Review of Algebra and Trigonometry: Pamantasan NG Cabuyao
Review of Algebra and Trigonometry: Pamantasan NG Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
MODULE
REVIEW OF ALGEBRA AND
1 TRIGONOMETRY
INTRODUCTION
Technically a student coming into a Calculus class is supposed to know both Algebra and
Trigonometry. The reality is often much different however. Most students enter a Calculus class
woefully unprepared leading to a much worse scenario of having trouble with grasping and
absorbing the topics and failing to complete the Calculus course.
This module will be devoted to review the students about Algebra and Trigonometry which
are absolutely vital to a calculus course. This chapter is not inclusive in the algebra and
trigonometry skills that are needed to be successful in a Calculus course. It only includes those
topics that most students are particularly deficient in.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.1] ALGEBRA
1.1.1. Definition
Algebra is one of the broad parts of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and
analysis. In its most general form, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for
manipulating these symbols; it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics. [Wikipedia]
PRE-CHECK 1
5 2
2. =
𝑥 𝑥−3
𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1 𝑥+1
3. =
𝑥+1 𝑥 2 −3𝑥
𝑥 2 −1 𝑥+5
4. =
𝑥+1 8
1 1
5. Determine 𝑥 4 + if x = 2 - 1
𝑥4 2− 1
2− 1
2−2−⋯
6. 4𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 3 = 0
7. log4(x2−2x)=log4(5x−12)
8. log(6x)−log(4−x)=log(3)
9. log3(25−x2)=2
−4
𝑧 12 𝑦 −1 𝑥 −3
10. Simplify: 4 ( )
𝑧 9 𝑦 4 𝑥 −8
ANSWERS IN PRE-CHECK 1
4𝑦 20⁄
6. -3, 1/4 7. 3, 4 8. 4/3 9. + 4 10.
1.1.1. Definition 𝑥 20 𝑧 12
PEMDAS is an acronym for the words parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition,
subtraction. Given two or more operations in a single expression, the order of the letters in
PEMDAS tells you what to calculate first, second, third and so on, until the calculation is complete
(study.com). This operation is very important in solving algebraic expressions. Let's consider the
examples below.
What is an exponent?
Example:
31 = 3
32 = 3 × 3 = 9
33 = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27
34 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81
35 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243
a0 = 1 𝑎𝑛
= an-m
𝑎𝑚
1 1
a-n = 𝑎𝑛 and = an (an)m = amn
𝑎−𝑛
𝑚
a1/2 = √𝑎 and a1/m = √𝑎 (ab)m = ambm
an ・am = am+n a 𝑎𝑚
( 𝑏 )m = 𝑏𝑚
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
Example:
15𝑥(𝑦𝑧 2 )3
a. Simplify
3𝑥 4 𝑦 2 𝑧 8
15𝑥(𝑦𝑧 2 )3 15𝑦
Solution: = 5𝑥 1−4 𝑦 3−2 𝑧 2(3)−8 = 5𝑥 −3 𝑦 1 𝑧 −2 =
3𝑥 4 𝑦 2 𝑧 8 𝑥 3𝑧 2
Solution:
To solve this equation, we will have to use the FOIL (First-Outer-Inner-Last) Method and apply
the rules of exponent.
Therefore, the answer to this problem is 15x4 - 18x2y2 + 35x2y2 - 42y4 or 15x4 + 17x2y2 - 42y4.
c. Expand (x + 4y2)3
Solution:
To solve this equation, we will have to use the Pascal’s triangle. Pascal's triangle is a triangular
array constructed by summing adjacent elements in preceding rows. Pascal's triangle contains
the values of the binomial coefficient. It is named after the 17th century French mathematician,
Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662).
Since the exponent of the given equation is 3, we will use the pattern the fourth row and simplify
the expression.
= x3 + 12x2y2 + 48xy4 + 64
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
1.1.4. Common Mistakes
In solving algebraic expressions, there are times when students tend to commit careless
mistakes or has confused idea on the rules of algebra. Below is the illustration of some common
mistakes and the correct rule that should be applied.
Providing the denominator (i.e. the bottom bit) of a division contains no +’s or −’s, the division
itself is usually straightforward to carry out.
Example:
𝟒𝒂𝟑 −𝟏𝟎𝒂𝟐 + 𝟔𝒂
a.
𝟐𝒂
Solution:
𝟒𝒂𝟑 −𝟏𝟎𝒂𝟐 + 𝟔𝒂 𝟒𝒂𝟑 𝟏𝟎𝒂𝟐 𝟔𝒂
= − + = 𝟐𝒂𝟑−𝟏 − 𝟓𝒂𝟐−𝟏 + 𝟔𝒂𝟏−𝟏 = 𝟐𝒂𝟐 − 𝟓𝒂 + 𝟔
𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂
𝟖𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟑 −𝟖𝒙𝟐 +𝟏 𝟔𝒙
b.
𝟐𝒙
Solution:
𝟖𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟑 −𝟖𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 𝟖𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟑 𝟖𝒙𝟐 𝟏𝟔𝒙
= − + = 𝟒𝒙𝟒−𝟏 𝒚𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟐−𝟏 + 𝟖𝒙𝟏−𝟏 = 𝟒𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟖
𝟐𝒙 𝟐𝒙 𝟐𝒙 𝟐𝒙
An exponent is another name for a power or index. Exponents can be used to create
exponential functions:
y = ax ( a > 0 : a ≠ 0 , 1) .
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
In this context, a is called the base of the exponential function. Commonly used bases are 10
and the exponential constant e ≈ 2.71828:
y = 10x y = ex
The function with the exponential constant e as its base is so important in mathematics, science
and engineering that it is referred to as the exponential function, all others being subordinate.
Note that because of the importance of the exponential constant, logarithms to base e are given
the special name of natural logarithms and denoted by ln ( ) .
Because logs are by definition indices, we can use the rules for combining indices to determine
the so-called laws of logarithms:
Example:
𝑥 3𝑦4
a. Expand 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 ( )
𝑧2
Solution:
𝑥 3𝑦4
𝑙𝑜𝑔10 ( ) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 (𝑥 3 ) + 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 (𝑦 4 ) − 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 (𝑧 2 )
𝑧2
= 3𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥 + 4𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑦 − 2𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑧
Listed below are the common operations use in solving algebraic expressions as well as their
inverses.
In manipulating formula, one will need to use the above operations and their inverses. As a review,
let us consider the examples below.
Example:
100.5t = 8
ln (100.5t) = ln(8)
𝑙𝑛8 2𝑙𝑛8
t= or t =
0.5𝑙𝑛10 𝑙𝑛10
EXERCISE 1.1:
a. (3 x2) (5 x4)
b. (4 x y) (7 x2 y3)
d. (x + 3) (x − 4) (x + 5)
e. (2 x − 1) (x2 − 3 x + 7)
6𝜋𝑟ℎ2 +18𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
f.
3𝜋𝑟ℎ
1
h. 2log10(x+y) – 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑧
2
1.2] TRIGONOMETRY
1.2.1. Definition
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between side lengths and
angles of triangles. The field emerged in the Hellenistic world during the 3rd century BC from
applications of geometry to astronomical studies. [Wikipedia]
PRE-CHECK 2: TRIGONOMETRY
1. The angle that the line of sight to the object makes with the horizontal is above the eye of the
observer.
5. It is a line that extends from one vertex of a triangle perpendicular to the opposite side.
7. In a right triangle ABC with angle A equal to 90°, find angle B and C so that sin(B) = cos(B).
8. The lengths of side AB and side BC of a scalene triangle ABC are 12 cm and 8 cm
respectively. The size of angle C is 59°. Find the length of side AC.
9. From the top of a 200 meters high building, the angle of depression to the bottom of a second
building is 20 degrees. From the same point, the angle of elevation to the top of the second
building is 10 degrees. Calculate the height of the second building.
10. The area of a right triangle is 50. One of its angles is 45°. Find the lengths of the sides and
hypotenuse of the triangle.
ANSWERS IN PRE-CHECK 2
1 revolution = 2π radians
Examples:
a. The radius of a circle is r = 10 cm. Find the length of an arc that subtends an angle
of 1.4 radians at the center of the circle.
Solution:
Solution:
Again, since we were asked to find the ‘distance’ traveled by making total of 4 revolutions,
we will use the formula s = r𝜃. Take note that 4 revolutions is equal to 4(2𝜋) = 8𝜋 radians. Let
us now substitute all the given variables:
s = r𝜃
s = 18 (8𝜋)
s = 144𝜋 rads
Example:
a. One angle is 20deg less than thrice its supplement. What are the angles?
Solution:
Let us assume the variable x as the ‘angle’, thus its supplement is equal to 180-x. We
can now transform the above statement into an equation.
x = 3(180o-x) – 20o
x = 540o – 3x – 20o
x = 520o – 3x
4x = 520o
x = 130o
Therefore, the angle that we are looking for is equal to 130o.
b. The measure of two complementary angles are (2x - 7)° and (x + 4)°. Find the value of x.
Solution:
According to the problem, (2x - 7)° and (x + 4)°, are complementary angles’ so we get;
2x - 7° + x + 4° = 90°
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
2x + x - 7° + 4° = 90°
3x - 3° = 90°
x = 93°/3°
x = 31°
In proving trigonometric identities, we can choose to simplify only one side or both sides as long
as in the end, both identities will prove to be equal.
Example:
(1 − 2sin A+𝑠𝑖𝑛2 A)
= (sec A - tan A)2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A
1 2sinA 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 A
− 2 + = (sec A - tan A)2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A 𝑐𝑜𝑠 A 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A
1 1 sinA sinA 2
−2( )( )+( ) = (sec A - tan A)2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴
Example:
First, let us find the angle ABC. Since the sum of the interior angles of a triangle is equal to
180o,
By Sine Law,
𝑐 500
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛60° 32′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛47° 10′
c = 593.62m
To find the height h, we just only need to use the sine function in the triangle BHA,
h = 524.54m
Solution:
𝑎
= 2𝑅
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴
20
R= = 14.14m
2sin45°
EXERCISES 1.2:
1. POQ is a straight line and OS stands on PQ. Find the value of x and the measure of
∠ POS, ∠ SOR and ∠ ROQ.
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
2. Prove that tan2x = csc2xtan2x – 1.
cosx
3. Prove that secx + tanx =
1−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
5. The radius of a circle measures 25 m. Calculate the angle between the tangents to the circle,
drawn at the ends of a chord with a length of 36 m.
SUMMARY OF TOPIC/SECTION
1. Algebra is one of the broad parts of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and
analysis.
2. PEMDAS is an acronym for the words parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition,
subtraction.
3. Exponent is the base 'a' raised to the power of n which is equal to the multiplication of a, n
times: an = a × a × ... × a where a is the base and n is the exponent. There are rules of
exponent that need to be considered when solving algebraic expressions.
5. An exponent is another name for a power or index. Exponents can be used to create
exponential functions y = ax (a > 0: a ≠ 0, 1). Commonly used bases are 10 and the exponential
constant e ≈ 2.71828: y = 10x, y = ex.
7. Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between side lengths and
angles of triangles.
8. The "Unit Circle" is a circle with a radius of 1. Being so simple, it is a great way to learn and
talk about lengths and angles.
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021
9. Given two angles A and B, we have the following relations between them, namely:
complementary (sum is 90o), supplementary (sum is 180o) and exemplementary (sum is 360o).
10. In proving trigonometric identities, we can choose to simplify only one side or both sides as
long as in the end, both identities will prove to be equal. Different trigonometric identities must be
considered in proving identities.
REFERENCES
2] Oblique Triangle Word Problems. (2019, June 26). Retrieved June 5, 2020, from
https://www.superprof.co.uk/resources/academic/maths/trigonometry/oblique-triangle-word-
problems.html#chapter_solution-of-exercise-4
DISCLAIMER
DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information used in
the creation of this reference material, without prejudice to the existing copyrights of the authors.
As an off-shoot of the innumerable difficulties encountered during these trying times, the authors
endeavored to ensure proper attribution of the esteemed original works, by way of footnotes or
bibliography, to their best abilities and based on available resources, despite the limited access
and mobility due to quarantine restrictions imposed by the duly constituted authorities.