Philippine Normal University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS (LET)

Refresher Course
MAJORSHIP

Area: MATHEMATICS

Focus: Advanced Algebra

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

PART I - CONTENT UPDATE:

QUADRATIC EQUATION

An equation of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a  0, a ,b, and c are constants, is

a quadratic equation.

Examples:
The following are quadratic equations:

1. 3x2 + 4x + 5 = 0
2. 2x2 – 21x = 0
3. 5x2 – 25 = 0

ROOTS OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

To solve a quadratic equation in x means to find the value/s of x (unknown) that

will satisfy the given equation. The values of x that will make the equation true are called
the roots or solutions of the quadratic equation.

Methods of Finding the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

1. Factoring (Use this method if ax2 + bx + c is factorable)

Example: Find the roots of x2 + 2x – 15 = 0
Factoring the left side of the equation, (x + 5) (x – 3) = 0
Equating each factor to zero, (x + 5) = 0 (x – 3) = 0
Solving the resulting linear equations, x = –5 x=3

2. Quadratic Formula (Use this method if ax2 + bx + c is not factorable)

 b  b 2  4ac
The quadratic formula is x
2a
Example: Solve 3x2 – 2x – 7 = 0
Substitute a = 3 b = – 2 c = – 7 in the quadratic formula,
2 ( 2) 2  4(3)( 7) 1  22
x , x
2(3) 3

BINOMIAL FORMULA
To obtain the terms of the binomial expansion (a + b)n, we use the binomial formula:

n (n  1)a n  2 b 2 n (n  1)(n  2)a n  3 b 3

(a + b)n = a n  na n 1 b    ...  nab n 1  b n
2! 3!

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

n ( n  1)(n  2)...(n  r  2)a n  r 1 b r 1
rth term =
( r  1)!
Example:
Find the fifth term of (2a – 3b)8
n=8 r=5 n–r+2=5
(8)(7)(6)(5)(2a ) 4 (3b) 4
5th term =
4!
5th term = 90, 720 a4b4
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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

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

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

Examples:
The following are examples of exponential functions
1. f(x) = 2x
2. f(x) = 32x - 2
4 x 3
1
3. f(x) =  
2

PROPERTIES OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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

NATURAL EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The natural exponential function is defined by the equation
 f(x) = ex where e = 2.71828…
Notice that e is an irrational number.

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

Examples:
The following are exponential equations:
1. 60 = 2x-3
2. 5x-3 = 23x-2
3. 62x – 6x+3 = 24x+5
SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS
To solve an exponential equation is to find the value of the unknown quantity in the given
equation.

Example 1: Solve for x in 64 = 8x-2

Solution:
Rewriting the given equation, we have 82 = 8x-2
Since the bases are equal, the exponents must be equal. Thus, 2 = x – 2, so x = 4
2
Example 2: Solve for x in the equation 2 x  4 x  2 3
Solution:
Equating the exponents, we have x2 + 4x = – 3, x2 + 4x + 3 = 0, (x + 3) (x + 1) = 0
So, x = – 3, x = – 1

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
The equation f(x) = logb x, where b  1 , x > 0 and b > 0 is called a logarithmic function.

Examples:
The following are logarithmic functions:
1. f(x) = log2 (3x – 2)
2. f(x) = log2 x
3. f(x) = log8 (6x – 3)
Note:
1. If the base of the logarithm is not indicated it is understood that the base is 10.
2. If the base of the logarithm is the number e, then it is called a natural logarithm and it
is written as f(x) = ln x.

LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
A logarithmic equation is an equation that contains logarithm.
Examples:
The following are logarithmic equations
1. log3 81 = 4
2. log2 8 = 3
3. log2 16 = 4
4. log 100 = 2

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

Here are some examples:

Logarithmic Form Exponential Form
log2 8 = 3 23 = 8
 log10 100 = 2 102 = 100
1 1
16 4 2 
log4 =–2 16

Log3 81 = 4 34 = 81

PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS
1. logb x + logb y = logb (xy)
Example: log2 (2x + 3) + log2 x = log2 [x(2x + 3)]
x
2. logb x – logb y = logb  
 y
 3x  5 
 
Example: log3 (3x -5) – log3 5x = log3  5x 
3. logb xn = nlogb x

Example: log2 x3 = 3 log2 x

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

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

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

Solution:
x2
Rewriting the given equation, we have log  log(x  2)
x
Since the logarithmic of both sides of the equation are equal, then we have
x2
 x  2, x(x + 2) = x + 2, x2 + x – 2 = 0, (x + 2) (x – 1) = 0
x
x = – 2 & x = 1, Thus, x = 1

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

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

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

PROPERTIES OF INEQUALITIES
Let a, b, c, & d be real numbers. The following hold.
1. Trichotomy Property a > b or a < b or a = b
2. a > b if a – b > 0, a < b if a – b < 0
3. a. If a > 0 and b > 0, then (a + b) > 0 and (ab) > 0.
b. If a < 0 and b < 0, then (a + b) < 0 and (ab) > 0.
4. Transitivity If a < b and b < c then a < c.

5. Addition Property If a < b and c < d, then (a + c) < (b + d)

6. Multiplication Property If a < b and c > 0, then ac < bc
If a < b and c < 0, then ac > bc
SOLVING INEQUALITIES
To solve an inequality means to find the value of the unknown that will make the
inequality true.

Examples:
1. Solve the inequality 4x + 3 < x + 8
Solution:
5
4x + 3 < x + 8, 4x – x < 8 – 3, 3x < 5, x<
3
2. Solve the inequality 2x – 3 < 5x + 7
Solution:
 10
2x – 3 < 5x + 7, 2x – 5x < 7 + 3, – 3x < 10, x>
3
3. Solve the inequality 3x2 – 5x < 0
Solution:
3x2 – 5x < 0, x(3x – 5) < 0

5
Case I. x > 0 and 3x – 5 < 0, x > 0 and 3x < 5, x > 0 and x <
3
5
Thus, 0<x<
3
5
Case II. x < 0 and 3x – 5 > 0, x < 0 and 3x > 5, x < 0 and x >
3
Thus, the solution is a null set.
5
Therefore the general solution is 0 < x <
3
4. Solve the inequality 3x2 – 4 < – 3x
Solution:
x2 – 4 < – 3x, x2 + 3x – 4 < 0, (x + 4)( x – 1) < 0
Case I. x + 4 < 0 & x – 1 > 0, x < – 4 & x > 1. Thus, there’s no solution.

Case II. x + 4 > 0 & x – 1 < 0, x > – 4 & x < 1. Thus, x = (–4, 1)
Therefore, the general solution set is (–4, 1) or – 4 < x < 1.

SEQUENCES AND SERIES

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers called terms.

Example:
For the sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, …, the first term is 1, the second term is 3, and so on and so
forth.
The sum of the terms of a sequence is called a series.

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

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

Examples:
1. The sequence 2, 4, 6, 8,… is an arithmetic sequence whose constant difference is 2.
2. The sequence 35, 30, 25, 20,… is an arithmetic sequence whose constant difference is
– 5.

The nth Term of an Arithmetic Sequence (tn )

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence can be found by using the formula,
tn = t1 + (n – 1) d
where
tn = nth term of the arithmetic sequence
t1 = first term of the arithmetic sequence
n = number of terms
d = common difference

Example 1.
Find the 20th term of the sequence 4, 14, 24, 34,…
Solution:
Here t1 = 4, n = 20, d = 10
Thus,
t20 = t1 + (20 – 1) (10) = 4 + (19) (10) = 4 + (190) = 194

Example 2
Find the 50th term of the sequence 13, 10, 7, 4,…
Solution:
Here t1 = 13, n = 50, d = – 3
Thus,
t50 = t1 + (n – 1) (d) = 13 + (50 – 1) (–3) = 13 + (49) (–3) = 134

ARITHMETIC SERIES
The indicated sum of an arithmetic sequence is an Arithmetic Series.
The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence, denoted by Sn is given by the
formula
n n
Sn= (t1  t n ) or Sn = [(2t1 + (n – 1)d]
2 2
Example 1: Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the sequence 1, 8, 15 . . .
Solution:
20
S20 = [2(1) + (20 – 1) (7)] = 10 [2 + 133] = 10 (135) = 1350
2
Example 2:
How many multiples of 4 are there between 15 and 94?
Solution:
Here t1 = 16, tn = 92, d=4
Thus,
tn = t1 + (n – 1)d, 92 = 16 + (n – 1)4 = 16 + 4n – 4, 80 = 4n, 20 = n
So, there are 20 numbers which are multiples of 4 between 15 and 94.

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
A sequence in which a constant r is multiplied by the previous term to get the next term is
called a geometric sequence. The constant r is called the common ratio.

Example:
1. The sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,… is a geometric sequence whose constant ratio is 2.
8 1
2. The sequence 24, 8, , … is a geometric sequence whose constant ratio is .
3 3

The nth Term of a Geometric Sequence

The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by the formula, tn = t, r n-1
where tn= nth term of the geometric sequence
ti = first term of the geometric sequence

Example:
Find the 15th term of the sequence 1, 4, 16, 64,…
Solution
Here t1 = 1, n = 15, r=4
Thus,
t15 = t1 r n-1 = (1)(415-1) = 414.

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

The Number of Positive and Negative Roots of a Polynomial Function

If f(x) is a polynomial function with real coefficients,
 The number of positive real zeros of f(x) is either equal to the number of variations in
sign in f(x), or to that number diminished by a positive even integer.
 The number of negative real zeros of f(x) is either equal to the number of variations in
sign in f(–x), or to that number diminished by a positive even integer.

Example: Determine the possible number of positive and negative zeros of f(x).
1. f(x) = 8x3 – 12x2 – 2x + 3
Because f(x) is of degree 3, there would be 3 zeros. f(x) has 2 variations in signs, while
f(–x) = 8x3 – 12x2 + 2x + 3 has 1 variation in sign.
Thus, f(x) may have the following possible roots
1. 2 positive zeros and 1 negative zero
2. no positive zero, 1 negative zero, and 2 imaginary zeros

2. f(x) = 4x6 – 3x5 + 7x3 – 3

Because f(x) is of degree 6, there would be 6 zeros. f(x) has 3 variations in signs, while
f(–x) = – 8x3 – 12x2 + 2x + 3 has 1 variation in sign.
Thus, f(x) may have the following possible roots
1. 3 positive zeros, 1 negative zero, and 2 imaginary zeros
2. 1 positive zero, 1 negative zero, and 4 imaginary zeros

VARIATION
The term use to denote the effect of changes among two or more related quantities. There
are different types of variation:
 Direct Variation
If y varies directly as x, then we write y  kx where k is the constant of variation.
 Inverse Variation
k
If y varies inversely as x, then we write y  where k is the constant of variation.
x
 Joint Variation
If y varies jointly as x and w, then we write y = kwx where k is the constant of variation.

 Combined Variation
wx
If y varies jointly as w and x and inversely as z, then we write y  k where k is the
z
constant of variation.

Part II: Analyzing Test Items

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

1. What is the value of x so that the sequence 4x – 3, 3x – 2, 4,.. forms an arithmetic

sequence
a. 1 c. 2
b. 1.5 d. 2.5
1
2. What is the value of log28 + log5 5 ?
a. 2 c. 4
b. 3 d. – 3
3. Seven different weights are used to balance small masses in a laboratory. These
weights are in geometric progression. What is the greatest weight if the lightest is
0.5g and the median (middle) weight is 4g?
a. 24g c. 32g
b. 30g d. 42
4. What is the sum of the geometric series 0.3 + 3 + 30 +… 300,000.?
a. 3, 333.3 c. 333,333.3
b. 33,333.3 d. 3, 333, 333.3
5. If log x =1, what is the value of x?
a. 0 c. 1
b.10 d. – 1
6. What is the value of x if log x = 1 + 2log 2?
a. 40 c. – 4
b. 4 d. 10
x+2
7. What is the value of x in the equation 5 + 5 + 5x = 3875?
x+1

a. 5 c. 9
b. 3 d. 25
8. Which of the following ordered pairs belongs to the polynomial function
f(x) = x4 – 4x3 + 3x – 2 ?
a. (1, 0) c. (0, –2)
b. (–1, 4) d. (1, 4)
3 2
9. What is the value of k in f(x) = x +3x – 12x + k so that x – 2 is a factor?
a. 9 c. 4
b. 3 d. 5
10. One diagonal of a rectangle is 10 cm long. The rectangle’s length is 8cm. What is the
area of the rectangle?
a. 24 cm2 c. 48 cm2
2
b. 36cm d. 80cm2
11. A rectangular piece of cardboard is 70 cm by 50 cm. A 10-cm square is cut from
each corner and the four flaps are folded up to form an open box. What is the volume
of the box?
a. 1, 500 cm3 c. 24, 000cm3
b. 15, 000 cm3 d. 80 cm2
12. What is the third term of the expansion ( x  3y) 5 ?
2

a. 15x8y c. 27x8y2
b. 90x6y2 d. 15x8y3
2x -x
13.If 21 = 9, what is the value of 21 ?
a. 3 c. –1/3
b. 1/3 d. –3
14.What is the value of x if 16x + 2 = 642x – 1 ?
a. 7/4 c. 1/4
b. 2 d. –2
15. Hooke’s Law states that the distance a string stretches varies directly as the weight
on the spring. A weight of 40 pounds stretches 1.5 inches. How far will weight of
225 pounds stretch the spring?
 a. 6.4 in c. 8.4 in
b. 7.4 in d. 9.4
16. The volume V of a cube varies directly as the cube of its edge e, if the value of e
doubled, what happens to the value of V?
a. Four times as great c. Six time as great
b. Eight times as great d. Twelve times as great
17.What are the roots of x2 = 8x – 15?
a. {3, 5} c. {-3, -5}
b. {-3, 5} d. {3, -5}
18.What is the missing term in x2 + 6x + ___ so that the resulting expression is a perfect
square trinomial?
a. 1 c. 9
b. 6 d. 3
19.For what value of k will the equation x2 – 6x + k have equal roots?
a. 6 c. 3
b. 8 d. 9
20. Which is a property of the function y = logbx?
a. The domain is the set of real numbers.
b. The y-intercept of the graph is 1.
c. The range is the set of real numbers.
d. The x-axis is an asymptote of the graph.
21. What are the roots of the quadratic equation x2 – x – 6 = 0?
a. 2 and 3 c. -2 and -3
b. 2 and –3 d. -2 and 3
22. A tank contains 243 L of gasoline. Each time that a valve is opened, one-third of the
gasoline is released. How much gas will be in the tank after the valve is opened 5
times?
a. 32 L c. 53L
b. 48L d. 54L
23. What is the first term of the geometric progression whose 7th term is 512 and 8th
term is 1, 024.?
a. 4 c. 12
b. 8 d. 16
24. A parachutist in free fall travels 5 meters in the first second, 15 meters during the
second, 25 meters during the third second. How far would the parachutist travel in
free fall during the eight second?
a. 95 m c. 75 m
b. 85 m d. 65 m
25. A teacher gives a grade of 2.00 to a student whose test score average is at least 80%
and not greater than 89%. If Sherina’s grade on her first four tests were 98%, 76%,
84% and 86%, what is the least score she should get on then fifth test to have a grade
of 2.00?
a. > 50 c. < 56
b. > 52 d. > 56

PART III –ENHANCING TEST TAKING SKILLS

1. What is the value of x if ex +e –x = 2?
a. 1 c. -1
b. 0 d. 2
2. What is the value of x in the equation log3 x = -2?
a. 1/3 c. -6
 b. 1/9 d. -3/2
3. What values of x will satisfy the inequality l2x – 4l < 6?
a. [-1,5) c. ( -1, -5]
b. (-1,5] d. (-1, -5)
1 3
4. What is the quadratic equation whose roots are and ?
2 4
a. x2 + 8x – 15 =0
b. 4x2 – 4x – 5 = 0
c. 3x2 – 6x – 15 =0
d. 8x2 – 10x + 3 = 0
1 2 4
5. Which of the following is a solution set of the inequality x < x ?
2 3 3
a. x > - 4 c. x = -4
b. x < - 4 d. x > - 4

6. If the tax on a Php 1250 bike is Php 100, at the same rate, what is the tax on a Php
3000 bike?
a. Php 240 c. Php 480
b. Php 360 d. Php 520

7. If 2y-6 varies directly as x + 2 and inversely as z-3, and if y = 1 when x = 2 and

z = 11, what is y when x = 4 and z = 9?
a. -1 c. -2
b. 1 d. 0
8. What is the sixth term of the expansion (2x – 3 )9?
a. -489 888x4 c. -489 888x5
6
b. -589 888x d. -589 888x4
9. Which of the following polynomial functions have -1, -2 and -3 zeros?
a. x3 + 6x2 + 11x + 6 c. x3 + 5x2 + 4 + 6
b. x3 + 6x2 + 5x + 4 d. x3 + 4x2 + 6x
10. Which of the following has NO real zeros?
a. x2 + -2x + 1 c. x3 + 2x2 – 5x- 6
b. x2 + 1 d. 2x2 -2
3 2
11. What is the value k for which x – 2x + 4x + k has remainder of -7 when divided by
x-1?
a. 3 c. 10
b. 7 d. -10
12. The 7th term of the geometric sequence is 405 and the 10th term is 10935. What is
the common ratio of the sequence?
a. 1 c. 3
b. 2 d. 4
13. How many natural numbers between 15 and 81 are divisible by 6?
a. 10 c. 12
b. 11 d. 13

14. The volume of a sphere varies directly as the cube of its radius. If the radius is
increased twice, what happens to the volume?
a. The volume is increased two times.
b. The volume is increased four times
c. The volume is increased eight times
d. The volume remains unchanged.
15. Which of the following polynomial functions has 5, 2, -2, 0 zeros?
a. f(x) = x4 - 5x3 + 3x2 + 1
 b. f(x) = x4 - 5x3 - 4x2 + 20x
c. f(x) = -3x4 + 5x2 - 3x + 4x
d. f(x) = -x4 + 2x + 1
16. What is the value m so that x-2 is a factor of 4x3 – 9x + m?
a. 11 c. -3
b. -14 d. 10
17. If x-2 is a factor of x3 – 6x2 + 11x – 6, what is the other factor?
a. x2 -4x + 3 c. x2 + 3x + 1
b. x2 +6x - 6 d. x2 – 6x + 11
6 2
18. What is the remainder when x – 3x + 3 is divided by x + 1?
a. 3 c. 4
b. 1 d. -6
4 2
19. What is P (-2) in the function P(x) = x – x – 5x – 6?
a. 16 c. 8
b. 7 d. -3
20. What is the value of k so that x-1 is factor of 7x4 – 8x3 – 9x2 + 6x + k?
a. 9 c. -4
b. -5 d. 4
21. If x + 2 is a factor of f(x), what is the remainder when P(x) is divided by x + 2?
a. 1 c. -1
b. 2 d. 0
22. What are the possible zeros of the polynomial function P (x) = x3 – 2x + 6?
a. +1, +2, +3, +6 c. + 1, +6
b. +1, +2, +3 d. +1, +3, +3, +4, +5, +6
23. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
a. A quadratic function will have four zeros.
b. A linear function will never have a zero.
c. All function will have zeros.
d. A third-degree polynomial will have no more than three zeros.
24. How many numbers of rational zeros for the function f(x) =x3 + 6x2 +2x-3?
a. more than 3 c. 1
b. 3 d. 2
25. If a volcano erupts every twenty years and the last eruption was recorded in the year
2000, how many times it erupted since 1920?
a. 4 c. 6
b. 5 d. 7