Solutions: Topics in Pre-Algebra

If you would like to better understand the curriculum, here are the learning objectives for this unit.

Order of Operations

Exercise Problem Solution
1. 9 + 6 x (8 – 5) 9 + 6 x (8 – 5)
= 9 + 6 x 3
= 9 + 18
= 27
2. (14 – 5) ÷ (9 – 6) (14 – 5) ÷ (9 – 6)
= 9 ÷ (9 – 6)
= 9 ÷ 3
= 3
3. 5 x 8 + 6 ÷ 6 – 12 x 2 5 x 8 + 6 ÷ 6 – 12 x 2
= 40 + 6 ÷ 6 – 12 x 2
= 40 + 1 – 12 x 2
= 40 + 1 – 24
= 41 – 24
= 17
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5. A caterer charges a setup fee of $50, plus $20 per person. How much will the caterer charge if 35 people attend the party, and the customer has a coupon for $100 off the total? 50 + 20 x 35 – 100
= 50 + 700 – 100
= 750 – 100
= 650
Answer: $650

Order of Operations With Exponents

Exercise Problem Solution
1. 32 x 43 32 x 43
= 9 x 43
= 9 x 64
= 576
2. 27 – 256 ÷ 43 27 – 256 ÷ 43
= 27 – 256 ÷ 64
= 27 – 4
= 23
3. 9 x (5 + 3)2 – 144 9 x (5 + 3)2 – 144
= 9 x 82 – 144
= 9 x 64 – 144
= 576 – 144
= 432
4. 7 + 3 x 24 ÷ 6 7 + 3 x 24 ÷ 6
= 7 + 3 x 16 ÷ 6
= 7 + 48 ÷ 6
= 7 + 8
= 15
5. A carpenter charges $10 per square foot to lay a floor. If a square-shaped hallway is 6 feet along one side, and the customer has a coupon for $25 off the total, then how much will the floor cost? 10 x 62 – 25
= 10 x 36 – 25
= 360 – 25
= 335
Answer: $335

Order of Operations With Integers

Exercise Problem Solution
1. 18 – (6)2 ÷ 9 18 – (6)2 ÷ 9
= 18 – 36 ÷ 9
= 18 – 4
= 14  or  +14
2. [49 + 3(4-9)] ÷ 17 [49 + 3(4-9)] ÷ 17
= [49 + 3(5)] ÷ 17
= [49 + 15] ÷ 17
= 34 ÷ 17
2
3. 53 + (9)(+2) ÷ 6 53 + (9)(+2) ÷ 6
= 125 + (9)(+2) ÷ 6
= 125 + 18 ÷ 6
= 125 + 3
= 122  or  +122
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5. (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 2[5 – 8 + (6 ÷ 2)] (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 2[5 – 8 + (6 ÷ 2)]
= (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 2[5 – 8 + 3]
= (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 2[13 + 3]
= (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 2[16]
= (4)(3) ÷ 6 – 32
= 12 ÷ 6 – 32
= 2 – 32
30

Writing Algebraic Expressions

Exercise Problem Solution
1. Fifteen less than twice a number 2x – 15
2. Three times a number increased by seventeen 3a + 17
3. The product of nine and a number, decreased by six 9m – 6
4. Thirty divided by seven times a number None of the above.
5. Jenny earns $30 a day working part time at a supermarket. Write an algebraic expression to represent the amount of money she will earn in d days. 30d

Writing Algebraic Equations

Exercise Problem Solution
1. Twice a number is twenty-eight. 2x = 28
2. The quotient of thirty-nine and a number is three. eqns_exercise2.gif
3. Five less than three times a number is forty-six. 3t – 5 = 46
4. Three is twenty-one divided by the sum of a number and five. None of the above.
5. Eric had $197 in his savings account before he was paid his weekly salary. His current savings balance is $429. How much money does Eric earn each week? 197 + n = 429

Practice Exercises

Exercise Problem Solution
1. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:
7 x 8 – 6 ÷ 2 + 18 x 3
7 x 8 – 6 ÷ 2 + 18 x 3
= 56 – 6 ÷ 2 + 18 x 3
= 56 – 3 + 18 x 3
= 56 – 3 + 54
= 53 + 54 = 107
Answer: 107 or +107
2. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:vol7_practice_ex2.gif
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Answer: 5 or +5

3. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:
15 – 2 x 32 ÷ 6
15 – 2 x 32 ÷ 6
= 15 – 2 x 9 ÷ 6
= 15 – 18 ÷ 6
= 15 – 3
= 12
Answer: 12 or +12
4. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:
36 ÷ (7-4)2 + 21
36 ÷ (7-4)2 + 21
= 36 ÷ 32 + 21
= 36 ÷ 9 + 21
= 4 + 21
= 25
Answer: 25 or +25
5. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:
[54 – 3(2 + 4)] ÷ 9
[54 – 3(2 + 4)] ÷ 9
= [54 – 3(6)] ÷ 9
= [54 – 18] ÷ 9
= 36 ÷ 9
4
Answer: 4
6. Evaluate this arithmetic expression:vol7_practice_ex6.gif
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Answer: 3

7. Which algebraic expression correctly represents this phrase?
Twenty-five less than three times a number.
3x – 25
8. Which algebraic expression correctly represents this phrase?
The quotient of a number and seven, decreased by ten.
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9. Which sentence correctly represents this algebraic equation?
2w – 9 = 32
Nine less than twice a number is thirty-two.
10. Which sentence correctly represents this algebraic equation?
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The quotient of forty-two and a number is seven.

Challenge Exercises

Exercise Problem Solution
1. An agent charges $150 per gig to book a rock band, plus $75 per month for travel expenses. What was his monthly fee if he booked 6 gigs for the band last month? 150 x 6 + 75
= 900 + 75
= 975
Answer: $975
2. A gardener charges $8 per square foot to lay sod. If a square garden is 7 feet along each side, how much will he charge to lay sod on it? 8 x 72
= 8 x 49
= 392
Answer: $392
3. Six people in a club will share the expenses of a party that costs $240. How much will Katie pay for her share of the party if the club also credits her $8? 240 ÷ 6 – 8
= 40 – 8
= 32
Answer: $32
4. Evaluate the following expression:vol7_challenge_ex4.gif
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5. Jesse spends $5 a day on lunch. Which algebraic expression correctly represents the amount of money he will spend on lunch in x days? 5x
6. Which algebraic expression correctly represents this phrase?
The quotient of twelve and seven times a number, decreased by five
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7. Which algebraic equation correctly represents this sentence?
A number increased by eight is nineteen.
y + 8 = 19
8. Which algebraic equation correctly represents this sentence?
Twenty-five is three times a number, decreased by eight.
25 = 3w – 8
9. Which sentence correctly represents this algebraic equation?
15 = 16y – 3
None of the above.
10. Which sentence correctly represents this algebraic equation?
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The quotient of three times a number and five is thirty.