Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners i

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ii Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

PRE-ALGEBRA MATH
FOR BEGINNERS

The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to

Preparing for the Pre-Algebra Math Test

Answers and Solutions

By

Reza Nazari

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 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners iii

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iv Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Contents
Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 1
Practices ........................................................................................................................... 2
Answers ............................................................................................................................ 4
Answers and Explanations .............................................................................................. 5
Chapter 2: Decimals 13
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 14
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 16
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 17
Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 25
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 26
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 28
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 29
Chapter 4: Ratios and Proportions 37
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 38
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 40
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 41
Chapter 5: Percentage 47
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 48
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 50
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 51
Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 55
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 56
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 58
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 59
Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 67
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 68
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 70
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 71
Chapter 8: Equations and Inequalities 77
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 78
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 80
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 81

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 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners v

Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 85

Practices ......................................................................................................................... 86
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 88
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 89
Chapter 10: Polynomials 95
Practices ......................................................................................................................... 96
Answers .......................................................................................................................... 98
Answers and Explanations ............................................................................................ 99
Chapter 11: Geometry and Solid Figures 105
Practices ....................................................................................................................... 106
Answers ........................................................................................................................ 108
Answers and Explanations .......................................................................................... 109
Chapter 12: Statistics 113
Practices ....................................................................................................................... 114
Answers ........................................................................................................................ 116
Answers and Explanations .......................................................................................... 117

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 1

CHAPTER

1 Fractions and
Mixed Numbers

Math topics in this chapter:

 Simplifying Fractions
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
 Adding Mixed Numbers
 Subtracting Mixed Numbers
 Multiplying Mixed Numbers
 Dividing Mixed Numbers 1

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2 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Simplify each fraction.

2 25
= =
8 45
5 42
= =
15 54
10 48
= =
90 60
12 52
= =
16 169

 Find the sum or difference.

3 2 7 1
+ = − =
10 10 54 9
4 1 4 1
− = − =
9 9 5 6
2 6 6 3
+ = − =
3 15 7 8
17 5 2 1
− = + =
24 8 13 4

 Find the products or quotients.

2 4 9 5
÷ = × =
9 3 25 27
14 28 65 12
÷ = × =
5 35 72 15

 Find the sum.

1 2 2 1
2 +1 = 2 +4 =
5 5 7 21
1 7 3 4
5 +2 = 5 +1 =
9 9 5 9
3 1 3 6
2 +1 = 3 +4 =
4 8 11 7

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 3

 Find the difference.

1 2 3 1
5 −4 = 4 −2 =
3 3 4 28
7 3 2 1
4 −1 = 4 −3 =
10 10 7 6
1 2 3 3
3 −2 = 5 −3 =
3 9 10 4
1 1 9 1
6 −3 = 6 −2 =
2 3 20 3

 Find the products.

1 3 1 1
1 ×2 = 2 ×5 =
2 7 5 2
3 3 1 4
1 ×1 = 2 ×4 =
4 5 2 5
1 5 1 1
4 ×1 = 3 ×4 =
2 6 5 2
2 1 9 1
1 ×3 = 4 ×4 =
7 5 10 2

 Solve.
1 2 1 2
1 ÷1 = 4 ÷2 =
3 3 5 3
1 1 2 3
2 ÷1 = 1 ÷1 =
4 2 3 8
1 1 1 2
5 ÷3 = 4 ÷2 =
3 2 2 3
2 1 2 1
3 ÷1 = 1 ÷1 =
7 8 11 8

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4 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

1 7 1 9
=3 3
4 2 2 14
1 1 4
2
3 15 5
1 13 1
8
9 18 4
3 3 4
3 4
4 5 35
5 8 1
7 12
9 9 10
7 7
3 12
9 8
4 1 2
6 14
5 3 5
4 2 1
7 22
13 45 20
1 10 4
8
2 77 5
1 2 1
1
3 3 2
16 1 2 11
=1 3 1
15 15 5 21
1 1 58
1 2
12 9 63
1 1 23
3 1
54 6 40
19 5 7
2 1
30 7 33
27 5 11
1 1
56 42 16
21 11 5
1 1
52 20 99
1 7
4
6 60

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 5

Answers and Explanations

2
1. We can simplify the fraction 8 by finding a common factor of both numbers and dividing
2
them by it. For 2 and 8, the common factor is 2. 2 ÷ 2 = 1, and 8 ÷ 2 = 4. So, 8 simplifies
1
to 4.

2. Here, we can observe that both numbers are multiples of 5: 5 ÷ 5 = 1, and 15 ÷ 5 = 3.

5 1
Thus, 15 is equivalent to 3.

3. For 10 and 90, they share a factor of 10. Then, we have: 10 ÷ 10 = 1, and 90 ÷ 10 = 9.
10 1
Therefore, 90 reduces to 9.

12
4. To simplify 16, we can notice that both numbers are even. The highest even number that
12 3
can divide both is 4. So, 12 ÷ 4 = 3, and 16 ÷ 4 = 4. This means 16 can be simplified to 4.

25
5. 25 and 45 have a common factor of 5. We get: 25 ÷ 5 = 5, and 45 ÷ 5 = 9. Hence, 45
5
becomes 9.

42
6. Both 42 and 54 can be divided by 6. We have: 42 ÷ 6 = 7, and 54 ÷ 6 = 9. So, 54
7
simplifies to 9.

7. The biggest number that can evenly divide both 48 and 60 is 12. So, 48 ÷ 12 = 4, and
48 4
60 ÷ 12 = 5. Thus, 60 can be represented as 5.

8. Recognizing that 169 is 13 squared, we can see that 52 is divisible by 13. 52 ÷ 13 = 4,

52 4
and also 169 ÷ 13 = 13. So, 169 is simplified to 13.

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6 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

9. When the denominators (the bottom numbers) are the same, you can simply add the
numerators (the top numbers). Here, both fractions have a denominator of 10: 3 + 2 = 5.
3 2 5 5 1
So, 10 + 10 = 10. Simplifying 10 gives 2 because both 5 and 10 are divisible by 5.

4
10. Similarly, with the same denominators, just subtract the numerators. 4 − 1 = 3. So, 9 −
1 3 3 1
= 9. When simplified, 9 becomes 3 as both 3 and 9 are divisible by 3.
9

11. To add fractions with different denominators, find a common denominator. The
2
smallest common multiple of 3 and 15 is 15. Convert to have a denominator of 15 by
3
2 5 10
multiplying top and bottom by 5. So, 3 × 5 = 15. Now, add the numerators: 10 + 6 = 16.

2 6 10 6 16 1
Therefore, 3 + 15 = 15 + 15 = 15 or 1 15.

5
12. Convert both fractions to have a common denominator, which is 24. 8 can be changed
15 3 17 5 17
to by multiplying by 3. Now, subtract the numerators: 17 − 15 = 2. So, − 8 = 24 −
24 24
15 2 1
= 24, which simplifies to 12.
24

1
13. To make the denominators match, convert into a fraction with a 54 denominator.
9
1 6 6 7 1 7 6 1
Multiply 9 by 6 to get 54. Now, 7 − 6 = 1. So, 54 − 9 = 54 − 54 = 54.

4 24 1 5 4 1 24
14. The least common multiple of 5 and 6 is 30. Convert 5 to 30 and 6 to 30. So, 5 − 6 = 30 −
5 24−5 19
= = 30.
30 30

6 48 3 21 6 3
15. The least common multiple of 7 and 8 is 56. Convert 7 to 56 and 8 to 56. Thus, 7 − 8 =
48 21 48−21 27
− 56 = = 56.
56 56

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 7

2 8
16. For denominators of 13 and 4, the smallest common multiple is 52. Convert 13 to 52 and
1 13 2 1 21
to 52. Then, 8 + 13 = 21, resulting in 13 + 4 = 52.
4

17. For dividing fractions, you can multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second
2 3
fraction. The reciprocal is simply flipping the numerator and the denominator. 9 × 4. Now,
2 3 6 6
multiply the numerators together and the denominators together: 9 × 4 = 36. Simplify: 36 =
1
(since 6 can be divided from both the numerator and the denominator).
6

18. For this division, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
14 35 490
× 28 = 140. But this fraction can be made simpler! Both 490 and 140 can be divided by
5
7 1
70. Doing that gives us 2 = 3 2.

19. For multiplying fractions, simply multiply the numerators together and the
9 5 9 5 1 1 1
denominators together. × = × = × = .
25 27 5×5 3×9 5 3 15

12
20. Before multiplying, let's simplify the fractions to make our multiplication easier. 15 can
4
be simplified to 5 by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 3. Multiply the
65 4 13×5 4 13
simplified fractions: 72 × 5 = 4×18 × 5 = 18.

21. When adding mixed numbers, we add whole numbers together and then fractions
1 2 3 3
separately. 2 + 1 = 3 (Whole numbers), 5 + 5 = 5 (fractions). So, the result is 3 5.

1 7 8
22. For the whole number part, 5 + 2 = 7. When you add the fractions 9 and 9, you get 9.
8
So, the result is 7 9.

3 6
23. Adding the whole numbers first: 2 + 1 = 3. Then, for the fractions: 4 is the same as 8.
6 1 7 7
So, 8 + 8 = 8. Combining, we get 3 8.

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8 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

2 6
24. Combine the whole numbers: 2 + 4 = 6. For the fractions, 7 can be expressed as 21. So,
6 1 7 1 1
+ 21 = 21, which simplifies to 3. Thus, the sum is 6 3.
21

3 27 4
25. Begin with the whole numbers: 5 + 1 = 6. Now, for the fractions: convert 5 to 45 and 9
20 47 2
to 45. Adding these gives 45, which is 1 and 45 when simplified. Adding the 1 to the 6, we
2
get 7 45.

26. First, total the whole numbers: 3 + 4 = 7. Next, convert the fractions to have common
3 21 6 66 87
denominators. 11 is equivalent to 77, and 7 equals 77. Adding these fractions results in 77,
10 10
which is 1 and 77. Including this to the whole number gives 8 77.

1 2 1
27. Whole numbers: 5 − 4 = 1. Fractions: 3 − 3 = − 3. Since this is negative, we'll borrow
4
1 from our whole number result. This makes our whole number 0 and our fraction 3. Now,
4 2 2
− 3 = 3.
3

7 3 4 2
28. Start by subtracting the fractions. − 10 = 10, which can be simplified to 5. Then
10
2
subtract the whole numbers: 4 − 1 = 3. So, the answer is 3 5.

1 3
29. To subtract the fractions, find a common denominator, which is 9. 3 is the same as 9.
1 2 3 2 1 1
Now, 3 − 9 = 9 − 9 = 9. Subtract the whole numbers: 3 − 2 = 1. So, the result is 1 9.

1 3 1 2
30. Using the knowledge from the previous steps, first transform to 6 and 2 to 6 . Now,
2
3 2 1 1
− 6 = 6. Subtracting whole numbers, 6 − 3 = 3. So, the answer is 3 6.
6

3 21 21 1
31. The denominators 4 and 28 aren't as straightforward. Convert 4 to 28. Now, 28 − 28 =
20 5 5
28
, which simplifies to 7. Subtract the whole numbers: 4 − 2 = 2. Answer: 2 7.

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 9

2 12 1 7 12 7 5
32. With different denominators, convert to and to . Now, − 42 = 42. For the
7 42 6 42 42
5
whole numbers: 4 − 3 = 1. So, the answer is 1 42.

3 6 3
33. First, find a common denominator. In this case, it´s 20. 10 is equivalent to and 4 is
20
15 6 15 9
equivalent to 20. Now, 20 − 20 = − 20, which is negative, so we borrow 1 from the whole
6 20+6 26 26 15 11
number. 5 − 1 = 4 (After borrowing). And 1 + 20 = = 20. Next, − 20 = 20. Now,
20 20
11
subtract the whole numbers: 4 − 3 = 1. So, the final answer is 1 20.

1 20 9 27 27 20 7
34. Convert 3 to 60. Convert 20 to 60. Subtracting, 60 − 60 = 60. For whole numbers: 6 − 2 =
7
4. So, the result is 4 60.

1 3 3 17
35. First, convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions. 1 2 = 2 and 2 7 = . Multiply
7
51
the numerators (3 × 17 = 51) and denominators (2 × 7 = 14). This gives , which
14
9
simplifies to 3 14.

3 7 3 8
36. Convert: 1 4 = 4 and 1 5 = 5. Multiplying the numerators (7 × 8 = 56) and
56 16 4
denominators (4 × 5 = 20) yields 20, which is 2 20 or 2 5 when simplified.

1 9 5 11 99
37. For this, convert and then multiply. 4 2 becomes 2 and 1 6 becomes . Our result is 12.
6
3 1
Breaking that down, we get 8 12, which is 8 4 in its simplest form.

2 9 1 16 144
38. Make them improper: 1 7 = 7 and 3 5 = . After multiplication, we get . This equates
5 35
4
to 4 35.

1 11 1 11 121 1
39. Transforming: 2 5 = and 5 2 = . Multiplying yields , which is the same as 12 10.
5 2 10

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10 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

1 5 4 24 120
40. Upon conversion, 2 2 is 2 and 4 5 is . The product is , which simplifies to 12.
5 10

1 16 1 9 144 4 2
41. In improper form: 3 5 = and 4 2 = 2. Multiplying, we get , which is 14 10 or 14 5.
5 10

49 9 441 1
42. This turns into 10 and 2. The multiplication results in , which breaks down to 22 20.
20

1 4 2 5
43. First, convert both mixed numbers to improper fractions. 1 3 = 3 and 1 3 = 3. Now,
4 3 12
divide by multiplying with the reciprocal of the second fraction: × 5 = 15. Simplifying
3
4
gives: 5.

1 9 1 3 9 2 18
44. Transform to improper fractions: 2 4 = 4, 1 2 = 2. Perform division: × 3 = 12. On
4
3 1
simplification: 2 or 1 2.

1 16 1 7 16 2 32
45. Change to improper fractions: 5 3 = , 3 2 = 2. Divide the two: × 7 = 21.
3 3

11
Simplified form: 1 21.

2 23 1 9 23 8 184 58
46. Convert: 3 7 = , 1 8 = 8. Perform division: ×9= . This is equal to 2 63.
7 7 63

1 21 2 8 21 3 63 23
47. Change numbers: 4 5 = , 2 3 = 3. Execute division: × 8 = 40. Final result is 1 40.
5 5

2 5 3 11 5 8 40
48. Adjust to improper form: 1 3 = 3, 1 8 = . Carry out division: 3 × 11 = 33. The result is
8
7
1 33.

1 9 2 8 9 3 27
49. Modify to improper fractions: 4 2 = 2, 2 3 = 3. Implement division: 2 × 8 = 16. That's
11
1 16.

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 Chapter 1: Fractions and Mixed Numbers 11

2 13 1 9 13 8 104
50. Turn to improper fractions: 1 11 = 11, 1 8 = 8. Execute division: 11 × 9 = . Concluding
99
5
result: 1 99.

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 Chapter 2: Decimals 13

CHAPTER

2 Decimals

Math topics in this chapter:

 Comparing Decimals
 Rounding Decimals
 Adding and Subtracting Decimals
 Multiplying and Dividing Decimals
13

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14 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Compare. Use >, =, and <

0.5 ⎕ 0.6 4.8 ⎕ 8.4

0.9 ⎕ 0.8 0.005 ⎕ 0.05

0.1 ⎕ 0.2 2.02 ⎕ 20.020

0.02 ⎕ 0.06 55.100⎕ 55.10

0.05 ⎕ 0.08 0.44 ⎕ 0.440

0.12 ⎕ 0.09 6.01 ⎕ 6.0100

3.2 ⎕ 2.5 0.77 ⎕ 77.0

 Round each decimal to the nearest whole number.

5.8 13.41

6.4 16.78

12.3 67.58

9.2 42.67

7.6 55.89

22.4 14.32

6.8 78.88

15.9 98.29

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 Chapter 2: Decimals 15

 Find the sum or difference.

12.1 + 36.2 = 96.23 − 28.32 =

56.3 − 22.2 = 57.33 + 67.46 =

45.1 + 12.8 = 46.26 − 39.49 =

27.9 − 16.4 = 44.95 + 76.53 =

98.8 − 56.6 = 79.37 − 52.89 =

28.45 + 13.22 = 19.99 + 28.7 =

16.78 + 45.11 = 83.48 − 49.3 =

86.16 − 72.12 = 19.6 + 42.98 =

 Find the product or quotient.

3.3 × 0.2 = 2.1 × 8.4 =

2.4 ÷ 0.3 = 1.6 × 4.5 =

8.1 × 1.4 = 9.2 × 3.1 =

4.8 ÷ 0.2 = 36.6 ÷ 1.6 =

4.1 × 0.3 = 1.91 × 5.2 =

8.6 ÷ 0.2 = 3.65 × 1.4 =

9.9 × 0.8 = 24.82 ÷ 0.4 =

1.84 ÷ 0.2 = 12.4 × 4.20 =

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16 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

< 16 26.48
> 13 48.69
< 17 34.18
< 68 62.58
< 43 0.66
> 56 8
> 14 11.34
< 79 24
< 98 1.23
< 48.3 43
= 34.1 7.92
= 57.9 9.2
= 11.5 17.64
< 42.2 7.2
6 41.67 28.52
6 61.89 22.875
12 14.04 9.932
9 67.91 5.11
8 124.79 62.05
22 6.77 52.08
7 121.48

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 Chapter 2: Decimals 17

Answers and Explanations

1. Look at the first number after the decimal point: 0.5 has 5 while 0.6 has 6. Since 5 is
smaller than 6, 0.5 is less than 0.6. So, 0.5 < 0.6.

2. Examine the first digit after the point: 0.9 has 9 and 0.8 has 8. As 9 is greater than 8, 0.9
is bigger than 0.8. So, 0.9 > 0.8.

3. Focus on the initial digit post the dot: for 0.1 it's 1 and for 0.2 it's 2. Clearly, 1 is not as
big as 2, so 0.1 is smaller and the answer is: 0.1 < 0.2.

4. Moving to the second place after the decimal: 0.02 has 2, while 0.06 has 6. Given that 2
is not as high as 6, 0.02 is less. So, 0.02 < 0.06.

5. Again, observe the second digit after the point: in 0.05, it's 5, whereas in 0.08, it's 8.
Since 5 doesn't exceed 8, 0.05 is the smaller number. Answer: 0.05 < 0.08.

6. Initially, focus on the first digit after the point: 0.12 has 1 and 0.09 has 0. Since 1 > 0,
you might think 0.12 is greater, but to be thorough, check the next digit. For 0.12, it's 2 and
for 0.09, it's 9. But since the first digit already determined the larger number, no need to
compare further. So, 0.12 > 0.09.

7. First, compare the whole numbers: 3 in 3.2 and 2 in 2.5. As 3 surpasses 2, 3.2 is certainly
bigger than 2.5 without needing to look at the decimals. Answer: 3.2 > 2.5.

8. Start by looking at the whole numbers: 4 in 4.8 and 8 in 8.4. Given that 4 doesn't come
close to 8, 4.8 is evidently smaller than 8.4. Answer: 4.8 < 8.4.

9. When comparing these two decimals, we look at each digit's position. The first number
has its highest value in the thousandths place, while the second has its highest value in the
hundredths place. Any non-zero digit in the hundredths place is larger than any digit in the
thousandths place. Thus, 0.005 < 0.05.

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18 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

10. Starting from the left, the first number starts with a 2 in the ones place, while the second
number starts with a 20 in the tens place. This immediately makes the second number ten
times larger than the first. The decimal portions only reinforce this difference. So: 2.02 <
20.020.

11. Decimal numbers can have trailing zeros after the decimal point without changing their
value. In this case, 55.100 and 55.10 represent the same value. Thus, 55.100 = 55.10.

12. Both numbers have a 4 in the tenths place. Moving to the hundredths place, they both
have a 4 again. Even though 0.440 has an extra 0 in the thousandths place, this does not
change its value, so the two numbers are equivalent. 0.44 = 0.440

13. Considering the place values, both numbers have a 6 in the ones place. Moving to the
right, both have a 0 in the tenths and a 1 in the hundredths place. The additional zeros in
6.0100 at the thousandths and ten-thousandths places do not alter its value. Hence, 6.01 =
6.0100.

14. In the number 0.77, the 7 is in the tenths place, meaning it's less than one. In contrast,
for 77.0, the first 7 is in the tens place, representing a value of seventy. Clearly, seventy is
much greater than a fraction that's less than one. So, 0.77 < 77.0.

15. Rounding involves looking at the number immediately to the right of the decimal point.
If it's 5 or greater, we increase the whole number by 1.

Here, 8 is greater than 5, so 5.8 rounds up to 6.

16. For rounding, a key number to remember is 5. Numbers less than 5 cause the whole
number to remain the same. Since 4 is less than 5, 6.4 rounds down to 6.

17. We're focusing on the first digit after the decimal point, which is 3. As it's below 5, the
number stays as 12 when rounded.

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 Chapter 2: Decimals 19

18. The number immediately after the decimal is 2. Given that 2 is smaller than 5, we don't
add anything to the whole number. So, 9.2 remains 9.

19. By observing the digit right after the decimal (6 in this case), and noting that it's 5 or
more, we bump the whole number up. So, 7 becomes 8.

20. When the number after the decimal is smaller than 5, like the 4 here, we keep the whole
number as is. Thus, 22.4 rounds to 22.

21. Here, the number 8 is greater than 5. This means we raise the whole number part up by
one, so 6 turns into 7.

22. We determine the rounding based on the first number after the decimal. With 9 being
greater than 5, 15 increases to 16.

23. Although there are more numbers after the decimal, we only need to consider the first
one for rounding. Here, 4 causes 13 to remain the same.

24. The first digit after the point is 7. As it's over 5, we elevate the 16 to 17.

25. We're concerned with the 5 immediately following the decimal. Given that it's exactly
5, we raise 67 by one, resulting in 68.

26. Checking the first digit after the decimal, we see it's 6. This pushes 42 up to 43.

27. The number 8 is greater than 5. Therefore, the whole part, 55, gets a boost of one,
turning it into 56.

28. With 3 being our key number (as it's directly after the decimal), and it being less than 5,
14 remains unchanged.

29. Observing the first digit after the point, 8 tells us to increment 78 by one, so it becomes
79.

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20 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

30. By focusing on the 2, which is less than 5, 98 remains the same when rounded.

31. When you add numbers with decimals, line up the decimal points. Start by adding the
numbers to the right of the decimal (0.1 + 0.2 = 0.3). Next, add the whole numbers (12 +
36 = 48). Put them together, and you get 48.3.

32. For subtraction, also line up the decimal points. Subtract the numbers to the right of the
decimal (0.3 − 0.2 = 0.1). Subtract the whole numbers (56 − 22 = 34). Combine to get
34.1.

33. Adding from the right, 0.1 + 0.8 = 0.9. Add the whole numbers: 45 + 12 = 57. So,
57.9 is the answer.

34. Begin from the decimals: 0.9 − 0.4 = 0.5. For whole numbers: 27 − 16 = 11. Together,
the answer is 11.5.

35. Subtracting the decimals: 0.8 − 0.6 = 0.2. Subtracting the whole numbers: 98 − 56 =
42. In total, the answer is 42.2.

36. Starting from the rightmost decimal: 0.05 + 0.02 = 0.07. For the next position, 0.4 +
0.2 = 0.6. Now, add the whole numbers: 28 + 13 = 41. Summing them up, the result is
41.67.

37. Rightmost decimal addition: 0.08 + 0.01 = 0.09. Next, 0.7 + 0.1 = 0.8. For the whole
numbers: 16 + 45 = 61. Combined, the result is 61.89.

38. Starting from the rightmost decimal: 0.06 − 0.02 = 0.04. Then, 0.1 − 0.1 = 0. For the
whole numbers: 86 − 72 = 14. Altogether, the result is 14.04.

39. Beginning with the decimals: 0.03 − 0.02 = 0.01. Next, 0.2 − 0.3 = −0.1. Since you're
borrowing, this makes the 96 become 95 and the 0.2 becomes 1.2. Now, 1.2 − 0.3 = 0.9.
For the whole numbers: 95 − 28 = 67. So, 67.91 is the answer.

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 Chapter 2: Decimals 21

40. Starting rightmost: 0.03 + 0.06 = 0.09. Then, 0.3 + 0.4 = 0.7. For whole numbers:
57 + 67 = 124. The result is 124.79.

41. Starting with decimals: 0.06 − 0.09 needs borrowing. 0.16 − 0.09 = 0.07. Now, 0.2 −
0.4 = −0.2, requiring another borrow. 1.2 − 0.4 = 0.8. Whole numbers: 45 − 39 = 6. The
result is 6.77.

42. Rightmost addition: 0.05 + 0.03 = 0.08. Then, 0.9 + 0.5 = 1.4 (carry the 1). Whole
numbers with carry: 45 + 76 = 121. So, 121.48 is the answer.

43. Starting with decimals: 0.07 − 0.09 needs borrowing. 0.17 − 0.09 = 0.08. Next, 0.2 −
0.8 = −0.5, requiring a borrow. 1.2 − 0.8 = 0.5. Whole numbers: 78 − 52 = 26. Result is
26.48.

44. Rightmost addition: 0.09 + 0 = 0.09. Then, 0.9 + 0.7 = 1.6 (carry the 1). Whole
numbers with carry: 20 + 28 = 48. The result is 48.69.

45. Starting from the right, 0.08 − 0 = 0.08. Then, 0.4 − 0.3 = 0.1. Whole numbers: 83 −
49 = 34. Result is 34.18.

46. Beginning with rightmost: 0 + 0.08 = 0.08. Then, 0.6 + 0.9 = 1.5 (carry the 1). Whole
numbers with carry: 20 + 42 = 62. The result is 62.58.

47. Multiplying whole numbers is straightforward. When multiplying decimals, ignore the
decimal points initially, and then place the decimal back in the final answer. For this
problem, treat it as 33 × 2 = 66. Since there are 2 total decimal places in the original
numbers (1 in 3.3 and 1 in 0.2), the answer will also have 2 decimal places. Thus, 0.66 is
the answer.

48. Think of division as "how many times does 0.3 fit into 2.4? "or" distribute 2.4 into 0.3-
sized groups. "Dividing without decimals, it's 24 ÷ 3 which is 8. Since the decimals do not
affect this specific division, the answer remains 8.

[Link]
22 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

49. This is similar to multiplying 81 by 14. That's 1,134. There are two decimal places across
the original numbers (1 in 8.1 and 1 in 1.4). So, your answer should have two decimal places:
11.34.

50. Here, think of distributing 4.8 into 0.2-sized portions. Without decimals, 48 ÷ 2 is 24.
So, the answer is 24.

51. For 41 × 3, you get 123. With 2 decimal places in total (1 in each number), the answer
is 1.23.

52. You're asking "How many times does 0.2 fit into 8.6?". Without decimals, 86 ÷ 2 is 43.
Thus, the answer is 43.

53. This resembles 99 × 8, which gives 792. Two decimal places in total mean the answer
is 7.92.

54. Here, distribute 1.84 into 0.2-sized groups. For 184 ÷ 2, you get 92. So, the answer is
9.2.

55. Similar to 21 × 84 which is 1,764. Two decimal places total means the answer is 17.64.

56. Like multiplying 16 and 45, you get 720. With two decimal places in total, it's 7.2.

57. This is akin to 92 × 31, which is 2,852. Again, two decimals mean it's 28.52.

58. You're checking how many times 1.6 fits into 36.6. This is trickier; division gives you
about 22.875.

59. View it as 191 × 52 which is 9,932. Counting 3 decimals in total gives 9.932.

60. Think 365 × 14, yielding 5,110. With three decimals, the answer is 5.11.

61. Dividing 2482 by 4, you get 620.5. With two decimals, the answer is 62.05.

[Link]
 Chapter 2: Decimals 23

62. This is like 1240 × 42, which is 52,080. Counting 4 decimals

yield 52.08.

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 25

CHAPTER

3 Integers and Order

of Operations

Math topics in this chapter:

 Adding and Subtracting Integers

 Multiplying and Dividing Integers
 Order of Operations
 Integers and Absolute Value
25

[Link]
26 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Find each sum or difference.

−9 + 16 = (−11) + (−5 + 6) =
−18 − 6 = (−3) + (9 − 16) =
−24 + 10 = (−8) − (13 + 4) =
30 + (−5) = (−7 + 9) − 39 =
15 + (−3) = (−30 + 6) − 14 =
(−13) + (−4) = (−5 + 9) + (−3 + 7) =
25 + (3 − 10) = (8 − 19) − (−4 + 12) =
12 − (−6 + 9) = (−9 + 2) − (6 − 7) =
5 − (−2 + 7) = (−12 − 5) − (−4 − 14) =

 Solve.
3 × (−6) = (−12 + 3) × (−5) =
(−32) ÷ 4 = (−3 + 4) × (−11) =
(−5) × 4 = (−9) × (6 − 5) =
(25) ÷ (−5) = (−3 − 7) × (−6) =
(−72) ÷ 8 = (−7 + 3) × (−9 + 6) =
(−2) × (−6) × 5 = (−15) ÷ (−17 + 12) =
(−2) × 3 × (−7) = (−3 − 2) × (−9 + 7) =
(−1) × (−3) × (−5) = (−15 + 31) ÷ (−2) =
(−2) × (−3) × (−6) = (−64) ÷ (−16 + 8) =

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 27

 Evaluate each expression.

3 + (2 × 5) = (−16 + 5) − (54 ÷ 9) =
(5 × 4) − 7 = (−20 + 4) − (35 ÷ 5) =
(−9 × 2) + 6 = (42 ÷ 7) + (2 × 3) =
(7 × 3) − (−5) = (28 ÷ 4) + (2 × 6) =
(−8) + (2 × 7) = 2[(3 × 3) − (4 × 5)] =
(9 − 6) + (3 × 4) = 3[(2 × 8) + (4 × 3)] =
(−19 + 5) + (6 × 2) = 2[(9 × 3) − (6 × 4)] =
(32 ÷ 4) + (1 − 13) = 4[(4 × 8) ÷ (4 × 4)] =
(−36 ÷ 6) − (12 + 3) = −5[(10 × 8) ÷ (5 × 8)] =

 Find the answers.

|−42| |−64|
|−5| + |7 − 10| = × =
7 8
|−100| |−36|
|−4 + 6| + |−2| = × =
10 6
|−27|
|−9| + |1 − 9| = |4 × (−2)| × =
3
|−40|
|−7| − |8 − 12| = |−3 × 2| × =
8
|−54|
|9 − 11| + |8 − 15| = − |−3 × 7| =
6
|−72|
|−7 + 10| − |−8 + 3| = + |−7 × 5| =
8
|−121|
|−12 + 6| − |3 − 9| = + |−6 × 4| =
11
|(−6)×(−3)| |2×(−20)|
5 + |2 − 6| + |3 − 4| = × =
9 5
|(−3)×(−8)| |9×(−4)|
−4 + |2 − 6| + |1 − 9| = × =
6 12

[Link]
28 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

7 42 19
−24 −15 −22
−14 −36 84
25 45 6
12 −11 8
−17 −9 −10
18 60 8
9 12 4
0 3 17
−10 10 3
−10 −8 9
−25 8 −2
−37 13 0
−38 13 10
8 −12 8
−19 26 48
−6 6 60
1 15 72
−18 −2 30
−8 −4 −12
−20 −21 44
−5 −17 35
−9 −23 16
60 12 12

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 29

Answers and Explanations

1. Start with −9. Moving to the right on the number line by 16 units will take
you to +7. So, −9 + 16 = 7.
2. From −18, moving 6 units further to the left on the number line will take you
to −24. Thus, −18 − 6 = −24.
3. Picture −24 as being 24 units to the left of zero. If you then move 10 units to
the right, you would land on −14. So, −24 + 10 = −14.
4. Think of 30 as a foundation. Adding a negative is like taking away, so you're
removing 5 from 30. This results in 25. Hence, 30 + (−5) = 25.
5. You're at 15 and you're moving backwards (or subtracting) by 3. This means
you decrease the 15 by 3 to get 12. Therefore, 15 + (−3) = 12.
6. Combine two debts: If you owe 13 dollars and then owe another 4 dollars, you
end up owing 17 dollars in total. So, (−13) + (−4) = −17.
7. Inside the parentheses, we subtract 10 from 3, which is −7. Adding 25 to −7,
you're essentially taking 7 away from 25. The result is 18. So, 25 + (3 − 10) =
25 − 7 = 18.
8. Within the parentheses, −6 + 9 equals 3. Then, 12 minus this 3 is 9. Thus,
12 − (−6 + 9) = 12 − 3 = 9.
9. Resolving inside the parentheses first, −2 + 7 equals 5. Now, subtracting 5
from 5 gives 0. Therefore, 5 − (−2 + 7) = 5 − 5 = 0.
10. First, calculate what is inside the parentheses. −5 + 6 = 1. Next, add this
result to −11: −11 + 1 = −10. So, the final answer is: −10.
11. Tackle the equation inside the parentheses (9 − 16) first. You are taking
away 16 from 9. This gives you −7. Then, you're adding this result to −3.
Combining −3 and −7 gives −10.

[Link]
30 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

12. Firstly, resolve the addition inside the parentheses (13 + 4). That’s simple
addition and gives 17. Now, subtract this number from −8. Instead of
subtracting 17, you can think of it as adding its negative, which means (−8) +
(−17) = −25.
13. Starting with (−7 + 9), you are adding a smaller negative number to a
positive one, so it will be closer to the positive number. The result is 2. Then,
subtract 39 from 2 to get −37.
14. Break it down: (−30 + 6) gives −24 because you're reducing a large negative
number by a smaller positive one. Then, subtracting 14 from −24 takes it
further negative to −38.
15. Evaluate each pair inside the parentheses: (−5 + 9) = 4 and (−3 + 7) = 4.
Summing those two results gives 8.
16. Working with the first set, (8 − 19) is −11 since you’re taking a larger
number from a smaller one. For the second set, (−4 + 12) is 8. Subtract 8 from
−11, and you get −11 − 8 = −19.
17. Initially, (−9 + 2) results in −7. For the second set, (6 − 7) equals −1.
Subtracting −1 is the same as adding 1, so (−7) + 1 = −6.
18. Starting with the first parentheses, −12 − 5 = −17. For the second, −4 −
14 = −18. Subtracting −18 is like adding 18 to −17, resulting in −17 − (−18) =
−17 + 18 = 1.
19. When you multiply a positive number with a negative number, the result is
always negative. Here, 3 (positive) times 6 is 18. Because one of the numbers is
negative, the result is −18.
20. Division distributes the negative sign as you'd expect: −32 ÷ 4 = −8.
21. Imagine owing 5 dollars (which is −5) and you owe it to 4 people. You'd owe
20 dollars in total. So, −5 multiplied by 4 is −20.

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 31

22. Here, we have a positive number divided by a negative number. If you had
25 apples and needed to split them into groups of −5 (like owing 5 apples), you
would have −5 groups.
23. Consider having a debt of 72 dollars. If you split or distribute this debt
among 8 people, each person would share an equal debt. 72 divided by 8 is 9.
Since it's a debt (negative), each person would have a debt of 9 dollars. (−72) ÷
8 = −9.
24. When you multiply two negative numbers, they become positive. So, −2
times −6 is 12. Now, take this positive 12 and multiply it by 5. This gives you 60.
25. Starting with the first two numbers: −2 multiplied by 3 gives −6 (a negative
times a positive is negative). Now, multiply −6 by −7. Two negatives multiplied
give a positive: 6 times 7 is 42.
26. First, multiplying −1 and −3 yields 3, because the product of two negatives
is positive. However, when you then multiply this positive 3 by −5, you return
to a negative value. 3 times 5 is 15, and since one number is negative, the result
is −15.
27. When multiplying two negative numbers, the result is positive. So,
(−2) × (−3) = 6. Now, when we multiply this result (6) with another negative
number (−6), the result becomes negative. Hence, 6 × (−6) = −36.
28. Begin by solving the expression inside the parentheses. −12 + 3 = −9. Now,
we have to multiply this result with −5. When you multiply a negative number
by a negative number, the result is positive. Therefore, −9 × (−5) = 45.
29. Start with the arithmetic inside the parentheses. −3 + 4 = 1. Then, multiply
this number by −11. Multiplying a positive number with a negative number
gives a negative result. Thus, 1 × (−11) = −11.

[Link]
32 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

30. Address the equation within the parentheses first. 6 − 5 = 1. Now, multiply
this value with −9. When a negative number is multiplied with a positive
number, the result is negative. As such, −9 × 1 = −9.
31. Compute the sum within the parentheses first: −3 − 7 = −10. Then,
multiply this result by −6. As established, the product of two negative numbers
is positive. Hence, −10 × (−6) = 60.
32. Calculate the sums inside both sets of parentheses: −7 + 3 = −4 and −9 +
6 = −3. Now, multiplying these results, −4 × (−3) = 12, as a negative time a
negative produces a positive outcome.
33. First, figure out the value inside the parentheses: −17 + 12 = −5. Now,
dividing −15 by this result gives 3, because when you divide a negative number
by another negative number, the outcome is positive. Therefore, −15 ÷ (−5) = 3.
34. Start with the arithmetic inside the parentheses: −3 − 2 = −5 and −9 + 7 =
−2. Multiply these two values together. As you already know, a negative
multiplied by a negative result in a positive. This gives −5 × (−2) = 10.
35. First, simplify the addition: −15 + 31 = 16. Next, divide this value by −2.
When a positive number is divided by a negative number, the outcome is
negative. Thus, 16 ÷ (−2) = −8.
36. Work out the sum inside the parentheses: −16 + 8 = −8. Now, when
dividing −64 by this result, you get a positive 8, because dividing one negative
number by another negative number yields a positive outcome.
37. First, perform the multiplication. 2 multiplied by 5 is 10. Then, add 10 to 3.
The answer is 13.
38. You start by multiplying 5 and 4, which gives you 20. Afterward, you
subtract 7 from the result. Hence, 20 minus 7 is 13.
39. Multiplication is the first operation to consider here. −9 times 2 gives −18.
Now, if you add 6 to −18, you will get −12.

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 33

40. Begin by multiplying 7 by 3 to get 21. Subtracting a negative is equivalent to

adding its positive counterpart. So, 21 added to 5 is 26.
41. Firstly, 2 multiplied by 7 yields 14. Combine this result with −8. It's like
having 14 and owing 8, leaving you with 6.
42. Deduct 6 from 9 first, which equals 3. Then multiply 3 by 4 to get 12. Add
the two results, 3 and 12, together to obtain 15.
43. Simplify the addition inside the parentheses to get −14. Separately, 6 times
2 is 12. Combining −14 and 12 gives −2.
44. Divide 32 by 4 to receive 8. In the second set of parentheses, subtract 13
from 1 to get −12. Summing 8 and −12 results in −4.
45. The division of −36 by 6 results in −6. Add 12 and 3 together to get 15. Now,
subtract 15 from −6, leading to −21.
46. Begin with the addition inside the parentheses to get −11. Separately,
divide 54 by 9 to find 6. Now, subtract 6 from −11 to get −17.
47. Add 4 to −20, resulting in −16. Next, divide 35 by 5 to obtain 7. Taking 7
away from −16 gives −23.
48. Start by dividing 42 by 7, which is 6. Multiply 2 by 3 to get 6. Summing both
results, 6 and 6, you get 12.
49. Divide 28 by 4 to yield 7. Multiplying 2 and 6 results in 12. Combine 7 and 12
for a total of 19.
50. Inside the parentheses, 3 times 3 is 9, and 4 times 5 is 20. Subtracting the
latter from the former gives −11. Multiplying −11 by 2 results in −22.
51. 2 times 8 is 16, and 4 times 3 is 12. Combining 16 and 12 results in 28. When
you multiply 28 by 3, you get 84.
52. In the parentheses, 9 multiplied by 3 equals 27. Then, 6 times 4 is 24. The
difference between 27 and 24 is 3. When 3 is doubled, it becomes 6.

[Link]
34 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

53. Within the brackets, 4 times 8 is 32, and 4 times 4 is 16. Now, 32 divided by
16 is 2. Quadrupling 2 gives 8.
54. 10 multiplied by 8 yields 80. On the other hand, 5 times 8 is [Link], 80
divided by 40 is 2. Multiplying 2 by −5 results in −10.
55. Absolute value is the distance of a number from zero. Thus, |−5| is 5
because the distance of −5 from zero is 5 units. For |7 − 10|, perform the
subtraction first: 7 − 10 = −3. |−3| is 3. So, the answer is 5 + 3 = 8.
56. |−4 + 6| is the absolute value of 2, which is 2. |−2| is 2. Summing them gives
2 + 2 = 4.
57. |−9| is 9. For |1 − 9|, perform subtraction: 1 − 9 = −8. |−8| is 8. So, 9 + 8 =
17.
58. |−7| is 7. |8 − 12| = |−4| is 4. Subtracting gives 7 − 4 = 3.
59. |9 − 11| is |−2| which is 2. |8 − 15| is |−7| which is 7. Summing them gives 2 +
7 = 9.
60. |−7 + 10| = |3| is 3. |−8 + 3| = |−5| is 5. Subtracting gives 3 − 5 = −2.
61. |−12 + 6| = |−6| which is 6. |3 − 9| = |−6| which is 6. The result is 6 − 6 = 0.
62. |2 − 6| = |−4| which is 4. |3 − 4| = |−1| which is 1. Adding gives 5 + 4 + 1 =
10.
63. Following the previous methodology, |2 − 6| is 4 and |1 − 9| is 8. Thus, −4 +
4 + 8 = 8.
42 64
64. |−42| is 42 and |−64| is 64. So, ( ) × ( ) = 6 × 8 = 48.
7 8
100 36
65. |−100| is 100 and |−36| is 36. Then, ( ) × ( ) = 10 × 6 = 60.
10 6
27
66. |4 × (−2)| = |−8| which is 8. |−27| is 27. So, 8 × ( 3 ) = 8 × 9 = 72.
40
67. |−3 × 2| is |−6| which is 6. |−40| is 40. Thus, 6 × ( 8 ) = 6 × 5 = 30.
54
68. |−54| is 54 and |−3 × 7| is |−21| which is 21. So, ( 6 ) − 21 = 9 − 21 = −12.
72
69. |−72| is 72 and |−7 × 5| is |−35| which is 35. Thus, ( 8 ) + 35 = 9 + 35 = 44.
121
70. |−121| is 121 and |−6 × 4| is |−24| which is 24. So, ( 11 ) + 24 = 11 + 24 = 35.

[Link]
 Chapter 3: Integers and Order of Operations 35

71. |(−6) × (−3)| is |18| which is 18. |2 × (−20)| is |−40| which is 40. Thus,
18 40
( 9 ) × ( 5 ) = 2 × 8 = 16.

72. |(−3) × (−8)| is |24| which is 24. |9 × (−4)| is |−36| which is 36. So,
24 36
( 6 ) × ( 12 ) = 4 × 3 = 12.

[Link]
 Chapter 4: 37

CHAPTER

4 Ratios and
Proportions

Math topics in this chapter:

 Simplifying Ratios
 Proportional Ratios
 Similarity and Ratios
37

[Link]
38 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Reduce each ratio.

1) 2: 18 = ____: ____ 7) 28: 63 = ____: ____

2) 5: 35 = ____: ____ 8) 18: 81 = ____: ____

3) 8: 72 = ____: ___ 9) 13: 52 = ____: ____

4) 24: 36 = ____: ____ 10) 56: 72 = ____: ____

5) 25: 40 = ____: ____ 11) 42: 63 = ____: ____

6) 40: 72 = ____: ____ 12) 32: 96 = ____: ____

 Solve.
13) Bob has 16 red cards and 20 green cards. What is the ratio of Bob's red
cards to his green cards? ________

14) In a party, 34 soft drinks are required for every 20 guests. If there are
260 guests, how many soft drinks are required? ________

15) Sara has 56 blue pens and 28 black pens. What is the ratio of Sara’s
black pens to her blue pens? ________

16) In Jack’s class, 48 of the students are tall and 20 are short. In Michael’s
class 28 students are tall and 12 students are short. Which class has a
higher ratio of tall to short students? ________

17) The price of 6 apples at the Quick Market is $1.52. The price of 5 of the
same apples at Walmart is $1.32. Which place is the better buy? _______

18) The bakers at a Bakery can make 180 bagels in 6 hours. How many
bagels can they bake in 16 hours? What is that rate per hour? ________

19) You can buy 6 cans of green beans at a supermarket for $3.48. How
much does it cost to buy 38 cans of green beans? ________

[Link]
 Chapter 4: Ratios and Proportions 39

 Solve each proportion.

3 9 4 2
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
2 𝑥 18 𝑥
7 𝑥 6 3
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
2 4 16 𝑥
1 2 2 𝑥
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
3 𝑥 5 20
1 5 28 𝑥
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
4 𝑥 8 2
9 𝑥 3 𝑥
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
6 2 5 15
3 5 2 𝑥
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
6 𝑥 7 14
7 2 𝑥 3
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
𝑥 6 18 2
2 4 𝑥 2
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
𝑥 10 24 6
3 𝑥 5 4
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
2 8 𝑥 20
𝑥 5 10 20
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
6 3 𝑥 80
3 5 90 𝑥
= ⇒ 𝑥 = _____ = ⇒ 𝑥 = _____
9 𝑥 6 2

 Solve each problem.

42)Two rectangles are similar. The first is 8 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 wide and 32 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 long.
The second is 12 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 wide. What is the length of the second rectangle?
________________

43)Two rectangles are similar. One is 4.6 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 by 7 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠. The longer
side of the second rectangle is 28 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠. What is the other side of the
second rectangle? __________________

[Link]
40 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

1: 9 1: 4
1: 7 7: 9
1: 9 2: 3
2: 3 1: 3
5: 8 4: 5
5: 9 442
4: 9 1: 2
2: 9
48 12 28 7
𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑘 ′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠: = 𝑀𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑙 ′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠: = Jack’s class has a
20 5 12 3
12 7
higher ratio of tall to short student: >
5 3

Quick market
480, 30 bagels per hour
$22.04 8
6 8
14 7
6 9
20 4
3 27
10 8
21 25
5 40
12 30
10 48 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
15 18.4 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
9

[Link]
 Chapter 4: Ratios and Proportions 41

Answers and Explanations

1. The common factor of 2 and 18 is 2. Divide both numbers by 2: 2 ÷ 2 = 1, and

18 ÷ 2 = 9. So, 2: 18 is reduced to 1: 9.
2. Looking for the largest number that both 5 and 35 are divisible by, it's 5.
Dividing both sides of the ratio: 5 ÷ 5 = 1, and 35 ÷ 5 = 7. Therefore, 5: 35 is 1: 7.
3. The common factor between 8 and 72 is 8: 8 ÷ 8 = 1, and 72 ÷ 8 = 9. The
reduced ratio is 1: 9.
4. Recognizing both numbers are divisible by 12, we get: 24 ÷ 12 = 2, 36 ÷ 12 = 3.
The simplified ratio is 2: 3.
5. These numbers can both be divided by 5: 25 ÷ 5 = 5, 40 ÷ 5 = 8. So, 25: 40
becomes 5: 8.
6. Both numbers share 8 as a common factor: 40 ÷ 8 = 5, 72 ÷ 8 = 9. Resulting
in a ratio of 5: 9.
7. Considering 7 as their common divisor: 28 ÷ 7 = 4, 63 ÷ 7 = 9. We get a ratio
of 4: 9.
8. By noting that both are divisible by 9: 18 ÷ 9 = 2, 81 ÷ 9 = 9. This simplifies
to 2: 9.
9. Observing that 13 goes into both: 13 ÷ 13 = 1, 52 ÷ 13 = 4. The ratio is 1: 4.
10: Using 8, their shared factor: 56 ÷ 8 = 7, 72 ÷ 8 = 9. It simplifies to 7: 9.
11. Recognizing 21 as the largest common divisor: 42 ÷ 21 = 2, 63 ÷ 21 = 3. The
ratio is 2: 3.
12. 32 itself is the common factor here: 32 ÷ 32 = 1, 96 ÷ 32 = 3. The simplified
ratio is 1: 3.
13. To find the ratio, you'll want to write the number of red cards to green
cards. Bob has 16 red cards and 20 green cards. This can be represented as
16: 20.

[Link]
42 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

To simplify this ratio, you need to find the common factor of these two
numbers. The common factor of 16 and 20 is 4. Now, divide both numbers by 4:
16 ÷ 4 = 4, and 20 ÷ 4 = 5. Thus, the simplest form of the ratio is 4: 5.
14. The question tells us that for every 20 guests, 34 soft drinks are required.
To determine the number of soft drinks for 260 guests, let's first find out the
soft drinks required for 1 guest.
𝑆𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 20 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 = 34 ÷ 20 = 1.7
So, 1 guest requires 1.7 soft drinks.
Now, for 260 guests, you multiply the number of guests by the soft drinks each
guest requires.
𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠 = 260 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 × 1.7 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡 = 442 𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠

Therefore, for 260 guests, 442 soft drinks are required.

15. To find the ratio of Sara's black pens to her blue pens, you can simply
divide the number of black pens by the number of blue pens:
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠
28 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 = 56 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠

Now, simplify this ratio by dividing both the numerator and denominator by
their greatest common divisor, which is 28:
28 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 1 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 = 56 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 = 2 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠

So, the ratio of Sara's black pens to her blue pens is 1: 2.

16. To determine which class has a higher ratio of tall to short students, you
need to calculate the ratios for both classes and then compare them.
In Jack's class: (Tall students: 48), and (Short students: 20)
𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 48
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑘 ′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 ⇒ 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 20

In Michael's class: (Tall students: 28), and (Short students: 12)

𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 28
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑙 ′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 ⇒ 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 12

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 Chapter 4: Ratios and Proportions 43

48
Now, compare the two ratios. Jack's class ratio is 20 = 2.4. Michael's class ratio
28
is = 2.333 ⋯.
12

So, Jack's class has a higher ratio of tall to short students.

17. To determine which place is the better buy for apples, you can calculate the
price per apple at each store:
At Quick Market: Price for 6 apples = $1.52.
$1.52
𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 6 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 = $0.253̅ (rounded to two decimal places)

At Walmart: Price for 5 apples = $1.32.

$1.32
𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 5 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 = $0.264 (rounded to two decimal places)

So, the price per apple at Quick Market is approximately $0.25, while the price
per apple at Walmart is approximately $0.26. Therefore, Quick Market is the
better buy for apples.
18. To find out how many bagels the bakers can bake in 16 hours and the rate
per hour, you can use the information that they can make 180 bagels in 6 hours.
First, let's find out how many bagels they can make in 1 hour:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 180
𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 = ⇒ 𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 = = 30
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 6

Now, to find out how many bagels they can make in 16 hours, simply multiply
the rate per hour by the number of hours:
𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑁 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 = 𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 × 𝑁 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑖𝑛 16 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 = 30 𝑏𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 × 16 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 = 480 𝑏𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑠
So, the bakers can bake 480 bagels in 16 hours, and their rate is 30 bagels per
hour.
19. To find out how much it costs to buy 38 cans of green beans at the
supermarket, you can first find the cost per can and then multiply it by the
number of cans. Cost for 6 cans = $3.48.
$3.48
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 = 6 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑠 = $0.58 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛

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44 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Now, multiply the cost per can by the number of cans you want to buy (38
cans):
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 38 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑠 = $0.58 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 × 38 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑠 = $22.04
So, it would cost $22.04 to buy 38 cans of green beans at the supermarket.
20. To solve for 𝑥, we can cross-multiply: 3𝑥 = 2 × 9 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 18. Now, divide both
18
sides by 3 to isolate 𝑥: 𝑥 = ⇒ 𝑥 = 6.
3

21. Cross-multiply to solve for 𝑥: 7 × 4 = 2𝑥 ⇒ 28 = 2𝑥. Divide both sides by 2:

28
𝑥= ⇒ 𝑥 = 14.
2

22. Cross-multiply: 1 × 𝑥 = 3 × 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = 6.
23. Cross-multiply: 1 × 𝑥 = 4 × 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 20.
18
24. Cross-multiply: 9 × 2 = 6𝑥 ⇒ 18 = 6𝑥. Divide both sides by 6: 𝑥 = ⇒ 𝑥 = 3.
6
3 1 1 5
25. Simplify 6 to 2: 2 = 𝑥. Cross-multiply: 1 × 𝑥 = 2 × 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 10.
42
26. Cross-multiply: 7 × 6 = 2 × 𝑥 ⇒ 42 = 2𝑥. Divide both sides by 2: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
2

21.
20
27. Cross-multiply: 2 × 10 = 4 × 𝑥 ⇒ 20 = 4𝑥. Divide both sides by 4: 𝑥 = ⇒
4

𝑥 = 5.
24
28. Cross-multiply: 3 × 8 = 2 × 𝑥 ⇒ 24 = 2𝑥. Divide both sides by 2: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
2

12.
30
29. Cross-multiply: 𝑥 × 3 = 6 × 5 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 30. Divide both sides by 3: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
3

10.
3 1 1 5
30. Simplify 9 to 3: 3 = 𝑥. Cross-multiply: 1 × 𝑥 = 3 × 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 15.
4 2 2 2
31. Simplify to : = . Cross-multiply: 2 × 𝑥 = 2 × 9 ⇒ 2𝑥 = 18. Divide both
18 9 9 𝑥
18
sides by 2: 𝑥 = ⇒ 𝑥 = 9.
2
6 3 3 3
32. Simplify 16 to 8: 8 = 𝑥. Cross-multiply: 3 × 𝑥 = 3 × 8 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 24. Divide both
24
sides by 3: 𝑥 = ⇒ 𝑥 = 8.
3
40
33. Cross-multiply: 2 × 20 = 5 × 𝑥 ⇒ 40 = 5𝑥. Divide both sides by 5: 𝑥 = ⇒
5

𝑥 = 8.

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 Chapter 4: Ratios and Proportions 45

56
34. Cross-multiply: 28 × 2 = 8 × 𝑥 ⇒ 56 = 8𝑥. Divide both sides by 8: 𝑥 = ⇒
8

𝑥 = 7.
45
35. Cross-multiply: 3 × 15 = 5 × 𝑥 ⇒ 45 = 5𝑥. Divide both sides by 5: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
5

9.
28
36. Cross-multiply: 2 × 14 = 7 × 𝑥 ⇒ 28 = 7𝑥. Divide both sides by 7: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
7

4.
54
37. Cross-multiply: 𝑥 × 2 = 18 × 3 ⇒ 2𝑥 = 54. Divide both sides by 2: 𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
2

27.
2 1 𝑥 1
38. Simplify 6 to 3: 24 = 3. Cross-multiply: 𝑥 × 3 = 24 × 1 ⇒ 3𝑥 = 24. Divide both
24
sides by 3: 𝑥 = ⇒ 𝑥 = 8.
3
4 1 5 1
39. Simplify 20 to 5: 𝑥 = 5. Cross-multiply: 5 × 5 = 1 × 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 25.
20 1 10 1
40. Simplify 80 to 4: = 4. Cross-multiply: 10 × 4 = 1 × 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 40.
𝑥
90 𝑥
41. Simplify to 15: 15 = 2 . Multiply both sides by 2 to isolate 𝑥: 𝑥 = 15 × 2 ⇒
6

𝑥 = 30.
42. If two rectangles are similar, the ratios of their corresponding sides are
equal.
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 1 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 1 8 32
= ⇒ =
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 2 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 2 12 𝐿2
Cross-multiplying: 8 × 𝐿2 = 12 × 32 ⇒ 8𝐿2 = 384 ⇒ 𝐿2 = 48. Length of the second
rectangle is 48 feet.
43. Given the longer side of the second rectangle is 28 meters, and considering
the longer side of the first rectangle is 7 meters, we can set up a proportion to
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 1 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 1 7 4.6
find the shorter side (width) of the second rectangle. 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 2 = 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 2 ⇒ 28 = 𝑤 .
2

Cross-multiplying:
7 × 𝑤2 = 4.6 × 28 ⇒ 7𝑤2 = 128.8 ⇒ 𝑤2 = 18.4
The other side (width) of the second rectangle is 18.4 meters.

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 Chapter 5: Percentage 47

CHAPTER

5 Percentage

Math topics in this chapter:

 Percent Problems
 Percent of Increase and Decrease
 Discount, Tax and Tip
 Simple Interest

47

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48 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Solve each problem.

1) What is 15% of 60? _____ 7) 14 is what percent of 250? _____%

2) What is 55% of 800? _____ 8) 60 is what percent of 300? _____%

3) What is 22% of 120? _____ 9) 30 is 120 percent of what number? _____

4) What is 18% of 40? _____ 10) 120 is 20 percent of what number? _____

5) 90 is what percent of 200? _____% 11) 15 is 5 percent of what number? _____

6) 30 is what percent of 150? _____% 12) 22 is 20% of what number? _____

 Solve each problem.

13) Bob got a raise, and his hourly wage increased from $15 to $21. What is
the percent increase? _____ %

14) The price of a pair of shoes increases from $32 to $36. What is the
percent increase? ___ %

15) At a Coffee Shop, the price of a cup of coffee increased from $1.35 to
$1.62. What is the percent increase in the cost of the coffee? _____ %

16) A $45 shirt now selling for $36 is discounted by what percent? _____ %

17) Joe scored 30 out of 35 marks in Algebra, 20 out of 30 marks in science

and 58 out of 70 marks in mathematics. In which subject his percentage
of marks is best? _____

18) Emma purchased a computer for $420. The computer is regularly priced
at $480. What was the percent discount Emma received on the
computer? _____

19) A chemical solution contains 15% alcohol. If there is 54 ml of alcohol,

what is the volume of the solution? _____

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 Chapter 5: Percentage 49

 Find the selling price of each item.

20) Original price of a computer: $600

Tax: 8%, Selling price: $_______

21) Original price of a laptop: $450

Tax: 10%, Selling price: $_______

22) Nicolas hired a moving company. The company charged $500 for its
services, and Nicolas gives the movers a 14% tip. How much does
Nicolas tip the movers? $_________

23) Mason has lunch at a restaurant and the cost of his meal is $40. Mason
wants to leave a 20% tip. What is Mason’s total bill, including tip?
$_________

 Determine the simple interest for the following loans.

24) $1,000 𝑎𝑡 5% 𝑓𝑜𝑟 4 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. $___

25) $400 𝑎𝑡 3% 𝑓𝑜𝑟 5 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. $___

26) $240 𝑎𝑡 4% 𝑓𝑜𝑟 3 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. $___

27) $500 at 4.5% for 6 years. $___

 Solve.
28) A new car, valued at $20,000, depreciates at 8% per year. What is the
value of the car one year after purchase? $_____________

29) Sara puts $7,000 into an investment yielding 3% annual simple

interest; she left the money in for five years. How much interest does
Sara get at the end of those five years? $_____________

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50 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

9 300 $495.00

440 110 $70.00

26.4 40% $48.00

7.2 12.5% $200.00

45% 20% $60.00

20% 20% $28.80

5.6% Algebra $135.00

20% 12.5% $18.400

25 360 ml $1,050

600 $648.00

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 Chapter 5: Percentage 51

Answers and Explanations

1. To find 15% of 60, multiply 60 by 0.15: 60 × 0.15 = 9.

55 55
2. Think of "percent" as "out of 100." Thus, 55% is equivalent to . Multiply 800 by 100:
100
55
800 × 100 = 440.

3. Another way to find a percentage is to divide the percentage by 100 and then multiply
22
by the number: 100 × 120 = 26.4.

18
4. Multiply 40 by 18 divided by 100: 40 × 100 = 7.2.

90
5. To find the percentage, divide 90 by 200 and then multiply by 100: × 100 = 45%.
200

30
6. This means "30 is how much out of 150 in terms of 100": × 100 = 20%.
150

14
7. Divide 14 by 250, and then turn it into a percentage: × 100 = 5.6%.
250

60
8. Find the ratio of 60 to 300 and then express it as a percentage: × 100 = 20%.
300

9. Set up the equation: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 × 1.20 = 30. Divide both sides by 1.20 to solve for the
30
number: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 1.2 = 25.

20 120
10. Using a proportion: = . Cross-multiplying gives: 20 × 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 120 × 100. Thus,
100 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
120×100
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 20
= 600.

11. Imagine the number you seek is a big container. 5% of this container is 15 units. The
15
equation becomes: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 × 0.05 = 15. Solve for the number: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 0.05 = 300.

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52 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

12. Reverse the thought: If 22 is 20% (or 0.20), what's the full value (100%)? Using the equation:
20 22 22
= ⇒ 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 0.2 = 110.
100 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟

13. Use this formula:

𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟−𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 21−15

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = × 100 = × 100 = 40%
𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 15

14. Use this formula:

𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟−𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 36−32

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = × 100 = × 100 = 12.5%
𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 32

15. Use this formula:

𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟−𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 1.62−1.35

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
× 100 = 1.35
× 100 = 20%

16. Using the formula:

𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟− 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 45−36

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 = × 100 = × 100 = 20%
𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 45

17. 𝐴𝑙𝑔𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 30/35 × 100 ≈ 85.71%

20
𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 30 × 100≈66.67%

58
𝑀𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 70 × 100≈82.86%

So, Joe's percentage of marks is best in Algebra.

18. Using the formula for percent discount:

𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟−𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 480−420

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
× 100 = 480
× 100 = 12.5%

[Link]
 Chapter 5: Percentage 53

19. Given that the solution contains 15% alcohol and there is 54 𝑚𝑙 of alcohol, we can set up the
equation: 0.15 × 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 54 𝑚𝑙. To find the volume of the solution, divide both
54 𝑚𝑙
sides by 0.15: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.15
= 360 𝑚𝑙.

20. Tax amount = Original price × Tax rate ⇒ $600 × 0.08 = $48.

Selling price = Original price + Tax amount ⇒ $600 + $48 = $648.

So, the selling price of the computer is $648.

21. Tax amount = Original price × Tax rate ⇒ $450 × 0.1 = $45.

Selling price = Original price + Tax amount ⇒ $450 + $45 = $495.

So, the selling price of the laptop is $495.

22. To find out how much Nicolas tips the movers; you need to calculate 14% of the service cost.

Tip amount = Cost of service × Tip percentage ⇒ $500 × 0.14 = $70.

So, Nicolas tips the movers $70.

23. First, we need to find out how much Mason will tip for his meal.

Tip amount = Cost of meal × Tip percentage ⇒ $40 × 0.20 = $8. To find the total bill including tip,
you simply add the cost of the meal to the tip amount.

Total bill = Cost of meal + Tip amount ⇒ $40 + $8 = $48. Therefore, Mason's total bill, including
tip, is $48.

24. Simple interest is calculated as the principal (or initial amount) multiplied by the rate of interest,
and then by the time period (usually in years).

Simple Interest = $1,000 × 0.05 × 4 = $200. The interest for this loan is $200.

25. Using the formula: 𝐼 = 𝑝𝑟𝑡 ⇒ 400 × 0.03 × 5 = 60. The interest for this loan is $60.

[Link]
54 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

26. Using the formula: 𝐼 = 𝑝𝑟𝑡 ⇒ 240 × 0.04 × 3 = 28.8. The interest for this loan is $28.80.

27. Using the formula: 𝐼 = 𝑝𝑟𝑡 ⇒ 500 × 0.045 × 6 = 135. The interest for this loan is $135.

28. Depreciation means the loss in value. To find out how much the car depreciates in one year,
you'll multiply its value by the depreciation rate.

Depreciation for one year = $20,000 × 0.08 = $1,600.

Now, to find the car's value after one year, subtract this depreciation from the original value:

Value after one year = Original value − Depreciation ⇒ $20,000 − $1,600 = $18,400.

So, one year after purchase, the car is worth $18,400.

29. Using the formula: 𝐼 = 𝑝𝑟𝑡 ⇒ 7,000 × 0.03 × 5 = 1,050. At the end of five years, Sara gets
$1,050 in interest.

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 55

CHAPTER

6 Exponents and
Variables

Math topics in this chapter:

 Multiplication Property of Exponents

 Division Property of Exponents
 Powers of Products and Quotients
 Zero and Negative Exponents
 Negative Exponents and Negative Bases
 Scientific Notation
 Radicals 55

[Link]
56 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Find the products.

𝑥 2 × 4𝑥𝑦 2 = −6𝑥 2 𝑦 6 × 5𝑥 4 𝑦 2 =

3𝑥 2 𝑦 × 5𝑥 3 𝑦 2 = −3𝑥 3 𝑦 3 × 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 =

6𝑥 4 𝑦 2 × 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 = −6𝑥 5 𝑦 3 × 4𝑥 4 𝑦 3 =

7𝑥𝑦 3 × 2𝑥 2 𝑦 = −2𝑥 4 𝑦 3 × 5𝑥 6 𝑦 2 =

−5𝑥 5 𝑦 5 × 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 = −7𝑦 6 × 3𝑥 6 𝑦 3 =

−8𝑥 3 𝑦 2 × 3𝑥 3 𝑦 2 = −9𝑥 4 × 2𝑥 4 𝑦 2 =

 Simplify.
53 ×54 10𝑥 3 𝑦 4
= =
59 ×5 50𝑥 2 𝑦 3
33 ×32 13𝑦 2
= =
72 ×7 52𝑥 4 𝑦 4
15𝑥 5 50𝑥𝑦 3
= =
5𝑥 3 200𝑥 3 𝑦 4
16𝑥 3 48𝑥 2
= =
4𝑥 5 56𝑥 2 𝑦 2
72𝑦 2 81𝑦 6 𝑥
= =
8𝑥 3 𝑦 6 54𝑥 4 𝑦 3

 Solve.
3𝑦
(𝑥 3 𝑦 3 )2 = ( )2 =
18𝑦 2
3
3𝑥 2 𝑦 3
3 4 3
(3𝑥 𝑦 ) = (24𝑥 4𝑦2 ) =
2
26𝑥 5 𝑦 3
(4𝑥 × 6𝑥𝑦 3 )2 (52𝑥 3𝑦5 ) =
=
2
3 3 18𝑥 7 𝑦 4
(5𝑥 × 2𝑦 ) = (72𝑥 5𝑦2 ) =
9𝑥 2 2
(𝑥3 ) = 12𝑥 6 𝑦 4
(48𝑥 5𝑦3) =

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 57

 Evaluate each expression. (Zero and Negative Exponents)

1 2
( )−2 = ( )−3 =
4 5
1 2
( )−2 = ( )−3 =
3 3
1 −3 3 −4
() = () =
7 5

 Write each expression with positive exponents.

𝑥 −7 = 25𝑎3 𝑏 −4 𝑐 −3 =
3𝑦 −5 =
−4𝑥 5 𝑦 −3 𝑧 −6 =
15𝑦 −3 = 18𝑦
=
−4 𝑥 3 𝑦 −2
−20𝑥 =
20𝑎−2 𝑏
−3 5
12𝑎 𝑏 = −12𝑐 −4

 Write each number in scientific notation.

0.00412 = 66,000 =

0.000053 = 72,000,000 =

 Evaluate.
√8 × √8 = --------------- √4 × √25 = -------------

√36 − √9 = ------------ √2 × √32 = -------------

√81 + √16 = ----------- 4√3 + 5√3 = -----------

[Link]
58 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers
4𝑥 3 𝑦 2 6 1
7𝑦 2 𝑥7
15𝑥 5 𝑦 3 3𝑦 3 3
6𝑥 6 𝑦 5 2𝑥 3 𝑦5
6 6 15
14𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑥 𝑦
𝑦3
−5𝑥 8 𝑦 7 27𝑥 9 𝑦 12 20
−
−24𝑥 6 𝑦 4 576𝑥 4 𝑦 6 𝑥4
12𝑏5
−30𝑥 6 𝑦 8 1,000𝑥 3 𝑦 9
𝑎3
81
−6𝑥 6 𝑦 5 25𝑎3
𝑥4
−24𝑥 9 𝑦 6 1 𝑏4 𝑐 3
4𝑥 5
−10𝑥 10 𝑦 5 36𝑦 2 −
𝑦3𝑧 6
𝑦3
−21𝑥 6 𝑦 9 512𝑥 6
18𝑦 3
−18𝑥 8 𝑦 2 𝑥4 𝑥3
1 5𝑏𝑐 4
4𝑦 4 −
3𝑎2
125 𝑥4𝑦4
243
16
4.12 × 10−3
343
2
𝑥 𝑦2
2
5.3 × 10−5
3𝑥
4
16 6.6 × 104
16
𝑥2 7.2 × 107
9 9
8
𝑥3𝑦4 343
𝑥𝑦 125
3
5 8 13
1 27
4𝑥 4 𝑦 2
10
8
1 625 8
4𝑥 2 𝑦 81 9 √3

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 59

Answers and Explanations

1. We multiply coefficients (numbers) and add the exponents when bases (the letters) are
the same: 𝑥 2 × 4𝑥𝑦 2 = 4𝑥 2+1 𝑦 2 = 4𝑥 3 𝑦 2 .

2. Coefficients 3 and 5 multiply to give 15. For the 𝑥's, 2 + 3 = 5. For the 𝑦's, 1 + 2 = 3.
Result is 15𝑥 5 𝑦 3 .

3. There's no coefficient on the second term, so it's understood as 1. The 𝑥 exponents sum
up to 6, and the 𝑦 exponents total 5. Therefore, 6𝑥 6 𝑦 5 .

4. 7 and 2 multiply to give 14. The 𝑥 terms combine to 𝑥1+2 and the 𝑦 terms give 𝑦 3+1. This
result is: 14𝑥 3 𝑦 4 .

5. The negative sign from the first term remains. The 𝑥 exponents combine to 8, and the 𝑦
exponents sum to 7. Thus, −5𝑥 8 𝑦 7 .

6. The multiplication of coefficients −8 and 3 yields −24. Both 𝑥's and 𝑦's have the same
exponents, so we simply add them up. This becomes −24𝑥 6 𝑦 4.

7. The coefficients −6 and 5 combine to −30. The 𝑥's add to an exponent of 6 and the 𝑦's
to 8. Resulting in −30𝑥 6 𝑦 8.

8. Coefficients −3 and 2 provide −6. 𝑥's combine to 𝑥 3+3 and 𝑦's to 𝑦 3+2. The result is
−6𝑥 6 𝑦 5 .

9. −6 and 4 give −24 when multiplied. The 𝑥 exponents total 9, and 𝑦 exponents also 6.
The outcome is −24𝑥 9 𝑦 6.

10. −2 and 5 give −10. The 𝑥's sum to 𝑥 4+6 and 𝑦's to 𝑦 3+2. This leads to −10𝑥10 𝑦 5 .

11. −7 and 3 multiply to give −21. There's no 𝑥 in the first term, so only the 𝑥 from the
second term remains. For 𝑦's, 6 + 3 = 9. This is −21𝑥 6 𝑦 9 .

[Link]
60 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

12. Coefficients −9 and 2 result in −18. For the 𝑥's, 4 + 4 = 8. The final product is
−18𝑥 8 𝑦 2 .

13. For any positive number 𝑎, and any positive integers 𝑛, and 𝑚: 𝑎𝑛 × 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛+𝑚 . Using
this rule: 53 × 54 = 53+4 = 57 , and 59 × 5 = 59+1 = 510 . Therefore, the expression
57 𝑎𝑛
simplifies to: 510 . Using another rule of exponents: 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 . Our simplified answer is 5−3
1 1
or or .
53 125

33 ×32 33+2 35 35 243

14. Using the rules of exponents: = 72+1 = 73. The simplified expression is 73 or 343.
72 ×7

15 𝑎𝑛 𝑥5
15. First, = 3. Using the rule 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 , we have 𝑥 3 = 𝑥 2 . The simplified expression is
5
2
3𝑥 .

16 𝑥3 1
16. First, = 4. Using the exponents rule: = 𝑥 3−5 = 𝑥 −2 (which is ). The simplified
4 𝑥5 𝑥2
4
expression is 4𝑥 −2 or 𝑥 2 .

72 𝑦2 1
17. First, = 9. For the variable parts: 𝑦 6 = 𝑦 2−6 = 𝑦 −4 (which is 𝑦 4). Thus, our simplified
8
9
expression is 𝑥 3 𝑦 4.

10 1 𝑥3 𝑦4
18. First, 50 = 5. For the 𝑥 variable: 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 3−2 = 𝑥1 = 𝑥. For the 𝑦 variable: 𝑦 3 = 𝑦 4−3 =
𝑥𝑦
𝑦1 = 𝑦. The simplified expression is .
5

13 1 𝑦2 1
19. First, 52 = 4. For the 𝑦 variable: 𝑦 4 = 𝑦 2−4 = 𝑦 −2 (which is 𝑦 2). The simplified expression
1
is 4𝑥 4𝑦 2 .

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 61

50 1
20. First, 200 = 4. For the 𝑥 variable, since the numerator has 𝑥 and the denominator has
1 𝑦3 1
𝑥 3 , the fraction becomes . For the 𝑦 variable: = 𝑦 3−4 = 𝑦 −1 = 𝑦 (which is 𝑦). The
𝑥2 𝑦4
1
simplified expression is 4𝑥 2𝑦.

48 6
21. First, 56 = 7. The 𝑥 2 term in the numerator and denominator cancel out. The simplified
6
expression is .
7𝑦 2

81 3
22. First, 54 = 2. For the 𝑥 variable, since the numerator has 𝑥 and the denominator has 𝑥 4 ,
1 𝑦6
the fraction becomes 𝑥 3 . For the 𝑦 variable: 𝑦 3 = 𝑦 6−3 = 𝑦 3 . The simplified expression is

3𝑦 3
.
2𝑥 3

23. When you have a power raised to another power, you multiply the exponents. The
answer is 𝑥 6 𝑦 6 .

24. The exponent outside applies to everything inside the bracket. For the coefficient (3),
33 = 27. For the variables, multiply their exponents by 3. Thus, 27𝑥 9 𝑦12 .

25. First, 4𝑥 multiplied by 6𝑥𝑦 3 is 24𝑥 2 𝑦 3 . Raising that to the second power means squaring
each individual part. So, 576𝑥 4 𝑦 6 .

26. 5𝑥 multiplied by 2𝑦 3 is 10𝑥𝑦 3 . Cube each part inside the bracket for the answer. So,
the final answer is 1,000𝑥 3 𝑦 9 .

27. Subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator. And
81
square each part for the answer. Thus, 𝑥 4 .

1 1 1 2
28. Reduce the fraction first. 3𝑦 divided by 18𝑦 2 is 6𝑦. When squared, 6𝑦 becomes (6𝑦) =
1
.
36𝑦 2

[Link]
62 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

3𝑥 2
29. Simplify the expression inside the brackets before raising it to the power of 3. 24𝑥 4
1 𝑦3 𝑦
simplifies to . simplifies to 𝑦. Putting it together: . Now, raise the simplified
8𝑥 2 𝑦2 8𝑥 2

𝑦3
expression to the power of 3. So, the final answer is 512𝑥 6 .

26𝑥 5 𝑥2 𝑦3 1
30. First, simplify inside the brackets. reduces to . Next, simplifies to . Now,
52𝑥 3 2 𝑦5 𝑦2
2
𝑥2 𝑥 2×2 𝑥4
square the result: (2𝑦 2) = 22 𝑦 2×2 . Thus, 4𝑦 4.

18𝑥 7 𝑥2 𝑦4
31. Simplify the expression inside the brackets. 72𝑥 5 boils down to . Also, 𝑦 2 becomes 𝑦 2 .
4
2
𝑥2𝑦2 𝑥4𝑦4
Square the result ( ) . The final answer is: .
4 16

12𝑥 6 𝑥 𝑦4 𝑥𝑦
32. Simplify the fraction inside the brackets. 48𝑥 5 is 4. Next, 𝑦 3 is 𝑦. Putting it together: .
4

𝑥𝑦 2 (𝑥𝑦)2 𝑥2𝑦2
Square the simplified expression ( 4 ) = . Thus, .
42 16

33. The negative exponent essentially "flips" the fraction and turns the exponent into its
1 −2 4 2
positive counterpart. So, (4) is the same as (1) = 42 . Now, squaring 4, we get 16.

34. When you see a negative exponent, think of it as a command to take the reciprocal of
1 1
the base. Thus, raising (3) to the power of −2 is akin to squaring the reciprocal of 3, which
3
is 1. This gives us 9.

1 −3
35. Negative exponents invite us to invert the fraction. For (7) , we're cubing the inverse
1 7
of 7, which is 1. Cubing 7 gives 343.

36. Begin by raising the numerator and denominator separately to the power of −3, 2−3 is
1 1 53 125
and 5−3 is 53 . Swap the positions, and you get 23 . Calculating, we have .
23 8

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 63

3
37. Using the concept of reciprocation and exponentiation, flip the fraction to get and
2
27
then cube each part. 3 cubed is 27 and 2 cubed is 8. The result is .
8

38. For this, imagine the fraction as a division problem. Raising a division to a negative
exponent is like flipping the division order and using the positive exponent. So, 54 divided
625
by 34 is our target. That's .
81

1
39. For any number, a negative exponent means you'll take its reciprocal. So, 𝑥 −7 = 𝑥 7.

40. Think of the number and variable separately. Leave the number alone and focus on the
1 3
variable. The 3 remains as is, while 𝑦 −5 becomes 𝑦 5. So, 3𝑦 −5 = 𝑦 5.

41. Negative exponents make terms "dive" to the other side of a fraction. So, 15𝑦 −3 is like
15
15 multiplied by the reciprocal of 𝑦 3 , which is 𝑦 3.

42. View the negative exponent as an instruction: "Move me to the denominator!"

−20
Following that instruction, −20𝑥 −4 becomes .
𝑥4

1
43. Treating each term, we get 12 (unchanged), 𝑎3 (flipped due to the negative exponent),
12𝑏 5
and 𝑏 5 (unchanged). Combined, it becomes .
𝑎3

25𝑎3
44. Pulling down the negatively exponentiated terms, we get 25𝑎3 over 𝑏 4 𝑐 3 , which is 𝑏4𝑐 3 .

45. Negative exponents shout, "Put me in the basement!" meaning move them to the
4𝑥 5
denominator. Answering that call, the expression is − 𝑦 3𝑧 6 .

46. When dividing, imagine giving the negatively exponentiated term wings to fly to the
18𝑦 3
numerator. Allowing 𝑦 −2 to soar up, we get .
𝑥3

[Link]
64 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

47. Think of flipping terms with negative exponents like flipping pancakes. If it's on top, it
5𝑏𝑐 4
goes below, and vice-versa. Flipping them, we get − .
3𝑎2

48. To convert 0.00412, shift the decimal three places to the right, making it 4.12. The
number of places moved becomes the negative exponent of 10 since we moved to the right.
So, the answer is: 4.12 × 10−3.

49. We shift the decimal five places to the right to get 5.3. That five-jump shift implies a
multiplier of 10−5. Hence, 0.000053 = 5.3 × 10−5 .

50. Move the decimal between 6 and 6, so it becomes 6.6. The decimal was shifted four
places to the left. This results in 66,000 = 6.6 × 104 .

51. Sliding the decimal between 7 and 2 gives 7.2. The shift was seven places to the left, so
it's multiplied by 107 . The number is expressed as 7.2 × 107 .

52. The square root of a number times itself will give you the original number. So, √8
multiplied by √8 will give you 8.

53. First, we need to find the square root of each number. √36 = 6 because 6 × 6 = 36,

√9 = 3 because 3 × 3 = 9. Now, subtract the second value from the first: 6 − 3 = 3.

54. Start by finding the square root of each number. √81 = 9 because 9 × 9 = 81, √16 =
4 because 4 × 4 = 16. Now, add the two values together: 9 + 4 = 13.

55. When you multiply two square roots, you can also multiply the numbers inside the roots
and then take the square root of the result. But here, we'll solve each square root
separately.

√4 = 2 because 2 × 2 = 4, and √25 = 5 because 5 × 5 = 25. Multiply the results:

2 × 5 = 10.

[Link]
 Chapter 6: Exponents and Variables 65

56. √32 can be simplified to √2 × 16 or √2 × √16. Now, combining with our original
expression, we get √2 × (√2 × √16). This becomes √2 × √2 × √16. We already know

√2 × √2 = 2 and √16 = 4. Therefore, 2 × 4 = 8.

57. When you have like terms with radicals, you can combine them in a similar fashion as
you do with algebraic terms. Think of the √3 as a common variable. Combining 4√3 and
5√3 is 9√3.

[Link]
 Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 67

CHAPTER

7 Expressions
and Variables

Math topics in this chapter:

 Simplifying Variable Expressions

 Simplifying Polynomial Expressions
 The Distributive Property
 Evaluating One Variable
 Evaluating Two Variables
67

[Link]
68 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Simplify each expression.

(3 + 4𝑥 − 1) = −5 − 3𝑥 2 − 6 + 4𝑥 =

(−5 − 2𝑥 + 7) = −6 + 9𝑥 2 − 3 + 𝑥 =

(12𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 4) = 5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 3 =

(−16𝑥 + 24𝑥 − 9) = 4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 5 − 8 =

(6𝑥 + 5 − 15𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 2 − 4 =

2 + 5𝑥 − 8𝑥 − 6 = 9𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 3 − 9 =

5𝑥 + 10 − 3𝑥 − 22 = 2𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 6 =

 Simplify each polynomial.

5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 5 − 7𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 − 5𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 3 = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 ) + (5𝑥 2 − 13𝑥) = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 ) + (𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 4 ) = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(15𝑥 5 − 8𝑥 3 ) − (4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 ) =-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 ) − (𝑥 3 − 24) = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 ) − (−𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 4 ) = --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 3 ) + (−22𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 3 ) =---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3 ) + (−5𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 4 ) = --------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Link]
 Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 69

 Use the distributive property to simply each expression.

2(6 + 𝑥) = ____________ (−1)(−9 + 𝑥) = __________

5(3 − 2𝑥) = ____________ (−6)(3𝑥 − 2) = __________

7(1 − 5𝑥) = __________ (−𝑥 + 12)(−4) = _________

(3 − 4𝑥)7 = ___________ (−2)(1 − 6𝑥) = ___________

6(2 − 3𝑥) = ___________ (−5𝑥 − 3)(−8) = ________

Evaluate each expression using the value given.

𝑥 = 4 → 10 − 𝑥 = _____ 𝑥 = −6 → 5 − 𝑥 = _____

𝑥 = 6 → 𝑥 + 8 = _____ 𝑥 = −3 → 22 − 3𝑥 = _____
𝑥 = 3 → 2𝑥 − 6 = _____ 𝑥 = −7 → 10 − 9𝑥 = _____
𝑥 = 2 → 10 − 4𝑥 = _____ 𝑥 = −10 → 40 − 3𝑥 = _____
𝑥 = 7 → 8𝑥 − 3 = _____ 𝑥 = −2 → 20𝑥 − 5 = _____
𝑥 = 9 → 20 − 2𝑥 = _____ 𝑥 = −5 → −10𝑥 − 8 = ____
𝑥 = 5 → 10𝑥 − 30 = ____ 𝑥 = −4 → −1 − 4𝑥 = ____
 Evaluate each expression using the values given.
𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 1 → 2𝑥 + 7𝑦 = _______
𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = 5 → 3𝑎 − 5𝑏 = _______
𝑥 = 6, 𝑦 = 2 → 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 8 = _______

𝑎 = −2, 𝑏 = 3 → −5𝑎 + 2𝑏 + 6 = _______

𝑥 = −4, 𝑦 = −3 → −4𝑥 + 10 − 8𝑦 = _______

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70 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

1) 4𝑥 + 2 19) 7𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 37) 0

2) −2𝑥 + 2 20) 15𝑥 5 − 12𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 38) 2

3) 7𝑥 − 4 21) 14𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 + 24 39) 53

4) 8𝑥 − 9 22) 22𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 40) 2

5) −9𝑥 + 5 23) 15𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 2 41) 20

6) −3𝑥 − 4 24) −4𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 42) 11

7) 2𝑥 − 12 25) 2𝑥 + 12 43) 31

8) −3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 11 26) −10𝑥 + 15 44) 73

9) 9𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 9 27) −35𝑥 + 7 45) 70

10) 5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 3 28) −28𝑥 + 21 46) −45

11) 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 3 29) −18𝑥 + 12 47) 42

12) 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 2 30) −𝑥 + 9 48) 15

13) 9𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 6 31) −18𝑥 + 12 49) 11

14) −𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 6 32) 4𝑥 − 48 50) −16

15) 3𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 33) 12𝑥 − 2 51) 22

16) 2𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 34) 40𝑥 + 24 52) 22

17) 6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 35) 6 53) 50

18) 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 36) 14

[Link]
 Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 71

Answers and Explanations

1. Combine the constants: 3 − 1 = 2. The term 4𝑥 remains unchanged. So, the expression
simplifies to: 4𝑥 + 2.

2. Combine the constants: −5 + 7 = 2. The term −2𝑥 remains unchanged. Thus, −2𝑥 + 2.

3. Combine like terms (terms with 𝑥): 12𝑥 − 5𝑥 = 7𝑥. The constant −4 remains
unchanged. So, the final answer is: 7𝑥 − 4.

4. Combine the 𝑥 terms: −16𝑥 + 24𝑥 = 8𝑥. The constant −9 remains unchanged. So, the
result is: 8𝑥 − 9.

5. Combine the 𝑥 terms: 6𝑥 − 15𝑥 = −9𝑥. The constant 5 remains unchanged. Thus,
−9𝑥 + 5.

6. Group and combine like terms: 5𝑥 − 8𝑥 = −3𝑥 and 2 − 6 = −4. The answer is: −3𝑥 −
4.

7. Combine the 𝑥 terms: 5𝑥 − 3𝑥 = 2𝑥. Now, Combine the constants: 10 − 22 = −12.

Answer is: 2𝑥 − 12.

8. Combine the constants: −5 − 6 = −11. The terms −3𝑥 2 and 4𝑥 remain as they are,
since they are not like terms. So, the result is: −3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 11.

9. Start with the highest power of 𝑥, which is 𝑥 2 , so 9𝑥 2 stays as is. The term 𝑥 remains
unchanged. Lastly, combine the numbers: −6 and −3 give −6 − 3 = −9.

Answer is: 9𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 9.

10. Consider this equation as a puzzle; you want to piece together similar items: For 𝑥's,
3𝑥 − 10𝑥 results in −7𝑥. The squares, 5𝑥 2 , remain as they are. The number, −3, doesn’t
have a pair, so it stays as is. Thus, 5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 3.

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72 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

11. Imagine the terms as different categories of objects: Squares are one category. Here,
you only have 4𝑥 2 . For simple 𝑥's, you combine them: −2𝑥 − 6𝑥 = −8𝑥. And for numbers:
5 − 8 = −3. So, 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 3.

12. Think of this as merging similar boxes: You have a box of 𝑥 2 , which is just 3𝑥 2 . For the
𝑥 terms, merge −5𝑥 and −7𝑥 to get −12𝑥. Lastly, combine the two numbers: 2 − 4 = −2.
Thus, 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 2.

13. Envision every term as a different type of coin: The highest valued coin is 9𝑥 2 . It stands
alone. For the 𝑥-coins, −𝑥 − 5𝑥 yields −6𝑥. Summing up the constants: 3 − 9 = −6. So,
9𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 6.

14. To simplify, we need to group and combine like terms. Starting with the terms involving
𝑥 2 , we have 2𝑥 2 and −3𝑥 2 . When combined, they result in −𝑥 2 . Next, we group the 𝑥
terms: combining −7𝑥 and 4𝑥 gives us −3𝑥. The constant, 6, remains as it is since there are
no other constant terms to combine with. Bringing all these simplified terms together, the
expression condenses to −𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 6.

15. To simplify, group like terms: (5𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 2 ) + 3𝑥 3 + 2𝑥. This becomes: 3𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥.

16. Grouping like terms: (8𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 4 ) + 2𝑥 5 + 3𝑥 2 . This results in: 2𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 .

17. First, group like terms: (15𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 3 ) + 11𝑥 − 5𝑥 2 . The answer is: 6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 11𝑥.

18. Combine like terms: 7𝑥 3 + (−3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 2 ) − 13𝑥. Result: 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 13𝑥.

19. Combine like terms: (12𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 4 ) + (6𝑥 3 + 𝑥 3 ). This results in: 7𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 .

20. Distribute the negative sign and combine like terms: 15𝑥 5 + (−8𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 3 ) − 𝑥 2 . The
answer is: 15𝑥 5 − 12𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 .

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 Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 73

21. First, distribute the negative sign then combine like terms: 14𝑥 4 + (7𝑥 3 − 𝑥 3 ) + 24.
This becomes: 14𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 + 24.

22. To solve this problem, distribute the negative sign and combine: (20𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 4 ) +
(6𝑥 3 + 𝑥 3 ). Result 22𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 .

23. To simplify this expression, you'll combine the like terms. Begin by combining the 𝑥 3
terms and then the 𝑥 2 terms. (9𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 3 ) + (𝑥 2 − 22𝑥 2 ). Putting them together, the
result is: 15𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 2 .

24. Again, you'll need to combine the like terms. Start by combining the 𝑥 4 terms and then
the 𝑥 3 terms. Grouping them together, the result is: −4𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 .

25. Using the distributive property: (2 × 6 + 2 × 𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 12.

26. Expand the expression: multiply 5 with 3 and then 5 with −2𝑥. This results in 15 − 10𝑥
or −10𝑥 + 15.

27. Breaking it down: 7 multiplied by 1 is 7. Next, 7 multiplied by −5𝑥 is −35𝑥. Combine

the results −35𝑥 + 7.

28. Take the number outside the parentheses (7) and distribute it: 7 times 3 is 21. 7 times
−4𝑥 is −28𝑥. Add them together: −28𝑥 + 21.

29. Expand the terms: (6 × 2 = 12), and (6 × (−3𝑥) = −18𝑥). Combine these: −18𝑥 +
12.

30. −1 times −9 is 9. Also, −1 times 𝑥 is −𝑥. Combine for −𝑥 + 9.

31. For this one: multiply −6 by 3𝑥, which is −18𝑥. Next, −6 multiplied by −2 is 12.
Together:

−18𝑥 + 12.

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74 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

32. Working through: −4 times −𝑥 is 4𝑥, and −4 times 12 is −48. This gives: 4𝑥 − 48.

33. Process the multiplication: −2 times 1 is −2. Next, −2 times −6𝑥 results in 12𝑥. Final
expression: 12𝑥 − 2.

34. Distribute the outside number: −8 times −5𝑥 equals 40𝑥. Next, −8 times −3 is 24.
Sum these for 40𝑥 + 24.

35. By replacing the variable with the given value, we find the difference between 10 and
4. Substitute 4 for 𝑥: 10 − 4 = 6.

36. Insert the specified number and calculate the sum of 6 and 8. Placing 6 in the equation: 6 +
8 = 14.

37. Double the given number (which is 3 in this case) and then subtract 6. Input 3 for 𝑥: 2(3) −
6 = 6 − 6 = 0.

38. Replace 𝑥 with 2: 10 − 4(2) = 10 − 8 = 2.

39. Substitute in 7: 8(7) − 3 = 56 − 3 = 53.

40. Deduct twice the value of the given number (9) from 20: 20 − 2(9) = 20 − 18 = 2.

41. Ten times our given value, 5, minus 30 is the final outcome: 10(5) − 30 = 50 − 30 = 20.

42. Add 6 to 5 because subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive
counterpart: 5 − (−6) = 5 + 6 = 11.

43. Triple the positive value of the given number (3) and add it to 22: 22 − 3(−3) = 22 +
9 = 31.

44. When you multiply 9 by 7 and subtract it from 10 with a negative sign, you're essentially
adding: 10 − 9(−7) = 10 + 63 = 73.

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 Chapter 7: Expressions and Variables 75

45. Place −10: 40 − 3(−10) = 40 + 30 = 70.

46. Multiply 20 by the number (−2) and then decrease this product by 5:

20(−2) − 5 = −40 − 5 = −45

47. The equation asks us to take the opposite of 10 times 5 and then subtract 8:

−10(−5) − 8 = 50 − 8 = 42

48. Put −4 in the given equation, then we get: −1 − 4(−4) = −1 + 16 = 15.

49. To solve this, substitute 𝑥 with 2 and 𝑦 with 1. 2𝑥 becomes 2(2) which equals 4. 7𝑦
becomes 7(1) which equals 7. Now add these results together: 4 + 7 = 11.

Answer: 2𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 11.

50. Substitute 𝑎 with 3 and 𝑏 with 5. 3𝑎 becomes 3(3) which equals 9. 5𝑏 becomes 5(5)
which equals 25. Now subtract the second result from the first: 9 − 25 = −16.

Answer: 3𝑎 − 5𝑏 = −16.

51. Replace 𝑥 with 6 and 𝑦 with 2. 3𝑥 becomes 3(6) which is 18. 2𝑦 becomes 2(2) which
is 4. Combine these values: 18 − 4 + 8 = 22.

52. Swap 𝑎 with −2 and 𝑏 with 3. −5𝑎 becomes −5(−2) which equals 10. 2𝑏 becomes
2(3) which equals 6. Now, sum these results with 6: 10 + 6 + 6 = 22.

53. Insert −4 for 𝑥 and −3 for 𝑦. −4𝑥 becomes −4(−4) which is 16. 8𝑦 becomes 8(−3)
which is −24. Combine these values: 16 + 10 − (−24) = 16 + 10 + 24 = 50.

[Link]
 Chapter 8: Equations and Inequalities 77

CHAPTER

8 Equations and
Inequalities

Math topics in this chapter:

 One-Step Equations
 Multi-Step Equations
 System of Equations
 Graphing Single–Variable Inequalities
 One-Step Inequalities
 Multi-Step Inequalities
77

[Link]
78 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Solve each equation. (One–Step Equations)

𝑥 + 6 = 3 → 𝑥 = _____ 10 − 𝑥 = −2 → 𝑥 = _____

5 = 11 − 𝑥 → 𝑥 = _____ 22 − 𝑥 = −9 → 𝑥 = _____

−3 = 8 + 𝑥 → 𝑥 = _____ −4 + 𝑥 = 28 → 𝑥 = _____

𝑥 − 2 = −7 → 𝑥 = _____ 11 − 𝑥 = −7 → 𝑥 = _____

−15 = 𝑥 + 6 → 𝑥 = _____ 35 − 𝑥 = −7 → 𝑥 = _____

 Solve each equation. (Multi–Step Equations)

4(𝑥 + 2) = 12 → 𝑥 = _____ 4(𝑥 + 2) = −12, 𝑥 = _____

−6(6 − 𝑥) = 12 → 𝑥 = _____ −6(3 + 2𝑥) = 30, 𝑥 = _____

5 = −5 (𝑥 + 2) → 𝑥 = _____ −3(4 − 𝑥) = 12, 𝑥 = _____

−10 = 2(4 + 𝑥) → 𝑥 = _____ −4(6 − 𝑥) = 16, 𝑥 = _____

 Solve each system of equations.

𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 32 𝑥 = _____ 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 17 𝑥 = _____
{ 𝑦 = _____ { 𝑦 = _____
𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 17 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 9

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15 𝑥 = _____ 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −8 𝑥 = _____
{ 𝑦 = _____ { 𝑦 = _____
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 10 −6𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 10

[Link]
 Chapter 8: Equations and Inequalities 79

 Draw a graph for each inequality.

𝑥 ≤ −3

𝑥 > −5

 Solve each inequality and graph it.

𝑥 − 2 ≥ −2

2𝑥 − 3 < 9

 Solve each inequality.

𝑥 + 13 > 4 10 + 5𝑥 < −15

𝑥+6>5 6(6 + 𝑥) ≥ −18

−12 + 2𝑥 ≤ 26 2(𝑥 − 5) ≥ −14

−2 + 8𝑥 ≤ 14 6(𝑥 + 4) < −12

6 + 4𝑥 ≤ 18 3(𝑥 − 8) ≥ −48

4(𝑥 + 3) ≥ −12 −(6 − 4𝑥) > −30

2(6 + 𝑥) ≥ −12 2(2 + 2𝑥) > −60

3(𝑥 − 5) < −6 −3(4 + 2𝑥) > −24

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80 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

−3 18 8
6 42 10

−11 1 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 5
−5 8 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 3
−21 −3 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 1
12 −9 𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −1
31 −5
32 −4

𝑥 ≤ −3

𝑥 > −5

𝑥≥0

𝑥<6

𝑥 > −9 𝑥 ≥ −12 𝑥 ≥ −8
𝑥 > −1 𝑥<3 𝑥 > −6

𝑥 ≤ 19 𝑥 < −5 𝑥 > −16

𝑥≤2 𝑥 ≥ −9 𝑥<2
𝑥≤3 𝑥 ≥ −2
𝑥 ≥ −6 𝑥 < −6

[Link]
 Chapter 8: Equations and Inequalities 81

Answers and Explanations

1. You want to get 𝑥 by itself. Start by subtracting 6 from both sides to undo the addition:

𝑥 + 6 = 3 ⇒ 𝑥 + 6 − 6 = 3 − 6 ⇒ 𝑥 = −3

2. If you start at 11 and go backwards (subtract) by a certain number to reach 5, that

number is 6: 5 = 11 − 𝑥 ⇒ 5 − 11 = 11 − 𝑥 − 11 ⇒ −6 = −𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 6.

3. To balance the equation, think of taking away 8 from both sides:

−3 = 8 + 𝑥 ⇒ −3 − 8 = 8 + 𝑥 − 8 ⇒ 𝑥 = −11

4. Think of adding 2 to both sides to compensate for the subtraction in the equation:

𝑥 − 2 = −7 ⇒ 𝑥 − 2 + 2 = −7 + 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = −5

5. Consider what number when added to 6 will result in −15:

−15 = 𝑥 + 6 ⇒ 𝑥 = −15 − 6 = −21

6. If you think of 𝑥 as being on the left side, then, 10 − 𝑥 = −2 ⇒ 𝑥 = 10 + 2 = 12.

7. Rearrange the equation to make 𝑥 the subject. 22 − 𝑥 = −9 ⇒ 𝑥 = 22 + 9 = 31.

8. Starting at −4, how much do you need to add to reach 28?

−4 + 𝑥 = 28 ⇒ 𝑥 = 28 + 4 = 32

9. If removing 𝑥 from 11 gives −7, then adding back will give you 𝑥's value:

11 − 𝑥 = −7 ⇒ 𝑥 = 11 + 7 = 18

10. Determine the difference between 35 and −7 to find 𝑥: 𝑥 = 35 + 7 = 42.

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82 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

11. Multiply 4 with each term inside the parentheses. 4(𝑥 + 2) = 12 ⇒ 4𝑥 + 8 = 12.
Subtract 8 from both sides: 4𝑥 = 4. Now, divide by 4: 𝑥 = 1.

12. Multiplying through, −6 times 6 gives −36, and −6 times −𝑥 gives 6𝑥. −36 + 6𝑥 =
12. Combine terms: 6𝑥 = 48. Divide both sides by 6: 𝑥 = 8.

13. Divide both sides by −5: 𝑥 + 2 = −1. subtract 2 from both sides: 𝑥 = −3.

14. Multiply 2 with 4 and 𝑥: 8 + 2𝑥 = −10. Subtract 8: 2𝑥 = −18. Then divide by 2: 𝑥 =

−9.

15. Multiplying through by 4 yields: 4𝑥 + 8 = −12. Isolating 𝑥: subtract 8, 4𝑥 = −20.

Divide by 4: 𝑥 = −5.

16. Multiply through by −6: −18 − 12𝑥 = 30. Combine like terms: −12𝑥 = 48. Finally,
divide by −12: 𝑥 = −4.

17. Multiplying, we get −12 + 3𝑥 = 12. Combining gives 3𝑥 = 24, so 𝑥 = 8.

18. Multiplication yields −24 + 4𝑥 = 16. Moving terms around, 4𝑥 = 40. Then, 𝑥 = 10.

19. Subtract the second equation from the first to eliminate 𝑥: 3𝑦 = 15. Divide by 3: 𝑦 = 5.
Plugging this value into the second equation to solve for 𝑥: 𝑥 + 15 = 17 gives 𝑥 = 2. So,
𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 5.

20. From the first equation, solve for 𝑦: 𝑦 = 15 − 3𝑥. Substitute this expression into the
second equation: 𝑥 + 2(15 − 3𝑥) = 10. Solving yields 𝑥 + 30 − 6𝑥 = 10 ⇒ −5𝑥 =
−20 ⇒ 𝑥 = 4. Plugging this into the first equation gives 𝑥 = 4 ⇒ 3(4) + 𝑦 = 15 ⇒ 12 +
𝑦 = 15 ⇒ 𝑦 = 3. Thus, 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 3.

[Link]
 Chapter 8: Equations and Inequalities 83

21. Multiply the second equation by 5 to make the coefficients of 𝑦 the same: 10𝑥 + 5𝑦 =
45. Now, subtract the first equation from this: 7𝑥 = 28. Hence, 𝑥 = 4. Using this 𝑥 −value
in the second equation, we find 2(4) + 𝑦 = 9 ⇒ 8 + 𝑦 = 9 ⇒ 𝑦 = 1. So, 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 1.

22. Adding the two equations directly, the 𝑦 terms cancel out: −𝑥 = 2. So, 𝑥 = −2. Plugging
this into the first equation, we get 5(−2) − 2𝑦 = −8 ⇒ −10 − 2𝑦 = −8 ⇒ 2𝑦 = −2 ⇒
𝑦 = −1. Thus, 𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −1.

23. Imagine a number line. Place a solid circle at −3, because our number can be exactly
−3. Then shade or mark everything to the left (or in the direction of smaller numbers) of
−3.

24. On the same number line, make an open circle (or an empty dot) at −5. This indicates
that −5 is not part of our solution. Shade or mark everything to the right (or in the direction
of bigger numbers) of −5.

25. Start by adding 2 to both sides of the inequality to isolate 𝑥: 𝑥 − 2 + 2 ≥ −2 + 2. This

simplifies to: 𝑥 ≥ 0. On a number line, place a solid circle at 0 (indicating that 𝑥 can be
exactly 0) and shade everything to the right of 0 (representing all numbers greater than 0).
This shaded portion is the solution set for the inequality.

26. Start by adding 3 to both sides of the inequality to isolate the term with 𝑥: 2𝑥 − 3 +
2𝑥 12
3 < 9 + 3. This becomes: 2𝑥 < 12. Now, divide both sides by 2 to solve for 𝑥: < . This
2 2

simplifies to: 𝑥 < 6. On a number line, make an open circle at 6 (indicating 𝑥 cannot be
exactly 6) and shade everything to the left of 6, representing all numbers less than 6. This
shaded section represents the solution set for the inequality.

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84 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

27. Subtract 13 from both sides to isolate 𝑥: 𝑥 > −9.

28. Subtract 6 from each side: 𝑥 > −1.

29. Add 12 to both sides: 2𝑥 ≤ 38. Now, divide by 2: 𝑥 ≤ 19.

30. Start by adding 2 to each side: 8𝑥 ≤ 16. Then, divide both sides by 8: 𝑥 ≤ 2.

31. Subtract 6: 4𝑥 ≤ 12. Divide by 4: 𝑥 ≤ 3.

32. Distribute the 4: 4𝑥 + 12 ≥ −12. Subtracting 12: 4𝑥 ≥ −24. Divide both sides by 4:
𝑥 ≥ −6.

33. Distribute the 2: 12 + 2𝑥 ≥ −12. Subtract 12: 2𝑥 ≥ −24. Divide by 2: 𝑥 ≥ −12.

34. Expand: 3𝑥 − 15 < −6. Add 15 to both sides: 3𝑥 < 9. Now, divide by 3: 𝑥 < 3.

35. Subtract 10: 5𝑥 < −25. Divide both sides by 5: 𝑥 < −5.

36. Distribute the 6: 36 + 6𝑥 ≥ −18. Subtract 36: 6𝑥 ≥ −54. Divide by 6: 𝑥 ≥ −9.

37. Expand: 2𝑥 − 10 ≥ −14. Add 10: 2𝑥 ≥ −4. Now, divide by 2: 𝑥 ≥ −2.

38. Expand: 6𝑥 + 24 < −12. Subtract 24: 6𝑥 < −36. Divide by 6: 𝑥 < −6.

39. Expand: 3𝑥 − 24 ≥ −48. Add 24: 3𝑥 ≥ −24. Divide by 3: 𝑥 ≥ −8.

40. Distribute the negative sign: −6 + 4𝑥 > −30. Add 6: 4𝑥 > −24. Divide by 4: 𝑥 > −6.

41. Expand: 4 + 4𝑥 > −60. Subtract 4: 4𝑥 > −64. Divide by 4: 𝑥 > −16.

42. Distribute the −3: −12 − 6𝑥 > −24. Add 12: −6𝑥 > −12. Divide by −6 (remember,
when multiplying or dividing by a negative number, the direction of the inequality changes):
𝑥 < 2.

[Link]
 Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 85

CHAPTER

9 Lines and Slope

Math topics in this chapter:

 Finding Slope
 Graphing Lines Using Slope–Intercept Form
 Writing Linear Equations
 Finding Midpoint
 Finding Distance of Two Points
 Graphing Linear Inequalities
85

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86 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Find the slope of each line.

𝑦 =𝑥−5 Line through (2, 6) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (5, 0)

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 6 Line through (8, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−4, 3)

𝑦 = −5𝑥 − 8 Line through (−2, − 4) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−4, 8)

 Sketch the graph of each line. (Using Slope–Intercept Form)

𝑦 =𝑥+4 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 5

 Solve.
What is the equation of a line with slope 4 and intercept 16? _______________

What is the equation of a line with slope 3 and passes through point (1, 5)?
_______________
What is the equation of a line with slope −5 and passes through point (−2, 7)?

_______________
The slope of a line is −4 and it passes through point (−6, 2). What is the
equation of the line? _______________

The slope of a line is −3 and it passes through point (−3, −6). What is the
equation of the line? _______________

[Link]
 Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 87

 Sketch the graph of each linear inequality.

𝑦 > 2𝑥 − 2 𝑦 < −𝑥 + 3

 Find the midpoint of the line segment with the given endpoints.
(5, 0), (1, 4) (4, −1), (−2, 7)

(2, 3), (4, 7) (2, −5), (4, 1)

(8, 1), (2, 5) (7, 6), (−5, 2)

(5, 10), (3, 6) (−2, 8), (4, −6)

 Find the distance between each pair of points.

(−2, 8), (−6, 8) (4, 3), (7, −1)

(4, −4), (14, 20) (2, 6), (10, −9)

(−1, 9), (−5, 6) (3, 3), (6, −1)

(0, 3), (4, 3) (−2, −12), (14, 18)

(0, −2), (5, 10) (2, −2), (12, 22)

[Link]
88 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers
1
1 −5 −
4

2 −2 −6
𝑦 =𝑥+4 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 5

𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 16 𝑦 = −5𝑥 − 3 𝑦 = −3𝑥 − 15
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2 𝑦 = −4𝑥 − 22

𝑦 > 2𝑥 − 2 𝑦 < −𝑥 + 3

(3, 2) (1, 4) 13
(3, 5) (1, 1) 5
(5,3) 4 17
(4,8) 26 5
(1, 3) 5 34
(3, −2) 4 26

[Link]
 Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 89

Answers and Explanations

1. The equation is in the slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and 𝑏 is
the 𝑦 −intercept. Here, 𝑚 = 1. Therefore, the slope of the line is 1.

2. Looking at the equation, you can immediately pick out the number in front of the 𝑥, which
represents the steepness or incline of the line. Here, that number is 2. Thus, the slope of
the line is 2.

3. For this equation, ask yourself: "If I move 1 unit to the right, how much do I move up or
down?" Since the coefficient of 𝑥 is −5, you would move down 5 units. This means the slope
is −5.

𝑦 −𝑦
4. To find the slope for two given points, use the formula: 𝑚 = 𝑥2−𝑥1. Plugging in the given
2 1

0−6 −6
points: 𝑚 = 5−2 = = −2. The slope is −2.
3

5. Consider the difference in 𝑦 −values and divide it by the difference in 𝑥 −values. Here,
the change in 𝑦 is −3 (from 3 to 0) and the change in 𝑥 is 12 (from 8 to −4). The slope is
−3 1
, which simplifies to − 4.
12

6. To find the slope of the line passing through two points, use the slope formula: 𝑚 =
𝑦2 −𝑦1 −4−8 −12
. Plugging in these values: 𝑚 = −2−(−4) = = −6.
𝑥2 −𝑥1 2

7. For this equation, our 𝑦 −intercept is 4, which means the line crosses the 𝑦 −axis at the
point (0,4). The 𝑥 −intercept is −4, which means the line crosses the 𝑥 −axis at the point
(−4,0). By connecting these two points, you get the line for 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4.

[Link]
90 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

8. In this equation, 𝑏 = −5, so the 𝑦 −intercept is at the point (0, −5). The 𝑥 −intercept is
5 5
, which means the line crosses the 𝑥 −axis at the point (2 , 0).
2

9. For a line in slope-intercept form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, "𝑚" is the slope and "𝑏" is the
𝑦 −intercept. Plugging in the given values, we get: 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 16.

10. Given that the slope 𝑚 is 3 and the line passes through the point (1,5), we can substitute
these values into the equation to solve for 𝑏: 5 = 3(1) + 𝑏. Subtracting 3 from each side
to solve for 𝑏: 𝑏 = 2. So, the 𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 is 2. Given the slope 𝑚 = 3 and 𝑦 −intercept
𝑏 = 2, the equation of the line is: 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2.

11. To find the 𝑦 −intercept, 𝑏, we can substitute the given point and slope into the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏: 7 = −5(−2) + 𝑏, 7 = 10 + 𝑏. Now, subtract 10 from both sides to
solve for 𝑏: 𝑏 = −3. Thus, the 𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 is −3. Given the slope 𝑚 = −5 and
𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 = −3, the equation of the line is: 𝑦 = −5𝑥 − 3.

[Link]
 Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 91

12. We'll substitute the provided point and slope into the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 to solve for
𝑏, the 𝑦 −intercept. 2 = −4(−6) + 𝑏, 2 = 24 + 𝑏. Now, subtract 24 from each side to
determine 𝑏: 𝑏 = −22. Thus, the 𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 is −22. With a slope 𝑚 = −4 and
𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 = −22, the equation of the line becomes: 𝑦 = −4𝑥 − 22.

13. To determine the 𝑦 −intercept 𝑏, we can substitute in the given point and slope into
our equation: −6 = −3(−3) + 𝑏 ⇒ −6 = 9 + 𝑏. Subtract 9 from each side to solve for 𝑏:
𝑏 = −15. Given the slope 𝑚 = −3 and 𝑦 −intercept 𝑏 = −15, the equation of the line is:
𝑦 = −3𝑥 − 15.

14. In order to draw the area related to the given inequality, first we draw the equation of
the line corresponding to 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 2. As follows:

Now, according to the inequality sign i.e., >, we use dashed line.

Finally, to determine the area, we place a point on one side of the line in the inequality. For
example: (−2,2). If the point in the inequality applies, the region in which the point is
located is the appropriate solution set. Otherwise, we determine the other side of the line
as the answer set. Then we have: (−2,2) ⇒ 2 > 2(−2) − 2 ⇒ 2 > −6.

[Link]
92 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

15. Draw the line 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3.

Since the inequality sign is <, use a dashed line to display. To determine the area, put some
points in the equation. Like the point (1,4). So, we have: (1,4) ⇒ 4 ≮ −1 + 3. It is not true.
So, the other side of the line is the right area.

[Link]
 Chapter 9: Lines and Slope 93

𝑥1 +𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2 5+1 0+4

16. The formula for the midpoint is ( , ). For these points: 𝑀 = ( , )=
2 2 2 2

(3,2).

2+4 3+7
17. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (3,5). This is the center point along the segment from (2,3) to (4,7).
2 2

8+2 1+5
18. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (5,3). This point divides the segment from (8,1) to (2,5) into two
2 2

equal parts.

5+3 10+6
19. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (4,8). This is the halfway point between the coordinates (5,10) and
2 2

(3,6).

4−2 −1+7
20. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (1,3). The segment's midpoint between (4, −1) and (−2,7) is
2 2

(1,3).

2+4 −5+1
21. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (3, −2). (3, −2) is the center point on the line segment joining
2 2

(2, −5) and (4,1).

7−5 6+2
22. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (1,4). (1,4) is equidistant from both (7,6) and (−5,2).
2 2

−2+4 8−6
23. 𝑀 = ( , ) = (1,1). This point divides the segment between (−2,8) and (4, −6)
2 2

into two equal halves.

24. The formula to calculate the distance between two points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) in a

Cartesian plane is given by: 𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 = √(−6 + 2)2 + (8 − 8)2 =

√42 + 0 =4. The distance between the points is 4 units.

25. 𝑑 = √(14 − 4)2 + (20 + 4)2 = √102 + 242 =26. The distance between the points is
26 units.

[Link]
94 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

26. 𝑑 = √(−5 + 1)2 + (6 − 9)2 = √(−4)2 + (−3)2 = 5. The distance between the
points is 5 units.

27. 𝑑 = √(4 − 0)2 + (3 − 3)2 = √42 + 0 = 4. The distance between the points is 4 units.

28. 𝑑 = √(5 − 0)2 + (10 + 2)2 = √52 + 122 = 13. The distance between the points is
approximately 13 units.

29. 𝑑 = √(7 − 4)2 + (−1 − 3)2 = √32 + (−4)2 = 5. The distance between the points is
5 units.

30. 𝑑 = √(10 − 2)2 + (−9 − 6)2 = √82 + (−15)2 = 17. The distance between the
points is 17 units.

31. 𝑑 = √(6 − 3)2 + (−1 − 3)2 = √32 + (−4)2 = 5. The distance between the points is
5 units.

32. 𝑑 = √(14 + 2)2 + (18 + 12)2 = √162 + 302 = 34. The distance between the points
is 34 units.

33. 𝑑 = √(12 − 2)2 + (22 + 2)2 = √102 + 242 = 26. The distance between the points is
26 units.

[Link]
 Chapter 10: Polynomials 95

CHAPTER

10 Polynomials

Math topics in this chapter:

 Simplifying Polynomials
 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
 Multiplying Monomials
 Multiplying and Dividing Monomials
 Multiplying a Polynomial and a Monomial
 Multiplying Binomials
 Factoring Trinomials 95

[Link]
96 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Simplify each polynomial.

3(6𝑥 + 4) = 6𝑥(3𝑥 + 1) − 5𝑥 =

5(3𝑥 − 8) = 𝑥(3𝑥 − 4) + 3𝑥 2 − 6 =

𝑥(7𝑥 + 2) + 9𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 5 − 3𝑥(𝑥 + 8) =

6𝑥(𝑥 + 3) + 5𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 + 7 − 6𝑥(2𝑥 + 5) =

 Add or subtract polynomials.

(𝑥 2 + 3) + (2𝑥 2 − 4) = (10𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 ) + (14𝑥 2 − 8) =

(3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥) − (𝑥 2 + 8𝑥) = (4𝑥 3 − 9) − (3𝑥 3 − 7𝑥 2 ) =

(4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 ) + (2𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 ) = (9𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 ) − (6𝑥 3 − 4𝑥) =

(6𝑥 3 − 7𝑥 ) − (5𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 ) = (7𝑥 3 − 5𝑥) − (3𝑥 3 + 5𝑥) =

 Find the products. (Multiplying Monomials)

3𝑥 2 × 8𝑥 3 = 9𝑢3 𝑡 2 × (−2𝑢𝑡) =

2𝑥 4 × 9𝑥 3 = 12𝑥 2 𝑧 × 3𝑥𝑦 3 =

−4𝑎4 𝑏 × 2𝑎𝑏 3 = 11𝑥 3 𝑧 × 5𝑥𝑦 5 =

(−7𝑥 3 𝑦𝑧) × (3𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 4 ) = −6𝑎3 𝑏𝑐 × 5𝑎4 𝑏 3 =

−2𝑎5 𝑏𝑐 × 6𝑎2 𝑏 4 = −4𝑥 6 𝑦 2 × (−12𝑥𝑦) =

[Link]
 Chapter 10: Polynomials 97

 Simplify each expression. (Multiplying and Dividing Monomials)

42𝑥 4 𝑦 2
(7𝑥 2 𝑦 3 )(3𝑥 4 𝑦 2 ) = =
6𝑥 3 𝑦
49𝑥 5 𝑦 6
(6𝑥 3 𝑦 2 )(4𝑥 4 𝑦 3 ) = =
7𝑥 2 𝑦
63𝑥 15 𝑦 10
(10𝑥 8 𝑦 5 )(3𝑥 5 𝑦 7 ) = =
9𝑥 8 𝑦 6
35𝑥 8 𝑦 12
(15𝑎3 𝑏 2 )(2𝑎3 𝑏 8 ) = =
5𝑥 4 𝑦 8

 Find each product. (Multiplying a Polynomial and a Monomial)

3𝑥(5𝑥 − 𝑦) = 𝑥(2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4) =

2𝑥(4𝑥 + 𝑦) = 5𝑥(3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 2) =

7𝑥(𝑥 − 3𝑦) = 7𝑥(2𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 5) =

 Find each product. (Multiplying Binomials)

(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 3) = (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 7) =

(𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 6) = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) =

(𝑥 + 10)(𝑥 + 4) = (𝑥 − 10)(𝑥 + 3) =

 Factor each trinomial.

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 8 = 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 16 =

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 12 =

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 48 = 3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 3 =

[Link]
98 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

18𝑥 + 12 −8𝑎5 𝑏 4 7𝑥 2 − 21𝑥𝑦

15𝑥 − 40 −21𝑥 4 𝑦 3 𝑧 5 2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥

7𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 −12𝑎7 𝑏 5 𝑐 15𝑥 3 + 40𝑥 2 + 10𝑥

6𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 −18𝑢4 𝑡 3 14𝑥 3 − 63𝑥 2 − 35𝑥

18𝑥 2 + 𝑥 36𝑥 3 𝑦 3 𝑧 𝑥2 − 9

6𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 6 55𝑥 4 𝑦 5 𝑧 𝑥 2 − 36

−2𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 − 5 −30𝑎7 𝑏 4 𝑐 𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 40

−10𝑥 2 − 30𝑥 + 7 48𝑥 7 𝑦 3 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 42

3𝑥 2 − 1 21𝑥 6 𝑦 5 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10

2𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 24𝑥 7 𝑦 5 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 30

6𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 2 30𝑥 13 𝑦 12 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2)

𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 30𝑎6 𝑏 10 (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2)

10𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 8 7𝑥𝑦 (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 8)

𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 9 7𝑥 3 𝑦 5 (𝑥 − 8)(𝑥 − 2)

3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 7𝑥 7 𝑦 4 (2𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 3)

4𝑥 3 − 10𝑥 7𝑥 4 𝑦 4 (3𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3)

24𝑥 5 15𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦

18𝑥 7 8𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦

[Link]
 Chapter 10: Polynomials 99

Answers and Explanations

1. Distribute the 3 to both terms inside the parenthesis: 3 × 6𝑥 = 18𝑥, 3 × 4 = 12. The
result is: 18𝑥 + 12.

2. Multiply the 5 with every term inside the parentheses: 5 × 3𝑥 = 15𝑥, 5 × (−8) = −40.
Answer: 15𝑥 − 40.

3. First, let's handle the multiplication between 𝑥 and everything inside the parenthesis,
and then we'll deal with the 9𝑥. So, we have: 𝑥 × 7𝑥 = 7𝑥 2 , and 𝑥 × 2 = 2𝑥. Now, combine
the 2𝑥 and 9𝑥. Then, 2𝑥 + 9𝑥 = 11𝑥. The final answer is: 7𝑥 2 + 11𝑥.

4. Start by multiplying the 6𝑥 to each term in the parenthesis. Then, add the resulting 𝑥
term to 5𝑥. Then, 6𝑥 × 𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 , and 6𝑥 × 3 = 18𝑥. Add 18𝑥 to 5𝑥 to get 23𝑥. The result
is: 6𝑥 2 + 23𝑥.

5. Distribute 6𝑥 into the parenthesis, and afterwards subtract 5𝑥 from the resulting 𝑥 term.
6𝑥 × 3𝑥 = 18𝑥 2 , and 6𝑥 × 1 = 6𝑥. Now, take away 5𝑥 from 6𝑥 to get 6𝑥 − 5𝑥 = 𝑥.
Answer: 18𝑥 2 + 𝑥.

6. First, multiply 𝑥 with the terms inside the parenthesis. Then, combine the terms. Now,
𝑥 × 3𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 , and 𝑥 × (−4) = −4𝑥. Add the new 3𝑥 2 to the given 3𝑥 2 for a total of 3𝑥 2 +
3𝑥 2 = 6𝑥 2 . Answer: 6𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 6.

7. Begin by multiplying −3𝑥 with everything inside the parenthesis. Then, combine like
terms. −3𝑥 × 𝑥 = −3𝑥 2 , and −3𝑥 × 8 = −24𝑥. Subtracting, 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 2 = −2𝑥 2 . The result
is: −2𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 − 5.

8. Distribute the −6𝑥 to every term inside the brackets: −6𝑥 × 2𝑥 = −12𝑥 2 , and
−6𝑥 × 5 = −30𝑥. Combine the 2𝑥 2 and −12𝑥 2 to get 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 2 = −10𝑥 2 . Answer:
−10𝑥 2 − 30𝑥 + 7.

[Link]
100 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

9. Combine the terms with the same exponent. 𝑥 2 and 2𝑥 2 become 3𝑥 2 . Then, combine
the constants: 3 and −4 to get −1. The final answer is: 3𝑥 2 − 1.

On the other hand, (𝑥 2 + 3) + (2𝑥 2 − 4) = (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 2 ) + (3 − 4) = 3𝑥 2 − 1.

10. Subtract the 𝑥 2 from 3𝑥 2 to get 2𝑥 2 . Next, subtract 8𝑥 from −6𝑥 which results in
(−6𝑥) − 8𝑥 = −14𝑥. The result is: 2𝑥 2 − 14𝑥.

11. Adding together the terms of 𝑥 3 : 4𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 3 = 6𝑥 3 . Then, combining the 𝑥 2 terms:

−3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 2 = −8𝑥 2 . Answer: 6𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 2 .

12. By subtracting the 𝑥 3 terms: 6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 3 = 𝑥 3 . Then, when you subtract the 𝑥 terms:
−7𝑥 − (−3𝑥) = −7𝑥 + 3𝑥 = −4𝑥. The final answer is: 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥.

13. The 𝑥 3 term is only in the first polynomial, so it stays as 10𝑥 3 . Summing the 𝑥 2 terms:
4𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 2 = 18𝑥 2 . The constant −8 remains as it is. Answer: 10𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 8.

14. Subtracting the 𝑥 3 terms: 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 3 = 𝑥 3 . The 𝑥 2 terms term from the second
polynomial is subtracted, giving −(−7𝑥 2 ) = 7𝑥 2 . The constant −9 remains. The result is:
𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 9.

15. Find the difference between the 𝑥 3 terms: 9𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 3 = 3𝑥 3 . Subtract the 𝑥 terms:
3𝑥 − (−4𝑥) = 7𝑥. The final answer is: 3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥.

16. Subtract the 𝑥 3 terms: 7𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 3 = 4𝑥 3 . Now, handle the 𝑥 terms: −5𝑥 − 5𝑥 = −10𝑥.
Answer: 4𝑥 3 − 10𝑥.

17. In multiplication, the powers of like bases are added together. Multiplying the
coefficients (the numbers): 3 × 8 = 24. For the powers of 𝑥, add the exponents: 𝑥 2 × 𝑥 3 =
𝑥 2+3 = 𝑥 5 . The result is 24𝑥 5 .

[Link]
 Chapter 10: Polynomials 101

18. Multiplying terms involves multiplying their coefficients and summing the exponents of
like variables. Here, we have 2 × 9 = 18 for the coefficients. For the 𝑥 terms: 𝑥 4 × 𝑥 3 =
𝑥 4+3 = 𝑥 7 . So, 18𝑥 7 .

19. Whenever we multiply terms with the same base, we combine their exponents by
adding. For the numbers: −4 × 2 = −8. For the '𝑎' terms: 𝑎4 × 𝑎 = 𝑎4+1 = 𝑎5 . For the '𝑏'
terms: 𝑏 × 𝑏 3 = 𝑏1+3 = 𝑏 4 . Thus, −8𝑎5 𝑏 4 .

20. Multiplication means combining powers of similar variables by summing their

exponents. Numbers: −7 × 3 = −21. 𝑥 terms: 𝑥 3 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 3+1 = 𝑥 4 . 𝑦 terms: 𝑦 × 𝑦 2 =
𝑦1+2 = 𝑦 3 . 𝑧 terms: 𝑧 × 𝑧 4 = 𝑧1+4 = 𝑧 5 . Answer: −21𝑥 4 𝑦 3 𝑧 5 .

21. Numbers: −2 × 6 = −12. 𝑎 terms: 𝑎5 × 𝑎2 = 𝑎5+2 = 𝑎7 . 𝑏 terms: 𝑏 × 𝑏 4 = 𝑏1+5 =

𝑏 5 . 𝑐 remains unchanged. Thus: −12𝑎7 𝑏 5 𝑐.

22. For each variable, sum up the powers when multiplying. Numbers: 9 × −2 = −18. 𝑢
terms: 𝑢3 × 𝑢 = 𝑢3+1 = 𝑢4 . 𝑡 terms: 𝑡 2 × 𝑡 = 𝑡 2+1 = 𝑡 3 . Answer: −18𝑢4 𝑡 3 .

23. Variables with no shown exponent have an understood exponent of 1, and these are
added to any other exponents during multiplication. Numbers: 12 × 3 = 36. 𝑥 terms:
𝑥 2 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2+1 = 𝑥 3 . 𝑦 and 𝑧 remain unchanged. So, 36𝑥 3 𝑦 3 𝑧.

24. Numbers: 11 × 5 = 55. 𝑥 terms: 𝑥 3 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 3+1 = 𝑥 4 . 𝑦 5 remains as it is. 𝑧 remains

unchanged. Answer: 55𝑥 4 𝑦 5 𝑧.

25. Combine the powers of each variable by adding the exponents together. Numbers:
−6 × 5 = −30. 𝑎 terms: 𝑎3 × 𝑎4 = 𝑎3+4 = 𝑎7 . 𝑏 terms: 𝑏 × 𝑏 3 = 𝑏1+3 = 𝑏 4 . 𝑐 remains
unchanged. So: −30𝑎7 𝑏 4 𝑐.

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102 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

26. Multiply coefficients and add exponents for like terms to get the result. Numbers:
−4 × (−12) = 48 (two negatives multiplied result in a positive). 𝑥 terms: 𝑥 6 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 6+1 =
𝑥 7 . 𝑦 terms: 𝑦 2 × 𝑦 = 𝑦 2+1 = 𝑦 3 . Answer: 48𝑥 7 𝑦 3 .

27. When multiplying terms, you simply combine the like terms. Here, 7 × 3 = 21. For 𝑥's,
when bases are the same, you add the exponents: 𝑥 2 × 𝑥 4 = 𝑥 2+4 = 𝑥 6 . Similarly, for 𝑦:
𝑦 2 × 𝑦 3 = 𝑦 2+3 = 𝑦 5 . The final answer is: 21𝑥 6 𝑦 5 .

28. Combine numerical coefficients: 6 × 4 = 24. For the variable 𝑥: 𝑥 3 × 𝑥 4 = 𝑥 3+4 = 𝑥 7 .

For 𝑦: 𝑦 2 × 𝑦 3 = 𝑦 2+3 = 𝑦 5 . So, 24𝑥 7 𝑦 5 .

29. Taking the numbers first: 10 × 3 = 30. For 𝑥: 𝑥 8 × 𝑥 5 = 𝑥 8+5 = 𝑥13 . Then for 𝑦:
𝑦 5 × 𝑦 7 = 𝑦 5+7 = 𝑦12 . Thus, 30𝑥13 𝑦12.

30. Start with the numbers: 15 × 2 = 30. For the variable 𝑎: 𝑎3 × 𝑎3 = 𝑎3+3 = 𝑎6 . For 𝑏:
𝑏2 × 𝑏8 = 𝑏2+8 = 𝑏10 . So, 30𝑎6 𝑏10.

42 𝑥4
31. For division, divide coefficients and subtract exponents. So, = 7. For 𝑥: = 𝑥4−3 = 𝑥. For 𝑦:
6 𝑥3

𝑦2
= 𝑦2−1 = 𝑦. So, the answer is: 7𝑥𝑦.
𝑦

49 𝑥5 𝑦6
32. For the numbers: = 7. For 𝑥: = 𝑥5−2 = 𝑥3 . For 𝑦: = 𝑦6−1 = 𝑦5 . Thus, 7𝑥 3 𝑦 5.
7 𝑥2 𝑦

63 𝑥15 𝑦10
33. Numerically, = 7. For 𝑥: = 𝑥15−8 = 𝑥7 . For 𝑦: = 𝑦10−6 = 𝑦4 . So, 7𝑥 7 𝑦 4.
9 𝑥8 𝑦6

35 𝑥8 𝑦12
34. Starting with the numbers: = 7. For 𝑥: = 𝑥8−4 = 𝑥4 . For 𝑦: = 𝑦12−8 = 𝑦4 . So, the final
5 𝑥4 𝑦8

answer is 7𝑥 4 𝑦 4.

35. Distribute 3𝑥 to both terms inside the parentheses: 3𝑥 × 5𝑥 = 15𝑥 2 , and 3𝑥 × (−𝑦) = −3𝑥𝑦.
Thus, 15𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦.

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 Chapter 10: Polynomials 103

36. Apply the distributive property: Multiplying 2𝑥 with 4𝑥, you get 8𝑥 2 . Next, 2𝑥 multiplied by 𝑦
results in 2𝑥𝑦. So, 8𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦.

37. For this, let's spread out the 7𝑥 to each term: For the term with 𝑥: 7𝑥 × 𝑥 = 7𝑥 2. For the term
with −3𝑦: 7𝑥 × (−3𝑦) = −21𝑥𝑦. Answer: 7𝑥 2 − 21𝑥𝑦.

38. Now, multiply 𝑥 to each term inside the brackets: 𝑥 × 2𝑥 2 = 2𝑥 3, and 𝑥 × 2𝑥 = 2𝑥 2. Lastly,
𝑥 × (−4) = −4𝑥. So, the result is: 2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥.

39. Proceed with distribution: multiplying 5𝑥 with 3𝑥 2 results in 15𝑥 3 . With 8𝑥: 5𝑥 × 8𝑥 =

40𝑥 2 . And with 2: 5𝑥 × 2 = 10𝑥. Thus, 15𝑥 3 + 40𝑥 2 + 10𝑥.

40. Again, employ the distributive method: starting with 2𝑥 2 : 7𝑥 × 2𝑥 2 = 14𝑥 3 . Then with
−9𝑥: 7𝑥 × (−9𝑥) = −63𝑥 2 . Finally, with −5: 7𝑥 × (−5) = −35𝑥. Answer: 14𝑥 3 −
63𝑥 2 − 35𝑥.

41. When multiplying binomials, the distributive property (or FOIL method) is used. Starting
with the first terms: 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . Next, 𝑥 times 3 gives 3𝑥. Then −3 times 𝑥 results in −3𝑥.
Lastly, −3 times 3 is −9. Combining like terms, 3𝑥 and −3𝑥 cancel out. So, 𝑥 2 − 9.

42. Following the pattern, 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . Multiplying the outside terms, 𝑥 × 6 = 6𝑥. The
inside terms, −6 × 𝑥 = −6𝑥. The last terms,−6 × 6 = −36. After combining, 6𝑥 and −6𝑥
negate each other. Answer: 𝑥 2 − 36.

43. Begin with the first terms: 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . Then, considering the outside terms, 𝑥 × 4 =
4𝑥. Moving to the inside, 10 × 𝑥 = 10𝑥. Lastly, the constant terms, 10 × 4 = 40. Combining
4𝑥 and 10𝑥, we get 14𝑥. Thus, 𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 40.

44. Multiplying first terms, we have 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . Outside, 𝑥 × 7 = 7𝑥. Inside, −6 × 𝑥 =

−6𝑥. The constants, −6 × 7 = −42. Merging 7𝑥 and −6𝑥 we have 𝑥. So, 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 42.

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104 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

45. Starting with the first terms, 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . The outside terms result in 𝑥 × (−5) = −5𝑥. For
the inside, 2 × 𝑥 = 2𝑥. For the constant terms, 2 × (−5) = −10. After combination, −5𝑥
and 2𝑥 give −3𝑥. So, the result is: 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10.

46. Firstly, 𝑥 × 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . For the outside terms, 𝑥 × 3 = 3𝑥. Inside multiplication yields
−10 × 𝑥 = −10𝑥. For the constants, −10 × 3 = −30. Merging 3𝑥 and −10𝑥, we get −7𝑥.
So, the final answer is 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 30.

47. To factor this trinomial, you are looking for two numbers that multiply to give 8 and add
to give 6. The numbers 4 and 2 fit this criterion. Factored form: (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 2).

48. Here, we need numbers that multiply to give −10 and add up to 3. The numbers 5 and
−2 do the trick. Factored form: (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2).

49. For this trinomial, you want numbers that multiply to −48 and sum to 2. The numbers
8 and −6 fit. Factored form: (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 8).

50. Here, you're after numbers that multiply to give 16 and, when added, provide −10. The
numbers −8 and −2 are the ones. Factored form: (𝑥 − 8)(𝑥 − 2).

51. This one's a bit different as the leading coefficient is 2. To tackle this, consider the
numbers that multiply to give 2 × 12 = 24 and sum up to −10. These numbers are −6 and
−4. Now, rewrite the middle term using these numbers and factor by grouping: 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 −
4𝑥 + 12 becomes 2𝑥(𝑥 − 3) − 4(𝑥 − 3). Factored form: (2𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 3).

52. We have a non-one leading coefficient. Seek numbers multiplying to 3 × 3 = 9 and

summing to −10. The numbers −9 and −1 work. Rewrite and group: 3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 3 =
3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 𝑥 + 3 transform to 3𝑥(𝑥 − 3) − 1(𝑥 − 3). Factored form: (3𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3).

[Link]
 Chapter 11: Geometry and Solid Figures 105

CHAPTER

11 Geometry and
Solid Figures

Math topics in this chapter:

 The Pythagorean Theorem

 Complementary and Supplementary angles
 Parallel lines and Transversals
 Triangles
 Special Right Triangles
 Polygons
 Circles
 Trapezoids
 Cubes
 Rectangle Prisms
 Cylinder
105

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106 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices
 Find the missing side?
?
5

12

 Find the measure of the unknown angle in each triangle.

74°
?° 38°
?°

80° 22°
50° ?° 72°

 Find the area of each triangle.

13 𝑖𝑛
14 𝑐𝑚
6 in
8 cm 10
in
10 11
16 cm 18 in
9

 Find the perimeter or circumference of each shape.

regular hexagon
10 𝑐𝑚 9 𝑓𝑡 4m

12 𝑐𝑚
12 𝑐𝑚 6 𝑓𝑡
6𝑓𝑡

10 𝑐𝑚 9 𝑓𝑡

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 Chapter 11: Geometry and Solid Figures 107

 Find the area of each trapezoid.

10 𝑚 8 𝑓𝑡
10 𝑐𝑚 8 𝑐𝑚

8 𝑐𝑚 6 𝑓𝑡 6 𝑐𝑚
7𝑚

14 𝑚 15 𝑐𝑚 13 𝑓𝑡 12 𝑐𝑚

 Find the volume of each cube.

3 𝑐𝑚 10 𝑓𝑡 5 𝑖𝑛 9 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠

 Find the volume of each Rectangular Prism.

8 𝑐𝑚 10 𝑚 12 𝑖𝑛

6 𝑐𝑚 8𝑚 7 𝑖𝑛

4 𝑐𝑚 3𝑚 4 𝑖𝑛

 Find the volume of each Cylinder. Round your answer

to the nearest tenth. (𝛑 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟒)

9 𝑐𝑚
8 𝑐𝑚 6𝑚

8𝑚
14 𝑐𝑚
14 𝑐𝑚

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108 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

4 64 𝑐𝑚2 27 𝑐𝑚3

15 90 𝑖𝑛2 1,000 𝑓𝑡 3

6 44 𝑐𝑚 125 𝑖𝑛3

13 30 𝑓𝑡 729 𝑚𝑖 3

50 10 π ≈ 31.4 𝑖𝑛 192 𝑐𝑚3

76 24 𝑚 240 𝑚3

84 84 𝑚2 336 𝑖𝑛3

70 100 𝑐𝑚2 2,813.44 𝑐𝑚3

30 63 𝑓𝑡 2 904.32 𝑚3

49.5 60 𝑐𝑚2 3,560.76 𝑐𝑚3

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 Chapter 11: Geometry and Solid Figures 109

Answers and Explanations

1. The first triangle is a right triangle, which means we can use the Pythagorean theorem.
This theorem states that in a right triangle, 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 . Use this formula to find side 𝑏:
52 = 32 + 𝑏 2 ⇒ 25 = 9 + 𝑏 2 . 𝑐=5
𝑎=3

𝑏=?

From this, 𝑏 2 = 16. Taking the square root of both sides, 𝑏 is approximately 4.

2. Using the Pythagorean theorem: 𝑐 2 = 92 + 122 . This simplifies to 𝑐 2 = 81 +

144, which is 𝑐 2 = 225. Taking the square root, 𝑐 = 15.

3. Applying the Pythagorean theorem: 102 = 82 + 𝑏 2 .

This results in 100 = 64 + 𝑏 2. From this, 𝑏 2 = 36, and taking the

square root, 𝑏 = 6.

4. Using the theorem: 𝑐 2 = 52 + 122 . From this equation, 25 + 144 = 𝑐 2 . This leads to 𝑐 =

12
13.

5. In any triangle, the total of all angles is 180° . For the triangle shown: given angles: 80°
and 50° . To find the unknown angle, subtract the sum of the given angles from 180° .

180° − (80° + 50° ) = 50°

6. Subtract the sum of 60° and 44° from 180° . By performing the calculation, 180° −
(60° + 44° ) = 76° . Thus, the unknown angle is 76° .

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110 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

7. Find the difference between 180° and the total of 74° and 22° . After doing the math,
180° − (74° + 22° ) = 84° . This means our missing angle measures 84° .

8. To determine the third angle: deduct the sum of 38° and 72° from 180° . Working it out
gives us: 180° − (38° + 72° ) = 70° .

9. The area of a triangle is given by the formula: 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡. Here, the
base is 10 units, and the height is 6 units. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × 10 × 6 = 30 square units.

10. To find the area, multiply the base and height together and then divide by 2:

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = (9 × 11) ÷ 2 = 49.5 square units

11. In this triangle, the base measures 16 𝑐𝑚 and the height is 8 𝑐𝑚. Find the area by taking
the base and height, multiplying them, and then halving the result.

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × 16 𝑐𝑚 × 8 𝑐𝑚 = 64 𝑐𝑚2

12. To determine the area, we combine the base and height values, take their product, and
then split it in two: 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × 18 𝑖𝑛 × 10 𝑖𝑛 = 90 𝑖𝑛2 .

13. For a parallelogram, the perimeter is the sum of all its sides. Here, two sides are 10 𝑐𝑚
each and two sides are 12 𝑐𝑚 each.

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = (2 × 10 𝑐𝑚) + (2 × 12 𝑐𝑚) = 20 𝑐𝑚 + 24 𝑐𝑚 = 44 𝑐𝑚

14. For a square, all four sides are equal. Given two sides are 9 𝑓𝑡 each, and two sides are
6 𝑓𝑡 each. Therefore, 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = (2 × 9 𝑓𝑡) + (2 × 6 𝑓𝑡) = 30 𝑓𝑡.

15. Circles have a unique calculation called circumference, determined using the formula:
𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 2𝜋𝑟. Here, the radius is 5 𝑖𝑛. So, we have:

𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 2 × 𝜋 × 5 𝑖𝑛 = 10𝜋 𝑖𝑛 ≈ 10 × 3.14 𝑖𝑛 = 31.4 𝑖𝑛

[Link]
 Chapter 11: Geometry and Solid Figures 111

16. A regular hexagon has six equal sides. With each side being 4 𝑚,

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 6 × 4 𝑚 = 24 𝑚

17. A trapezoid's area is calculated as half the sum of its parallel sides (bases) multiplied by
1
its height. The formula is: 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 × (𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠) × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡. For this shape, the bases

are 10 𝑚 and 14 𝑚. The distance between them (height) is 7 𝑚.

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × (10 𝑚 + 14 𝑚) × 7𝑚 = 0.5 × 24 𝑚 × 7 𝑚 = 84 𝑚2

18. For this trapezoid, the bases are 10 𝑐𝑚 and 15 𝑐𝑚, and the height is 8 𝑐𝑚.

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × (10 𝑐𝑚 + 15 𝑐𝑚) × 8 𝑐𝑚 = 0.5 × 25 𝑐𝑚 × 8 𝑐𝑚 = 100 𝑐𝑚2

19. Here, the bases are 8 𝑓𝑡 and 13 𝑓𝑡, with a height of 6 𝑓𝑡.

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × (8 𝑓𝑡 + 13 𝑓𝑡) × 6 𝑓𝑡 = 0.5 × 21 𝑓𝑡 × 6 𝑓𝑡 = 63 𝑓𝑡 2

20. For this last trapezoid, the bases are 8 𝑐𝑚 and 12 𝑐𝑚, and the height is 6 𝑐𝑚.

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 0.5 × (8 𝑐𝑚 + 12 𝑐𝑚) × 6 𝑐𝑚 = 0.5 × 20 𝑐𝑚 × 6 𝑐𝑚 = 60 𝑐𝑚2

21. The volume of a cube is calculated by raising the length of one side to the third power.
For the first cube with a side length of 3 𝑐𝑚: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 3 𝑐𝑚 × 3 𝑐𝑚 × 3 𝑐𝑚 = 27 𝑐𝑚3.

22. For the second cube with a side length of 10 𝑓𝑡:

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 10 𝑓𝑡 × 10 𝑓𝑡 × 10 𝑓𝑡 = 1,000 𝑓𝑡 3

23. For the third cube, which is 5 𝑖𝑛 on each side: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 5 𝑖𝑛 × 5 𝑖𝑛 × 5 𝑖𝑛 = 125 𝑖𝑛3.

24. For the cube that's 9 miles on each side: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 9 𝑚𝑖 × 9 𝑚𝑖 × 9 𝑚𝑖 = 729 𝑚𝑖 3 .

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112 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

25. The volume of a rectangular prism is determined by multiplying its length, width, and
height. For the first prism, with dimensions 8 𝑐𝑚 by 6 𝑐𝑚 by 4 𝑐𝑚: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 =
8 𝑐𝑚 × 6 𝑐𝑚 × 4 𝑐𝑚 = 192 𝑐𝑚3 .

26. 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 10 𝑚 × 8 𝑚 × 3 𝑚 = 240 𝑚3 .

27. For the prism, having dimensions 12 𝑖𝑛 by 7 𝑖𝑛 by 4 𝑖𝑛: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 12 𝑖𝑛 × 7 𝑖𝑛 ×

4 𝑖𝑛 = 336 𝑖𝑛3.

28. To determine the volume of a cylinder, we utilize the formula:

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 a 𝐶𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 = 𝜋(𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠)2 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 3.14 × (8 𝑐𝑚 × 8 𝑐𝑚) × 14 𝑐𝑚 = 3.14 × 64 𝑐𝑚2 × 14 𝑐𝑚 = 2,813.4 𝑐𝑚3

29. 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 3.14 × (6 𝑚 × 6 𝑚) × 8 𝑚 = 3.14 × 36 𝑚2 × 8 𝑚 = 904.3 𝑚3 .

30. 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 3.14 × (9 𝑐𝑚 × 9 𝑐𝑚) × 14 𝑐𝑚 = 3.14 × 81 𝑐𝑚2 × 14 𝑐𝑚 =

3,560.8 𝑐𝑚3 .

[Link]
 Chapter 12: Statistics 113

CHAPTER

12 Statistics

Math topics in this chapter:

 Mean, Median, Mode, and Range of the Given Data

 Pie Graph
 Probability Problems
 Permutations and Combinations 113

[Link]
114 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Practices

 Find the values of the Given Data.

1) 6, 11, 5, 3, 6 2) 4, 9, 1, 9, 6, 7

Mode: _____ Range: _____ Mode: _____ Range: _____

Mean: _____ Median: _____ Mean: _____ Median: _____

3) 10, 3, 6, 10, 4, 15 4) 12, 4, 8, 9, 3, 12, 15

Mode: _____ Range: _____ Mode: _____ Range: _____

Mean: _____ Median: _____ Mean: _____ Median: _____

 The circle graph below shows all Bob’s expenses for

last month. Bob spent $𝟕𝟗𝟎 on his Rent last month.

5) How much did Bob’s total Bob’s last month expenses

expenses last month? ________

Foods
6) How much did Bob spend for 8%
Rent
foods last month? ________ 40%

7) How much did Bob spend for

Bills
his bills last month? ________ 37%
Car
8) How much did Bob spend on his 10%
car last month? ________ Others
5%

[Link]
 Chapter 12: Statistics 115

 Solve.
9) Bag A contains 8 red marbles and 6 green marbles. Bag B contains 5
black marbles and 7 orange marbles. What is the probability of selecting
a green marble at random from bag A? What is the probability of
selecting a black marble at random from Bag B?

_______________ _______________

 Solve.
10) Susan is baking cookies. She uses sugar, flour, butter, and eggs. How
many different orders of ingredients can she try? _______________

11) Jason is planning for his vacation. He wants to go to museum, go to the

beach, and play volleyball. How many different ways of ordering are
there for him? _______________

12) In how many ways can a team of 6 basketball players choose a captain
and co-captain? _______________

13) How many ways can you give 5 balls to your 8 friends? _______________

14) A professor is going to arrange her 5 students in a straight line. In how

many ways can she do this? _______________

15) In how many ways can a teacher chooses 12 out of 15 students?

_______________

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116 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

Answers

Mode: 6, Range: 8, Mean: 6.2, Median: 6

Mode: 9, Range:8, Mean: 6, Median: 6.5

Mode: 10, Range: 12, Mean: 8, Median: 8

Mode: 12, Range: 12, Mean: 9, Median: 9

$1,975

$158

$730.75

$197.50
3 5
,
7 12

24

30 (it’s a permutation problem)

56 (it’s a combination problem)

120

455 (it’s a combination problem)

[Link]
 Chapter 12: Statistics 117

Answers and Explanations

1. The mode is the number that appears most frequently. For this set, 6 appears twice which
is more than any other number. Thus, the mode is 6.

The range is found by subtracting the smallest number from the largest number. Here, the
smallest is 3 and the largest is 11. Range: 11 − 3 = 8.

To find the mean, sum up all the numbers and then divide by the number of numbers. In
this case, the total sum is 31 and there are 5 numbers. Mean: 31 ÷ 5 = 6.2.

The median is the middle value when numbers are in order. As there are 5 numbers, the
third number when sorted is the median. The sorted set is 3, 5, 6, 6, 11. Median: 6.

2. Here, the number 9 appears twice, which is more frequent than any other number.
Mode: 9.

With 9 as the largest and 1 as the smallest, range: 9 − 1 = 8.

Total sum is 36, and there are 6 numbers. Mean: 36 ÷ 6 = 6.

With 6 numbers, the median is the average of the third and fourth numbers when sorted.
Our sorted set is 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 9. Median: (6 + 7) ÷ 2 = 6.5.

3. The number 10 appears twice. Mode: 10.

Largest is 15 and smallest is 3. Range: 15 − 3 = 12.

Sum is 48, and there are 6 numbers. Mean: 48 ÷ 6 = 8.

Like before, it's the average of third and fourth numbers when sorted. Our sorted list is 3,
4, 6, 10, 10, 15. Median: (6 + 10) ÷ 2 = 8.

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118 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

4. 12 appears twice here. Mode: 12.

Largest is 15, smallest is 3. Range: 15 − 3 = 12.

Mean: Sum is 63 and there are 7 numbers. Mean: 63 ÷ 7 = 9.

Median: As there are 7 numbers, the fourth number when sorted is the median. Sorted, it's
3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 12, 15. Median: 9.

5. Let 𝑥 be Bob's total expenses. Therefore, 40% of 𝑥 = $790. To represent 40% in decimal
form, it is (0.40). So, 0.40𝑥 = $790 ⇒ 𝑥 = $790 ÷ 0.40 ⇒ 𝑥 = $1,975. Bob’s total
expenses last month were $1,975.

6. 8% of $1,975 is the amount spent on food. To find 8% in decimal form, it's 0.08:
0.08 × $1,975 = $158. Bob spent $158 on food last month.

7. 37% of $1,975 is the amount spent on bills. To convert 37% to decimal form, it's 0.37:
0.37 × $1,975 = $730.75. Bob spent $730.75 on bills last month.

8. 10% of $1,975 is the amount spent on the car. 10% in decimal form is 0.10:
0.10 × $1975 = $197.50. Bob spent $197.50 on his car last month.

9. There are a total of 8 + 6 = 14 marbles in Bag 𝐴. The probability of an event happening

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠
is given by the formula: 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 = . For selecting a green
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠
6 3
marble from Bag 𝐴: 𝑝(𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛) = 14 = 7. So, the probability of selecting a green marble from
3
Bag 𝐴 is 7.

There are a total of 5 + 7 = 12 marbles in Bag 𝐵. For selecting a black marble from Bag 𝐵:
5 5
𝑝(𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘) = 12. So, the probability of selecting a black marble from Bag 𝐵 is 12.

[Link]
 Chapter 12: Statistics 119

10. The formula for the number of permutations of 𝑛 items taken 𝑘 at a time is 𝑛 𝑃𝑘 =
𝑛! 4! 4! 4×3×2×1
(𝑛−𝑘)!
. Using the permutation formula, we get: 𝑃(4,4) = (4−4)! = 0! = = 24.
1

11. Consider Jason's activities as positions in a sequence: first, second, and third. For the
first position, he can choose any of the 3 activities (museum, beach, or volleyball). Once
he's picked the first activity, he has 2 remaining options for the second position. And for the
third position, he's left with just the last unchosen activity. To find the total number of
possible sequences, multiply the choices for each position together: 3 (choices for first) × 2
(choices for second) × 1 (choice for third) = 6 different sequences or orders for his
activities.

12. When the basketball team decides to choose a captain, any of the 6 players could
potentially be selected. So, there are 6 possibilities for the captain. After the captain has
been chosen, only 5 players remain to be selected as the co-captain. Therefore, the total
number of ways to choose both a captain and a co-captain from the team is given by
multiplying the choices for each position: 6 (choices for captain) × 5 (choices for co-captain)
= 30 different ways.

13. The number of ways to arrange these balls and dividers is the combination of 12 items,
8! 8×7×6×5!
choosing 5 to be balls, or 𝐶(8,5). The number of ways is thus 𝐶(8,5) = 5!3! = 5!×3×2×1 =

56. So, there are 792 ways to distribute the 5 balls among the 8 friends.

14. When the professor arranges her 5 students in a straight line, the order in which they
are placed matters. This is a permutation problem. For the first position, the professor has
5 choices (any of the 5 students). Once a student is placed in the first position, 4 students
remain for the second position. For the third position, there are 3 students left. Then, 2
students for the fourth position, and finally, 1 student for the last position. To find the total
number of arrangements, multiply the choices for each position:

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120 Pre-Algebra Math for Beginners

5 (Choices for the first position) × 4 (choices for the second) × 3 (for the third) × 2 (for the
fourth) × 1 (for the last) = 5! ⇒ (5 factorial) = 120. Thus, the professor can arrange her 5
students in 120 different ways.

15. The number of ways to choose 12 students out of 15 is given by the combination
𝑛! 15! 15!
formula: 𝑛 𝐶𝑟 = (𝑛−𝑟)!. Plugging in our values: 𝑛 𝐶𝑟 = 𝐶(15,12) = 12!(15−12)! = 12!3!. When
15×14×13
you compute this, you get: = 455. So, the teacher can choose 12 students out of
3×2×1

15 in 455 different ways.

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