) = 1 / (x - √(x + 2))
f. l(x) = ln|x + 3| - 5
2.
Find the range of the functions
a. f(x) = -x 2 + 6x + 5
b. g(x) = | x + 3 | - 2
c. h(x) = (x - 2) / (x + 3)
d. k(x) = |x 3 + 4|
e. j(x) = | (x + 4) (x - 2) |
f. l(x) = | 1/(x - 3) |

3. Find the domain.
a. Domain is found by setting x 2 - 4 ≠ 0 because division by 0 is not allowed.
Domain: (-∞ , -2) U (-2 , 2) U (2 , ∞)
b. x 2 + 4x + 3 ≠ 0 , division by 0 is not allowed.
Solve: x 2 + 4x + 3 = 0 , solutions: x = -3 and x = -1
Domain: (-∞ , -3) U (-3 , -1) U (-1 , ∞)
c. x 2 + 5x - 6 ≥ 0 , quantity under square root has to be positive or equal to zero for function to be
real.
Solve: x 2 + 5x - 6 ≥ 0 , solution set: (-∞ , -6) U (1 , ∞)
Domain: (-∞ , -6) U (1 , ∞)
d. (x - 2) 2 > 0 , quantity under square root has to be positive. It is a square. It cannot be zero
because division by zero is not allowed. Hence x must be different from 2.
Domain: (-∞ , 2) U (2 , ∞)
e. x - √(x + 2) ≠ 0 , division by 0 not allowed.

Also: x + 2 > 0 , expression under square root has to be positive.
Solve: x - √(x + 2) ≠ 0 , solution: x = 2
Solve: x + 2 > 0 , solution set: [-2 , 2) U (2 , ∞)
f. x + 3 > 0 , argument of logarithm must be positive for function to take real values.
Domain: (-3 , ∞)
4. Find the range.
a. f(x) = -x 2 + 6x + 5 = -(x - 3) 2 + 14
-(x - 3) 2 ≤ 0 , for all x real.
Add 14 to both sides of the inequality
-(x - 3) 2 + 14 ≤ 14
The left side is the given function. Hence the range is given by the interval
(-∞ , 14]
b. g(x) = |x + 3| - 2
|x + 3| ≥ 0 , for all x real.
Add -2 to both sides of the inequality
|x + 3| - 2 ≥ -2
The left side is the given function. Hence the range is given by the interval
[-2 , ∞)
c. h(x) = (x - 2)/(x + 3)
The inverse function of the given function h is

h -1 (x) = (3x + 2) / (1 - x)
The range of h is the domain of h -1 and is given by the interval (-∞ , 1) U (1 , ∞)
d. k(x) = |x 3 + 4|
x 3 + 4 has a range given by the interval (-∞ , ∞)
Because of the absolute value function k(x) = |x 3 + 4| has a range given by the interval [0 , ∞)
e. j(x) = | (x + 3) (x - 2) |
The graph of the y = (x + 4) (x - 2) is a parabola with x intercepts at x = -4 and x = 2 and a vertex

at (-1 , -9) opening up upward. Part of the graphs in the interval (-4 , 2) between the x intercepts is
under the x axis and will therefore be reflected above the x axis when the absolute value is
applied. Hence the range of j(x) = | (x + 3) (x - 2) | is given by the interval [0 , ∞)
f. l(x) = | 1/(x - 3) |
The range of 1/x is given by (0 , ∞). The graph of 1/(x - 3) is the graphs of 1/x shifted 3 units to the
right and therefore 1/(x - 3) has the same range as 1/x. Taking the absolute value of 1/(x - 3) to
get l(x) = | 1/(x - 3) | will change the range to (0 , ∞) which is the range of l(x).

sample 6 : Polynomials
A set of college algebra problems on multiplying, dividing and finding polynomials are presented. The solutions are
1. Find the product of the polynomials P(x) = 2x 2 - 3x and Q(x) = 3x 2 + x - 5
2. Find the quotient and the remainder when polynomial P(x) = 2x 4 - x 3 -3x 2 + 7x - 13 is divided by Q(x) = x 2 -
4
3. Find the fourth degree polynomial P(x) whose graph is shown below.
.
4. Find the remainder if 4 x 200 + 5 x 95 - 4 x 21 + 2x - 6 is divided by x - 1
5. Find the third degree polynomial with leading coefficient -2 and having zeros 1, -2 and 3.
6. Find all zeros of the polynomial P(x) = 3x 4 + 26 x 3 + 74 x 2 + 74 x + 15 knowing that P(x) has two rational
zeros.
7. Polynomial P(x) = x 3 + x 2 + c x + d has x - 2 as a factor and when divided by x - 1, the remainder is equal
to 3. Find the constant c and d.
8. P(x) is an even fourth degree polynomial function such that P(-2) = 0, P(x + 3) has a zero at x = 4 and P(0)
= -9. Find P(x).
9. The polynomial P(x) = 2 x 4 + 3 x 3 - 16 x 2 - 17 x + 12 has zeros at x = 1/2 and x = -3. Find the other zeros.
10. Factor the following polynomials:
a) f(x) = x 3 - x 2 - 4 x + 4
b) f(x) = 2 x 2 - x 3
c) f(x) = x 2 - 2 x 4
d) f(x) = -(x 2 - 2 x - 3) 2
e) f(x) = x 4 + 3 x 3 + 3 x 2 + x
11. A polynomial of degree 4 has a negative leading coefficient and simple zeros (i.e. zeros of multiplicity 1) at
x = 2, x = -2, x = 1 and x = - 1. Is the y intercept below the x axis or above the x axis?
12. Match the function to the graph.
1) f(x) = (x + 1)(x - 1) 2(x + 2) 2

2) f(x) = -(x + 1)(x - 1) 4
3) f(x) = (x + 1)(x - 1) 3(x - 3)
4) f(x) = (x + 1) 2(x - 1) 3
13. Give four different reasons why the graph below cannot possibly be the graph of p(x) = x 4 - x 2 + 1.
.
14. The graph of polynomial f is shown below.
a) Is the degree of f even or odd?
b) Is the leading coefficient negative or positive?
c) Can you find the degree of f from the graph?Explain your answer.
.
15. If the polynomial 3x3 + qx2 + px + 7, where q and p are real numbers, is divided by x2 - 1, the remainder
is 5x + 4. Find q and p.

16.
.
P(x)Q(x) = (2x 2 - 3x)(3x 2 + x - 5)
= 6x 4 - 7x 3 -13x 2 + 15x
17.
P(x)/ Q(x) = (2x 4 - x 3 -3x 2 + 7x - 13) / (x 2 - 4)
= 2x 2 - x + 5 + (3x + 7) / (x 2 - 4)
quotient = 2x 2 - x + 5 , remainder = 3x + 7
18.
Zeros at 0, 1, 3 and 4, hence P(x) can be written as P(x) = A x (x - 1)(x - 3)(x - 4)
We now use the point (2 , 2) to write P(2) = 2 and use it to find the constant A = 1/2.
P(x) = (1/2) x (x - 1)(x - 3)(x - 4)

Expand to find
P(x) = (1/2)x 4 - 4x 3 + (19/2)x 2 - 6x
19.
Using remainder theorem, remainder = P(1) = 4*1 200 + 5*1 95 - 4*1 21 + 2*1 - 6 = 1
20.
P(x) = -2(x - 1)(x + 2)(x - 3) = -2 x 3 + 4 x 2 + 10 x - 12
21.
According to the rational zeros theorem, the possible rational zeros are as follows: ~+mn~1 , ~+mn~1/3 ,
~+mn~5/3 , ~+mn~3 , ~+mn~5
Substituting or using synthetic division, it can easily be shown that -3 and -5/3 are rational zeros of P(x).
hence P(x) may be written as
P(x) = (x + 3)(x + 5/3) Q(x)
Q(x) = P(x) / (x + 3)(x + 5/3) = 3x 2 + 12 x + 3 (using division)
The remaining zeros of P(x) are the zeros of Q(x) which are -2 + √3 and -2 - √3.
22.
If (x - 2) is a factor, then P(2) = 0. The remainder theorem also states that P(1) = 3. After substitutions P(2)
and P(1), we obtain a system of 2 equations in c and d.
2c + d = -12 and c + d = 1
solve to find: c = -13 and d = 14
23.
If P(-2) = 0, then -2 is a zero of P. Since P is even 2 is also a zero of P because of the symmetry of the
graph of P with respect to y axis.
If P(x + 3) has a zero at x = 4, then P(x) has a zero at x = 1 since the graph of P(x + 3) is the graph of P(x)
shifted 3 units left. Also and because of symmetry x = -1 is a zero of P. Hence P has 4 zeros: -2, -1, 1 and
2 and P(0) = -9.
P(x) = A (x + 1)(x + 2)(x - 1)(x - 2)
Use P(0) = -9 to find coefficient A = -9/4
P(x) = -(9/4) (x + 1)(x + 2)(x - 1)(x - 2) = -(9/4) x 4 + (45/4)x 2 - 9
24.
Since x = 1/2 and x = -3 are zeros of P, we can write
P(x) = (x - 1/2)(x + 3) Q(x)
Q(x) = P(x) / (x - 1/2)(x + 3) = 2(x 2 - x - 4) (using division)
The remaining zeros of P(x) are the zeros of Q(x): 1/2 + (1/2)√17 and 1/2 - (1/2)√17.
25.
a) f(x) = x 3 - x 2 - 4 x + 4
= x 2(x - 1) - 4(x - 1)
= (x - 1)(x 2 - 4)
= (x - 1)(x - 2)(x + 2)
b) f(x) = 2 x 2 - x 3
= x 2(2 - x)
c) f(x) = x 2 - 2 x 4
= x 2(1 - 2x 2)
= x 2(1 - x&radic2)(1 + x&radic2)
d) f(x) = -(x 2 - 2 x - 3) 2
= -((x + 1)(x - 3)) 2
= -(x + 1) 2(x - 3) 2
e) f(x) = x 4 + 3 x 3 + 3 x 2 + x
= x (x 3 + 3 x 2 + 3 x + 1)
= x(x + 1) 3
26.
Leading coefficient negative therefore between x = -2 and x = -1 graph is above x axis and below x axis
between x = -1 and x = 1 and hence the y -intercept is below the x axis.
27.
1-C
2-D
3-B
4-A
28.
1) P is even , the graph is not symmetric with respect to y axis.
2) P has no zeros, graph has x intercepts.
3) P(0) = 1 , y intercept in graph below x axis.
4) Leading coefficient in P is negative, graph going down on the left and on the right.
29.
a) The degree of f odd since its graph has 5 x-intercepts and the complex zeros come in pairs.
b) The leading coefficient is negative because the graph is going down on the right and up on the left.
c) No, the degree of a polynomial is determined by real and complex zeros. Only the real zeros in the form
of x-intercepts are shown on the graph.
30. The given polynomial, the divisor (x2 - 1), the remainder 5x + 4 and the quotient Q(x) are related as follows:
3x3 + qx2 + px + 7 = Q(x)(x2 - 1) + 5x + 4.
Substitute x by 1 and -1 on both sides of the equation to obtain 2 equations in q and p.
x = 1: 3 + q + p + 7 = 0 + 9 (1)
x = -1: -3 + q - p + 7 = -1
Solve the above system of equations to find: q = -3 and p = 2.

sample 7 : Equation of Circle
A set of college algebra problems on the equation of circles are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of the
page. Helpful tutorials on circles is included in this site.
1. Find the equation of a circle whose center is at the point (-2 , 3) and its diameter has a length of 10.
2. Find the center and the radius of the circle whose equation is given by x 2 + 4x + y 2 - 8y = 5.
3. Find an equation of the circle that is is tangent to both the x and y axes, with a radius of 4 and whose
center is located in the second quadrant.
4. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (-4 , 6) and passes through the point (1 , 2).
5. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (-3 , 6) and is tangent to the y axis.
6. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (2 , -5) and is tangent to the x axis.
7. Find an equation of the circle whose diameter has endpoints at (-5 , 2) and (3 , 6).
8. Find the x and y intercepts of the graph of the circle given by the equation
x 2 + 3x + y 2 - 4y = 18
9. Is point A(-3 , 8) inside, outside or on the circle whose equation is given by

x 2 + 4x + y 2 - 8y = 5
10. Find the points of intersection of the circle with equation

(x - 2) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 40
and the line with equation y = 3x
11. Three points are defined as follows: A(-2 , 1), B(6 , 1) and C(-2 , 7).
a) Find the midpoint M of segment BC.
b) Find the lengths of the line segments MA, MB and MC.
c) Find the equation of the circle that passes through the three points A, B and C.
Standard equation of a circle with radius r and center at the point (h , k) is given by
(x - h) 2 + (y - k) 2 = r 2
In this problem r = 10 / 2 = 5 and h = -2 and k = 3.
The equation of this circle is given by: (x + 2) 2 + (y - 3) 2 = 25
13. Group the terms in x and x 2 and the terms in y and y 2 in the given equation
(x 2 + 4x) + (y 2 - 8y) = 5
Complete the squares inside the brackets.
(x 2 + 4x + 4 - 4) + (y 2 - 8y + 16 - 16) = 5
(x + 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 25.
Identify the above as the standard equation of a circle with center (-2 , 4) and radius 5.
Since the circle is tangent to the x axis, the distance from the center to x axis is equal to the radius 4. In the
same way the circle is tangent to the y axis and therefore the distance from the center to the y axis is also
equal to the radius. Hence the center has coordinates (-4 , 4). The equation of this circle is given by
(x + 4) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 16
15. We first need to find the radius which is given by the distance from the center to the point (1 , 2)
r = √[ (6 - 2) 2 + (-4 - 1) 2 ] = √41
The equation is given by

(x + 4) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 41
16.
Since the circle is tangent to the y axis, the radius is equal to the distance from the center to the y axis
which is the absolute value of the y coordinate of the center and that is 6.
(x + 3) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 36
17.
Since the circle is tangent to the x axis, the radius is equal to the distance from the center to the x axis
which is the absolute value of the x coordinate of the center and that is 2.
(x - 2) 2 + (y + 5) 2 = 4
18.
We first find the radius r which is half the length of the diameter
r = 1/2 √(64 + 16) = 2 √5
The center C is the midpoint of A and B: C(-1 , 4)
The equation is give by: (x + 1) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 20
19.
x intercept (set y = 0 in given equation) : x 2 + 3x = 18

solve for x: x = 3 and x = -6 , 2 x intercepts: (3 , 0) and (-6 , 0)
y intercept (set x = 0 in given equation) : y 2 - 4y = 18
solve for y: y = 2 - √22 and y = 2 + √22 , 2 y intercepts: (0 , 2 - √22) and (0 , 2 + √22)
20.
We first write the equation in standard form and find the center and radius of the circle. By completing the
squares, the given equation can be written as follows
(x + 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 5 2
Center at (-2 , 4) and radius = 5
We now calculate the distance d from the center to point A(-3 , 8)
d = √(1 + 16) = √17 = 4.1 (to the nearest tenth)
Since the distance from the center to point A is smaller than the radius, point A is inside the circle.
21. We need to solve the system of equations as follows: Substitute y by 3x in the equation of the circle
(x - 2) 2 + (3x - 6) 2 = 40
Solve for x to find the solutions: x = 0 and x = 4
Use y = 3x to find the corresponding values of y
For x = 0 , y = 3x = 0 and for x = 4 , y = 12.
The points of intersection are: (0 , 0) and (4 , 12)
22.
a) M: (2 , 4)
b) L(MA) = √(16 + 9) = 5
L(MB) = √(16 + 9) = 5
L(MC) = √(16 + 9) = 5
c) The three points are at equal distances from point M and therefore point M is the center of the circle;
hence the equation is given by
(x - 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 25

sample 7 : Equation of Circle
A set of college algebra problems on the equation of circles are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of the
page. Helpful tutorials on circles is included in this site.
2. Find the center and the radius of the circle whose equation is given by x 2 + 4x + y 2 - 8y = 5.
4. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (-4 , 6) and passes through the point (1 , 2).
5. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (-3 , 6) and is tangent to the y axis.
6. Find an equation of the circle whose center is at the point (2 , -5) and is tangent to the x axis.
7. Find an equation of the circle whose diameter has endpoints at (-5 , 2) and (3 , 6).
8. Find the x and y intercepts of the graph of the circle given by the equation
x 2 + 3x + y 2 - 4y = 18
9. Is point A(-3 , 8) inside, outside or on the circle whose equation is given by

x 2 + 4x + y 2 - 8y = 5
10. Find the points of intersection of the circle with equation

(x - 2) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 40
and the line with equation y = 3x
11. Three points are defined as follows: A(-2 , 1), B(6 , 1) and C(-2 , 7).
a) Find the midpoint M of segment BC.
b) Find the lengths of the line segments MA, MB and MC.

c) Find the equation of the circle that passes through the three points A, B and C.

Standard equation of a circle with radius r and center at the point (h , k) is given by
(x - h) 2 + (y - k) 2 = r 2
In this problem r = 10 / 2 = 5 and h = -2 and k = 3.
The equation of this circle is given by: (x + 2) 2 + (y - 3) 2 = 25
13. Group the terms in x and x 2 and the terms in y and y 2 in the given equation
(x 2 + 4x) + (y 2 - 8y) = 5
Complete the squares inside the brackets.
(x 2 + 4x + 4 - 4) + (y 2 - 8y + 16 - 16) = 5
(x + 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 25.
Identify the above as the standard equation of a circle with center (-2 , 4) and radius 5.
Since the circle is tangent to the x axis, the distance from the center to x axis is equal to the radius 4. In the
same way the circle is tangent to the y axis and therefore the distance from the center to the y axis is also
equal to the radius. Hence the center has coordinates (-4 , 4). The equation of this circle is given by
(x + 4) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 16
15. We first need to find the radius which is given by the distance from the center to the point (1 , 2)
r = √[ (6 - 2) 2 + (-4 - 1) 2 ] = √41
(x + 4) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 41
16.
Since the circle is tangent to the y axis, the radius is equal to the distance from the center to the y axis
which is the absolute value of the y coordinate of the center and that is 6.
(x + 3) 2 + (y - 6) 2 = 36
17.
Since the circle is tangent to the x axis, the radius is equal to the distance from the center to the x axis
which is the absolute value of the x coordinate of the center and that is 2.
(x - 2) 2 + (y + 5) 2 = 4
18.
We first find the radius r which is half the length of the diameter
r = 1/2 √(64 + 16) = 2 √5
The center C is the midpoint of A and B: C(-1 , 4)
The equation is give by: (x + 1) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 20

19.
x intercept (set y = 0 in given equation) : x 2 + 3x = 18
solve for x: x = 3 and x = -6 , 2 x intercepts: (3 , 0) and (-6 , 0)
y intercept (set x = 0 in given equation) : y 2 - 4y = 18
solve for y: y = 2 - √22 and y = 2 + √22 , 2 y intercepts: (0 , 2 - √22) and (0 , 2 + √22)
20.
We first write the equation in standard form and find the center and radius of the circle. By completing the
squares, the given equation can be written as follows
(x + 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 5 2
Center at (-2 , 4) and radius = 5
We now calculate the distance d from the center to point A(-3 , 8)
d = √(1 + 16) = √17 = 4.1 (to the nearest tenth)
Since the distance from the center to point A is smaller than the radius, point A is inside the circle.
21. We need to solve the system of equations as follows: Substitute y by 3x in the equation of the circle
(x - 2) 2 + (3x - 6) 2 = 40
Solve for x to find the solutions: x = 0 and x = 4
Use y = 3x to find the corresponding values of y
For x = 0 , y = 3x = 0 and for x = 4 , y = 12.
The points of intersection are: (0 , 0) and (4 , 12)

22.
a) M: (2 , 4)
b) L(MA) = √(16 + 9) = 5
L(MB) = √(16 + 9) = 5
L(MC) = √(16 + 9) = 5
c) The three points are at equal distances from point M and therefore point M is the center of the circle;
hence the equation is given by
(x - 2) 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 25

sample 8 : Equation of Ellipse
A set of college algebra problems on the equation of ellipses are presented. Problems on ellipses with detailed
solutions are included in this site. The solutions are at the bottom of the page.
1. What is the major axis and its length for the following ellipse?
(1/9) x 2 + (9/25) y 2 = 1/25
2. An ellipse is given by the equation
8x 2 + 2y 2 = 32
Find
a) the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse and their lengths,
b) the vertices of the ellipse,

c) and the foci of this ellipse.
3. Find the equation of the ellipse whose center is the origin of the axes and has a focus at (0 , -4) and a
vertex at (0 , -6).
4. Find the equation of the ellipse whose foci are at (0 , -5) and (0 , 5) and the length of its major axis is 14.
5. An ellipse has the x axis as the major axis with a length of 10 and the origin as the center. Find the
equation of this ellipse if the point (3 , 16/5) lies on its graph.
6. An ellipse has the following equation
0.2x 2 + 0.6y 2 = 0.2
a) Find the equation of part of the graph of the given ellipse that is to the left of the y axis.
b) Find the equation of part of the graph of the given ellipse that is below the x axis.

(x - 1) 2 / 9 + (y + 4) 2 / 16 = 1
Find
a) its center,
a) its major and minor axes and their lengths,
b) its vertices,
c) and the foci.
8. Find the equation of the ellipse whose foci are at (-1 , 0) and (3 , 0) and the length of its minor axis is 2.
9. An ellipse is defined by its parametric equations as follows
x = 6 sin(t) and y = 4 cos(t)
Find the center, the major and minor axes and their lengths of this ellipse.
4x 2 + 3y 2 -16x + 18y = -31
Find
a) the center of the ellipse,

b) its major and minor axes and their lengths,
c) its vertices,
d) and its foci.

11. Multiply all terms of the equation by 25 to obtain
(25/9) x 2 + (9) y 2 = 1
The above equation may be written in the form x 2 / a 2 + y 2 / b 2 = 1 as follows
x 2 / (3/5) 2 + y 2 / (1/3) 2 = 1
with a = 3/5 and b = 1/3. The major axis is the x axis and its length is equal to 2a = 6/5 = 1.2
12.
a) Divide all terms of the equation by 32 to obtain
x 2 / 4 + y 2 / 16 = 1
The above equation may be written as follows

x2 / b2 + y2 / a2 = 1
with a = 4 and b = 2 and a > b. Hence the major axis is the y axis and the minor axis is the x axis. The
length of the major axis = 2a = 8 and the length of the minor axis = 2b = 4
b) The vertices are on the major axis at the points (0 , a) = (0 , 4) and (0 , -a) = (0 , -4)
c) The foci are on the major axis at the points (0 , c) and (0 , -c) such that
c 2 = a 2 - b 2 = 12.
Hence the foci are at the points (0 , 2√3) and (0 , -2√3)
13. Both the focus and the vertex lie in the y axis which means that the major axis is the y axis. The equation of
the ellipse has the form
x2 / b2 + y2 / a2 = 1
a is the distance from the center of the ellipse to the a vertex and is equal to 6. c is the distance from the
center of the ellipse to a focus and is equal to 4. Also a, b and c are related as follows
b 2 = a 2 - c 2 = 36 - 16 = 20
b = 2√5
The equation of the ellipse is given by
x 2 / 20 + y 2 / 36 = 1
14. From the coordinates of the foci, c = 5 and the major axis is the y axis. From the length of the major axis,
we obtain a = 7. Also b 2 = a 2 - c 2 = 24.
The equation of the ellipse is given by

x 2 / 24 + y 2 / 49 = 1
15.
Length of major axis is 10 hence a = 5 and the equation may be written as follows
x 2 / 25 + y 2 / b 2 = 1
We now use the fact that the point (3 , 16/5) lies on the graph of the ellipse to find b 2.
3 2 / 25 + (16/5) 2 / b 2 = 1
Solve the above for b to find b = 4 and write the equation as follows
x 2 / 25 + y 2 / 16 = 1
16. An ellipse has the following equation
0.2x 2 + 0.6y 2 = 0.2
a) Solve the above equation for x and select the solution for which x is positive
x = √(1 - 3y 2)
b) Solve the ellipse equation for y and select the solution for which y is negative.
y = - √(1/3 - (1/3)x 2)
17. Given equation
(x - 1) 2 / 9 + (y + 4) 2 / 16 = 1
a) Ellipse with center at (h , k) = (1 , -4) with a = 4 and b = 3.
a) its major axis is the line x = 1, and its minor is the line y = -4. length of major axis = 2a = 8 , length of
minor axis = 2b = 6
b) vertices at: (1 , -4 + 4) = (1 , 0) and (1 , -4 - 4) = (1 , -8)
c) c = √(a 2 - b 2) = √7
Foci at: (1 , -4 + √7) and (1 , -4 - √7)
18. Find the equation of the ellipse whose foci are at (-1 , 0) and (3 , 0) and the length of its minor axis is 2.
The center of the ellipse is the midpoint of the two foci and is at (2 , 0).
c is the length from one foci to the center, hence c = 2.
length of minor axis 2 = 2b hence b = 1
a2 = b2 + c2 = 5
Since the foci are on the x axis, the major axis of the ellipse is the x axis.
Equation of ellipse:
(x - 2) 2 / 5 + y 2 = 1
.
19.
x = 6 sin(t) and y = 4 cos(t)
The parametric equations can be written as follows:
x / 6 = sin(t) and y / 4 = cos(t)
Square both sides of the two equations: (x / 6) 2 = sin 2(t) and (y / 4) 2 = cos 2(t)
Use the fact that sin 2(t) + cos 2(t) = 1 to write
x 2 / 36 + y 2 / 16 = 1
a = 6 , b = 4, c = √(36 - 16) = 2√5
major axis: x axis , length = 12
minor axis: y axis , length = 8

sample 9 : Equation of Parabola
A set of college algebra problems on the equation of parabolas are presented. The solutions with explanations are
1. Find an equation of the parabola with focus at (0 , 4) and vertex at (0 , 0).
2. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at (0 , 0), the x axis is its axis of symmetry and its graph
contains the point (-2 , 4).
3. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at (0 , 2) and focus at (0 , 6).
4. Find the vertex, the focus, the axis of symmetry and the directrix of the parabola defined by the equation
2y 2 + 8y + x + 1 = 0
5. Find the vertex, the focus, the axis of symmetry and the directrix of the parabola defined by the equation
x 2 - 8x - y + 2 = 0
6. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at (-2 , -2) and focus at (-2 , -8).
7. Write an equation for the parabola shown in the graph below and find the focus of the parabola.
.
8. Find an equation of the parabola with focus at (8 , 0) and directrix given by the equation x = 2.
9. Find an equation of the parabola with directrix given by the equation y = 2, a focus on the y axis, and the
point (-6 , -8) lies on the parabola.
10. A parabolic dish with a diameter of 200 cm and a maximum depth of 50 cm is shown below. Find the focus
of the dish.
.

11. The distance from the vertex (0 , 0) to the focus (0 , 4) is |a| = 4. Since the vertex is at (0 , 0) and the focus
is at (0 , 4) on the y axis, the parabola opens upward which means a = 4 and its equation is given by
x 2 = 4a y = 16 y
12. Since the x axis is the axis of symmetry of the parabola and its vertex is at the origin, the equation of the
parabola has the form
y 2 = 4a x
The point (-2 , 4) lies on the parabola: 4 2 = 4a (-2)
Solve for a: a = -2 ; the equation is: y 2 = -8 x
13. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at (0 , 2) and focus at (0 , 6).
Since the vertex is at (0 , 2) and the focus is at (0 , 6), the parabola opens upward and the equation of a
parabola with vertex at (h , k) is given by
(x - h) 2 = 4a (y - k)
h = 0 and k = 2; the equation is given by: x 2 = 4a (y - 2)
|a| = distance from vertex to focus = 4 , since parabola opens upward a = 4
the equation is given by: x 2 = 16 (y - 2)
14. We first complete the square using the terms in y and y 2 and write the given equation in the form (y - k) 2 =
4a (x - h) where (h , k) is the vertex and the focus is at (h + a , k), the axis of symmetry is given by y = k
and the directrix is given by x = h - a.
2(y 2 + 4y) + x + 1 = 0
2((y + 2) 2 - 4) + x + 1 = 0
(y + 2) 2= - (1/2)(x - 7)
vertex at (7 , -2)
-(1/2) = 4a , hence a = -1/8
focus at (7 - 1/8 , -2) = (6.875 , -2)
axis of symmetry given by y = -2
Directrix is a vertical line given by: x = h - a = 7 + 1/8 = 7.125
15. We first complete the square using the terms in x and x 2 and write the given equation in the form (x - h) 2 =
4a (y - k) where (h , k) is the vertex and the focus is at (h , k + a), the axis of symmetry is given by x = h
and the directrix is given by y = k - a
x 2 - 8x - y + 2 = 0
((x - 4) 2 - 16) - y + 2 = 0
(x - 4) 2= (y + 14)
vertex at (4 , -14)
1 = 4a , hence a = 1/4
focus at (4 , -14 + 1/4) = (4 , -13.75)
axis of symmetry given by x = 4
Directrix is a horizontal line given by: y = k - a = - 14 - 1/4 = -14.25
16. The vertex and the focus are on the same vertical line x = -2 with the focus below the vertex, therefore the
parabola opens downward and its equation has the form
(x - h) 2 = 4a (y - k) , vertex at (h , k)
with the vertex at (h , k) = (-2, -2), the equation is give by
(x + 2) 2 = 4a (y + 2)
The distance from the vertex (-2 , -2) to the focus (-2 , -8) is |a| = 6. Since the parabola opens downward a
= -6.
The equation of the parabola is given by: (x + 2) 2 = -24 (y + 2)
17. The vertex is at (2 , 4)
(y - k) 2 = 4a (x - h) , vertex at (h , k)
with the vertex at (h , k) = (2, 4), the equation is give by
(y - 4) 2 = 4a (x - 2)
Use the point (-2 , -2) to find a as follows
(-2 - 4) 2 = 4a (-2 - 2)
solve the above for a: a = -2.25
Equation of the parabola: (y - 4) 2 = -9 (x - 2)
The focus is at (h + a , k) = (2 - 2.25 , 4) = (-0.25 , 4)
18. Since the directrix is the x = 2 and the focus is at (8 , 0), the parabola has the x axis as an axis of symmetry
and opens to the right. Its equation is of the form
(y - k) 2 = 4a (x - h) , vertex at (h , k)
The vertex is the midpoint of the point (2 , 0), which the point of intersection of the directrix and the x axis,
and the focus ( 8 , 0). Hence h = 5 and k = 0. The distance between the directrix and the focus is twice |a|.
Hence 2|a| = 6, |a| = 3 and since the parabola opens to the right a = 3.
y 2 = 12 (x - 5)
19. The focus is on the y axis and therefore has the form F(0 , b). The distance from the given point to the
directrix is equal to 10. By definition any point on the parabola, and particular point (- 6 , -8), should be at
equal distances from the directrix and the focus. Hence
10 = √(6 2 + (b + 8)) 2)
Solve the above for b: 2 solutions b = 0 and b = -16
THERE ARE TWO SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM
First solution: the distance from the focus F(0 , 0) to the directrix y = 2 is equal to 2|a|, hence |a| = 1 and a =
-1 since parabola opens downward. The vertex is at (0 , 1), at equal distances from the focus and the
directrix.
equation: x 2 = - 4 (y - 1)
Second solution: the distance from the focus F(0 , -16) to the directrix y = 2 is equal to 2|a|, hence |a| = 9
and a = -9 since parabola opens downward. The vertex is at (0 , -7), at equal distances from the focus and
the directrix.
equation: x 2 = - 36 (y + 7)
20. The equation of the patrabolic dish is of the form: x 2 = 4 a y
Point (100 , 50) lies on the graph of the parabolic dish, hence
100 2 = 4 a * 50
solve to find: a = 50 which is also the distance from the vertex at (0 , 0) to the focus. Hence the focus is at
(0 , 50 cm).
sample 10 : Equation of Hyperbola
A set of college algebra problems on the equation of hyperbolas are presented. The solutions are at the bottom of
the page.
1. Find the transverse axis, the center, the foci and the vertices of the hyperbola whose equation is
x2 / 4 - y2 / 9 = 1
2. Find the transverse axis, the center, the foci and the vertices of the hyperbola whose equation is
16 y 2 - x 2 = 16
3. Find the equation of a hyperbola that has the y axis as the transverse axis, a center at (0 , 0) and passes
through the points (0 , 5) and (2 , 5√2).
4. Find the equation of a hyperbola whose vertices are at (0 , -3) and (0 , 3) and has a focus at (0 , 5).
5. Find the asymptotes of the parabolas given by the equations:
a) x 2 / 4 - y 2 / 36 = 1
b) y 2 - 49 x 2 = 49
6. Find the equation of a hyperbola with vertices at (0 , -7) and (0 , 7) and asymptotes given by the equations
y = 3x and y = - 3x.
7. Find the equation of a hyperbola with foci at (-2 , 0) and (2 , 0) and asymptotes given by the equation y = x
and y = -x.
8. Write the equation of a hyperbola with foci at (-1 , 0) and (1 , 0) and one of its asymptotes passes through
the point (1 , 3).
9. Write the equation of a hyperbola with the x axis as its transverse axis, point (3 , 1) lies on the graph of this
hyperbola and point (4 , 2) lies on the asymptote of this hyperbola.
10. Find the equation of each parabola shown below. The graphs in b) and c) also shows the asymptotes.
a)
.
b)
c)
.

11. Transverse axis: x axis or y = 0
center at (0 , 0)
vertices at (2 , 0) and (-2 , 0)
c 2 = 4 + 9 = 13. Foci are at (√13 , 0) and (-√13 , 0).
12. Divide all terms of the given equation by 16 which becomes y 2 - x 2 / 16 = 1

Transverse axis: y axis or x = 0
center at (0 , 0)
vertices at (0 , 1) and (0 , -1)
c 2 = 1 + 16 = 17. Foci are at (0 , √17) and (0 , -√17).
13. Since the y axis is the transverse axis, the equation has the form y 2 / a 2 - x 2 / b 2 = 1
Use the point (0 , 5) to write: (5) 2 / a 2 = 1 and find a 2 = 25. Use the second point to write (5√2) 2 / 25 - 2 2 /
b 2 = 1 and find b 2 = 4
The equation is given by: y 2 / 25 - x 2 / 4 = 1
14. Since the vertices are at (0,-3) and (0,3), the transverse axis is the y axis and the center is at (0,0). The
equation has the form: y 2 / 9 - x 2 / b 2 = 1, a 2 = 9.
The focus is at (0,5) hence c = 5. We now use the formula c 2 = a 2 + b 2 to find b 2 = 25 - 9 = 16
The equation may be written as: y 2 / 9 - x 2 / 16 = 1
15. a) y = 3x and y = -3x
b) y = 7x and y = -7x
16. Since the vertices are at (0,-7) and (0,7), the transverse axis of the hyperbola is the y axis, the center is at
(0,0) and the equation of the hyperbola ha s the form y 2 / a 2 - x 2 / b 2 = 1 with a 2 = 49. The asymptote is
given by y = +or-(a/b)x, hence a/b = 3 which gives a 2 = 9 b 2.
Since a 2 = 49, 9 b 2 = 49 and b 2 = 49/9
The equation of the hyperbola is given by: y 2 / 49 - 9 x 2 / 49 = 1
17. Since the foci are at (-2,0) and (2,0), the transverse axis of the hyperbola is the x axis, the center is at (0,0)
and the equation of the hyperbola has the form x 2 / a 2 - y 2 / b 2 = 1 with c 2 = 4 = a 2 + b 2
The asymptote is given by y = +or-(b/a)x, hence a/b = 1 which gives a 2 = b 2.
Solve the two equations 4 = a 2 + b 2 and a 2 = b 2 to find: a 2 = 2 and b 2 = 2.
The equation of the hyperbola is give by: x 2 / 2 - y 2 / 2 = 1
18. Since the foci are at (-1,0) and (1,0), the transverse axis of the hyperbola is the x axis, the center is at (0,0)
and the equation of the hyperbola has the form x 2 / a 2 - y 2 / b 2 = 1 with c 2 = 1 2 = a 2 + b2
The asymptote is given by y = (b/a)x, hence a/b = 3/1 = 3 which gives a 2 = 9 b 2.
Solve both equations: 1 = a 2 + b 2 and a 2 = 9 b 2.
Solve to find: b 2 = 1/10 and a 2 = 9/10
The equation of the hyperbola is given by: (10/9) x 2 / - 10 y 2 / b 2 = 1
19. The equation of the hyperbola has the form: x 2 / a 2 - y 2 / b 2 = 1
Use point (3 , 1) to write: 3 2 / a 2 - 1 2 / b 2 = 1
The asymptote has the form: y = + or - (b/a)x, using the point (4,2) that lies on the asymptote we write: b / a
= 2/4 = 1/2 or 4 b 2 = a 2
Solve the two equations to find: a 2 = 5 and b 2 = 5/4
The equation of the hyperbola has the form: x 2 / 5 - y 2 / (5/4) = 1
20. a)
Vertices at (-1,0) and (1,0) and point (-3,2) lies on the hyperbola.
Equation: x 2 - y 2 / 0.5 = 1
b)
Vertices at (-2,0) and (2,0) and point (2,2) lies on one asymptote.
Equation: x 2 / 4 - y 2 / 4 = 1
c)
Vertices at (0 , 0.5) and (0 , -0.5) and asymptote y = x/6.
Equation: y 2 / 0.25 - x 2 / 9 = 1
Solutions to Algebra Problems

Detailed solutions to algebra problems are presented.
Solution to Problem 1:
 Given the equation
5(-3x - 2) - (x - 3) = -4(4x + 5) + 13
 Multiply factors.
-15x - 10 - x + 3 = -16x - 20 +13
 Group like terms.
-16x - 7 = -16x - 7
 Add 16x + 7 to both sides and write the equation as follows
0=0
 The above statement is true for all values of x and therefore all real numbers are solutions to the given equation.
 Given the algebraic expression
2(a -3) + 4b - 2(a -b -3) + 5
 Multiply factors.
= 2a - 6 + 4b -2a + 2b + 6 + 5
 Group like terms.
= 6b + 5
 Given the expression
|x - 2| - 4|-6|
 If x < ;2 then x - 2 < 2 and if x - 2 < 2 the |x - 2| = -(x - 2).
 Substitute |x - 2| by -(x - 2) and |-6| by 6 .
|x - 2| - 4|-6| = -(x - 2) -4(6) = -x -22
 The distance d between points (-4 , -5) and (-1 , -1) is given by
d = sqrt[ (-1 - -4) 2 + (-1 - -5) 2 ]
 Simplify.
d = sqrt(9 + 16) = 5
 Given the equation

2x - 4y = 9
 To find the x intercept we set y = 0 and solve for x.
2x - 0 = 9
 Solve for x.
x=9/2
 The x intercept is at the point (9/2 , 0).
 Given the function
f(x) = 6x + 1
 f(2) - f(1) is given by.
f(2) - f(1) = (6*2 + 1) - (6*1 + 1) = 6
 Given the points (-1, -1) and (2 , 2), the slope m is given by
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1) = (2 - -1) / (2 - -1) = 1
 Given the line
5x - 5y = 7
 Rewrite the equation in slope intercept form y = mx + b and identify the value of m the slope.
-5y = -5x + 7
y = x - 7/5
 The slope is given by the coefficient of x which is 1.
 To find the equation of the line through the points (-1 , -1) and (-1 , 2), we first use the slope m.
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1) = (2 - -1) / (-1 - -1) = 3 / 0
 The slope is indefined which means the line is perpendicular to the x axis and its equation has the form x = constant. Since both
points have equal x coordinates -1, the equation is given by:
x = -1
 The equation to solve is given by.
|-2x + 2| -3 = -3
 Add 3 to both sides of the equation and simplify.
|-2x + 2| = 0
 |-2x + 2| is equal to 0 if -2x + 2 = 0. Solve for x to obtain
x=1
Example 1, Solve for ‘x’ :
x + 1 = 3
1. Subtract 1 from both sides:
x + 1  1 = 3  1
2. Simplify both sides:
x = 4
2x = 12
1. Divide both sides by -2:
x = 6
1. Multiply both sides by 3:

x = 6
2x + 1 = 17
2x + 1  1 = 17  1
2x = 18
3. Divide both sides by 2:
x = 9

3x = 36
x = 12
x + 1 = 21
x + 1  1 = 21  1
x = 20
7(x  1) = 21
x1 = 3
3. Add 1 to both sides:
x1+1= 3+1
x = 4
3(x  1) = 30

x  1 = 10
x  1 + 1 = 10 + 1
x = 11
5x + 2 = 2x + 17
1. Subtract 2x from both sides:
5x + 2  2x = 2x + 17  2x
3x + 2 = 17
3x + 2  2 = 17  2
3x = 15
x = 5
5(x  4) = 3x + 2
1. Expand brackets:
5x  20 = 3x + 2
2. Subtract 3x from both sides:
5x  20  3x = 3x + 2  3x
2x  20 = 2
2x  20 + 20 = 2 + 20
2x = 22
x = 11
Solving Simple Equations

When solving a simple equation, think of the equation as a balance, with the equals sign (=)
being the fulcrum or center. Thus, if you do something to one side of the equation, you must do
the same thing to the other side. Doing the same thing to both sides of the equation (say, adding 3
to each side) keeps the equation balanced.
Solving an equation is the process of getting what you're looking for, or solving for, on one side
of the equals sign and everything else on the other side. You're really sorting information. If
you're solving for x, you must getx on one side by itself.
Addition and subtraction equations
Some equations involve only addition and/or subtraction.
Example 1
Solve for x.
x + 8 = 12
To solve the equation x + 8 = 12, you must get x by itself on one side. Therefore,
subtract 8 from both sides.
To check your answer, simply plug your answer into the equation:
Example 2
Solve for y.
y – 9 = 25
To solve this equation, you must get y by itself on one side. Therefore, add 9 to both
sides.
To check, simply replace y with 34:

Example 3
Solve for x.
x + 15 = 6
To solve, subtract 15 from both sides.
To check, simply replace x with –9 :
Notice that in each case above, opposite operations are used; that is, if the equation
has addition, you subtract from each side.
Multiplication and division equations
Some equations involve only multiplication or division. This is typically when the variable
is already on one side of the equation, but there is either more than one of the variable,
such as 2 x, or a fraction of the variable, such as
or
In the same manner as when you add or subtract, you can multiply or divide both sides
of an equation by the same number, as long as it is not zero, and the equation will not
change.
Example 4
Solve for x.
3x=9
Divide each side of the equation by 3.

To check, replace x with 3:
Example 5
Solve for y.
To solve, multiply each side by 5.
To check, replace y with 35:
Example 6
Solve for x.
To solve, multiply each side by .
Or, without canceling,
Notice that on the left you would normally not write because it would always cancel
to 1 x, or x.
Combinations of operations
Sometimes you have to use more than one step to solve the equation. In most cases,
do the addition or subtraction step first. Then, after you've sorted the variables to one
side and the numbers to the other, multiply or divide to get only one of the variables
(that is, a variable with no number, or 1, in front of it: x, not 2 x).
Example 7
Solve for x.
2 x + 4 = 10
Subtract 4 from both sides to get 2 x by itself on one side.
Then divide both sides by 2 to get x.

To check, substitute your answer into the original equation:
Example 8
Solve for x.
5x – 11 = 29
Add 11 to both sides.
Divide each side by 5.

Example 9
Solve for x.
Subtract 6 from each side.
Multiply each side by .
Example 10
Solve for y.
Add 8 to both sides.

Multiply each side by .
To check, replace y with –25:
Example 11
Solve for x.
3x+2=x+4
Subtract 2 from both sides (which is the same as adding –2).
Subtract x from both sides.

Note that 3 x – x is the same as 3 x – 1 x.
Divide both sides by 2.
Example 12
Solve for y.
5y+3=2y+9
Subtract 3 from both sides.
Subtract 2 y from both sides.

To check, replace y with 2:
Sometimes you need to simplify each side (combine like terms) before actually starting
the sorting process.
Example 13
Solve for x.
3 x + 4 + 2 = 12 + 3
First, simplify each side.

Example 14
Solve for x.
4 x + 2 x + 4 = 5 x + 3 + 11
Simplify each side.
6 x + 4 = 5 x + 14
Subtract 5 x from both sides.

Algebra Questions

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ALJEBRA

If x – y = 2 and , Then what would be the value of :

So option [C] is the right answer.

If , then what would be the value of xy:

Hence option [A] is the right answer.

Hence option (D) is the right answer.

Hence option [D] is correct.

If x is a real number, Then what would be the minimum value of :

Because for expression , a>0

Hence option [D] is the rigth answer.

Hence option [C] is the rigth answer.

Hence option [B] is the rigth answer.

If , then find the value of

Hence option [B] is the rigth answer.

Hence option [D] is the right answer.

If , then the value of is:

Hence option [C] is the right answer.

If x = , then the value of is :

What will be the value of 8 2, if

Hence option [B] is the right answer.

Hence option [C] is the right answer.

Hence option [C] is the correct answer.

Hence option [B] is the right answer.

If , then the value of is:

Hence option [A] is the right answer.

Hence option [B] is the right answer.

Hence option [D] is the right answer.

If then the value of is :

Hence option [B] is the right answer.

Hence option [C] is the right answer.

Hence option [B] is the right answer.

Hence option [A] is the right answer.

If x = 0.5 and y = 0.2, then value of is equal to :

putting on values of x and y

Hence option [D] is the right answer.

x = 0 given indeterminate value.

A.zero has no inverse

B. identity element does not exist

C.multiplication is not associative

D.multiplication is not a binary operation

zero has no inverse

2 . If (G, .) is a group such that (ab)- 1 = a-1b-1, ∀ a, b ∈ G, then G is a/an

A.commutative semi group

3 . If (G, .) is a group such that a2 = e, ∀a ∈ G, then G is

A. abelian group B. non-abelian group

C. semi group D. none of these

4 . The inverse of - i in the multiplicative group, {1, - 1, i , - i} is

A.{(1, 2),(1, 3),(3, 3)}

B. {(1, 3),(2, 3),(3, 3)}

C.{(2, 1),(1, 3),(2, 3)}

{(1, 3),(2, 3),(3, 3)}

7 . Which of the following statements is false ?

A.If R is relexive, then R ∩ R-1 ≠ φ

B. R ∩ R-1 ≠ φ =>R is anti-symmetric.

If R, R' are relexive relations in A, then R - R' is reflexive

8 . If (G, .) is a group, such that (ab)2 = a2 b2 ∀ a, b ∈ G, then G is a/an

C.commutative semi group

9 . (Z,*) is a group with a*b = a+b+1 ∀ a, b ∈Z. The inverse of a is

D.infinite, non abelian group

infinite, non abelian group

A.< A, * > is a monoid but not a group

B. < A, * > is a group but not an abelian group

C.< A, * > is a semi group but not a monoid

9 . (Z,) is a group with ab = a+b+1 ∀ a, b ∈Z. The inverse of a is