Algebra Review

Exponents A brief review of the basic exponent properties.

Absolute Value A couple of quick problems to remind you of how

absolute value works.

Radicals A review of radicals and some of their properties.

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.

Factoring Some basic factoring.

Simplifying Rational Expressions The ability to simplify rational
expressions can be vital in some Calculus problems.
Partial Fraction- process of resolving or decomposing proper fractions into
sum of fractions
Solving Equations, Part I Solving single variable equations, including
the quadratic formula.
Solving Equations, Part II Solving multiple variable equations.

Solving Systems of Equations Solving systems of equations and some

interpretations of the solution.
Solving Inequalities Solving polynomial and rational inequalities.
Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Solving equations and
inequalities that involve absolute value.

Word Problems
 Exponents
1)

2)

3)

4)

5)
 Absolute Value
1. Evaluate and

Properties of absolute value:

Here are a couple of basic properties of absolute value.

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.

We can use absolute value with products and quotients as follows

Notice that this is not applicable to sums (or differences) at all times. That is because in general

To convince yourself of this consider the following example

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

Evaluate the following:

1)

2)

3)

Convert each of the following to exponential form.

4)

5)

6)
 Rationalizing

Rationalize each of the following.

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.

1) Given and . Find each of the following:

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g) (h)

2) Given . Find each of the following:

(a) (b) (c)

3) 3) Given and . Find each of the following:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)
 Multiplying Polynomials
1)

2)

3)

Factoring

Factor each of the following as much as possible.

1.

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

Simplifying Logarithmic Equations

1)

2)

Solving Logarithmic Equations

1)

2)
 Solving Equations

1.

2.

3. Solve for y.

Solving Systems of Equations

Solve for x, y, z:

Method 1: Solving one of the three original equations

for one of the variables

Method 2:Add/subtract multiples of two equations

together in such a way to eliminate one of the variables
Method 3: Determinants

2.

Solving Inequalities

To solve a polynomial inequality, we get a zero on one

side of the inequality, factor and then determine where
the other side is zero. Then divide the number line into
regions, get a test point from each region and see which
region is the inequality satisfied.
 Absolute Value and Inequalities
Solve each of the following

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.

Common Types Definition Nth Term Sum of Terms

Arithmetic Sequencethat progresses in such a an = a1 + (n - 1)d S = n/2 ( a1 + an)
way that the difference between two
consecutive numbers is constant
Geometric progression where there is a fixed an = a1 r^(n-1) sum= a1/(1-r)
ratio maintained between every two
consecutive terms in the series
Harmonic progressive in which difference of a, a/d, a/(a + d), a/(a + -
successive denominator of fractions 2d),..... a/a + nd)
is equal
 Post Review Assessment No.1

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 x1)  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:

1. 4.4 hrs, 2. 83 3. 1/4 4. a/b 5. 40years