Basic Math 1

REAL NUMBER SYSTEM

A real number is a number that can be found on the number line. These are the numbers that we normally use and apply
in real-world applications.

REAL NUMBERS

RATIONAL NUMBERS
IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
A rational number is a number that can be
An irrational number is a real number that
expressed as a fraction.
cannot be written as a simple fraction.
1 7
, √4 , 0 , −5 , , 2.2 , 4. ̅12
̅̅̅ √2 , 0.8473658 … , 𝜋
3 2

INTEGERS
…, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 …

WHOLE NUMBERS
` 0, 1, 2, 3, …

NATURAL NUMBERS
1, 2, 3, …

EXPONENTS, RADICALS, AND LOGARITHMS

Laws of Exponent Laws of Radicals Laws of Logarithm

1. am ∙ an = am+n 𝑛
𝑎𝑚/𝑛 = √𝑎𝑚 log 𝑏 𝑥 → 𝑏 𝑦 = 𝑥
2. (am)n = amn 𝑛 𝑛
1. √𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 √𝑏
𝑛
Common logarithm: log x (base = 10)
3. (ab)n = anbn 𝑛 𝑎
𝑛
√𝑎 Natural logarithm: ln x (base = e)
4. (a/b)n = an/bn 2. √ = 𝑛 1. logb mn = logb m + logb n
𝑏 √𝑏
5. a. am/an = am-n 𝑚 𝑛 𝑚𝑛
2. logb m/n = logb m – logb n
b. am/an = 1/an-m 3. √ √𝑎 = √𝑎 3. logb mr = rlogb m
6. a0 = 1 where a ≠ 0 4. √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 ≠ 𝑎 + 𝑏 Change of base:
and ∞ log 𝑐 𝑚
log 𝑏 𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚 = 𝑏 log𝑏 𝑚
7. a-n = 1/an 5. √𝑎 + 𝑏 ≠ √𝑎 + √𝑏 log 𝑐 𝑏

1. Simplify the expression:

𝟖𝒙𝟑 𝒚−𝟓
𝟒𝒙−𝟏 𝒚𝟐
3𝑥 2 2𝑥 4 8𝑦 3 5𝑥 −1
a. b. c. d.
4𝑦 𝑦7 𝑥6 𝑦 −4

REVIEW: APR 2025

 2. CE BOARD NOV 2022. In the study of economics, the demand D for a product is often related to its selling price p by an
equation in the form:
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝑫 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝑪 − 𝑲 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒑
where: a, c, and K are positive constant
Solve the equation D.
𝑐𝑎 𝑎𝑐 𝐾 𝑝 𝑐 𝑎𝑝𝐾
a. 𝐷= 𝐾 b. 𝐷= c. 𝐷= 𝐾 d.
𝑝 𝑝 𝑝 𝐾

ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
In mathematics, an algebraic expression is an expression built up from integer constants, variables, and
the algebraic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and exponentiation by an exponent that is a rational number)
Special Products
1. (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦)
2. (𝑥 + 𝑦)2 = (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
3. (𝑥 − 𝑦)2 = (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
4. (𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 ) = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
5. (𝑥 3 − 𝑦 3 ) = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )
6. (𝑥 + 𝑦)3 = (𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3 )
7. (𝑥 − 𝑦)3 = (𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑦 3 )

3. CE BOARD MAY 2019. The volume of a rectangular building with square base and height x is 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟔𝟎𝒙𝟐 + 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝒙.
Find the dimensions in terms of x.
a. (x+30)(x-30) b. (x-20)(x+20) c. (x-30)(x-30) d. (x-30)(x+30)

EQUATIONS

Linear Equations – The definition of a linear equation is an algebraic equation in which each term has an exponent of one

4. CE BOARD NOV 2022. A membership in Superfit, a fitness club is P500 per year. The club charges P1 for each hour
used. A competing club, Healthy Bodies, charges P440 yearly plus P1.75 per hour for its use. How many hours for each
year will result in identical yearly cost for two fitness club?
a. 50 hrs b. 60 hrs c. 70 hrs d. 80 hrs

Quadratic Equations – A quadratic equation is an equation of the second degree, meaning it contains at least one term that is
squared.
Methods of determining the roots.
1. Factoring
2. Completing the Square
3. Quadratic Formula
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
2𝑎
where 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is the discriminant D.
if D > 0, there are two solutions (2 distinct real roots)
if D = 0, there is one solution (2 equal real roots)

REVIEW: APR 2025

 if D < 0, there is no solution (2 unequal complex roots)

5. CE BOARD MAY 2022. A ball is thrown downward from the top of a 180-foot building with an initial velocity of 20 feet per
second. The height of the ball h after time t seconds is given by the equation h = - 16t2 – 20t + 180. How long after the ball is
thrown will it strike the ground?
a. 2.8 b. 2.4 c. -4.0 d. 3.3

ALMUSAL: CE BOARD NOV 2024. Consider the following statements:

There are six villages A, B, C, D, E, and F.
F is 1 km to the West of D.
B is 1 km to the East of E.
A is 2 km to the North of E.
C is 1 km to the east of A.
D is 1 km to the South of A.
Which three villages are in a line?
a. A, C, B b. A, D, E c. C, B, F d. E, B, D

SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS
A system of equations is a collection of two or more equations with a same set of unknowns.
Method of determining unknowns
1. Substitution
2. Elimination

6. CE BOARD APRIL 2023. Incandescent, fluorescent and halogen bulbs are lasting today than ever before. On average, the
number of bulb hours for a fluorescent is 25 times the number of bulb hours for a halogen bulb. The number of bulb hours
for an incandescent bulb is 2500 less than the halogen bulb. If the total number of bulb hours for the three types of bulbs is
105,500, find the number of bulb hours for each type.
4,000; 1,500; 6,100; 60,000;
a. 100,000; and b. 9,000; and c. 90,000; and d. 120,000; and
1,500 86,000 5,000 3,000

7. CE BOARD MAY 2019. To stimulate his son in the pursuit of calculus, a math professor offered to pay him P400 for every
problem correctly solved and to fine him P250 for every incorrect solution. At the end of 26 problems, neither owed him any
money to the other. How many did the boy solved correctly.
a. 16 b. 14 c. 12 d. 10

WORDED PROBLEMS

Variations
In some scientific investigations, the terminology of variation or proportion is used to describe relationships between
variable quantities.
Types of Variation
1. Direct Variation
2. Inverse Variation
3. Joint Variation
4. Combined Variation

REVIEW: APR 2025

 8. CE BOARD Nov 2021. The intensity of light (in foot-candles) varies inversely as the square of x, the distance in feet from
the light source. The intensity of the light 2 feet from the source is 80 foot-candles. How far away is the source if the intensity
of light is 5-foot-candles?
a. 231.54 b . 189.12 c. 142.22 d. 215.89

9. If 8 men or 12 women can do a piece of work in 52 days, then in how many days can 12 men and 8 women do the same
piece of work?
a. 28 days b. 26 days c. 24 days d. 30 days

10. If 10 spiders can catch 10 flies in 10 mins, then how many flies can catch 200 spiders in 200 mins?
a. 2000 b. 4000 c. 1000 d. 200

Number/Digit Problem
Digit word problems are problems that involve individual digits in integers and how digits are related according to
the question.

11. There are certain 2-digit numbers. The difference between the numbers and the one obtained on reversing it is always 27.
How many such maximum 2-digit numbers are there?
a. 3 b. 5 c. 4 d. None of these

12. The monthly incomes of X and Y are in the ratio of 4 : 3 and their monthly expenses are in the ratio 3 : 2. However, each
saves $6000 per month. What is their total monthly income?
a. $28,000 b. $42,000 c. $56,000 d. $84,000

13. CE BOARD MAY 2019. During the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, the total number of gold medals won by
Germany, Canada, and United States were three consecutive odd integers. Of these three countries, Germany won the
most of gold medals and Canada won the fewest. If the sum of the first integer, twice the second integer, and four times
the third integer is 69, find the number of gold medals won by each country?
a. Germany: 11; US: 9; Canada: 7
b. Germany: 12; US: 10; Canada: 8
c. Germany: 13; US: 11; Canada: 9
d. Germany: 14; US: 12; Canada: 10

Motion Problem
Distance problems are word problems that involve the distance an object will travel at a certain average rate for a given
period of time.
Distance formula: 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 ∗ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
14. A freight train left Central Station for MIA Station at an average speed of 40 km/hr. Two hours later, an express train left
Central Station for MIA Station, following the freight train on a parallel track at an average speed of 60 km/hr. How far from
Central Station would the express train meet the freight train?
a. 480 km b. 240 km c. 260 km d. 120 km

15. Two cars start towards each other, from two places A and B which are at a distance of 160 km. They start at the same time
8:10 AM. If the speed of the cars are 50 km/hr and 30 km/hr respectively, they will meet each other at:

REVIEW: APR 2025

 a. 10:10 AM b. 10:30 AM c. 11:10 AM d. 11:20 AM

16. A boy can row a boat at a constant rate of 5 mi/hr in still water. He rows up-stream for 15 minutes and then rows
downstream, returning to his starting point in another 12 minutes. Find the rate of the current.
a. 0.56 mi/hr b. 1.8 mi/hr c. 0.65 mi/hr d. 0.33 mi/hr

17. A worker reaches his factory 3 mins late if his speed from his house to the factory is 5 km/hr. If he walks at a speed of 6
km/hr, then he will reach his factory 7 mins early. The distance of the factory from his house is
a. 3 km b. 4 km c. 5 km d. 6 km

18. A thief running at 8 km/hr is chased by a policeman whose speed is 10 km/hr. If the thief is 100 m ahead of the policeman,
then the time required for the policeman to catch the thief will be
a. 2 mins b. 3 mins c. 4 mins d. 6 mins

Mixture Problem
Mixture problems involve creating a mixture from two or more things, and then determining some quantity (percentage,
price, etc) of the resulting mixture.

19. There is a milk sample with 50% water in it. If 1/3 of this milk is added to equal amount of pure milk, then water in the new
mixture will fall down to:
a. 25% b. 35% c. 30% d. 40%

20. A 1 L brine solution has a salt concentration of 36%. How much water must be evaporated to increase the salt concentration
to 42%?
a. 0.36 L b. 0.14 L c. 0.28 L d. 0.19 L

21. CE BOARD NOV 2023. How many milligrams of steel containing 45% nickel must be combined with 6 milligrams of pure
nickel to form an alloy containing 78% nickel?
a. 4 mg b. 6 mg c. 8 mg d. 10 mg

Work Problem
Work Problems are word problems that involve different people doing work together but at different rates.

Work problems depends on the formula: 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 ∗ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

where W is the amount of work done, R is the rate of doing work and t is the time. It involves work done by an individual
or group of persons or systems combined.
When the work is completed, the sum of the work done by each doing the work is 1. Another important concept is the labor-time
requirement of a particular work. For the work to be complete, the total labor-time requirement must be met.

22. CE BOARD NOV 2021. An experienced roofer can roof a house in 26 hours. A beginner roofer needs 39 hours to complete
the same job. Find how long it takes for the two to do the job together.
a. 15.6 hrs b. 17.4 hrs c. 16.8 hrs d. 14.3 hrs

23. A water tank can be emptied by using one pump for 5 hours. A second, smaller pump can empty the tank in 8 hours. If the
larger pump is started at 1:00 P.M., at what time should the smaller pump be started so that the tank will be emptied at
5:00 P.M.?
a. 2:40 PM b. 3:40 PM c. 2:24 PM d. 3:24 PM

REVIEW: APR 2025

 24. Bobot and Betong work on a job together for 4 days and complete 60% of it. Bobot takes leave then and Betong works for
eight more days to complete the job. How long would Bobot take to complete the entire job alone?
a. 6 days b. 8 days c. 10 days d. 11 days

25. In a garrison, there was food for 1000 soldiers for one month. After 10 days, 1000 more soldiers joined the garrison. How
long would the soldiers be able to carry on with the remaining food?
a. 25 days b. 20 days c. 15 days d. 10 days

Money-Related Problem

26. Boyet bought a cellphone and sold it to Aubrey at 10% profit. Then, Aubrey wanted to sell it back to Boyet at 10% loss.
What will be Boyet’s position if he agreed?
Neither loss nor Gain 1% Loss 1% Gain 0.5%
a. b. c. d.
gain

27. CE BOARD MAY 2022. An investment firm has P100,000 to invest for a client and decides to invest in two stocks A and B.
The expected annual rate of return or simple interest for stock A is 15% but there is some risk involved and the client does
not wish to invest more than P50,000 in his stock. The annual rate of return on the more stable stock B is anticipated to be
10%. Determine the amount invested in stock A and stock B to achieve a portfolio that earns P13,000 per year.
P30,000 and P40,000 and P50,000 and P30,000 and
a. b. c. d.
P50,000 P60,000 P70,000 P50,000

28. The total emoluments of two persons are the same, but one gets allowances to the extent of 65% of his basic pay and the
other gets allowances to the extent of 80% of his basic pay. The ratio of the basic pay of the former to the basic pay of the
latter is:
a. 16:13 b. 5:4 c. 7:5 d. 12:11

Venn Diagram

29. In a town, 45% of the population read magazine A, 55% read magazine B, 40% read magazine C, 30% read magazines A
and B, 15% read magazines B and C, 25% read magazines A and C; and 10% read all the three magazines. What
percentage do not read any magazine?
a. 10% b. 15% c. 20% d. 25%

30. La Immaculada High School has 85 seniors, each of whom plays on at least one of the school’s three varsity sports teams:
football, baseball, and basketball. It so happens that 74 are on the football team; 26 are on the baseball team; 17 are on
both the football and basketball teams; 18 are on both the baseball and football teams; and 13 are on both the baseball
and basketball teams. Compute the number of seniors playing all three sports, given that twice this number is members of
the basketball team.
a. 10 b. 11 c. 22 d. 20

ALMUSAL:
CE BOARD MAY 2019. The passengers on an excursion bus consisted of 14 married couples, 8 of whom brought no children and
6 of whom brought 3 children a piece. Counting the driver, the bus has 31 occupants. How is this possible?

REVIEW: APR 2025