AERO Horizon Refresher Course Program 2015

Vision: To become the Premiere Review Centre for Aeronautical Engineering in the Philippines.
Mission: 1. To help Aeronautical Engineering graduates prepare for their board exam by providing quality and highly
effective review program. 2. To promote teamwork to achieve high passing rate in the licensure examination. 3. Serves
as an organization to which aviation professionals in different field, meet to share their knowledge and experience.

ALGEBRA
Reviewer: Engr. Roberto R. Renigen
ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION
Terms:
1
2
a
a+d

3
a + 2d

4
a + 3d

5=n
a + 4d

an = a + 4 d
a n = a + ( n 1)d

The nth term

a n = a + ( n 1)d

The sum of all terms

S=

n
[2a + (n 1)d ]
2

S=

n
(a + an )
2

Examples:
1. How many terms of progression 3, 5, 7, 9, . . . must be taken in order that their sum will be 3,192?
Given:
a=3
d=2
S = 3192
Required:
n
Solution:
n
S = [2a + (n 1)d ]
2
2 S = n[2a + (n 1)d ]

( 2)(3,192 ) = n[( 2)(3) + ( n 1)( 2) ]

6,384 = 2an + 2n 2 2n
6,384 = (2)(3)n + 2n 2 2n
6,384 = 6n + 2n 2 2n
6,384 = 4n + 2n 2
n 2 + 2n 3,192 = 0

( n 56)(n + 57) = 0

n = 56
2. What is the sum of the progression 4, 9, 14, 19, . . . up to the 15th term?
Given:
a=4
d=5
n = 15
Required:
S
Solution:
n
[2a + (n 1)d ]
2
15
S = [(2)(4) + (15 1)(5)]
2
S=

S = 585
3. Find the 20th term of an Arithmetic progression 5, 8, 11, 14, . . .
Given
a1 = 5

d=3
n = 20
Solution:
an = a1 + (n 1)d
a20 = 5 + (20 1)(3)
a20 = 62

4. The sum of an Arithmetic Progression is 250 and the first term is 10. If the last term is 40, find the number of
terms.
Given:
a1 = 10
an = 40
S = 250
Required:
n
Solution:
n
(a1 + an )
2
2S
(2)(250)
=
= 10
n=
10 + 40
a1 + an
S=

5. An arithmetic progression starts from 1 and has 9 terms. The middle term is 21. Find the sum of the 9 terms
Middle term is the 5th term..
Given:
a1 = 1
a5 = 21
n=9
Required:
S
Solution:
a5 = a1 + 4d
a a
21 1
d= 5 1 =
=5
4
4
n
S = [2a1 + (n 1)d ]
2
9
S = [(2)(1) + (9 1)(5)] = 189
2
6. The 5th term of an Arithmetic Progression is 17 and the 3rd term is 10. Find the 8th term.

Given:
a5 = 17
a3 = 10
Required:
a8
Solution:
a5 = a1 + 4d
17 = a1 + 4 d

Eqn.

a3 = a1 + 2d
10 = a1 + 2 d

Eqn.

Combining Equations and:

17 = a1 + 4 d
10 = a1 + 2 d

______________
7 = 2d
7
d=
2
From Eqn. :
17 = a1 + 4 d
a1 = 17 4 d

7
a1 = 17 (4) = 3
2
7 6 + 49 55
a8 = 3 + (7) =
=
2
2
2

7. The first term of an Arithmetic progression is 2 and the 6th term is 12. Find the sum of the first 12 terms.
Given:
a1 = 2
a6 = 12
n = 12
Required:
S
Solution:
a6 = a1 + 5d
a6 a1 12 2
=
=2
5
5
12
S = [(2)(2) + (12 1)(2)] = 156
2
d=

8. The 5th term of an Arithmetic Progression is 15 and the 1st term is 3. What is the sum of the first 12 terms?
Given:
a5 = 15
a1= 3
n = 12
Required:
a5 = a1 + 4d
a5 a1 15 3
=
=3
4
4
12
S = [(2)(3) + (12 1)(3)] = 234
2

d=

9. Determine the 6th term of an Arithmetic progression if the 8th term is -16 and the 4th term is -8.
Given:
a8 = -16
4

a4 = -8
Required:
a6
Solution:
a 8 = a1 + 7 d
16 = a1 + 7 d

Eqn.

a4 = a1 + 3d

Eqn.

8 = a1 + 3d

Combining Eqns. and:

16 = a1 + 7 d
8 = a1 + 3d

_____________
8 = 4d
d = 2
From Eqn. :
16 = a1 + 7 d
a1 = 16 7 d
a1 = 16 ( 7)( 2) = 2
a6 = a1 + 5d

a6 = ( 2) + (5)(2) = 12

10. What is the difference between the 5th term and the 8th term of an Arithmetic progression if the 1st term is -1
and the 4th term is 5.
Given:
a1 = -1
a4 = 5
Required:
a8 a5
a4 = a1 + 3d

a4 a1 5 (1)
=
=2
3
3
a8 = a1 + 7 d = 1 + (7)(2) = 13

d=

a5 = a1 + 4d = 1 + ( 4)(2) = 7

Therefore:
a8 a5 = 13 7 = 6
11. There are 7 arithmetic means between 7 and 39. Find the sum of all terms.
Given:
a1 = 7
7 X X

X X X X X 39

n=9
5

Required:
S
Solution:
S=

n
(a1 + an ) = 9 (7 + 39) = 207
2
2

12. An amount of PhP40,000 is to be divided among Joy, Carla and Divina, such that their shares respectively
form an Arithmetic progression. Carlas share is 3 times of Joy. How much is their individual shares?
Solution:
A

form an Arithmetic Progression

Let:
A = Joys share
B = Carlas share
C = Divinas share
BA=CB
2B = A + C
A - 2B + C = 0

Eqn.

A + B + C = 40,000

Eqn.

But,
Combining Eqn. and Eqn. .
A - 2B + C = 0
A + B + C = 40,000
_________________
-3B = - 40,000
B = PhP13,333.33
Since,
B = 3A
B 13,333.33
A= =
= PhP 4,444.44
3
3
From Eqn. :
C = 40,000 (A + B)
= 40,000 (4,444.44 + 13,333.33)
C = PhP22,222.23
13. Find the quotient of the sum of all odd integers between 100 and 1,000 when it is divided by 9.
Given:
a1 = 101
an = 999
d=2
Required:
S
9
6

Solution:
an = a1 + (n 1)d
an a1
999 101
+1 =
+ 1 = 450
d
2
n
450
S = (a1 + an ) =
(101 + 999) = 247,500
2
2

n=

S 247,500
=
= 27,500
9
9
14. Find the sum of the first 30 even integers.

Given:
a1 = 2
n = 30
d=2
Required:
S
Solution:
S=

n
[2a1 + (n 1)d ] = 30 [(2)2) + (30 1)(2)] = 930
2
2

Problems:
1. What is the 50th term of the progression 3, 5, 7, 9, . . .?
Ans. a50 = 101
2. What is the sum of the first 50 terms of the progression 5, 8, 11, 14, . . . ?
Ans. S = 2,600
3. What is the 30th term of the progression -15, -13, -11, -9, . . .?
Ans. a30 = 43
4. the sum of an Arithmetic progression is 220 and the first term is 10. If the last term is 30, find the number of
terms.
Ans. n = 11
5. The 10th term of an Arithmetic Progression is 28 and the first term is 1. Determine the product of the 5th
term and the 7th term.
Ans. Product = 247
BINOMIAL THEOREM
Binomial Expansion Formula

(a + b)n = an +

nan1b n(n 1)an2b2 n(n 1)(n 2)an3b3

+
+
+ ...+ bn
1!
2!
3!

The nth term of a Binomial Expansion

n(n 1)(n 2)...(n r + 2)anr+1br1

a)
(r 1)!

n!anr+1br1
b)
(n r +1)!(r 1)!
Where:
n = nth term
r = required term
Middle term of a Binomial Expansion

n
r = +1
2
Sum of Exponents

S = (n +1)n (average of exponents of x and y)

Example:

x4 + 2x 2 y + y 2
Sum of exponents = 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 9
Checking:

S = (n + 1)n (average of exponents of x and y)

2 +1
S = (2 +1)(2)
=9
2
Sum of Coefficients
a) Substitute x and y =1

( x + y)4 = (1 +1)4 = 16
b)

(x + 2)4 = (1+ 2)4 (2)4 = 65

Coefficients of the term containing

k=

xnm ym

n!
(n m)!m!

Example:

(x + y)12 containing x5 y7
k=

n!
12!
12!
=
=
(n m)!m! (12 7)!(7)! 5!7!

Examples:
6

1. Find the 5th term of the expansion of (2 x) .

Given:
n=6
r =5
a=2
b = -x
Required:
5th term
8

Solution:

n!anr+1br1
(6!)(2)65+1(x)51 (6!)(2)2 (x)4
=
=
= 60x4
(n r +1)!(r 1)! (6 5 +1)!(5 1)!
(2!)(4)!
5

2. What is the numerical coefficient of the 3rd term of the expansion of (6 + 2 y) ?

Given:
n=5
r=3
a=6
b = 25
Required:
Numerical coefficient of the 3rd term
Solution:

n!anr+1br1
(5!)(6)3 (2 y)2
=
= 8640
(n r +1)!(r 1)!
(3!)(2!)
6

3. What is the sum of the numerical coefficients of the expansion of (a + b) ?

Solution:

(a +b)6 = (1 +1)6 = 64
9

4. For the expansion (4x 3) , what is the sum of all the exponents?
Given:
n=9
Required:
S
Solution:

S = (n + 1)n (average of exponents of x and y)

1+ 0
S = (n +1)n = (9 +1)(9)
= 45
2
5. For the expansion

(x2 + y2 )2 , what is the sum of all the exponents?

Given:
n=2
Required:
S
Solution:

(x2 + y2 )2 = x4 + 2x2 y2 + y4 (average of exponents of x and y)

Sum of exponents = 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 12
Checking:
Sum of exponents = (n + 1)n (average of exponents of x and y)
9

 2+2
S = (2 +1)(2)
= 12
2
16

3 .
6. Find the 6 term of the expansion
2a
th

Given:
n = 1/6
r=6
a = 1/2a
b = -3
Required:
6th term
Solution:

n!anr +1br 1
(16!)(1/ 2a)166+1(3)61 (16)!(1/ 2a)11(3)5
62,192.81
=
=
=
(n r + 1)!(r 1)!
(16 6 + 1)!)(6 1)!
(11!)(5!)
a11
Problems:
6

1. Find the 6th term of the expansion of (4 x) .

5

Ans. 24x

2. What is the numerical coefficient of the 4th term of the expansion of (3 + y) .

Ans. 2,835
7

3. What is the numerical coefficient of the 7th term of the expansion of (1 + 2 y) .

Ans. 448
5

4. Find the sum of the numerical coefficients of the expansion (a + b) .

Ans. 32
SERIES OF NUMBERS
Examples:
1. The 5th term of the series of numbers 1, 2, 6, 15, . . . is
Solution:
1
2
6
15
x
2
2
2
2
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
X = 15 + (4)2 = 31
2. Determine the value of the 5th term in the series of numbers 13, 17, 26, 42, . . .
Solution:
13

17
(2)

26
(3)

42
(4)

(5)

x
2

X = 42 + (5) = 67
10

ABSOLUTE VALUES
Examples:
1. Find the absolute values of x if 4 x = 2
Solution:

4 x = 2
x = 42 = 2

4 x = 2
x = 4+2 = 6

2. Find the values of x if 5 3x = 11

Solution:

5 3x = 11
3x = 5 11

5 3x = 11
3x = 11+ 5
16
x=
3

x = 2
Problems:

1. Find the values of x if x 2 = 5

Ans. x = 7 , x = -3
2. Find the values of x if 2x 4 = 10
Ans. x = 7 , x = -3
3. Find the values of x if x + 4 = 8
Ans. x = 4 , x = -12
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
2

Ax + Bx + C = 0
Quadratic Formula:

B B2 4 AC
x=
2A
Properties of Roots
a) Sum of Roots

x1 + x2 =

B
A
11

b) Product of Roots

x1x2 =

C
A

Discriminant:

B2 4 AC
2

a) When B = 4 AC , the roots are equal

2

b) When B > 4 AC , the roots are real and unequal

2

c) When B < 4 AC , the roots are imaginary

Examples:
2

1. What is the sum of the roots of the equation 3x 4x + 6 = 0

Given:
A=3
B = -4
C=6
Required:
Sum of the roots
Solution:

x1 + x2 =

B
4 4
=
=
A
3 3
2

2. Find the product of the roots x + 3x 5 = 0

Given:
A=1
B=3
C = -5
Required
Product of the roots
Solution:

x1x2 =

C 5
=
= 5
A 1
2

3. Determine the value of the constant k in the equation 3x + 2kx + 8 = 0 if the sum of the roots is 4.
Given:
A=3
B = 2k
C=8

x1 + x2 =

B
=4
A
12

Required:
K
Solution:

B
2k
=4=
A
3
k = 6

3. What is the value of the constant k if in the equation x 2x + k = 0 if the product of the roots is 8.
Given:
A=1
B = -2
C=k

C
A
C
k
x1x2 = = 8 =
A
1
k =8
x1x2 =

Problems:
2

1. What is the sum of the roots of the equation 7x + 3x 4 = 0

Ans. -3/7
2. Find the product of the roots of 5 x 2 7 x 4 = 0
Ans. -4/5
PROPORTIONS
In any proportion the product of the means is equal to the product of the extremes:

a x
=
x b
a : x = x :b
x = mean proportional to a and b
a and b are called as the extremes

x 2 = ab
x = ab (mean proportional of two numbers a and b
a c
=
b d
a b
then =
c d

If

If

a c
=
b d
13

b d
=
a c

then

a c
=
b d
a+b c+d
=
then
b
d

If

a c
=
b d
a+b c+d
=
then
a b c d

If

If y varies directly as x:

y = kx
k = constant of variation or constant of proportionality
If y varies inversely as x:

y=

k
x

Examples:
1. y varies inversely as the square of x and directly as t. When t =4 and x = 6, y =

1
. Find y when t = 6 and x= 2.
3

Solution:

kt
x2
x 2 y (6) 2 (1 / 3)
k=
=
=3
t
4
kt (3)(6)
y= 2 =
= 4 .5
x
( 2) 2
y=

2. w varies directly as the square root of x and inversely as y. When x = 9 and y = 3, w = 5. Find the value of w
when y = 4 and x = 12.
Solution:

k x
y
wy (5)(3)
k=
=
=5
x
9
w=

w=

5 12
= 4.33
4

RATE PROBLEMS
Distance = Rate x Time

S = Vt
14

Where:
S = distance
V = constant velocity
t = time
Examples:
1. An aircraft structural engineer is required to report at station B every morning at a fixed time. When he left
station A at 8:30 a.m. and walked at 2.7 kph, he arrived at B, 5 minutes late. When he left at 8:00 a.m. and
walked at 1.8 kph, he arrived at B, 5 minutes earlier. How far is in km is station B from station A? What is the
appointment time at B?
Solution:
Let: x = distance between stations A and B
t = time to be expected to be at station B

x
5
=t+
2.7
60
x
5
8+
=t
1.8
60

8.5 +

Eqn.
Eqn.

Subtracting Eqn. from Eqn. :

1
x
x

=
2 .7 1 .8 6
1
x
x

= 0 .5
1.8 2.7
6
0.5 +

2.7 x 1.8 x
1
= 0 .5
(1.8)(2.7)
6
1
0.9 x = (0.5 )(1.8)( 2.7)
6
X= 1.8 km
Substituting value of x in Eqn. :

5
x
=t+
2 .7
60
1 .8
5
8 .5 +
=t+
2 .7
60
1 .8 5
t = 8 .5 +

= 9.083
2.7 60
t = 9 : 05a.m.
8 .5 +

2. An airplane flying with the wind, took 3 hours to travel 1,500 km and 3.75 hours to fly back. What was (a) the
velocity of the airplane and (b) the velocity of the wind?
Solution:
Let: x = velocity of the airplane
y = velocity of the wind

v=

d
t

1,500
3
x + y = 500

x+ y=

Eqn.
15

1,500
3.75
x y = 400

x y =

Eqn.

Subtracting Eqn. from Eqn. :

2 y = 100
y = 50kph
Substituting value of y in Eqn. :

x + y = 500
x + 50 = 500
x = 450kph
3. At 3:00 p.m., a reconnaissance plane takes off at a speed of 400 mph on an aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier
moves due south at a speed of 50 mph in the same direction as the plane. If the communication range
between the plane and the aircraft carrier is 100 miles, at what time will the communication between the
plane and the aircraft was cut off?
Solution:

400t = 50t + 100

350t = 100
t = 100 / 350
t = 0.2857 hrs. = 17.14 min .
Time communication was cut off is 3:17.14 p.m.

4. Two racing cars A and B compete for a stretch of 10,000 meters long. It took 40 minutes for car A to reach the
finish line and car B 50 minutes to reach the finish line. How far was car B behind car A when car A reached
the finish line.
Solution:

S = vt
For car A:

10,000 = VA (40)
V A = 250m / min .
For car B:

10,000 = VB (50)
VB = 200m / min .
(200)(40) + x = 10,000
x = 10,000 (200)(40) = 2,000 m behind A

16

CLOCK PROBLEMS
One space in the clock is equivalent to 5 minutes.
If the minute hand moves a distance x, the hour hand only moves a distance of
One space in the clock is equivalent to 300 of arc.

x
12

Examples:
1. The hour hand of a huge clock is 100 cm long. What is the circumferential speed of the tip of this hand in
cm/hr?
Given:
r = 100 cm
Required:
V
Solution:

S = r

S = (100cm)(3600 ) x

1800

= 628.32 cm
17

V=

S 628.32cm
=
= 52.36 cm/hr
t
12hr

2. After how many minutes from 12:00 oclock noon will the minute hand and the hour hand makes an angle of
1200 for the first time?

Solution:
1200 = 20

x
+ 20
12
x
x = 20
12
12 x x
= 20
12
11x = (20)(12)
11x = 240
x = 21.8 min.
x=

3. At what time after 12:00 oclock midnight will the minute hand and the hour hand of a clock be on a straight
line for the first time?
Solution:

x=

x
+ 30
12
18

x
= 30
12
11x = (30)(12)
x = 32.7 min.
x

Time 12:32.7 a.m.

AGE PROBLEMS
Past
x-5

Present
x

Future
x+4

x = present age
x 5 = age 5 years ago
x + 4 = age 4 years from now
Note:
It is advisable to draw a sketch to show the relation of past, present and future time.
Examples:
1. John is as old as Peter was four years ago. In two years, Johns age will be eleven more than half of peters
age. How old is John now?
Solution:
Past
J-4
P-4

Present
J
P

Future
J+2
P+2

J = P4
P= J +4

Eqn.

P+2
2
P+2
J =9+
2
18 + P + 2
J=
2
2 J = P + 20

Eqn.

J + 2 = 11 +

Substituting Eqn. in Eqn. :

2 J = J + 4 + 20
J = 24 years old
2. Four years ago, the sum of the ages of Kyle and Gil was 45. Six years from now, twice Gils age will be 28 more
than Kyles age then. How old is Kyle now?
Solution:
Past
K-4
G-4

Present
K
G

Future
K+6
G+6
19

K 4 + G 4 = 45
K + G = 53
G = 53 K
2(G + 6) = 28 + K + 6
2G + 12 = K + 34
2G = K + 22

Eqn.

Eqn.

Substituting Eqn. in Eqn. :

2(53 K ) = K + 22
106 2 K = K + 22
3K = 84
K = 28 years old
3. Annie is 8% older than Beth, while Beth is 9% older than Cathy. By how much in percent is Annie older than
Cathy?
Solution:

A = 1.08 B
B = 1.09C

Eqn.
Eqn.

Substituting Eqn. in Eqn. :

A = (1.08)(1.09C ) = 1.1772C
Annie is 17.72% older than Cathy
WORK PROBLEMS
If a man could finish a job in x days, then in one day he could finish only

1
of the job
x

If both x and y are the number of days each man work alone, then if they work together they could finish it in t
days.

1 1 1
+ =
x y t
Examples:
1. John can finish a painting job in 2 days. Peter can finish the job in 3 days. Simon can do the job in 6 days. How
long will it take all of them together to finish the job?
Solution:

1 1 1 1
+ + =
2 3 6 x
3 + 2 +1 1
=
6
x
x = 1 day
2. Ryan can do a whole job in half the time it takes Val to do it. Together they can finish the job in 10 days. How
many days will it take Val to do the job alone?
20

Solution:
Let: x = number of days Ryan can do the job
2x = number of days Val can do the job

1 1
1
+
=
x 2 x 10
2 +1 1
=
2 x 10
2 x = (2 + 1)(10)
x = 15 days for Ryan to finish the job alone
2x = 30 days for Val to finish the job alone
3. An engineer estimated that 40 workers can finish a project in 120 days. If he hired 20 workers at the start, 20
more on the 21st day and 20 more on the 41st day, how many days earlier could the project be done?
Solution:
(40)(120) = (20)(20) + (40)(20) +60x
x = 60 days
Total no. of days to finish the job = 20 + 20 + 60 = 100 days
No. of days earlier to finish the job = 120 100 = 20 days
4. A job can be done by 20 laborers in 30 days. To finish the job earlier, 25 men were hired. However, after
working for 20 days, 10 men quit and were not replaced. Find the total number of days to complete the job?
Solution:
(20)(30) = (25)(20) + 15x
x = 6.67 days
Total no. of days to complete the job = 20 + 6.67 = 26.67 days
5. Thirty men could do a project in a target time of 120 days. Thirty men started the work but 10 resigned after
30 days and were replaced at the beginning of the 46th day. How long was the project completion delayed?
Solution:
(30)(120) = (30)(30) +(20)(15) +30x
x = 80 days
Total no. of days to complete the job= 30 + 15 + 80 = 125 days
The project was delayed by 125 120 = 5 days
6. A job could be done by 25 workers in a target time of 90 days. There were 25 workers in the beginning but
five quit after 30 days. Three more workers resigned after 60 days. By how many days was the project
completion delayed?

Solution:
(25)(90) = (25)(30) + (20)(30) + 17x
x = 52.94 days or 53 days
No. of days they finish the job = 30 + 30 + 53 = 113 days
No. of days the project was delayed = 113 90 = 23 days

21

MIXTURE PROBLEMS
A%
x

B%
y

C%
x+y

Examples:
1. One liter of a 25% sugar solution is mixed with 3 liters of a 40% sugar solution. What is the percentage of
sugar in the new mixture?
Solution:
25%
1

40%
3

x%
4

(25)(1) + (40)(3) = 4x
x = 36.25%
2. Two liters of a 20% alcohol solution is mixed with x liters of a 50% alcohol solution. If the new mixture
contains 38% alcohol, what is the value of x?
Solution:
20%
2

50%
x

38%
2+x

(20)(2) + 50x = (38)(2 + x)

40 + 50x = 76 + 38x
50x 38x = 76 40
12x = 36
x = 3 liters
3. Three liters of a 20% alcohol solution is mixed with one liter of an x% alcohol solution. If the new mixture
contains 22.5% alcohol, what is the value of x?
Solution:
20%
3

x%
1

22.5%
4

(20)(1) + x(1) = (22.5)(4)

x = 30%
4. A container holds 3 liters of a 25% alcohol solution. One half liter of the solution is withdrawn and replaced
with one half liter of pure alcohol. What is the percentage of alcohol in the new mixture?
Solution:
25%
2.5

100%
0.5

x%
3

(25)(2.5) + (100)(0.5) = x(3)

x = 37.5%

22