Problem Solving in Algebra

12
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Directions: Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before
your answer.

Answers are at the end of the chapter.

1. Find three consecutive odd integers such that 5. Danny drove to Yosemite Park from his home
the sum of the first two is four times the third. at 60 miles per hour. On his trip home, his rate
(A) 3, 5, 7 was 10 miles per hour less and the trip took one
(B) –3, –1, 1 hour longer. How far is his home from the
(C) –11, –9, –7 park?
(D) –7, –5, –3 (A) 65 mi.
(E) 9, 11, 13 (B) 100 mi.
(C) 200 mi.
2. Find the shortest side of a triangle whose
(D) 280 mi.
perimeter is 64, if the ratio of two of its sides is
(E) 300 mi.
4 : 3 and the third side is 20 less than the sum
of the other two. 6. Two cars leave a restaurant at the same time
(A) 6 and travel along a straight highway in opposite
(B) 18 directions. At the end of three hours they are
(C) 20 300 miles apart. Find the rate of the slower car,
(D) 22 if one car travels at a rate 20 miles per hour
(E) 24 faster than the other.
(A) 30
3. A purse contains 16 coins in dimes and
(B) 40
quarters. If the value of the coins is $2.50, how
(C) 50
many dimes are there?
(D) 55
(A) 6 (E) 60
(B) 8
(C) 9 7. The numerator of a fraction is one half the
(D) 10 denominator. If the numerator is increased by 2
(E) 12 and the denominator is decreased by 2, the
value of the fraction is 2 . Find the numerator
4. How many quarts of water must be added to 18 of the original fraction. 3
quarts of a 32% alcohol solution to dilute it to a
(A) 4
solution that is only 12% alcohol?
(B) 8
(A) 10 (C) 10
(B) 14 (D) 12
(C) 20 (E) 20
(D) 30
(E) 34

171
172 Chapter 12

8. Darren can mow the lawn in 20 minutes, while 9. Meredith is 3 times as old as Adam. Six years
Valerie needs 30 minutes to do the same job. from now, she will be twice as old as Adam
How many minutes will it take them to mow will be then. How old is Adam now?
the lawn if they work together? (A) 6
(A) 10 (B) 12
(B) 8 (C) 18
(C) 16 (D) 20
1 (E) 24
(D) 6
2
(E) 12 10. Mr. Barry invested some money at 5% and an
amount half as great at 4%. His total annual
income from both investments was $210. Find
the amount invested at 4%.
(A) $1000
(B) $1500
(C) $2000
(D) $2500
(E) $3000
In the following sections, we will review some of the major types of algebraic problems. Although not every
problem you come across will fall into one of these categories, it will help you to be thoroughly familiar with
these types of problems. By practicing with the problems that follow, you will learn to translate words into
mathematical equations. You should then be able to handle other types of problems confidently.
In solving verbal problems, it is most important that you read carefully and know what it is that you are trying
to find. Once this is done, represent your unknown algebraically. Write the equation that translates the words of
the problem into the symbols of mathematics. Solve that equation by the techniques previously reviewed.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 173

1. COIN PROBLEMS
In solving coin problems, it is best to change the value of all monies to cents before writing an equation. Thus, the
number of nickels must be multiplied by 5 to give the value in cents, dimes by 10, quarters by 25, half dollars by
50, and dollars by 100.
Example:
Sue has $1.35, consisting of nickels and dimes. If she has 9 more nickels than dimes, how many
nickels does she have?
Solution:
Let x = the number of dimes
x + 9 = the number of nickels
10x = the value of dimes in cents
5x + 45 = the value of nickels in cents
135 = the value of money she has in cents
10x + 5x + 45 = 135
15x = 90
x=6
She has 6 dimes and 15 nickles.
In a problem such as this, you can be sure that 6 would be among the multiple choice answers given. You must
be sure to read carefully what you are asked to find and then continue until you have found the quantity sought.

Exercise 1
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1. Marie has $2.20 in dimes and quarters. If the 4. Each of the 30 students in Homeroom 704
1 contributed either a nickel or a quarter to the
number of dimes is the number of quarters,
4 Cancer Fund. If the total amount collected was
how many dimes does she have?
$4.70, how many students contributed a nickel?
(A) 2
(A) 10
(B) 4
(B) 12
(C) 6
(C) 14
(D) 8
(D) 16
(E) 10
(E) 18
2. Lisa has 45 coins that are worth a total of $3.50.
If the coins are all nickels and dimes, how many 5. In a purse containing nickels and dimes, the
more dimes than nickels does she have? ratio of nickels to dimes is 3 : 4. If there are 28
coins in all, what is the value of the dimes?
(A) 5
(B) 10 (A) 60¢
(C) 15 (B) $1.12
(D) 20 (C) $1.60
(E) 25 (D) 12¢
(E) $1.00
3. A postal clerk sold 40 stamps for $5.40. Some
were 10-cent stamps and some were 15-cent
stamps. How many 10-cent stamps were there?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) 28

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174 Chapter 12

2. CONSECUTIVE INTEGER PROBLEMS

Consecutive integers are one apart and can be represented algebraically as x, x + 1, x + 2, and so on. Consecutive
even and odd integers are both two apart and can be represented by x, x + 2, x + 4, and so on. Never try to represent
consecutive odd integers by x, x + 1, x + 3, etc., for if x is odd, x + 1 would be even.
Example:
Find three consecutive odd integers whose sum is 219.
Solution:
Represent the integers as x, x + 2, and x + 4. Write an equation stating that their sum is 219.
3x + 6 = 219
3x = 213
x = 71, making the integers 71, 73, and 75.

Exercise 2
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1. If n + 1 is the largest of four consecutive 4. Find the second of three consecutive integers if
integers, represent the sum of the four integers. the sum of the first and third is 26.
(A) 4n + 10 (A) 11
(B) 4n – 2 (B) 12
(C) 4n – 4 (C) 13
(D) 4n – 5 (D) 14
(E) 4n – 8 (E) 15
2. If n is the first of two consecutive odd integers, 5. If 2x – 3 is an odd integer, find the next even
which equation could be used to find these integer.
integers if the difference of their squares is (A) 2x – 5
120? (B) 2x – 4
(A) (n + 1)2 – n2 = 120 (C) 2x – 2
(B) n2 – (n + 1)2 = 120 (D) 2x – 1
(C) n2 – (n + 2)2 = 120 (E) 2x + 1
(D) (n + 2)2 – n2 = 120
(E) [(n + 2)– n]2 = 120
3. Find the average of four consecutive odd
integers whose sum is 112.
(A) 25
(B) 29
(C) 31
(D) 28
(E) 30

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 175

3. AGE PROBLEMS
In solving age problems, you are usually called upon to represent a person’s age at the present time, several years
from now, or several years ago. A person’s age x years from now is found by adding x to his present age. A
person’s age x years ago is found by subtracting x from his present age.
Example:
Michelle was 15 years old y years ago. Represent her age x years from now.
Solution:
Her present age is 15 + y. In x years, her age will be her present age plus x, or 15 + y + x.
Example:
Jody is now 20 years old and her brother, Glenn, is 14. How many years ago was Jody three times
as old as Glenn was then?
Solution:
We are comparing their ages x years ago. At that time, Jody’s age (20 – x) was three times Glenn’s
age (14 – x). This can be stated as the equation
20 – x = 3(14 – x)
20 – x = 42 – 3x
2x = 22
x = 11
To check, find their ages 11 years ago. Jody was 9 while Glenn was 3. Therefore, Jody was three
times as old as Glenn was then.

Exercise 3
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1. Mark is now 4 times as old as his brother 3. Lili is 23 years old and Melanie is 15 years old.
Stephen. In 1 year Mark will be 3 times as old How many years ago was Lili twice as old as
as Stephen will be then. How old was Mark Melanie?
two years ago? (A) 7
(A) 2 (B) 16
(B) 3 (C) 9
(C) 6 (D) 5
(D) 8 (E) 8
(E) 9
4. Two years from now, Karen’s age will be 2x + 1.
2. Mr. Burke is 24 years older than his son Jack. Represent her age two years ago.
In 8 years, Mr. Burke will be twice as old as (A) 2x – 4
Jack will be then. How old is Mr. Burke now? (B) 2x – 1
(A) 16 (C) 2x + 3
(B) 24 (D) 2x – 3
(C) 32 (E) 2x – 2
(D) 40
5. Alice is now 5 years younger than her brother
(E) 48
Robert, whose age is 4x + 3. Represent her age
3 years from now.
(A) 4x – 5
(B) 4x – 2
(C) 4x
(D) 4x + 1
(E) 4x – 1

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176 Chapter 12

4. INVESTMENT PROBLEMS
All interest referred to is simple interest. The annual amount of interest paid on an investment is found by
multiplying the amount invested, called the principal, by the percent of interest, called the rate.
PRINCIPAL · RATE = INTEREST INCOME
Example:
Mrs. Friedman invested some money in a bank paying 4% interest annually and a second amount,
$500 less than the first, in a bank paying 6% interest. If her annual income from both investments
was $50, how much money did she invest at 6%?
Solution:
Represent the two investments algebraically.
x = amount invested at 4%
x – 500 = amount invested at 6%
.04x = annual interest from 4% investment
.06(x – 500) = annual interest from 6% investment
.04x + .06(x – 500) = 50
Multiply by 100 to remove decimals.

4 x + 6 ( x − 500 ) = 5000
4 x + 6 x − 3000 = 5000
10 x = 8000
x = 800
x − 500 = 300
She invested $300 at 6%.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 177

Exercise 4
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1. Barbara invested x dollars at 3% and $400 4. Marion invested $7200, part at 4% and the rest
more than this amount at 5%. Represent the at 5%. If the annual income from both
annual income from the 5% investment. investments was the same, find her total annual
(A) .05x income from these investments.
(B) .05 (x + 400) (A) $160
(C) .05x + 400 (B) $320
(D) 5x + 40000 (C) $4000
(E) none of these (D) $3200
(E) $1200
2. Mr. Blum invested $10,000, part at 6% and the
rest at 5%. If x represents the amount invested 5. Mr. Maxwell inherited some money from his
at 6%, represent the annual income from the 1 1
father. He invested of this amount at 5%,
5% investment. 2 3
of this amount at 6%, and the rest at 3%. If the
(A) 5(x – 10,000)
(B) 5(10,000 – x) total annual income from these investments
(C) .05(x + 10,000) was $300, what was the amount he inherited?
(D) .05(x – 10,000) (A) $600
(E) .05(10,000 – x) (B) $60
3. Dr. Kramer invested $2000 in an account (C) $2000
paying 6% interest annually. How many more (D) $3000
dollars must she invest at 3% so that her total (E) $6000
annual income is 4% of her entire investment?
(A) $120
(B) $1000
(C) $2000
(D) $4000
(E) $6000

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178 Chapter 12

5. FRACTION PROBLEMS
3
A fraction is a ratio between two numbers. If the value of a fraction is , it does not mean that the numerator is
4
3 and the denominator 4. The numerator and denominator could be 9 and 12, respectively, or 1.5 and 2, or 45 and
60, or an infinite number of other combinations. All we know is that the ratio of numerator to denominator will be
3 : 4. Therefore, the numerator may be represented by 3x and the denominator by 4x. The fraction is then repre-
3x
sented by .
4x
Example:
2
The value of a fraction is . If one is subtracted from the numerator and added to the denominator,
31
the value of the fraction is . Find the original fraction.
2
Solution:
2x
Represent the original fraction as 3x . If one is subtracted from the numerator and added to the
denominator, the new fraction is 2 x − 1 . The value of this new fraction is 1 .
3x + 1 2
2x − 1 1
=
3x + 1 2
Cross multiply to eliminate fractions.

4 x − 2 = 3x + 1
x=3
2x 6
The original fraction is , which is .
3x 9

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 179

Exercise 5
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.

4 4. The denominator of a certain fraction is 5 more

1. A fraction is equivalent to . If the numerator
5 than the numerator. If 3 is added to both
is increased by 4 and the denominator is
numerator and denominator, the value of the
increased by 10, the value of the resulting new fraction is 2 . Find the original fraction.
2 3
fraction is . Find the numerator of the 3
3 (A)
original fraction. 8
4
(A) 4 (B)
9
(B) 5 11
(C)
(C) 12 16
(D) 16 12
(D)
(E) 20 17
7
(E)
2. What number must be added to both the 12
numerator and the denominator of the fraction 5. The denominator of a fraction is twice as large
5 3
to give a fraction equal to ? as the numerator. If 4 is added to both the
21 7
(A) 3 numerator and denominator, the value of the
(B) 4 5
fraction is . Find the denominator of the
(C) 5 8
(D) 6 original fraction.
(E) 7 (A) 6
3 (B) 10
3. The value of a certain fraction is . If both the
5 (C) 12
numerator and denominator are increased by 5, (D) 14
7 (E) 16
the new fraction is equivalent to . Find the
10
original fraction.
3
(A)
5
6
(B)
10
9
(C)
15
12
(D)
20
15
(E)
25

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180 Chapter 12

6. MIXTURE PROBLEMS
There are two kinds of mixture problems with which you should be familiar. The first is sometimes referred to as
dry mixture, in which we mix dry ingredients of different values, such as nuts or coffee. Also solved by the same
method are problems dealing with tickets at different prices, and similar problems. In solving this type of prob-
lem it is best to organize the data in a chart with three rows and columns, labeled as illustrated in the following
example.
Example:
Mr. Sweet wishes to mix candy worth 36 cents a pound with candy worth 52 cents a pound to make
300 pounds of a mixture worth 40 cents a pound. How many pounds of the more expensive candy
should he use?
Solution:
No. of pounds · Price per pound = Total value
More expensive x 52 52x
Less expensive 300 – x 36 36(300 – x)
Mixture 300 40 12000

The value of the more expensive candy plus the value of the less expensive candy must be equal to
the value of the mixture. Almost all mixture problems derive their equation from adding the final
column in the chart.
52x + 36(300 – x) = 12000
Notice that all values were computed in cents to avoid decimals.
52 x + 10, 800 − 36 x = 12, 000
16 x = 1200
x = 75
He should use 75 pounds of the more expensive candy.
In solving the second type of mixture problem, we are dealing with percents instead of prices and amounts of a
certain ingredient instead of values. As we did with prices, we may omit the decimal point from the percents, as
long as we do it in every line of the chart.

Example:
How many quarts of pure alcohol must be added to 15 quarts of a solution that is 40% alcohol to
strengthen it to a solution that is 50% alcohol?
Solution:
No. of quarts · Percent Alcohol = Amount of Alcohol
Diluted 15 40 600
Pure x 100 100x
Mixture 15 + x 50 50(15 + x)

Notice that the percent of alcohol in pure alcohol is 100. If we had added pure water to weaken the
solution, the percent of alcohol in pure water would have been 0. Again, the equation comes from
adding the final column since the amount of alcohol in the original solution plus the amount of
alcohol added must equal the amount of alcohol in the new solution.
600 + 100 x = 50 (15 + x )
600 + 100 x = 750 + 50 x
50 x = 150
x=3
3 quarts of alcohol should be added.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 181

Exercise 6
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.

1. Express, in terms of x, the value, in cents, of x 4. A solution of 60 quarts of sugar and water is
pounds of 40–cent cookies and (30 – x) pounds 20% sugar. How much water must be added to
of 50-cent cookies. make a solution that is 5% sugar?
(A) 150 + 10x (A) 180 qts.
(B) 150 – 50x (B) 120 qts.
(C) 1500 – 10x (C) 100 qts.
(D) 1500 – 50x (D) 80 qts.
(E) 1500 + 10x (E) 20 qts.
2. How many pounds of nuts selling for 70 cents a 5. How much water must be evaporated from 240
pound must be mixed with 30 pounds of nuts pounds of a solution that is 3% alcohol to
selling at 90 cents a pound to make a mixture strengthen it to a solution that is 5% alcohol?
that will sell for 85 cents a pound? (A) 120 lbs.
(A) 7.5 (B) 96 lbs.
(B) 10 (C) 100 lbs.
(C) 22.5 (D) 84 lbs.
(D) 40 (E) 140 lbs.
(E) 12
3. A container holds 10 pints of a solution which
is 20% acid. If 3 quarts of pure acid are added
to the container, what percent of the resulting
mixture is acid?
(A) 5
(B) 10
(C) 20
(D) 50
1
(E) 33
3

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182 Chapter 12

7. MOTION PROBLEMS
The fundamental relationship in all motion problems is that rate times time is equal to distance.
RATE · TIME = DISTANCE
The problems at the level of this examination usually deal with a relationship between distances. Most motion
problems fall into one of three categories.
A. Motion in opposite directions
This can occur when objects start at the same point and move apart, or when they start at a given distance apart
and move toward each other. In either case, the distance covered by the first object plus the distance covered by
the second is equal to the total distance covered. This can be shown in the following diagram.

In either case, d1 + d2 = total distance covered.

B. Motion in the same direction
This type of problem is sometimes referred to as a “catch up” problem. Usually two objects leave the same
place at different times and at different rates, but the one that leaves later “catches up” to the one that leaves
earlier. In such cases the two distances must be equal. If one is still ahead of the other, then an equation must be
written expressing this fact.
C. Round trip
In this type of problem, the rate going is different from the rate returning. The times are also different. But if
we go somewhere and then return to the starting point, the distances must be equal.
To solve any type of motion problem, it is helpful to organize the information in a chart with columns for rate,
time, and distance. A separate line should be used for each moving object. Be very careful of units used. If the
rate is given in miles per hour, the time must be in hours and the distance will be in miles.
Example:
A passenger train and a freight train leave at 10:30 A.M. from stations that are 405 miles apart and
travel toward each other. The rate of the passenger train is 45 miles per hour faster than that of the
freight train. If they pass each other at 1:30 P.M., how fast was the passenger train traveling?
Solution:
Notice that each train traveled exactly 3 hours.
Rate · Time = Distance

Passenger x + 45 3 3 x + 135
Freight x 3 3x

3x + 135 + 3x = 405
6 x = 270
x = 45
The rate of the passenger train was 90 m.p.h.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 183

Example:
Susie left her home at 11 A.M., traveling along Route 1 at 30 miles per hour. At 1 P.M., her brother
Richard left home and started after her on the same road at 45 miles per hour. At what time did
Richard catch up to Susie?
Solution:
Rate · Time = Distance

Susie 30 x 30x
Richard 45 x–2 45x – 90

Since Richard left 2 hours later than Susie, he traveled for x – 2 hours, while Susie traveled for x
hours. Notice that we do not fill in 11 and 1 in the time column, as these are times on the clock and
not actual hours traveled. Since Richard caught up to Susie, the distances must be equal.
30 x = 45 x − 90
90 = 15 x
x=6
Susie traveled for 6 hours, which means it was 6 hours past 11 A.M., or 5 P.M. when Richard
caught up to her.
Example:
How far can Scott drive into the country if he drives out at 40 miles per hour and returns over the
same road at 30 miles per hour and spends 8 hours away from home including a one-hour stop for
lunch?
Solution:
His actual driving time is 7 hours, which must be divided into two parts. If one part is x, the other is
what is left, or 7 – x.
Rate · Time = Distance

Going 40 x 40x
Return 30 7–x 210x – 30x
The distances are equal.
40 x = 210 − 30 x
70 x = 210
x=3
If he traveled 40 miles per hour for 3 hours, he went 120 miles.

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184 Chapter 12

Exercise 7
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.

1. At 10 A.M. two cars started traveling toward 4. Joe left home at 10 A.M. and walked out into
each other from towns 287 miles apart. They the country at 4 miles per hour. He returned on
passed each other at 1:30 P.M. If the rate of the the same road at 2 miles per hour. If he arrived
faster car exceeded the rate of the slower car by home at 4 P.M., how many miles into the
6 miles per hour, find the rate, in miles per country did he walk?
hour, of the faster car. (A) 6
(A) 38 (B) 8
(B) 40 (C) 10
(C) 44 (D) 11
(D) 48 (E) 12
(E) 50
5. Two cars leave a restaurant at the same time
2. A motorist covers 350 miles in 8 hours. Before and proceed in the same direction along the
noon he averages 50 miles per hour, but after same route. One car averages 36 miles per hour
noon he averages only 40 miles per hour. At and the other 31 miles per hour. In how many
what time did he leave? hours will the faster car be 30 miles ahead of
(A) 7 A.M. the slower car?
(B) 8 A.M. (A) 3
(C) 9 A.M. 1
(B) 3
(D) 10 A.M. 2
(E) 11 A.M. (C) 4
(D) 6
3. At 3 P.M. a plane left Kennedy Airport for Los 1
Angeles traveling at 600 m.p.h. At 3:30 P.M. (E) 6
4
another plane left the same airport on the same
route traveling at 650 m.p.h. At what time did
the second plane overtake the first?
(A) 5:15 P.M.
(B) 6:45 P.M.
(C) 6:50 P.M.
(D) 7:15 P.M.
(E) 9:30 P.M.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 185

8. WORK PROBLEMS
In most work problems, a job is broken up into several parts, each representing a fractional portion of the entire
job. For each part represented, the numerator should represent the time actually spent working, while the denomi-
nator should represent the total time needed to do the job alone. The sum of all the individual fractions must be 1
if the job is completed.
Example:
John can complete a paper route in 20 minutes. Steve can complete the same route in 30 minutes.
How long will it take them to complete the route if they work together?
Solution:
John Steve
Time actually spent
Time needed to do x x
+ = 1
entire job alone 20 30
Multiply by 60 to clear fractions.
3x + 2 x = 60
5 x = 60
x = 12

Example:
Mr. Powell can mow his lawn twice as fast as his son Mike. Together they do the job in 20 minutes.
How many minutes would it take Mr. Powell to do the job alone?
Solution:
If it takes Mr. Powell x hours to mow the lawn, Mike will take twice as long, or 2x hours, to mow
the lawn.
Mr. Powell Mike

20 20
+ = 1
x 2x
Multiply by 2x to clear fractions.
40 + 20 = 2 x
60 = 2 x
x = 30 minutes

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186 Chapter 12

Exercise 8
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.

1. Mr. White can paint his barn in 5 days. What 4. Mr. Jones can plow his field with his tractor in
part of the barn is still unpainted after he has 4 hours. If he uses his manual plow, it takes
worked for x days? three times as long to plow the same field.
x After working with the tractor for two hours, he
(A) ran out of gas and had to finish with the manual
5
5 plow. How long did it take to complete the job
(B) after the tractor ran out of gas?
x
x−5 (A) 4 hours
(C)
x (B) 6 hours
5− x
(D) (C) 7 hours
x
5− x (D) 8 hours
(E) 1
5 (E) 8 hours
2
2. Mary can clean the house in 6 hours. Her
younger sister Ruth can do the same job in 9 5. Michael and Barry can complete a job in 2
hours. In how many hours can they do the job if hours when working together. If Michael
they work together? requires 6 hours to do the job alone, how many
hours does Barry need to do the job alone?
1
(A) 3 (A) 2
2
3 1
(B) 3 (B) 2
5 2
(C) 3
(C) 4 1
(D) 3
1 2
(D) 4 (E) 4
4
1
(E) 4
2
3. A swimming pool can be filled by an inlet pipe
in 3 hours. It can be drained by a drainpipe in 6
hours. By mistake, both pipes are opened at the
same time. If the pool is empty, in how many
hours will it be filled?
(A) 4
1
(B) 4
2
(C) 5
1
(D) 5
2
(E) 6

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 187

RETEST
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.

1. Three times the first of three consecutive odd 5. One printing press can print the school
integers is 10 more than the third. Find the newspaper in 12 hours, while another press can
middle integer. print it in 18 hours. How long will the job take
(A) 7 if both presses work simultaneously?
(B) 9 (A) 7 hrs. 12 min.
(C) 11 (B) 6 hrs. 36 min.
(D) 13 (C) 6 hrs. 50 min.
(E) 15 (D) 7 hrs. 20 min.
(E) 7 hrs. 15 min.
2. The denominator of a fraction is three times the
numerator. If 8 is added to the numerator and 6 6. Janet has $2.05 in dimes and quarters. If she
has four fewer dimes than quarters, how much
is subtracted from the denominator, the resulting
8 money does she have in dimes?
fraction is equivalent to . Find the original
9 (A) 30¢
fraction.
(B) 80¢
16 (C) $1.20
(A)
18 (D) 70¢
1 (E) 90¢
(B)
3
8 7. Mr. Cooper invested a sum of money at 6%. He
(C)
24 invested a second sum, $150 more than the
5 first, at 3%. If his total annual income was $54,
(D)
3 how much did he invest at 3%?
8
(E) (A) $700
16
(B) $650
3. How many quarts of water must be added to 40 (C) $500
quarts of a 5% acid solution to dilute it to a 2% (D) $550
solution? (E) $600
(A) 80
8. Two buses are 515 miles apart. At 9:30 A.M.
(B) 40
they start traveling toward each other at rates of
(C) 60
48 and 55 miles per hour. At what time will
(D) 20
they pass each other?
(E) 50
(A) 1:30 P.M.
4. Miriam is 11 years older than Charles. In three (B) 2:30 P.M.
years she will be twice as old as Charles will be (C) 2 P.M.
then. How old was Miriam 2 years ago? (D) 3 P.M.
(A) 6 (E) 3:30 P.M.
(B) 8
(C) 9
(D) 17
(E) 19

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188 Chapter 12

9. Carol started from home on a trip averaging 30 10. Dan has twice as many pennies as Frank. If
miles per hour. How fast must her mother drive Frank wins 12 pennies from Dan, both boys
to catch up to her in 3 hours if she leaves 30 will have the same number of pennies. How
minutes after Carol? many pennies did Dan have originally?
(A) 35 m.p.h. (A) 24
(B) 39 m.p.h. (B) 12
(C) 40 m.p.h. (C) 36
(D) 55 m.p.h. (D) 48
(E) 60 m.p.h. (E) 52

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 189

SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE EXERCISES

Diagnostic Test
1. (D) Represent the integers as x, x + 2, and x + 4. 6. (B) R · T = D
x + x + 2 = 4 ( x + 4) Slow x 3 3x
2 x + 2 = 4 x + 16
−14 = 2 x Fast x + 20 3 3x + 60
x = −7, x + 2 = −5, x + 4 = −3 3x + 3x + 60 = 300
2. (B) Represent the first two sides as 4x and 3x, 6 x = 240
then the third side is 7x – 20. x = 40
x
4 x + 3x + ( 7 x − 20 ) = 64 7. (C) Represent the original fraction by
2x
.
14 x − 20 = 64 x+2 2
=
14 x = 84 2x − 2 3
x=6 Cross multiply.
3x + 6 = 4 x − 4
The shortest side is 3(6) = 18.
x = 10
3. (D) Let x = the number of dimes 8. (E) Darren Valerie
16 − x = the number of quarters x x
+ =1
10 x = value of dimes in cents 20 30
400 − 25 x = value of quarters in cents Multiply by 60.
10 x + 400 - 25 x = 250
-15 x = -150 3x + 2 x = 60
x = 10 5 x = 60
x = 12
4. (D) No of Percent Amount of
9. (A) Let x = Adam's age now
Quarts · Alcohol = Alcohol
3x = Meredith's age now
Original 18 32 576 x + 6 = Adam's age in 6 years
3x + 6 = Meredith's age in 6 years
Added x 0 0
3x + 6 = 2 ( x + 6 )
New 18 + x 12 216 + 12x 3x + 6 = 2 x + 12
x=6
576 = 216 + 12 x
360 = 12 x 10. (B) Let x = amount invested at 4%
x = 30 2 x = amount invested at 5%
.04 x + .05 ( 2 x ) = 210
5. (E) R · T = D
Multiply by 100 to eliminate decimals.
Going 60 x 60x
4 x + 5 ( 2 x ) = 21, 000
Return 50 x+1 50x + 50 14 x = 21, 000
60 x = 50 x + 50 x = $1500
10 x = 50
x=5

If he drove for 5 hours at 60 miles per hour, he

drove 300 miles.

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190 Chapter 12

Exercise 1 Exercise 2
1. (A) Let x = number of dimes 1. (B) Consecutive integers are 1 apart. If the
4 x = number of quarters fourth is n + 1, the third is n, the second is n – 1,
0 x = value of dimes in cents
10 and the first is n – 2. The sum of these is 4n – 2.
100x = value of quaarters in cents 2. (D) The other integer is n + 2. If a difference
10 x + 100 x = 220 is positive, the larger quantity must come first.
100 x = 220
3. (D) To find the average of any 4 numbers,
x=2 divide their sum by 4.
2. (A) Let x = number of nickels
4. (C) Represent the integers as x, x + 1, and
45 − x = number of dimes
x + 2.
5 x = value of nickels in cents
450 − 10x = value of dimes in cents x + x + 2 = 26
2 x = 24
5 x + 450 − 10 x = 350
x = 12
−5 x = −100
x + 1 = 13
x = 20
5. (C) An even integer follows an odd integer,
20 nickels and 25 dimes so simply add 1.

3. (B) Let x = number of 10-cent stamps

40 − x = number of 15-cent stamps
10x = value of 10-cent stamps
600 − 15 x = value of 15-cent stamps

10 x + 600 − 15 x = 540
−5 x = −60
x = 12

4. (C) Let x = number of nickels

30 − x = number of quarters
5 x = value of nickels in cents
750 − 25 x = value of quarters in cents

5 x + 750 − 25 x = 470
−20 x = −280
x = 14

5. (C) Let 3x = number of nickels

4 x = number of dimes
3x + 4 x = 28
7 x = 28
x=4

There are 16 dimes, worth $1.60.

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 191

Exercise 3 Exercise 4
1. (B) She invested x + 400 dollars at 5%. The
1. (C) Let x = Stephen's age now income is .05(x + 400).
4 x = Mark's age now
2. (E) He invested 10,000 – x dollars at 5%. The
x + 1 = Stephen's age in 1 year
income is .05(10,000 – x).
4 x + 1 = Mark's age in 1 year
4 x + 1 = 3( x + 1) 3. (D) Let x = amount invested at 3%
4 x + 1 = 3x + 3 2000 + x = her total investment
x=2 .06 ( 2000 ) + .03x = .04 ( 2000 + x )
Multiply by 100 to eliminate decimals.
Mark is now 8, so 2 years ago he was 6.
6 ( 2000 ) + 3x = 4 ( 2000 + x )
2. (D) Let x = Jack's age now
12, 000 + 3x = 8000 + 4 x
x + 24 = Mr. Burke's age now
4000 = x
x + 8 = Jack's age in 8 years
x + 32 = Mr. Burke's age in 8 years 4. (B) Let x = amount invested at 4%
x + 32 = 2 ( x + 8 ) 7200 − x = amount invested at 5%

x + 32 = 2 x + 16 .04 x = .05 ( 7200 - x )

16 = x
Multiply by 100 to eliminate decimals.
Jack is now 16, Mr. Burke is 40.
4 x = 5 ( 7200 − x )
3. (A) The fastest reasoning here is from the
4 x = 36, 000 − 5 x
answers. Subtract each number from both ages,
9 x = 36, 000
to see which results in Lili being twice as old as
Melanie. 7 years ago, Lili was 16 and Melanie x = 4000
was 8. Her income is .04(4000) + .05(3200). This is
$160 + $160, or $320.
Let x = number of years ago
5. (E) In order to avoid fractions, represent his
Then 23 – x = 2(15 – x) 1
inheritance as 6x. Then his inheritance is 3x
23 – x = 30 – 2x 1 2
and his inheritance is 2x.
7=x 3
Let 3x = amount invested at 5%
4. (D) Karen’s age now can be found by
subtracting 2 from her age 2 years from now. 2 x = amount invested at 6%
Her present age is 2x – 1. To find her age 2 x = amount invested at 3%
years ago, subtract another 2. .05(3x) + .06(2x) + .03(x) = 300
5. (D) Alice’s present age is 4x – 2. In 3 years Multiply by 100 to eliminate decimals.
her age will be 4x + 1.
5 ( 3x ) + 6 ( 2 x ) + 3( x ) = 30, 000
15 x + 12 x + 3x = 30, 000
30 x = 30, 000
x = 1000
His inheritance was 6x, or $6000.

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192 Chapter 12

Exercise 5 Exercise 6
4x
1. (D) Represent the original fraction as . 1. (C) Multiply the number of pounds by the
5x price per pound to get the total value.
4x + 4 2
=
5 x + 10 3 40 ( x ) + 50 ( 30 − x ) =
Cross multiply. 40 x + 1500 − 50 x =
1500 − 10 x
12 x + 12 = 10 x + 20
2x = 8 2. (B) No. of Price per Total
Pounds · Pound = Value
x=4
x 70 70x
The original numerator was 4x, or 16. 30 90 2700
2. (E) While this can be solved using the x + 30 85 85(x + 30)
5+ x 3
= , it is probably easier to 70 x + 2700 = 85 ( x + 30 )
equation
21 + x 7 70 x + 2700 = 85 x + 2550
work from the answers. Try adding each choice
5 150 = 15 x
to the numerator and denominator of to see x = 10
3 21
which gives a result equal to . 3. (D) No. of % of Amount of
7
5 + 7 12 3 Pints Acid = Acid
= =
21 + 7 28 7 Original 10 .20 2
3. (C) Here again, it is fastest to reason from the Added 6 1.00 6
answers. Add 5 to each numerator and
New 16 8
denominator to see which will result in a new
fraction equal to 7 . Remember that 3 quarts of acid are 6 pints. There
10
9 + 5 14 7 are now 8 pints of acid in 16 pints of solution.
= = Therefore, the new solution is 1 or 50% acid.
15 + 5 20 10
2
4. (E) Here again, add 3 to each numerator and 4. (A) No. of % of Amount of
denominator of the given choices to see which Quarts · Sugar = Sugar
will result in a new fraction equal to 2 . 60 20 1200
3
7 + 3 10 2 x 0 0
= =
12 + 3 15 3 60 + x 5 5(60 + x )
x
5. (C) Represent the original fraction by .
2x 1200 = 5 ( 60 + x )
x+4 5
= 1200 = 300 + 5 x
2x + 4 8
900 = 5 x
Cross multiply.
x = 180
8 x + 32 = 10 x + 20 5. (B) No. of % of Amount of
12 = 2 x Pounds · Alcohol = Sugar
x=6 240 3 720
The original denominator is 2x, or 12. x 0 0
240 – x 5 5(240 – x )
Notice that when x quarts were evaporated, x
was subtracted from 240 to represent the
number of pounds in the mixture.
720 = 5 ( 240 − x )
720 = 1200 − 5 x
5 x = 480
x = 96

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 193

Exercise 7
1. (C) R · T = D 4. (B)
Slow x 3.5 3.5x R · T = D
Fast x+6 3.5 3.5(x + 6) Going 4 x 4x
Return 2 6–x 2(6 – x )
The cars each traveled from 10 A.M. to
1
1:30 P.M., which is 3 hours. He was gone for 6 hours.
2
3.5x + 3.5(x + 6) = 287 4 x = 2 (6 − x )
Multiply by 10 to eliminate decimals. 4 x = 12 − 2 x
6 x = 12
35 x + 35 ( x + 6 ) = 2870
x=2
35 x + 35 x + 210 = 2870
If he walked for 2 hours at 4 miles per hour, he
70 x = 2660
walked for 8 miles.
x = 38
The rate of the faster car was x + 6 or 44 m.p.h. 5. (D)
R · T = D
2. (C) R · T = D
36 x 36x
Before noon 50 x 50x
31 x 31x
After noon 40 8–x 40(8 – x )
They travel the same number of hours.
The 8 hours must be divided into 2 parts.
36 x − 31x = 30
50 x + 40 (8 − x ) = 350
5 x = 30
50 x + 320 − 40 x = 350 x=6
10 x = 30
x=3 This problem may be reasoned without an
equation. If the faster car gains 5 miles per hour
If he traveled 3 hours before noon, he left at 9 A.M. on the slower car, it will gain 30 miles in 6
hours.
3. (E) R · T = D
600 x 600x
1 1
650 x– 650(x – )
2 2
1
The later plane traveled hour less.
2
 1
600 x = 650  x − 
 2
600 x = 650 x − 325
325 = 50 x
6 12 = x
1
The plane that left at 3 P.M. traveled for 6
2
hours. The time is then 9:30 P.M.

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194 Chapter 12

Exercise 8 Retest
x
1. (E) In x days, he has painted of the barn. 1. (B) Represent the integers as x, x + 2, and x + 4.
5
To find what part is still unpainted, subtract the 3x = ( x + 4 ) + 10
5
part completed from 1. Think of 1 as . 2 x = 14
5
5 x 5− x x=7
− =
5 5 5 x+2=9
2. (B) Mary Ruth x
2. (C) Represent the original fraction by .
x x 3x
+ =1 x +8 8
6 9 =
3x − 6 9
Multiply by 18. Cross multiply.
3x + 2 x = 18
5 x = 18 9 x + 72 = 24 x − 48
3 120 = 15 x
x=3
5 x =8
3. (E) Inlet Drain 3x = 24
x x 8
− =1 The original fraction is .
3 6 24
Multiply by 6. 3. (C) No. of Percent Amount of
2x − x = 6 Quarts · Alcohol = Alcohol
x=6 Original 40 5 200
Notice the two fractions are subtracted, as the Added x 0 0
drainpipe does not help the inlet pipe but works New 40 + x 2 80 + 2x
against it.
200 = 80 + 2 x
4. (B) Tractor Plow
120 = 2 x
2 x
+ =1 x = 60
4 12
This can be done without algebra, as half the 4. (D) Let x = Charles' age now
job was completed by the tractor; therefore, the x + 11 = Miriam's age now
second fraction must also be equal to 1 . x is x + 3 = Charles' age in 3 years
2
therefore 6. x + 14 = Miriam's agge in 3 years

5. (C) Michael Barry

x + 14 = 2 ( x + 3)
2 2
+ =1 x + 14 = 2 x + 6
6 x
x =8
Multiply by 6x.
2 x + 12 = 6 x Therefore, Miriam is 19 now and 2 years ago
12 = 4 x was 17.
x=3

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 Problem Solving in Algebra 195

5. (A) Fast Press Slow Press 8. (B)

x
+
x
=1
R · T = D
12 18 Slow 48 x 48x
Multiply by 36. Fast 55 x 55x
3x + 2 x = 36
48 x + 55 x = 515
5 x = 36
103x = 515
1
x = 7 hours x = 5 hours
5
= 7 hours 12 minutes Therefore, they will pass each other 5 hours
after 9:30 A.M., 2:30 P.M.
6. (A) Let x = the number of dimes
x + 4 = the number of quarters 9. (A)
10 x = the value of dimes in cents
R · T = D
25 x + 100 = the value of quarters in cents
Carol 30 3.5 105
10 x + 25 x + 100 = 205
35 x = 105 Mother x 3 3x
x=3
3x = 105
She has 30¢ in dimes. x = 35 m.p.h.

7. (A) Let x = amount invested at 6% 10. (D) Let x = number of pennies Frank has
x + 150 = amount invested at 3% 2 x = number of pennies Dan has
.06x + .03(x + 150) = 54
x + 12 = 2 x − 12
Multiply by 100 to eliminate decimals x = 24
Therefore, Dan originally had 48 pennies.
6 x + 3( x + 150 ) = 5400
6 x + 3x + 450 = 5400
9 x = 4950
x = $550
x + 150 = $700

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