1-Algebra Review
1-Algebra Review
1-Algebra Review
Rationalizing A review of a topic that doesn’t always get covered all that
well in an algebra class, but is required occasionally in a Calculus class.
Functions Function notation and function evaluation.
Multiplying Polynomials A couple of polynomial multiplication
problems illustrating common mistakes in a Calculus class.
Word Problems
Exponents
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Absolute Value
1. Evaluate and
These should make some sense. The first is simply restating the results of the definition of absolute
value. In other words, absolute value makes sure the result is positive or zero (if p = 0). The second is
also a result of the definition. Since taking absolute value results in a positive quantity or zero it won’t
matter if there is a minus sign in there or not.
Notice that this is not applicable to sums (or differences) at all times. That is because in general
Clearly the two aren’t equal. This does lead to something that is often called the triangle inequality. The
triangle inequality is
Radicals
In order to evaluate radicals all that you need to remember is
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Rationalizing
1)
2)
Functions
The key to remembering how to evaluate functions is to remember that you whatever is in the parenthesis
on the left is substituted in for all the x’s on the right side.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Multiplying Polynomials
1)
2)
3)
Factoring
2.
3.
4.
Simplifying Rational Expressions
1)
2)
Partial Fractions
5x 7
Example: x 2 2 x 3
Exponentials and Logarithms
Principle:
Principle:
Logarithm Properties
1) logb b 1
2) logb 1 0
x
3) logb b x
logb x
4) b x
5) logb xy logb x logb y
x
logb logb x logb y
6) y
r
7) logb x r logb x
1)
2)
1)
2)
Solving Equations
1.
2.
3. Solve for y.
2.
Solving Inequalities
Principle:
2.
3.
Principle:
4.
Principle:
When multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative
number, flip the direction of the inequality.
5.
Word Problems
Principle: translate statements into algebraic language (“Let x =
something”
Examples:
Exercise (Translate to algebraic equation):
Exercise Problems:
1.
2.
3. At what time between 7 and 8 o’clock are the hands of the clock together?
Progression or Series
Progression refers to increment or progress in a sequence of numbers in a
particular format or following a particular way.
1) During operation Tokhang, a drug addict named Edsel “ The ripper” escapes and
boarded on a truck and traveled at a constant speed of 55kph. Two hours later after the
truck left, a policeman riding a motorbike pursued the fugitive at a constant speed of
80kph. How long did it take the policeman to apprehend the drug addict?
2) A number of two digits divided by the sum of the digits, the quotient is 7 and the
remainder is 6. If the digits of the number are interchanged the resulting number exceeds
three times the sum of the digits by 5. What is the number?
5
25( 4 x1) 1 2
6 5
3) Solve for x. 36
a 2 b2 a2 a 2b
. .
4) Reduce to lowest form. ab a 2 ab 2b 2 a b
5) Roberto is 25 years younger than his father. However his father will be
twice his age in 10 years. How old is his father?
Answers: