ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

SESSION 2

session

4y

3y

Similarly, if we say that __

5is _45y and we say that __
4is _34y,
then we see that we are combining like terms.)

Algebra

We have

Variables (p. 27)

6. 130

x(5)

) ( 5

2x(4)

and
4y

3y

4y(4)

3y(5)

16y

15y

16y 2 15y

__
____2 ____
4(5)5 ___
202 ___
205 _______

5 __
20.
__
5 2 4 5 5(4)
20

Then

(4y

13x
13x
__
__
___
__
___
__
2x
(_4x1 __
5) 1 5 2 4 5 20 1 20. The fractions 20 and 20
3y

13x 1 y

__
_____.
have the same denominator, so ___
13x
20 1 20 5 20

Lets simplify 2x 1 4y 1 7x 2 6y by combining like terms:

2x 1 4y 1 7x 2 6y 5 2x 1 7x 1 4y 2 6y
5 9x 2 2y

2. 18x

We can simplify the expression 4x 3 1 3_2 by simplifying

3 1 _32inside the parentheses first:
13
)5 4x(_2)5 2x(9) 5 18x.
4x(3 1 _32)5 4x(_621 _32)5 4x(6____
2
9

We can also simplify the expression 4x 3 1 _3 by

2

distributing 4x over each of the numbers inside the

parentheses:
4x(3 1 _32)5 4x(3) 1 4x(_32)5 12x 1 2x(3)

5 12x 1 6x 5 18x

3. 24a 1 2b
First, we will remove the parentheses around 3a 1 6b.
Next, we will distribute the negative sign over the terms
7a and 4b inside the parentheses. Then we will collect like
terms.
(3a 1 6b) 2 (7a 1 4b) 5 3a 1 6b 2 (7a 1 4b)

5 3a 1 6b 2 7a 2 4b

5 24a 1 2b
13x 1 y

4. _____
20
Lets begin by combining like terms. One pair of like terms
2x
_x
_1
__
_2
is _4xand __
2x
5. (If we say that 4 is 4x and we say that 5 is 5x,
then we readily see that we are combining like terms.

05_Math_Refresher_S02_AE.indd 82

5x
5x
1 8x
8x
___
____5 __
__
_____
_4x1 __
2x
20
1 205 20
5 ___
13x
5 5 4(5)1 5(4)
20

1. 9x 2 2y

82

Now

7
7. 2__
3
8. 21
9. 1
10. 28
11. D

Now lets simplify

Lets simplify _4x1 __
2x
5. To
add fractions, we need a common denominator. Lets find
the lowest common denominator of the fractions _4x1 __
2x
5.
Since 4 and 5 have no common factors greater than 1, the
lowest common denominator is the least common multiple
4y
3y
of 4 and 5: 4 3 5 5 20. Similarly, looking at __
5and __
4, 5
and 4. Since 5 and 4 have no common factors greater than
1. The least common multiple of 5 and 4 is 4 3 5 5 20.

13x 1 y
4. _______

20
5. 22x2 1 5y

4y
3y
_
__
__
4x1 __
2x
5and 52 4.

1. 9x 2 2y
2. 18x
3. 24a 1 2b 5 2(b 2 2a)

(4

4y
3y
4y
3y
_
2 __
1 __
2x5 _x1 __
2x 1 __
2 __

x1 __

Thus, _4x1

4y
3y
13x
1y
__
_____
52 __
41 __
2x

.
5 5 20

5. 22x2+ 5y
Lets combine like terms. One pair of like terms is x2 and
23x2. The other pair of like terms is y and 4y. Wehave x21
y 2 3x2 1 4y 5 x2 2 3x2 1 y 1 4y 5 22x2 1 5y.
6. 130
Lets substitute 2 for x and 5 for y into the expression
(y21 1)(x2 1 1). It is important to pay attention to the
variables and correctly substitute for each correct variable.
Substituting, we have (y2 1 1)(x2 1 1) 5 (52 1 1)(22 1 1)
5 (25 1 1)(4 1 1) 5 26(5) 5 130.
7. 2_3
7

Lets substitute 2 for x and 5 for and 5 for y into the

x1y
expression ____
. It is important to pay attention to the
x 2 y
variables and correctly substitute for each variable.
x1y

2
15
7
____
___
_7
Substituting, we have ____
5 2 2 5
5 23 5 23.
x 2 y

8. 21
Lets substitute 2 for x and 5 for y into the expression
9x 2 4y 1 _2x. It is important to pay attention to the
variables and correctly substitute for each variable.
Substituting, we have 9x 2 4y 1 _2x5 9(2) 2 4(5) 1 _225
18 2 20 1 1 5 22 1 1 5 21.

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9. 1
Lets substitute 2 for x and 5 for and 5 for y into the
expression (2x 2 y)2. It is important to pay attention to the
variables and correctly substitute for each variable.
Substituting, we have (2x 2 y)2 5 [2(2) 2 5]2 5 (4 2 5)2 5
(21)25 (21)(21) 5 1.
10. 28
Lets substitute 2 for x into the expression x2 1 7x 1 10.
Since y does not appear in the expression x2 1 7x 1 10,
we will not have to substitute 5 for y.
Substituting, we have x21 7x 1 10 5 22 1 7(2) 1 10 5
4 1 14 1 10 5 28.
Lets note that it is correct to say that when x 5 2 and
y 5 5, x21 7x 1 10 5 28. It is just that y does not
appearin the expression.
11. (D)
Lets substitute 2 for x and 22 for y in the expression x2 1
xy 1 y2. Then x2 1 xy 1 y2 5 22 1 (2)(22) 1 (22)2 5 4 2
4 1 4 5 0 1 4 5 4. Thus, when x 5 2 and y 5 22, x21
xy 1 y25 4. Choice (D) is correct.

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Linear EquationsIsolating a
Variable (p. 29)
5
1. x 5 __

2
2. a 5 22
41
3. z 5 ___

6
4. y 5 0
1
5. s 52__
4
6. x 5 6
7. b 5 214
13
8. y 5 2___
5
7
9. x 5 2__
4
223

10. a 5 ____
13
11. A
1. x 5 _52
Lets solve the equation 2x 1 5 5 10 for x. Subtracting 5
from both sides of the equation, we have 2x 5 5. Dividing
both sides by 2, we have x 5 _52.
2. a 5 22
Lets solve the equation 3(a 2 2) 5 6a for a. Distributing
the 3 over the terms inside the parentheses, we have
3a 2 6 5 6a. Subtracting 6a from both sides, we have
23a 2 6 5 0. Adding 6 to both sides, we have 23a 5 6.
Dividing both sides by 23, we have a 5 22.
41
3. z 5 __

6. x 5 6
Lets solve the equation _32x 2 _12x 5 6. Rewriting the left

3x
_x
side of the equation, we have __
2 2 2 5 6. These fractions
have the same denominator, 2. Subtracting the fractions
2x
____
on the left side, we have 3x
5 6. Then __
2x
2
2 5 6, and x 5 6.

7. b 5 214
1 10
1b
_____
5 b_____

for b. Cross
Lets solve the equation 12
3
6
multiplying, we have 6(12 1 b) 5 3(b 1 10). Distributing
the 6 over the terms 12 and b on the left side, and
distributing the 3 over the terms b and 10 on the right side,
we have 72 1 6b 5 3b 1 30. Subtracting 3b from both
sides, we have 72 1 3b 5 30. Subtracting 72 from both
sides, we have 3b 5 242. Dividing both sides by 3, we
have b 5 214.
13
8. y 5 2__
5

Lets solve the equation 9(3 1 y) 5 __

18
5 for y. Multiplying
both sides by 5, we have 5[9(3 1 y)] 5 18 and then
45(3 1 y) 5 18. Distributing the 45 over the terms inside
the parentheses, we have 135 1 45y 518. Subtracting
135 from both sides, we have 45y 5 2 117. Dividing both
117 4 9
2117
13
sides by 45, we have y 5 ____
5 2(______
)5 2__
5. Thus,
45
45 4 9
13
__
y 5 25.
Another way to solve this exercise is to notice that
thenumerator 18 on the right side of the equation
9(3 1 y) 5 __
18
5 is a multiple of the factor 9 on the left side
of the equation (18 5 2 3 9). Lets begin by dividing both
(__
18
5)
_
sides of the equation by 9. Then 3 1 y 5 ___
9 5 __
18
1)5 _52.
5(9
2
Thus, 3 1 y 5 _5. Subtracting 3 from both sides, we have
2
2 15
_____
15
5 ___
213
.
y5 _252 3 5 _252 __
5 5 5
5

9. x 5 2_4
7

Lets solve the equation 14 2 z 1 24 5 5z 2 3 for z.

Adding the numbers on the left side, we have 38 2 z 5
5z 2 3. Adding 3 to both sides, we have 41 2 z 5 5z.
Adding z to both sides, we have 41 5 6z. Dividing both
sides by 6, we have __
41
5 z.
6

Lets solve the equation 4x 2 8 5 12(4 1 3x) for x.

Distributing the 12 over the terms inside the parentheses,
we have 4x 2 8 5 48 1 36x. Subtracting 36x from both
sides, we have 232x 2 8 5 48. Adding 8 to both sides,
wehave 232x 5 56. Dividing both sides by 232, we have
56
56
56
56
48
_____
_7
_7
x 5 ___
. Now ___
232

5 2__
5 24. Thus, x 5 24.
232
32 5 232 4 8

4. y 5 0

223
10. a 5 ___
13

Lets solve the equation (4)(15y)(3) 5 2y for y. Simplifying

the left side, we have 60y(3) 5 2y and then 180y 5 2y.
Subtracting 2y from both sides, we have 178y 5 0.
Dividing both sides by 178, we have y 5 0.
5. s 5 2_14
Lets solve the equation 8s 1 6 5 12s 1 7 for s.
Subtracting 8s from both sides, we have 6 5 4s 1 7.
Subtracting 7 from both sides, we have 21 5 4s. Dividing
both sides by 4, we have 2_145 s.
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22
3 1 2a
_____
2 _____

5 6 for a. We would
Lets solve the equation 3a
7
35
like to multiply both sides of this equation by a nonzero
number that will lead to an equation without any fractions.
We see that the denominators are 7 and 35. Since 35 is
a multiple of 7 (35 5 5 3 7), if we multiply both sides of
the equation by 35, we will obtain an equation with no
fractions:
22
1 2a
_____
35(3a
2 3_____
)5 35(6).
7
35

Lets multiply out both sides:

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22
1 2a
_____
)2 35(3_____

)5 210.
35(3a
7
35

Simplifying the left side, we have 5(3a 2 2) 2 (3 1 2a)5

210. Distributing the 5 over the terms 3a and 22, and
distributing the minus sign over the terms 3 and 2a, we
have 15a 2 10 2 3 2 2a 5 210. Combining the a-terms
and the numbers on the left side, we have 13a 2 135
210. Adding 13 to both sides, we have 13a 5 223.
Dividing both sides by 13, we have a 5 ___
223
13.
11. (A)
This question requires the value of 5x, not the value ofx.
Lets begin by solving the equation 5 2 2x 5 15 for x.
Subtracting 5 from both sides of the equation, we have
22x 5 10. Dividing both sides by 22, we have x 5 25.
Now we can find the value of 5x. Lets substitute 25 for x
in the expression 5x: 5x 5 5(25) 5 225. Thus, 5x 5 225.
Choice (A) is correct.

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Systems of Linear Equations (p. 31)

1. x 5 3, y 5 21
3
3
2. x 5 __
, y 5 __

4
2
3
1
, y 5 2__
3. x 5 ___
10
5
1, y 5 0
4. x 5 __
7
5. x 5 5, y 5 2
6. C
1. x 5 3, y 5 21
If we add the equations x 1 y 5 2 and x 2 y 5 4, the
y-terms will cancel, and we will be left with an equation
with the one variable x. We can solve this equation forx.
Once we have the value of x, we can use either of the
original equations, which are x 1 y 5 2 and x 2 y 5 4, to
solve for the value of y.
Adding the corresponding sides of the equations x 1 y 5 2
and x 2 y 5 4, we have

x1y52
____________
1(x 2 y
5 4)

2x 5 6
Thus, 2x 5 6. Dividing both sides by 2, we have x 5 3. Now
lets use the original equation x 1 y 5 2 to find the value
of y. Substituting 3 for x, we have 3 1 y 5 2. Subtracting 3
from both sides, we have y 5 21.
Thus, x 5 3 and y 5 21.
We can also solve the equations x 1 y 5 2 and x 2 y 5 4
by substitution. Subtracting x from both sides of the
equation x 1 y 5 2, we have y 5 2 2 x. Now lets
substitute 2 2 x for y in the equation x 2 y 5 4. We then
have x 2 (2 2 x) 5 4. Then x 2 2 1 x 5 4, 2x 2 2 5 4,
2x 5 6, and x 5 3. Now lets substitute 3 for x in the
equation x 1 y 5 2. We have 3 1 y 5 2. Subtracting 3 from
both sides, y 5 21.
Again, x 5 3 and y 5 21.
2. x 5 _34, y 5 _32
If we subtract the equation 2x 1 y 5 3 from the equation
2x 1 3y 5 6, the x-terms will cancel, and we will be left
with an equation with the one variable y. We can solve this
equation for y. Once we have the value of y, we can use
either of the original equations to solve for the value of x.
Subtracting the equation 2x 1 y 5 3 from 2x 1 3y 5 6,
wehave

2x 1 3y 5 6
_____________
2(2x 1 y
5 3)

2y 5 3

Thus, 2y 5 3. Dividing both sides by 2, we have y 5 _32.

Nowlets use the equation 2x 1 y 5 3 to find the value
ofx. Substituting _32for y, we have 2x 1 _325 3. Subtracting _32
from both sides, we have 2x 5 3 2 _32, 2x 5 _622 _32,
23
2x 5 6____
, and 2x 5 _
32. Dividing both sides by 2, we have
2
3
(_2)
31
_3
5 4.
x5 __
25 _32(_12)5 3____
2 3 2
Thus, x 5 _34and y 5 _32.
We can also solve the equations by substitution.
Subtracting 2x from both sides of the equation 2x 1 y 5 3,
we have y5 3 2 2x. Now lets substitute 3 2 2x for y in the
equation 2x 1 3y 5 6. We then have 2x 1 3(3 2 2x) 5 6. Then
_3
2x 1 9 2 6x 5 6, 24x 1 9 5 6, 24x 5 23, x5 ___
23
245 4. Thus,
3
3
_
_
x 5 4. Now lets substitute 4 for x in the equation 2x 1 y 5 3.
Then 2(_34)1 y 5 3, _321 y 5 3, and y 5 3 2 _325 _622 _325
23
5 _
32.
6____
2

Again, x 5 _34and y 5 _32.

3
_1
3. x 5 __
10, y 5 25

If we subtract the equation 2x 1 3y 5 0 from 22x 1

3y5 6, the y-terms will cancel, and we will be left with
an equation with the one variable x. We can solve this
equation for x. Once we have the value of x, we can use
either of the original equations to solve for the value of y.
Subtracting the equation 2x 1 3y 5 0 from the equation
22x 1 3y 5 6, we have

22x 1 3y 5 6
2(2x 1 3y
5 0)
______________

20x
56
Thus, 20x 5 6. Dividing both sides by 20, we have
3
3
6
__
__
x 5 __
20
5 10. Now lets substitute 10 for x in the equation

3
_3
10
) 1 3y 5 0, 5 1 3y 50,
2x 1 3y 5 0. We then have 2(__

and 3y 5 2_35. Dividing both sides of this equation,

(2_35)

5 2_35(_13)5 2_15.
y 5 ___
3
3
_1
Thus, x 5 __
10 and y 5 25.

4. x 5 _17, y 5 0
If we subtract the equation 21x 1 7y 5 3 from the equation
21x 1 10y 5 3, the x-terms will cancel, and we will be left
with an equation with the one variable y. We can solve this
equation for y. Once we have the value of y, we can use
either of the original equations to solve for the value of x.
Subtracting 21x 1 7y 5 3 from 21x 1 10y 5 3, we have

21x 1 10y 5 3
2(21x 1 7y
5 3)
_______________

3y 5 0
Thus, 3y 5 0. Dividing both sides by 3, we have y 5 0. Now
lets substitute 0 for y in the equation 21x 1 7y 5 3. Then
21x 1 7(0) 5 3, 21x 1 0 5 3, and 21x 5 3. Dividing both
3
_1
5 7.
sides by 21, we have x 5 __
21
Thus, x 5 _17and y 5 0.

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5. x 5 5, y 5 2
We have the equations x 1 2y 5 9 and 2x 2 3y 5 4. If we
multiply both sides of the equation x 1 2y 5 9 by 2, we
get 2x 1 4y 5 18. If we then subtract the equation 2x 2
3y 54 from the equation 2x 1 4y 5 18, the x-terms will
cancel, and we will be left with an equation with the one
variable y. We can then solve this equation for the value
of y. Once we have the value of y, we can use either of the
original equations to solve for the value of x.

for x in the equation 2x 1 y 5 28: 2(24) 1 y 5 28, 28 1

y 5 28, and y 5 0. Again, choice (C) is correct.
Note that the value of x is 24, and 24 is choice (A).
Incorrect choice (A) is a trap for those who do not read the
question carefully.

Lets subtract the equation 2x 2 3y 5 4 from 2x 1

4y 5 18.

2x 1 4y 5 18
______________
2(2x 2 3y
5 4)

7y 5 14
Thus, 7y 5 14. Dividing both sides by 7, we have y 5 2.
Now lets substitute 2 for y in the equation x 1 2y 5 9.
Then x 1 2(2) 5 9, x 1 4 5 9, and x 5 5.
Thus, x 5 5 and y 5 2.
6. (C)
We see that the coefficient of x in the equation 2x 1 y 5
28 is 2 and that the coefficient of x in the equation 24x 1
2y 5 16 is 24. If we multiply both sides of the equation
2x 1 y 5 28 by 2, we get 4x 1 2y 5 216. If we then add
the equation 4x 1 2y 5 216 and the equation 24x 1
2y 5 16, the x-terms will cancel, and we will be left with an
equation with the one variable y, which we can solve for y.
Lets add the equations 4x 1 2y 5 216 and 24x 1 2y 5 16.

4x 1 2y 5 216

_________________
1(24x 1 2y
5 16)

4y 5 0
Thus, 4y 5 0. Dividing both sides by 4, we have that y 5 0.
Choice (C) is correct.
This question can also be answered by solving for one
variable in terms of the other in one equation and then
substituting for that variable in the other equation. Looking
at the equation 2x 1 y 5 28, we see that if we subtract 2x
from both sides, we will have solved for y in terms of x. We
can then substitute for y in the equation 24x 1 2y 5 16.
This will lead to an equation with the one variable x. We
can then solve for x. It is important that we keep in mind
that this question requires the value of y. Once we have
the value of x, we will use one of the original equations to
find the value of y.
Subtracting 2x from both sides of the equation 2x 1 y 5
28, we have y 5 22x 2 8. Now lets substitute 22x 2 8
for y in the equation 24x 1 2y 5 16: 24x 1 2(22x 2 8) 5
16. Then 24x 24x 2 16 5 16, 28x 2 16 5 16, 28x 5 32,
32
and x 5 ___
28 5 24. Thus, x 5 24. Now lets substitute 24

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Quadratic Equations (p. 33)

1. x2 1 7x 1 10
2. a21 2a 2 8
3. 2y2 1 11y 1 14
4. 3b2 2 22b 16
5. x2 1 x

7. b 5 25, b 5 2
Lets try to use reverse FOIL to factor b21 3b 2 10. Testing
some values, we find that b21 3b 2 10 5 (b 1 5)(b 2 2).
Then (b 1 5)(b 2 2) 5 0. When the product of a group of
numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers must be 0. If
(b 1 5)(b 2 2) 5 0, then b 1 5 5 0 or b 2 2 5 0. If b1
5 5 0, then b 5 25. If b 2 2 5 0, then b 5 2. All the
possible values of b are 25 and 2.

6. x 5 23, x 5 24

8. y 5 0, y 5 4

7. b 5 2, b 5 25

We have the equation 2y(y 2 4) 5 0. When the product of

a group of numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers must
be 0. In the equation 2y(y 2 4) 5 0, the factor 2 is not 0.
So we must have y 5 0 or y 2 4 5 0. If y 2 4 5 0, then
y 5 4. All the possible values of y are 0 and 4.

8. y 5 0, y 5 4
1
9. a 5 23, a 5 2__
2
10. z 5 5, z 5 6
11. C

9. a 5 23, a 5 2_12

Lets multiply out (a 1 4)(a 2 2) using FOIL:

Lets try to use reverse FOIL to factor 2a2 1 7a 1 3. Testing

some values, we find that 2a21 7a 1 3 5 (a 1 3)(2a 1 1).
Then (a 1 3)(2a 1 1) 5 0. When the product of a group
of numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers must be 0.
If (a 1 3)(2a 1 1) 5 0, then a 1 3 5 0 or 2a 1 1 5 0. If
a 1 3 5 0, then a 5 23. If 2a 1 1 5 0, then 2a 5 21, and
21
_1
_1
a 5 ___
2 5 22. All the possible values of a are 23 and 22.

(a 1 4)(a 2 2) 5 a22 2a 1 4a 2 8 5 a2 1 2a 2 8.

10. z 5 5, z 5 6

1. x21 7x 1 10
Lets multiply out (x 1 2)(x 1 5) using FOIL:
(x 1 2)(x 1 5) 5 x21 5x 1 2x 1 10 5 x2 1 7x 1 10.
2. a21 2a 2 8

3. 2y21 11y 1 14
Lets multiply out (2y 1 7)(y 1 2) using FOIL:
(2y 1 7)(y 1 2) 5 2y21 4y 1 7y 1 14 5 2y2 1 11y 1 14.
4. 3b22 22b 2 16
Lets multiply out (b 2 8)(3b 1 2) using FOIL:
(b 2 8)(3b 1 2) 5 3b21 2b 2 24b 2 16 5 3b2 2 22b 2
16.
5. x21 x
Lets multiply out x(x 1 1) by distributing the x that is
outside the parentheses over the terms x and 1 inside the
parentheses. We get
x(x 1 1) 5 x(x) 1 x(1) 5 x21 x.
6. x 5 23, x 5 24

We have the equation z22 11z 1 45 5 15. Lets begin by

subtracting 15 from both sides. Then we have z2 2 11z 1
30 5 0. Now lets try to factor z22 11z 1 30. Testing
some values, we find that z22 11z 1 30 5 (z 2 5)(z 2 6).
So (z 2 5)(z 2 6) 5 0. When the product of a group of
numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers is 0. If (z 2 5)
(z 2 6) 5 0, then z 2 5 5 0 or z 2 6 5 0. If z 2 5 5 0, then
z 5 5. If z 2 6 5 0, then z 5 6. All the possible values of z
are 5 and 6.
11. (C)
Lets try to factor x22 3x 2 18. Testing some values,
we find that x22 3x 2 18 5 (x 1 3)(x 2 6). So (x 1 3)
(x 2 6) 5 0. When the product of a group of numbers is 0,
at least one of the numbers must be 0. If (x 1 3)(x 2 6) 5
0, then x 1 3 5 0 or x 2 6 5 0. If x 1 3 5 0, then x 5 23.
If x 2 6 5 0, then x 5 6. All the possible values of x are 23
and 6. Choice (C) is correct.

Lets try to use reverse FOIL to factor x2 1 7x 1 12. Testing

some values, we find that x21 7x 1 12 5 (x 1 3)(x 1 4).
So (x 1 3)(x 1 4) 5 0. When the product of a group of
numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers must be 0. If
(x 1 3)(x 1 4) 5 0, then x 1 3 5 0 or x 1 4 5 0. If x 1 3 5
0, then x 5 23. If x 1 4 5 0, then x 5 24. All the possible
values of x are 23 and 24.

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Inequalities (p. 35)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

x . 20
x , 10
x 231

x6
0,x,2
x . 10
7. x , ___
21
10
8. x , 5
9. x __
2
3
27
___
10. x
37
11. A
1. x 20
We have the inequality 3x 1 4 . 64. Subtracting 4 from
both sides, we have 3x . 60. Dividing both sides by 3, we
have x . 20.
2. x 10
We have the inequality 2x 1 1 , 21. Subtracting 1 from
both sides, we have 2x , 20. Dividing both sides by 2, we
have x , 10.
3. x 231
We have the inequality 2x 1 1 63 1 x. Adding x to both
sides, we have 1 63 1 2x. Subtracting 63 from both
sides, we have 262 2x. Dividing both sides by 2, we
have 231 x. Thus, x 231.
4. x 6
We have the inequality 21x 2 42 14x. Subtracting 14x
from both sides, we have 7x 2 42 0. Adding 42 to both
sides, we have 7x 42. Dividing both sides by 7, we have
x 6.
5. 0 x 2
We have the multiple inequality statement 6 . x 1 4 . 4.
Lets start with the inequality 6 . x 1 4. Subtracting 4 from
both sides of this inequality, we have 2 . x.
Now lets work with the inequality x 1 4 . 4. Subtracting 4
from both sides of this inequality, we have x . 0.
Since 2 . x and x . 0, we can say that 2 . x . 0. This can
also be written 0 , x , 2.

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05_Math_Refresher_S02_AE.indd 89

6. x 10
We have the multiple inequality statement 2x . x 1
10 . 2x.
Lets start with the inequality 2x . x 1 10. Subtracting x
from both sides of this inequality, we have x . 10.
Now lets work with the inequality x 1 10 . 2x. Adding x
to both sides, we have 2x 1 10 . 0. Subtracting 10 from
both sides, we get 2x . 210. Dividing both sides by 2, we
have x . 25.
Here is what we now know:
The inequality 2x . x 1 10 requires that x . 10.
The inequality x 1 10 . 2x requires that x . 25.
Requiring that x . 10 and x . 25 is equivalent to requiring
that x . 10, because if x . 10, then it must already be
greater than 25. Thus, the solution to 2x . x 1 10 . 2x is
x . 10.
21
7. x __
10

We have the inequality 4x 1 3 , 24 2 6x. Adding 6x to

both sides, we have 10x 1 3 , 24. Subtracting 3 from both
sides, we have 10x , 21. Dividing both sides by 10, we
have x , __
21
10.
8. x 5
We have the inequality 35 2 7x 1 12 . 4(x 2 2). Adding
the numbers on the left side, we have 47 2 7x . 4(x 2 2).
Multiplying out the right side, we have 47 2 7x . 4x 2 8.
Adding 7x to both sides, we have 47 . 11x 2 8. Adding 8
to both sides, we have 55 . 11x. Dividing both sides by
11, we have 5 . x. Thus, x , 5.
9. x _23
We have the inequality 3x(12) 24. Dividing both sides
by 12, we have 3x 2. Dividing both sides by 3, we have
x _23.
10. x __
37
27

We have the inequality 9 2 12x _13x. To get rid of the

fraction, lets multiply both sides of this inequality by 3.
We then have 3(9 2 12x) 3(_13x). Simplifying both sides,
we have 27 2 36x x. Adding 36x to both sides, we have
27 37x. Dividing both sides by 37, we have __
27
37 x. This
27
can be written x __
37.
11. (A)
Lets solve the inequality 3x 2 16 . 4x 1 12 for x.
Subtracting 12 from both sides, we have 3x 2 28 . 4x.
Subtracting 3x from both sides, we have 228 . x. This is
equivalent to x , 228, choice (A). Choice (A) is correct.

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session

Symbolism (p. 37)

Lets try to find the lowest common denominator of the

4
1 __
_1
, 21, and 7, which is the least common multiple
fractions __
12
of 12, 21, and 7. Now 21 is a multiple of 7 (21 5 3(7)),
so the least common multiple of 12, 21, and 7 is the
least common multiple of 12 and 21. Now 4(21) 5 84 is

1. 25
7
2. ___
23
59
3. ____
136

1(7)

4
1
__
_1
____1
amultiple of 12(84 5 7(12)). Then __
12
1 21 1 7 5
12(7)
4(4)

4. 258

5
12
.
Thus, _13 _14 _475 __

5. 133
5
6. ___
12
7. 24

7. 24
We have the defining equation x 5 7x 1 5. Lets replace
x with y in the defining equation. Then y 5 7y 1 5. Since
y 5 173, we can write the equation 7y 1 5 5 173. Lets
solve for y. Subtracting 5 from both sides, we have 7y 5
168. Dividing both sides by 7, we have y 5 24.

8. d2 1 10d 1 20
9. 247
10. 34
11. B

8. d2+ 10d + 20

1. 25
Lets substitute 7 for x in the defining equation #x 5 3x 1
4. Then #7 5 3(7) 1 4 5 21 1 4 5 25. Thus, #7 5 25.
2. __
23
7

7
x
____
for x in the defining equation x 5 x 11
.
Lets substitute __
16

7
7
7
__
__
16
)
16

16

(__
7
____
_____
_____
Then __
16
5 __

5 __
__
5 7_____
5
7
7
16
1 16
161 1
161 16
( 16
)

7
7
__
Thus, __
5 23.
16

( )
( )

7
16
)
(__
7
___
__
5 __
7 __
16 5 __
23
.
23
(16) 16 23

( )

3. ___
136
59

5x 1 6

.
Lets substitute _74for x in the defining equation x 5 _____
4x 1 27
59
35
1 24
7
35
35
24
_
______
__
__
__
__
5

1
6

41 6
_____
(4)
( 4 ) ___
(4)
7
4 1 4
_
______
_____
_____
Then (4)5 _7

5 7 1 27

5 34
5 34

5 345

4(4)1 27
59(1)
59 1
59
59
__
4(__
34)5 ____
4(34)5 ___
136. Thus, (_74)5 ___
136.

4. 258
Lets substitute 8 for x and 14 for y in the defining equation
x y 5 5x 2 7y. Then 8 14 5 5(8) 2 7(14) 5 40 2
98 5 258. Thus, 8 14 5 258.
5. 133
Lets substitute 5 for x and 3 for y in the defining equation
x y 5 xy1 x 1 y. Then 5 3 5 53 1 5 1 3 5 (5)(5)(5) 1
8 5 25(5) 1 8 5 125 1 8 5 133. Thus, 5 3 5 133.
5
6. __
12

We have the defining equation x y z 5 xy 1 xz 1 yz.

Lets substitute _13for x, lets substitute _14for y, and

lets substitute _47for z. Then _31 _41 _745 (_31)(_41)1(_31)(_74)1

1(1)
1(4)
1(4)
4
1
__
_1
3(4)1 ___
3(7)1 ___
4(7)5 __
12
1 21 1 7. To add the
(_41)(_74)5 ___

4
1 __
_1
, 21, and 7, we need a common denominator.
fractions __
12

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05_Math_Refresher_S02_AE.indd 90

1(12)

35
47
5
7
7
1 16 1 12
16
12
____
__
__
__
________
_____
__
1
5 84 1 84 1 84 5

5 __
35
5 12.
____
84
84 5 84 4 7
21(4)
7(12)

We have the defining equation x y 5 xy 1 5x 1 y.

Letsreplace x with d 1 4, and lets replace y with d. Then
(d 1 4) d5 (d 1 4)d 1 5(d 1 4) 1 d. Now lets simplify.
We have (d 1 4)d 1 5(d 1 4) 1 d 5 d2 1 4d 1 5d 1 20 1
d 5 d21 10d 1 20. Thus, (d 1 4) d 5 d2 1 10d 1 20.
9. 247
We have the defining equation x y 5 12x 2 8y. We want
to know for what value of c we have (c 1 4) (2c 1 5) 5
196. Lets replace x with c 1 4 and replace y with 2c 1 5
in the defining equation. Then (c 1 4) (2c 1 5) 5
12(c 1 4) 2 8(2c 1 5). Were told this equals 196. Lets
solve this equation for c.
Multiplying out 12(c 1 4) 2 8(2c 1 5) 5 196, we have
12c 1 48 2 16c 2 40 5 196. Gathering thec-terms and
the numbers on the left side, we have24c 1 8 5 196.
Subtracting 8 from both sides, we have 24c 5 188.
Dividing both sides by 4, we have c 5 ___
188
24 5 247. Thus,
c5 247.
10. 34
We have the defining equation x y 5 x2 2 xy 1 25.
We want to find all the possible values of a such that
a 8 5 10. Then we will be able to find the sum of the
squares of all the possible values of a. Lets replace x
with a and lets replace y with 8 in the defining equation.
Then a 8 5 a2 2 (a)(8) 1 25 5 a2 2 8a 1 25.
Since a 8 5 10, we have the equation a2 2 8a 1 25 5
10. Subtracting 10 from both sides, we have a2 2 8a 1
15 5 0.
Now lets try to factor the left side of the equation a2 2
8a 1 15 5 0. Testing some values, we find that a22 8a 1
15 5 (a 2 3)(a 2 5). So the equation a22 8a 1 15 5 0
can be rewritten (a 2 3)(a 2 5) 5 0. When the product of

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session

a group of numbers is 0, at least one of the numbers is 0.

Here either a 2 3 5 0 or a 2 5 5 0. If a 2 3 5 0, then
a 5 3. If a 2 5 5 0, then a 5 5. All the possible values of
a are 3 and 5. The sum of the squares of all the possible
values of a is 321 52 5 9 1 25 5 34.
11. (B)
2

2 n 1 1
________
to find

Lets use the defining equation m n 5 m

mn
the value of 3 1. Lets replace m with 3 and lets replace
2
92111
9
2 1 1 1
n with 1. Then 3 1 5 3_______

5 _______

5 _35 3. Thus,

3(1)
3(1)
3 1 5 3. Choice (B) is correct.

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