Integer

Problems

1
 Problem 1:

The sum of the first and third of three consecutive odd integers is
131 less than three times the second integer. Find the three
integers.

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:
Let x = the first integer
x + 2 = the second integer
x + 4 = the third integer

Step 2:

 The sum of the first x and third x + 4 is given by

x + (x + 4)

 131 less than three times the second 3(x + 2) is given by

3(x + 2) - 131

Step 3:

 "The sum of the first and third is 131 less than three times the second"
gives

x + (x + 4) = 3(x + 2) - 131

Step 4:

 Solve for x and find all three numbers

x = 129

x + 2 = 131

x + 4 = 133

2
 Problem 2:

The product of two consecutive odd integers is equal to 675. Find

the two integers.

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:
Let x = the first integer
x + 2 = the second integer

Step 2:

 Their product is equal to 144.

x (x + 2) = 675

Step 3:

 Expand to obtain a quadratic equation.

x 2 + 2 x - 675 = 0

Step 4:

 Solve for x to obtain two solutions

x = 25 or x = -27

if x = 25 then x + 2 = 27

if x = -27 then x + 2 = -25

3
 Problem 3:

Find four consecutive even integers so that the sum of the first two
added to twice the sum of the last two is equal to 742.

Solution to Problem 3:

Step 1:
Let x = the first integer
x+2 = the second integer
x+4 = the third integer
x+6 = the forth integer

Step 2:

 The sum of the first two

x + (x + 2)

 Twice the sum of the last two is written as

2 ((x + 4) + (x + 6)) = 4 x + 20

Step 3:

 Sum of the first two added to twice the sum of the last two is equal to
742 is written as

x + (x + 2) + 4 x + 20 = 742

Step 4:

 Solve for x and find all four numbers

x = 120
x + 2 = 122
x + 4 = 124
x + 6 = 126

4
 Age
Problems

5
 Problem 1:

Susan is 3 years older than Tom. Two years ago Susan was twice as old
as Tom. Find their present ages.

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:
Let x = Tom's age 2 years ago
2x = Susan's age 2 years ago
Step 2:
 Tom's present age is
x+2
 Susan's present age is
2x + 2
Step 3:
 Since Susan is 3 years older than Tom, you can write the equation
x + 2 = 2x + 2 - 3
Step 4:

 Solve this equation by simplifying it step by step:

x + 2 = 2x - 1

(after combining like terms at the right side)

2 + 1 = 2x – x

(after moving variable terms to the right and constant terms to the left)

3=x

(after combining like terms)

Step 5:

 Tom was 3 years old two years ago.

 Hence, Susan was 3 + 3 = 6 years old at that time.

 At present, Tom is 3 + 2 = 5 years old, and Susan is 6 + 2 = 8 years old.

6
 Problem 2

Jerry is 7 years older than Jennifer. In three years Jerry will be

twice as old as Jennifer. Find their present ages.

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

Let x = Jennifer's present age

x+7 = Jerry's present age
Step 2:
 In three years Jennifer's age will be
x+3
 While Jerry's age in three years will be
x + 7 + 3 = x + 10
Step 3:
 Since in two years Jerry will be twice as old as Jennifer, you can write the
equation
x + 10 = 2 (x + 3)
Step 4:
 Solve this equation by simplifying it step by step:
x + 10 = 2x + 6
(after brackets opening at the right side)
10 – 6 = 2x - x
(after moving variable terms to the right and constant terms to the left)
4=x
(after combining like terms)
Step 5:
 Jerry's present age is 4 years.
 Hence, Jennifer's present age is x + 7 = 4 + 7 = 11 years.
 In three years, Jerry will be 4 + 3 = 7 years old, while Jennifer will be 11 + 3
= 14 years old.

7
 Problem 3
A man has a daughter and a son. The son is three years older than the
daughter. In one year the man will be six time as old as the daughter is
now. In ten years the man will be fourteen years older than the
combined ages of his children at that time. What is the man's present
age?
Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:
Let x = the daughter's present age
x+3 = the son's present age
Step 2:
 Since in one year the man will be six times as old as the daughter is now, the
man's present age is
6x - 1
Step 3:
 In ten years the man's age will be
(6x – 1) + 10
 While the daughter's age will be
x + 10
 And the son's age will be
x + 3 + 10 = x + 13
Step 4:
 Since in ten years the man will be fourteen years older than the combined
ages of his children at that time, you can write an equation
(6x – 1) + 10 – 14 = (x + 10) + (x + 13)
Step 5:
 Solve this equation by simplifying it step by step:
6x – 5 = 2x + 23
(after combining like terms at the right side)
6x – 2x = 23 + 5
(after moving variable terms to the right and constant terms to the left)
4x = 28; x = 7
(after combining like terms)
Step 6:
 The daughter's present age is 7 years.
 Hence, the son's present age is 7 + 3 = 10 years, and the man's present age
is 6x – 1 = 6 (7) – 1 = 42 – 1 = 41.

8
 Money
Problems

9
 Problem 1:

A purse contains 27 coins in P1 and P5 and its total value is P83. Find
the number of P1 and P5 in the purse.

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:

Let x = the number of P1 coins

27 - x = the number of P5 coins
Step 2:

Number of
Kind of denomination . = Value
pieces
P1 . x = x
P5 . 27 - x = 5 (27 – x)
Total Amount 83
Step 3:

x + 5 (27 - x) =83

Step 4:

x + 135 – 5x = 83

-4x = -52

x = 13

Step 5:

 P1 coins = 13 pieces
 P5 coins = 14 pieces

10
 Problem 2

A vending machine contains P800 in P10 and P20 bills. The number of
P10 bills is 5 more than three times the number of P20 bills. How many
P10 and P20 bills are there?

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

Let 3x + 5 = the number of P10 bills

x = the number of P20 bills
Step 2:

Number of
Kind of denomination . = Value
pieces
P10 . 3x + 5 = 10 (3x + 5)
P20 . x = 20x
Total Amount P800
Step 3:

10 (3x + 5) + 20x = 800

Step 4:

30x + 50 + 20x = 800

50x = 750

x = 15

Step 5:

 P10 bills = 50 pieces

 P20 bills = 15 pieces

11
 Problem 3

Minda has P990 worth of tickets consisting of P10, P20, and P50
tickets. If the number of P10 tickets is twice that of P20 and the
number of P50 is three more than the number of P10 tickets, how many
tickets of each kind did she have?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

Let 2x = the number of P10 tickets

x = the number of P20 tickets
2x + 3 = the number of P50 tickets
Step 2:

Number of
Kind of denomination . = Value
pieces
P10 . 2x = 20x
P20 . x = 20x
P50 . 2x + 3 = 50 (2x + 3)
Total Amount P990
Step 3:

20x + 20x + 50 (2x + 3) = 990

Step 4:

20x + 20x + 100x + 150 = 990

140x = 840

x=6

Step 5:

 P10 tickets = 12 pieces

 P20 tickets = 6 pieces
 P50 tickets = 15 pieces

12
Geometry
Problems

13
 Problem 1:

A triangle has a perimeter of 50. If 2 of its sides are equal and the
third side is 5 more than the equal sides, what is the length of the
third side?
Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:

 Assign variables:
Let x = length of the equal sides
x + 5 = length of the third side
 Sketch the figure

Step 2:
 Write out the formula for perimeter of triangle.
P = sum of the three sides
Step 3:
 Plug in the values from the question and from the sketch.
50 = x + x + x + 5
Step 4:
 Combine like terms
50 = 3x + 5
 Isolate variable x
3x = 50 – 5
3x = 45
x =15
Step 5:
 The length of third side = 15 + 5 = 20

14
 Problem 2

A rectangle is 4 times as long as it is wide. If the length is increased

by 4 inches and the width is decreased by 1 inch, the area will be 60
square inches. What were the dimensions of the original rectangle?

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

 Assign variables:

Let x = original width of rectangle

4x = original length of the rectangle

x – 1 = new width of the rectangle

4x + 4 = new length of the rectangle

 Sketch the figure

Step 2:

 Write out the formula for area of rectangle.

A = lw

Step 3:

 Plug in the values from the question and from the sketch.

60 = (4x + 4) (x –1)

15
Step 4:

 Use distributive property to remove brackets

60 = 4x2 – 4x + 4x – 4

 Put in Quadratic Form

4x2 – 4 – 60 = 0

4x2 – 64 = 0

 Factorize difference of two squares

(2x – 8)(2x + 8) = 0

 We get two values for x.

 Since x is a dimension, it would be positive. So, we take x = 4

Step 5:

 The width of the original rectangle is 4.

 The length is 4 times the width = 4 × 4 = 16
 The dimensions of the original rectangle are 4 and 16.

16
 Problem 3

In a quadrilateral two angles are equal. The third angle is equal to the
sum of the two equal angles. The fourth angle is 60° less than twice the
sum of the other three angles. Find the measures of the angles in the
quadrilateral.
Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

 Assign variables:
Let x = size of the two equal angles
x + x = the third angle
2 (x + x + x + x) -60 = the forth angle
 Sketch the figure

Step 2:
 Write down the sum of angles in quadrilateral.
The sum of angles in a quadrilateral is 360°
Step 3:
 Plug in the values from the question and from the sketch.
360 = x + x + (x + x) + 2(x + x + x + x) – 60
Step 4:
 Combine like terms
360 = 4x + 2(4x) – 60
360 = 4x + 8x – 60
360 = 12x – 60
 Isolate variable x
12x = 420
x = 35
Step 5:
 Substituting x for 35, the values of the angles are 35°, 35°, 70° and 220°

17
 Percent
Problems

18
 Problem 1:

A department store manager uses a markup rate of 40% on items that

cost over P100 and a markup rate of 50% on items that cost less than
P100. Find the selling price of a ceramic bowl that costs the
department store P86.

Solution to Problem 1:

S = C (1 + r)

S = 86 (1 + 0.50)

S = 86 (1.50)

S = 129

Therefore, the selling price of the ceramic bowl is P129.00.

Problem 2

A department store offers a discount of P36 per dinner plate when

five or fewer plates are purchased and a discount of P50 per plate
when more than five plates are purchased. Find the discount rate when
a customer buys three dinner plates that regularly sell for P180 each.

Solution to Problem 2:

d=D/R

d = 36 / 180

d = 0.2 x 100

d = 20%

Therefore, 20 % is the discount rate when a customer buys three dinner plates

with a regular price of P180 each.

19
 Problem 3

A manufacturer makes white, black and gray plastic chairs. In one

delivery, there were 270 white chairs. Also, 40% of the delivery was
black chairs and 30% of the delivery was gray chairs. How many chairs
were delivered?

Solution to Problem 3:

Percentage of the white chairs = 100% - (40% + 30%)

Percentage of the white chairs = 30%

Since the gray chairs are also 30 % if the chairs being delivered, there were also
270 gray chairs.

Total number of chairs:

270 = 0.30x

x = 900

Number of black chairs = 900 – (270 + 270)

Number of black chairs = 360

900 chairs were delivered (270 white chairs, 270 gray chairs and 360 black chairs)

20
Investment
Problems

21
 Problem 1:

A deposit was made into a 7% annual simple interest account. Another deposit,
P15000 less than the first, was placed in a certificate of deposit earning 9% annual
simple interest. The total interest earned on both investments for one year was
P5050. How much money was deposited in the certificate of deposit?

Solution to Problem 1:
Step 1:

Let x = the amount deposited at 7%

x – 15000 = the amount deposited at 9%

Step 2:

Principal ● rate = Interest

7% x ● 0.07 = 0.07x
9% x - 15000 ● 0.09 = 0.09 (x - 15000)
Total P5050
Step 3:

0.07x + 0.09 (x - 15000) = 5050

Step 4:

0.07 + 0.09x – 1350 = 5050

0.16 x = 6400

x = P40000

Step 5:

Therefore, the amount deposited at 7% is P40000 and the amount deposited at 9%

is P25000.

22
 Problem 2:

The manager of a trust invested a certain sum in government bonds that earns
6.5% interest and another sum in a utility stock that earns 8% interest. He
invested P60000 more in the utility stock than in the government stock. If the
total interest earned from the two investments was P55550, how much was
invested at each rate?

Solution to Problem 2:
Step 1:

Let x = the amount invested for bonds

x + 60000 = the amount invested for stocks

Step 2:

Principal ● rate = Interest

Bonds x ● 0.065 = 0.065
Stocks x + P60000 ● 0.08 = 0.08 (x + 60000)
Total P55550
Step 3:

0.065x + 0.08 (x + 60000) = 55550

Step 4:

0.065x + 0.08x + 4800 = 55550

0.145x = 50750

x = P350000

Step 5:

Therefore, the amount invested in government bonds in P350000 and the amount
invested in stocks is P410000.

23
 Problem 3:

Bruce invested a certain amount at 10% interest and invested twice the
amount at 12% interest. If his total yearly income from both
investments was P28900, how much was invested at each rate?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

Let x = the amount invested at 10%

2x = the amount invested at 12%

Step 2:

Principal ● rate = Interest

10% x ● 0.10 = 0.10x
12% 2x ● 0.12 = 2x (0.12)
Total P28900
Step 3:

0.10x + 2x (0.12) = 28900

Step 4:

0.10x + 0.24x = 28900

0.34x = 28900

x = P85000

Step 5:

Therefore, the amount invested at 10% is P85000 and the amount invested at 12%
is P170000.

24
 Mixture
Problems

25
 Problem 1:

The manager of a specialty food store combined almond nuts that cost
P450 per kilo with walnuts that cost P250 per kilo. How many kilos of
each were used to make 100 kilos of mixture costing P320 per kilo?

Solution to Problem 1:
Step 1:

Let x = the number of kilos of almond nuts

100 – x = the number of kilos of walnuts

Step 2:

Number of kilos ● Cost/kilo = Value

Almond nuts x ● P450 = 450x
Walnuts 100 – x ● P250 = 250 (100 – x)
Mixture 100 ● P320 = 32000
Step 3:

450x + 250 (100 – x) = 32000

Step 4:

450x + 25000 – 250x = 32000

200x = 7000

x = 35

Step 5:

Therefore, 35 kilos of almond nuts and 65 kilos of walnuts are needed for the
mixture.

26
 Problem 2:

Find the cost per pound of a sugarcoated breakfast cereal made from
40 lb of sugar that cost P100 per pound and 120 lb of corn flakes that
cost P60 per pound.

Solution to Problem 2:
Step 1:

Let x = the cost per pound of the sugarcoated breakfast cereal

Step 2:

Number of pound ● Cost/pound = Value

Sugar 40 ● P100 = 4000
Corn flakes 120 ● P60 = 7200
Sugarcoated 160 ● x = 160x
breakfast
Step 3:

40 (100) + 120 (60) = 160x

Step 4:

4000 + 7200 = 160x

11200 = 160x

x = 70

Step 5:

Therefore, the cost per pound of the sugarcoated breakfast cereal is P70.00

27
 Problem 3:

How many liters of a blue dye that costs P160 per liter must be mixed
with 18L of anil that costs P250 per liter to make a mixture that costs
P190 per liter?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

Let x = the number of liters of blue dye

x + 18 = the number of liters of the mixture

Step 2:

Number of liters ● Cost/liter = Value

blue dye x ● P160 = 160x
Anil 18 ● P250 = 18 (250)
mixture x + 18 ● P190 = 190 (x + 18)
Step 3:

160x + 18 (250) = 190 (x + 18)

Step 4:

160x + 4500 = 190x + 3420

-30x = -1080

x = 36

Step 5:

Therefore, 36 liters of blue dye is needed for the mixture.

28
Uniform Motion
Problems

29
 Problem 1:

Two cars started from the same point, at 5 am, traveling in opposite
directions at 40 and 50 mph respectively. At what time will they be
450 miles apart?

Solution to Problem 1:
Step 1:

 After t hours the distances D1 and D2, in miles per hour, traveled by the
two cars are given by

D1 = 40 t and D2 = 50 t

Step 2:

 After t hours the distance D separating the two cars is given by

D = D1 + D2 = 40 t + 50 t = 90 t

Step 3:

 Distance D will be equal to 450 miles when

D = 90 t = 450 miles

Step 4:

 To find the time t for D to be 450 miles, solve the above equation for t to
obtain

t = 5 hours

Step 5:

5 am + 5 hours = 10 am

The two cars will be 450 miles apart at 10 am.

30
 Problem 2:

At 9 am a car (A) began a journey from a point, traveling at 40 mph. At

10 am another car (B) started traveling from the same point at 60 mph
in the same direction as car (A). At what time will car B pass car A?

Solution to Problem 2:
Step 1:

 After t hours the distances D1 traveled by car A is given by

D1 = 40 t

Step 2:

 Car B starts at 10 am and will therefore have spent one hour less than car A
when it passes it. After (t - 1) hours, distance D2 traveled by car B is given
by

D2 = 60 (t-1)

Step 3:

 When car B passes car A, they are at the same distance from the starting
point and therefore D1 = D2 which gives

40 t = 60 (t-1)

Step 4:

 Solve the above equation for t to find

t = 3 hours

Step 5:

 Car B passes car A at

9 + 3 = 12 pm

31
 Problem 3:

Linda left home and drove for 2 hours. She stopped for lunch then
drove for another 3 hours at a rate that is 10 mph higher than the rate
before she had lunch. If the total distance Linda traveled is 230 miles,
what was the rate before lunch?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

 If x is the rate at which Linda drove before lunch the rate after lunch is
equal x + 10. The total distance D traveled by Linda is given by

D = 2 x + 3(x + 10)

 And is equal to 230 miles. Hence

2 x + 3 (x + 10) = 230

Step 2:

 Solve for x to obtain

x = 40 miles / hour.

32
 Clock
Problems

33
 Problem 1:

What is the angle between the large (minute) hand and the small (hour)
hand at 11:55 pm?

Solution to Problem 1:
Step 1:
𝟏
 At the given time, the large hand is at the position of " of 360°" before
𝟏𝟐
270°, the angle between the large hand and the "positive direction of the
standard x-axis" is

𝟏
270° - ( x 360°) = 270° - 30° = 240°.
𝟏𝟐

Step 2:

𝟓𝟓 𝟏𝟏
 The small hand is at the position of =
of 30° "after 11 o'clock", the
𝟔𝟎 𝟏𝟐
angle between the small hand and the "positive direction of the standard x-
axis" is

𝟏𝟏
240° + ( x 30°) = 240° + (11 x 2.5°) = 240° + 27.5° = 267.5°.
𝟏𝟐

Step 3:

𝟏
 Here 30° = x 360° is the angle between any two consecutive hour marks in
𝟏𝟐
the clock dial (clock-face). So, the angle between the hands is

267.5° - 240° = 27.5° at that time.

Step 4:

The angle between the hands is 27.5° at 11:55 pm.

34
 Problem 2:

At what time between 4 and 5, will the hands of a clock coincide?

Solution to Problem 2:
Step 1:

 At 4 O'clock, the hour hand has covered (4*30°) = 120°.

Step 2:

 To catch up with the hour hand, the minute hand has to cover a relative
distance of 120°, at a relative speed of 5 ° per minute.

Step 3:

 Thus, time required

𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝐱 𝟐 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝟗
= = 21 minutes.
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏

35
 Problem 3:

At what time between 10 and 11 will the minute and hour hand be at
right angles?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

 At 10 O'clock, the hour hand has covered (10*30°) = 300°.

Note: There will be two right angles (clockwise and anti-clockwise)
 Considering that hour hand is at 10, to make a 90-degree angle with the hour
hand, the minute hand has to be at 1 or 7.

Step 2:

 For the first right angle, minute hand has to cover a relative distance of
(1*30) = 30°.
 For the 2nd right angle, minute hand has to cover a relative distance of
(7*30) = 210°.

Step 3:

𝟏
 The relative speed between the two hands is of 5 ° per minute.
𝟐
 Hence, time required for the 1st right angle

𝟑𝟎 𝐱 𝟐 𝟔𝟎 𝟓
= or 5 minutes.
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏

 Time required for the 2nd right angle

𝟐𝟏𝟎 𝐱 𝟐 𝟒𝟐𝟎 𝟐
= = 38 minutes.
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏

36
Inequality
Problems

37
 Problem 1:

A rectangular room fits at least 7 tables that each has 1 square meter
of surface area. The perimeter of the room is 16 m. What could the
width and length of the room be?

Solution to Problem 1:
Step 1:

Let L = the length of the room

W = the width of the room

Step 2:

 The formula for the perimeter is 2(W + L), and we know it is 16 m

2(W + L) = 16

W+L=8

L=8−W

Step 3:

 We also know the area of a rectangle is the width times the length:

Area = W × L

Step 4:

 And the area must be greater than or equal to 7:

W×L≥7

Step 5:

 We are being asked for the possible values of W and L. Let's solve:

Start with: W × L ≥ 7

38
 Substitute L = 8 − W: W × (8 − W) ≥ 7

Expand: 8W − W2 ≥ 7

Bring all terms to left hand side: W2 − 8W + 7 ≤ 0

 This is a quadratic inequality. It can be solved many ways; here we will solve
it by completing the square:

Step 6:

 Move the number term −7 to the right side of the inequality:

W2 − 8W ≤ −7

 Complete the square on the left side of the inequality and balance this by
adding the same value to the right side of the inequality:

W2 − 8W + 16 ≤ −7 + 16

Simplify: (W − 4)2 ≤ 9

 Take the square root on both sides of the inequality:

−3 ≤ W − 4 ≤ 3

 We have two inequalities, because

32 = 9 and (−3)2 = 9

 Add 4 to both sides of each inequality:

1≤W≤7

Step 7:

So the width must be between 1 m and 7 m (inclusive) and the length is 8−width.

39
 Problem 2:

The velocity v m/s of a ball thrown directly up in the air is given by v =

20 − 10t, where t is the time in seconds. At what times will the velocity
be between 10 m/s and 15 m/s?

Solution to Problem 2:
Step 1:

Let v = velocity in m/s

t = the time in seconds

Step 2:

 Formula:

v = 20 − 10t

Step 3:

 We are being asked for the time t when v is between 5 and 15 m/s:

10 < v < 15

10 < 20 − 10t < 15

Step 4:

 Solve:

Start with: 10 < 20 − 10t < 15

Subtract 20 from each: 10 − 20 < 20 − 10t − 20 < 15 − 20

Simplify: −10 < −10t < −5

Divide each by 10: −1 < −t < −0.5

Change signs and reverse inequalities: 1 > t > 0.5

40
  It is neater to show the smaller number first, so swap over:

0.5 < t < 1

Step 5:

So the velocity is between 10 m/s and 15 m/s between 0.5 and 1 second after.

Problem 3:

Joe enters a race where he has to cycle and run. He cycles a distance
of 25 km, and then runs for 20 km. His average running speed is half of
his average cycling speed. Joe completes the race in less than 2½
hours, what can we say about his average speeds?

Solution to Problem 3:
Step 1:

Let s = Average running speed

2s = Average cycling speed

Step 2:

 Formulas:

Speed = Distance / Time

Time = Distance / Speed

Step 3:

 We are being asked for his average speeds: s and 2s

The race is divided into two parts:

1. Cycling

Distance = 25 km

41
 Average speed = 2s km/h

So Time = Distance/Average speed = 25/2s hours

2. Running

Distance = 20 km

Average speed = s km/h

So Time = Distance/Average speed = 20/s hours

Step 4:

 Joe completes the race in less than 2½ hours

The total time < 2½

25/2s + 20/s < 2½

Step 5:

 Solve:

Start with: 25/2s + 20/s < 2½

Multiply all terms by 2s: 25 + 40 < 5s

Simplify: 65 < 5s

Divide both sides by 5: 13 < s

Swap sides: s > 13

Step 6:

So his average speed running is greater than 13 km/h and his average speed cycling
is greater than 26 km/h.

42
Problems involving
Rational Expression
& Equation

43
 Problem 1:

Myra takes 2 hours to plant 50 flower bulbs. Francis takes 3 hours to

plant 45 flower bulbs. Working together, how long should it take them
to plant 150 bulbs?

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:

 Think about how many bulbs each person can plant in one hour. This is their
planting rate.

𝟓𝟎 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟓 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬
Myra: or
𝟐 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

𝟒𝟓 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬
Francis: or
𝟑 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

Step 2:

 Combine their hourly rates to determine the rate they work together.

Myra and Francis together:

𝟐𝟓 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬 𝟒𝟎 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐬

+ =
𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

Step 3:

 Use one of the work formulas to write a rational equation, for example
𝐖
r= . r is the combined work rate, and W is the amount of work that must
𝐭
be done. What you don't know is how much time it will take to do the
required work at the designated rate.

𝟒𝟎 𝟏𝟓𝟎
=
𝟏 𝐭

44
Step 4:

 Solve the equation by multiplying both sides by the common denominator,

then isolating t.

𝟒𝟎 𝟏𝟓𝟎
x 1t = x 1t
𝟏 𝐭

40t = 150

𝟏𝟓 𝟑
t= or 3 hours
𝟒 𝟒

Step 5:

It should take 3 hours 45 minutes for Myra and Francis to plant 150 bulbs
together.

Problem 2:

Joe and John are planning to paint a house together. John thinks that
if he worked alone, it would take him 3 times as long as it would take
Joe to paint the entire house. Working together, they can complete
the job in 24 hours. How long would it take each of them, working
alone, to complete the job?

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

 Choose variables to represent the unknowns. Since it takes John 3 times as

long as Joe to paint the house, his time is represented as 3x.

Let x = time it takes Joe to complete the job

3x = time it takes John to complete the job

45
Step 2:

 The work is painting 1 house or 1. Write an expression to represent each

𝐖
person’s rate using the formula r = .
𝐭

𝟏
Joe’s rate:
𝐱
𝟏
John’s rate:
𝟑𝐱

Step 3:

 Their combined rate is the sum of their individual rates. Use this rate to
write a new equation using the formula W = rt.

𝟏 𝟏
combined rate: +
𝐱 𝟑𝐱

Step 4:

 The problem states that it takes them 24 hours together to paint a house,
𝟏 𝟏
so if you multiply their combined hourly rate ( + ) by 24, you will get 1,
𝐱 𝟑𝐱
which is the number of houses they can paint in 24 hours.

𝟏 𝟏
1=( + ) 24
𝐱 𝟑𝐱
𝟐𝟒 𝟐𝟒
1= +
𝐱 𝟑𝐱
Step 5:

 Now solve the equation for x. (Remember that x represents the number of
hours it will take Joe to finish the job.)

𝟑 𝟐𝟒 𝟐𝟒
1= ( + )
𝟑 𝐱 𝟑𝐱
𝟑 (𝟐𝟒) 𝟐𝟒
1= +
𝐱 𝟑𝐱
𝟕𝟐 𝟐𝟒
1= +
𝟑𝐱 𝟑𝐱

46
 𝟕𝟐+𝟐𝟒
1=
𝟑𝐱
𝟗𝟔
1=
𝟑𝐱
3x = 96
x = 32
Step 6:

Since x = 32, it takes Joe 32 hours to paint the house by himself. John’s time is
3x, so it would take him 96 hours to do the same amount of work.

It takes 32 hours for Joe to paint the house by himself and 96 hours for John the
paint the house himself.

Problem 3:

One pipe can fill a pool 1.5 times faster than a second pipe. If both
pipes are open, the pool can be filled in 6 hours. If only the slower pipe
is open, how long would it take to fill the pool?

Solution to Problem 3:

Step 1:

 Find the rates of each pipe alone and the two working together.

Work = 1 pool filled

𝐖
r=
𝐭

Step 2:

 Hours needed for fast pipe to fill pool: p

𝟏
fast pipe =
𝐩

 Hours needed for slow pipe to fill pool alone: 1.5 p

47
 𝟏
slow pipe =
𝟏.𝟓 𝐩

 Hours needed for both pipes together: 6

𝟏
fast pipe + slow pipe =
𝟔

Step 3:

 Write an equation that shows that the amount of work completed by both
pipes in one hour is equal to the sum of the work of each pipe.

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ =
𝐩 𝟏.𝟓 𝐩 𝟔

Step 4:

 Solve for p. One way to do this is to rewrite the rational expressions using a
common denominator.
𝟏 𝟔 𝟏 𝟒 𝟏 𝐩
( )+ ( )= ( )
𝐩 𝟔 𝟏.𝟓 𝐩 𝟒 𝟔 𝐩

Step 5:

 Common denominator of p, 1.5p and 6 is 6p.

𝟔 𝟒 𝐩
+ =
𝟔𝐩 𝟔𝐩 𝟔𝐩

6+4=p

p = 10hrs

 Slow pipe takes 1.5p hours to do the work alone.

10 x 1.5 = 15hrs

Step 6:

The slower pipe will take 15 hours to fill the pool alone.

48
Problems involving
Quadratic Equation

49
 Problem 1:

Two cyclists move away from a town along two perpendicular paths at
20 mph and 40 mph respectively. The second cyclist starts the journey
an hour later than the first one. Find the time taken for them to be
100 miles apart.

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:

Let t = the time taken by the first cyclist

t – 1 = the time taken by the other cyclist

Step 2:

 The distances travelled by them are

20t and 40(t-1) respectively.

Step 3:

 Using Pythagoras Theorem,

(20t)2 + [40(t-1)]2 = 1002

400t2 + 1600(t-1)2 = 10000

t2 + 4t2 - 8t + 4 = 25

5t2 - 8t -21 = 0

(5t + 7)(t -3) = 0

t = 3 or t = -1.4

Step 4:

 Since time cannot be negative, t = 3hrs.

Therefore, it will take 3hrs for them to be 100 miles apart.

50
 Problem 2:

The shortest side of a right-angled triangle is 6cm shorter than its

hypotenuse. The difference in length of other two sides is 3cm. If
the shortest side is n-3, show that 2n2 = 12n. Hence, find n.

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

Let n – 3 = the length of the shortest side

n + 3 = the length of the hypotenuse

n = the length of the longer side

Step 2:

 Using Pythagoras Theorem,

(n-3)2 + n2 = (n+3)2

n2 - 6n + 9 + n2 = n2 + 6n + 9

2n2 = 12n

2n2 - 12n = 0

2n2 = 12n

n2 - 6n = 0

n = 0 or n = 6

Step 3:

Since the length cannot be zero, n = 6.

51
 Problem 3:

The following picture shows the shape of a certain grass patch. If the
area of the patch is 80m2, find k.

Solution to Problem 3:

Step 1:

 The total area,

= 5k + k (2k+1)

= 5k + 2k2 + k

= 2k2 + 6k

Step 2:

 Since the area is 80m2,

2k2 + 6k = 80

2k2 + 6k - 80 = 0

(2k - 10)(k + 8) = 0

k = 5 or k = -8

Step 3:

Since the length cannot be negative, k = 5.

52
Problems involving
Roots and Radical
Equation

53
 Problem 1:

A ladder 13 m long is placed on the ground in such a way that it touches

the top of a vertical wall 12 m high. Find the distance of the foot of
the ladder from the bottom of the wall.

Solution to Problem 1:

Step 1:

 Here, the ladder, the wall and the ground from a right-angled triangle. The
ladder is the hypotenuse of that triangle.

Let x = the required distance in meters.

Step 2:

 According to Pythagorean Theorem,

x2 + 122 = 132

x2 = 132 – 122

x2 = (13 + 12) (13 – 12)

x2 = (25) (1)

x2 = 25

x = √25

x=5

Step 3:

Therefore, distance of the foot of the ladder from the bottom of the wall is 5
meters.

54
 Problem 2:

A person has to walk 100 m to go from position X in the north of east

direction to the position B and then to the west of Y to reach finally at
position Z. The position Z is situated at the north of X and at a
distance of 60 m from X. Find the distance between X and Y.

Solution to Problem 2:

Step 1:

Let XY = x m

Therefore, YZ = (100 – x) m

In ∆ XYZ, ∠Z = 90°

Step 2:

 Therefore, by Pythagoras theorem,

XY2 = YZ2 + XZ2

x2 = (100 – x)2 + 602

x2 = 10000 – 200x + x2 + 3600

200x = 10000 + 3600

200x = 13600

x = 13600/200

x = 68

Step 3:

Therefore, distance between X and Y = 68 meters.

55
 Problem 3:

Peter leaves school to go home. He walks 6 blocks North and then 8

blocks west. How far is Peter from the school?

Solution to Problem 3:

Step 1:

Let a = 6 blocks

b = 8 blocks

 From the given problem, the distance from school to home is the length of
the hypotenuse(c).

Step 2:

 Now, we have to find c. By using Pythagoras Theorem,

c2 = a2 + b2
c2 = 62 + 82(by equating)
c2 = 36 + 64
c2 = 100
c = √100
c = 10
Step 3:

The distance from school to home is 10 blocks.

56