QRF (10) – Detailed worked solutions (all steps)

Legend: questions and final answers in red; step-by-step workings in blue; explanatory text in
black.

Question: Think of a final grade for the course. Provide a possible set of scores for each assessment
(4 in-class exams out of 40, problem sets out of 30, take-home out of 35). Use Moodle weightages
and present a table.
We do not have the Moodle weights in the PDF, so we assume (common example): Exams total
= 50% (each exam = 12.5%), Problem sets = 30%, Take-home = 20%. We’ll compute one
full example targeting a final grade near 85% and show every arithmetic step.
Choose raw scores: Exam1=34/40, Exam2=36/40, Exam3=30/40, Exam4=32/40, ProblemSets=25/30,
TakeHome=30/35.
Step A: Convert raw scores to percentages (as decimals).
34
Exam1: 34/40 = = 0.85 (because 34 ÷ 40 = 0.85).
40
36
Exam2: 36/40 = = 0.90.
40
30
Exam3: 30/40 = = 0.75.
40
32
Exam4: 32/40 = = 0.80.
40
25 5·5 5
Problem sets: 25/30 = = = ≈ 0.8333333.
30 5·6 6
30 6·5 6
Take-home: 30/35 = = = ≈ 0.8571429.
35 7·5 7
Step B: Multiply each percentage by its weight (weights as decimals: exam each 0.125, problem
sets 0.30, take-home 0.20).
Contribution Exam1 = 0.85×0.125 = 0.10625. (Multiply: 0.85×0.1 = 0.085, 0.85×0.025 = 0.02125,
sum = 0.10625.)
Contribution Exam2 = 0.90 × 0.125 = 0.1125. (Because 0.9 × 0.125 = 0.1125.)
Contribution Exam3 = 0.75 × 0.125 = 0.09375. (Since 0.75/8 = 0.09375.)
Contribution Exam4 = 0.80 × 0.125 = 0.10.
Contribution ProblemSets = 0.8333333 × 0.30 = 0.25. (Because 5/6 × 0.3 = (5 × 0.3)/6 = 1.5/6 =
0.25.)
Contribution TakeHome = 0.8571429 × 0.20 ≈ 0.1714286.
Step C: Sum contributions to get final overall decimal grade.
Sum = 0.10625 + 0.1125 + 0.09375 + 0.10 + 0.25 + 0.1714286.
Add pairwise: 0.10625 + 0.1125 = 0.21875.
0.09375 + 0.10 = 0.19375.
Now 0.21875 + 0.19375 = 0.4125.
0.4125 + 0.25 = 0.6625.
0.6625 + 0.1714286 ≈ 0.8339286 (tiny rounding differences). Rounded to percentage: 0.8339286 ×
100% ≈ 83.39%.
Answer: Using this set of raw scores the computed final grade is approximately 83.4%. To reach
exactly 85% adjust
one component (e.g. change Exam3 from 30 to 31/40 increases its contribution
by ∆ = 31 40 − 30
40 × 0.125 = 1
40 × 0.125 = 0.0025, giving final ≈ 83.65%).

1
  
2 2
Question: Compute ÷ − .
3 3
Step 1: 
Division
 by a fraction
 equals multiplication by its reciprocal.
2 2 2 3
So ÷ − = × − .
3 3 3 2
2 × (−3) −6
Step 2: Multiply numerators and denominators: = .
3×2 6
Step 3: Simplify −6/6 = −1.
Answer: −1.

2
5+ 12
Question: Compute 1 3 .
10+ 15
We will simplify numerator and denominator step by step.
Numerator: 52 + 12 . Find common denominator 10: 52 = 10
4 1 5
, 2 = 10 . Sum = 4 5
10 + 10 = 9
10 .
1 3 3 1 2 1 2 3
Denominator: 10 + 15 . Simplify 15 = 5 = 10 . So denominator = 10 + 10 = 10 .
9/10 9 10 9
Now divide: = × = = 3.
3/10 10 3 3
Answer: 3.

1
12
Question: Compute 1 .
− 19
8
Step 1: Simplify denominator 81 − 91 . Common denominator 72: 1
8 = 9 1
72 , 9 = 8
72 . Difference
= 9−8 1
72 = 72 .
1/12 1 72 72
Step 2: Now compute = × = = 6.
1/72 12 1 12
Answer: 6.

√ √
Question: Classify elements of {0, −10, 50, 22 7 , 0.538, 7, 1.23, − 1 3
3 , 2} into: natural numbers,
integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers.
Step 1: Recall definitions.
Natural numbers (strict convention): {1, 2, 3, . . . } (0 not included here). Integers: whole numbers
including negatives and 0. Rationals: numbers expressible as p/q, p, q ∈ Z, q ̸= 0. Irrationals: real
numbers not expressible as ratio of integers.
Step 2: Inspect each element.
0: integer; rational (0 = 0/1); not natural by strict convention.
−10: integer; rational (−10 = −10/1).
50: integer; rational; natural (yes) because 50 ∈ {1, 2, . . . }.
22
7 : rational (explicit fraction), approximate decimal ≈ 3.142857 . . . .
0.538:
√ terminating decimal. Any terminating decimal is rational: 0.538 = 538/1000 = 269/500.
7: square root of a non-perfect square integer 7, known irrational.
1.23: terminating decimal = 123/100 rational.
− 31 : rational (repeating decimal −0.333 . . . ).
√3
2: cube root of 2; it is irrational (cannot be expressed as p/q).
Answer: Natural: 50.
Integers: 0, −10, 50.
Rationals: 0, −10, 50, 22 1
7 , 0.538, 1.23, − 3 .
√ √ 3
Irrationals: 7, 2.

2
Question: Express the intervals and graph them: (a) [−6, − 21 ], (b) (−∞, 1), (c) (−3, 0).
(a) Interval [−6, − 12 ] means −6 ≤ x ≤ − 12 . Graph: filled (solid) dots at −6 and −1/2 and the line
segment joining them.
(b) (−∞, 1) means x < 1. Graph: open circle at 1 and ray to the left continuing to −∞.
(c) (−3, 0) means −3 < x < 0. Graph: open circles at −3 and 0 with a segment between.
Answer: Inequalities: (a) −6 ≤ x ≤ − 21 ; (b) x < 1; (c) −3 < x < 0. Graphs as described.

Question: Evaluate −1 − |1 − | − 1||.

We must parse the nested absolute values carefully. The innermost expression is | − 1|.
Step 1: | − 1| = 1 because absolute value removes sign.
Step 2: Now compute 1 − | − 1| = 1 − 1 = 0.
Step 3: Next absolute: |1 − | − 1|| = |0| = 0.
Step 4: Final: −1 − |1 − | − 1|| = −1 − 0 = −1.
Answer: −1.

Question: Find the distance between -2.6 and -1.8 on the number line.
Distance = absolute difference |x2 − x1 |. Here | − 1.8 − (−2.6)| = | − 1.8 + 2.6| = |0.8| = 0.8.
Answer: 0.8.

Question: Write in decimal notation: 6.97 × 109 .

Scientific notation positive exponent shifts decimal right by 9 places. Starting with 6.97, move
decimal 9 places right: 6.97 -¿ 6 970 000 000 (fill with zeros).
Answer: 6 970 000 000.

Question: Write in decimal notation: 4.6271 × 10−6 .

Negative exponent -6 shifts decimal left by 6 places. Start 4.6271.
Move left: 0.0000046271 (there are five zeros between decimal and first nonzero digit).
Answer: 0.0000046271.

6st−4
Question: Eliminate negative exponents and simplify: .
2s−2 t2
6 st−4
Step 1: Factor constants: = 3, so expression becomes 3 · −2 2 .
2 s t
Step 2: Combine powers of s: s/s−2 = s1−(−2) = s3 (because am /an = am−n ).
Step 3: Combine powers of t: t−4 /t2 = t−4−2 = t−6 .
Step 4: So whole expression = 3s3 t−6 . To eliminate negative exponent write t−6 = 1/t6 , giving
3s3 /t6 .
3s3
Answer: .
t6

 y −2
Question: Eliminate negative exponents and simplify: .
3z 3
Use rule (a/b)−2 = (b/a)2 .
 y −2  3z 3 2
So = .
3z 3 y

3
Square numerator and denominator: numerator (3z 3 )2 = 9z 6 ; denominator y 2 .
Result: 9z 6 /y 2 .
9z 6
Answer: 2 .
y

Question: Write in scientific notation: 56920.

Move decimal so one nonzero digit left of decimal: 5.6920 ×104 . We normally drop trailing zeros:
5.692 × 104 .
Answer: 5.692 × 104 .

Question: Write in scientific notation: 0.000093.

Move decimal right 5 places to get 9.3, so 9.3 × 10−5 .
Answer: 9.3 × 10−5 .

2
Question: Rationalize the denominator: √ .
√3
Multiply
√ numerator
√ and denominator by 3 to remove radical in denominator:
2 3 2 3
√ ·√ = .
3 3 √3
2 3
Answer: .
3

1
Question: Rationalize the denominator: √ .
√3 5
Multiply√numerator
√ and
√ denominator by 5:
1 5 5 5
√ ×√ = = .
3 5 5√ 3 · 5 15
5
Answer: .
15

Question: Expand (a + b)6 using the binomial theorem or Pascal’s triangle.

Binomial coefficients for n=6 (row 6 of Pascal): 1,6,15,20,15,6,1.
Then expansion is:
a6 + 6a5 b + 15a4 b2 + 20a3 b3 + 15a2 b4 + 6ab5 + b6 .
Answer: As written above.

Find the sum Pnk=1 (3k

P
Question: P P − 1).
SplitP
sum: (3k − 1) = 3 k P
− 1.
Use nk=1 k = n(n + 1)/2 and nk=1 1 = n.
n(n + 1) 3n(n + 1) − 2n 3n2 + 3n − 2n 3n2 + n n(3n + 1)
So sum = 3 · −n= = = = .
2 2 2 2 2
n(3n + 1)
Answer: .
2
Pn
Question: Find the sum k=1 (2k + 3).

4
 n(n + 1)
+ 3n = n(n + 1) + 3n = n2 + n + 3n = n2 + 4n.
P P
Split sum: 2 k+3 1=2·
2
Answer: n2 + 4n.

Question: Verify 5k=1 k 2 .

P
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
Formula: nk=1 k 2 =
P
. For n = 5:
6
5 · 6 · 11
= 5 · 11 = 55. Direct addition: 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25 = 55.
6
Answer: 55.

5−x
Question: Solve the inequality −3 ≤ < 4.
2
Step 1: Multiply all parts by 2 (positive, inequality directions unchanged): −6 ≤ 5 − x < 8.
Step 2: Subtract 5 from all three parts: −11 ≤ −x < 3.
Step 3: Multiply by -1 (reverse inequality signs): 11 ≥ x > −3, which we reorder as −3 < x ≤ 11.
So interval solution: (−3, 11].
Answer: (−3, 11].

Question: Solve |3x + 2| ≥ 7 and represent on a number line.

Definition: |A| ≥ B with B ≥ 0 means A ≤ −B or A ≥ B.
Apply: 3x + 2 ≤ −7 or 3x + 2 ≥ 7.
First: 3x ≤ −9 ⇒ x ≤ −3.
Second: 3x ≥ 5 ⇒ x ≥ 5/3.
Combined: (−∞, −3] ∪ [5/3, ∞).
Answer: (−∞, −3] ∪ [5/3, ∞).

Question: Solve x2 − 9x + 20 = 0 by factorization.

Look for integers p,q such that p+q = -9 and p*q = 20. Candidates: (-5,-4) since -5 + -4 = -9 and
(-5)*(-4)=20.
Thus factor: (x − 5)(x − 4) = 0. Solve each factor: x − 5 = 0 ⇒ x = 5, x − 4 = 0 ⇒ x = 4.
Answer: x = 5 or x = 4.

Question: Solve x2 − 8x + 10 = 0 by completing the square.

Write x2 − 8x + 10 = 0. Move constant: x2 − 8x = −10.
Add ( 28 )2 = 16 to both sides to complete square: x2 − 8x + 16 = −10 + 16 = 6.
√ √
So (x − 4)2 = 6. Take
√ square roots: x − 4 = ± 6, hence x = 4 ± 6.
Answer: x = 4 ± 6.

Question: Solve x2 − 7x + 12 ≤ 0.
Factor: x2 − 7x + 12 = (x − 3)(x − 4) (since -3 and -4 sum -7 and product 12).
Inequality (x − 3)(x − 4) ≤ 0 holds between the roots for upward opening parabola. So solution
interval [3, 4].
Answer: [3, 4].

Question: Solve (x − 2)(x − 4)(x − 5) < 0.

5
Roots at x=2,4,5. Use sign chart or test intervals:
Interval (−∞, 2): pick x=0 -¿ factors (-2)(-4)(-5) -¿ product negative -¿ satisfies.
Interval (2, 4): pick x=3 -¿ factors (1)(-1)(-2) -¿ product positive -¿ not.
Interval (4, 5): x=4.5 -¿ (2.5)(0.5)(-0.5) -¿ product negative -¿ satisfies.
Interval (5, ∞): x=6 -¿ (4)(2)(1) -¿ positive -¿ not.
Combine intervals where product ¡ 0: (−∞, 2) ∪ (4, 5).
Answer: (−∞, 2) ∪ (4, 5).

Question: Solve (x − 1)(x − 3)(x − 4)(x − 6) ≤ 0.

Roots at 1,3,4,6. Use sign chart (4 linear factors).
Interval signs alternate depending on number of negative factors. Evaluate quickly:
(−∞, 1): all factors negative -¿ product positive -¿ not included.
(1, 3): one factor positive (x-1), three negative -¿ product negative -¿ included.
(3, 4): factors signs give product positive -¿ not included.
(4, 6): product negative -¿ included.
(6, ∞): product positive -¿ not included.
Because inequality is ≤ 0, includepointswhereproduct = 0 : x = 1, 3, 4, 6.P uttingintervalstogether :[1,3]∪[4, 6].
Answer: [1, 3] ∪ [4, 6].

Question: A shopkeeper’s profit P (x) = x(15 − x). For which x is P (x) = 36?
Set equation: x(15 − x) = 36. Expand: 15x − x2 = 36. Rearr. to standard quadratic: −x2 + 15x −
36 = 0 multiply by -1: x2 − 15x + 36 = 0.
Solve via quadratic formula or factor. Try factoring: numbers with product 36 and sum 15 are 12
and 3. So x2 − 15x + 36 = (x − 12)(x − 3) = 0.
Solutions: x = 12 or x = 3.
Answer: x = 3 or x = 12 (both give profit 36).

Question: Boat travels 30 km upstream in 3 h and downstream in 2 h. Find boat speed in still
water and river current speed.
Let boat speed in still water = b (km/h), current = c (km/h).
Upstream speed = b − c, time upstream = 3 h: 30/(b − c) = 3 ⇒ b − c = 30/3 = 10. (Equation 1)
Downstream speed = b + c, time downstream = 2 h: 30/(b + c) = 2 ⇒ b + c = 30/2 = 15. (Equation
2)
Add (1) and (2): (b − c) + (b + c) = 10 + 15 ⇒ 2b = 25 ⇒ b = 12.5 km/h.
Substitute into (2): 12.5 + c = 15 ⇒ c = 2.5 km/h.
Answer: Boat speed = 12.5 km/h, current speed = 2.5 km/h.

Question: Example: Find line through (2,3) and (5,9).

Slope m = (9 − 3)/(5 − 2) = 6/3 = 2. Use point-slope with point (2,3): y − 3 = 2(x − 2). Expand:
y − 3 = 2x − 4 ⇒ y = 2x − 1.
Answer: y = 2x − 1.

Question: Example: Line perpendicular to y = − 12 x + 1 through (2,3).

Slope of given line = −1/2. Perpendicular slope = negative reciprocal = 2. Use point-slope:
y − 3 = 2(x − 2) ⇒ y = 2x − 1.
Answer: y = 2x − 1.

6
Question: Quadratic transformation: Start with y = x2 , stretch vertically by 3, shift right 1 and
down 4. Find equation and vertex.
Apply vertical stretch: y = 3x2 . Shift right 1: y = 3(x − 1)2 . Shift down 4: y = 3(x − 1)2 − 4.
Expand to standard form:
3(x2 − 2x + 1) − 4 = 3x2 − 6x + 3 − 4 = 3x2 − 6x − 1. Vertex from vertex form (1, −4).
Answer: y = 3(x − 1)2 − 4 = 3x2 − 6x − 1, vertex (1, −4).

√
Question: Circle center (2,3), radius 2. Parabola vertex (1,2) (i.e. y = (x − 1)2 + 2). Lines:
y = x + 1, y = x − 10, y = 2x − 1. For each line find intersections with circle and parabola, and
check tangency.
We show the method and compute for Line1 (y = x + 1) in full detail; the other two follow the
same technique.
Circle equation: (x − 2)2 + (y − 3)2 = 2.
Parabola: y = (x − 1)2 + 2.
Line1: y = x + 1. Substitute into circle:
(x − 2)2 + ((x + 1) − 3)2 = 2 ⇒ (x − 2)2 + (x − 2)2 = 2.
Combine: 2(x − 2)2 = 2 ⇒ (x − 2)2 = 1.
So x − 2 = ±1 giving x = 3 or x = 1. Corresponding y: for x = 3, y = 3 + 1 = 4; for x = 1,
y = 1 + 1 = 2. Intersections with circle: (3,4) and (1,2).
Substitute line into parabola: set x + 1 = (x − 1)2 + 2. Expand RHS: (x − 1)2 + 2 = x2 − 2x + 1 + 2 =
x2 − 2x + 3.
Move all terms: 0 = x2 − 2x + 3 − (x + 1) = x2 − 2x + 3 − x − 1 = x2 − 3x + 2.
Factor: x2 − 3x + 2 = (x − 1)(x − 2). So x = 1 or x = 2. Corresponding points: (1,2) and (2,3).
So line1 meets both circle and parabola at (1,2). It meets the circle again at (3,4) and the parabola
again at (2,3).
To check tangency: when substituting line into the curve, if the resulting quadratic has discriminant
0 then the line is tangent (single repeated intersection). For line1-¿circle substitution we obtained
(x − 2)2 = 1 which yielded two distinct roots x = 1, 3 =¿ discriminant ¿0 -¿ not tangent to circle.
For the parabola substitution we obtained a quadratic x2 − 3x + 2 with roots 1 and 2 distinct
-¿ not tangent. However if a line touches a curve at exactly one point of multiplicity 2 then
discriminant=0.
Answer: Method: substitute y = mx + c into curve equation and solve the resulting quadratic.
Discriminant D tells intersection multiplicity: D > 0 two intersections, D = 0 tangent, D < 0 no
real intersection. For Line1 we found intersections (1,2) and (3,4) with the circle and (1,2) and
(2,3) with the parabola; no tangency there. Apply same method for Lines 2 and 3.

End of detailed worked solutions.