CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

System of Numbers

The number system is divided into two categories: Real numbers and Imaginary number.

1.) Real numbers:

A. Natural Numbers – are numbers considered as “Counting Numbers”
Example: 1,2,3…
B. Integers – are all natural numbers, the negative of the natural numbers and the number zero.
a. Rational numbers – are numbers which can be expressed as a quotient ratio of two
integers. The term rational comes from the word ratio
Example: 0.5 , 2/3, -3, 0.333…..

In the example, 0.5 cam be expressed as ½ and -3 can be expressed as -6/2, hence
rational numbers. The number 0.333.. is a repeating and non-terminating decimal. As a
rule a non-terminating but repeating decimals is always a rational number also, all
integers are rational numbers.
C. Irrational numbers – are numbers which cannot be expressed as a quotient of two integers.
Example: 2,  , e
The numbers in the examples above can never be expressed exactly as a quotient of two
integers.
2.) Imaginary Number and its equivalent:

i = −1 , i 2 = −1 , i3 = −i = − −1 , i 4 = 1

Complex number – is an expression of both real and imaginary number combined. It

takes the takes the form of a+bi, where a and b are real numbers. If a = 0, then pure
imaginary number is produced while real number is obtained when b = 0 .

Absolute value – of a real number is the numerical value of the number neglecting the
sign. For example, the absolute value of -5 is 5 while of -x is x. The absolute value |a| is
either positive or zero but can never be negative.

Common fractions - are numbers which are in the form of a/b , where a is the
numerator which may be any integer while b is the denominator which may be any
integer greater than zero.

Example: 1/5 , 1/25

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Prime Number – is an integer greater than 1 that is divisible only by 1 and itself. According to
the fundamental theorem of arithmetic. “Every positive integer greater than 1 is a prime or can
be expressed as a unique product of primes and powers of primes.”

Example of prime numbers:

2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,….
Example of unique product of power of primes:
360 = 23 . 3 2 . 51

Twin primes – are primes numbers that appear in pair and differ by 2.
Example: 3 and 3, 11 and 13

Significant figures or digits – are digit that define the numerical value of a number. A digit is
considered significant unless it is used to place a decimal point.

The significant digit of a number begins with the first non-zero digit and ends with the final digit.
Whether zero or non-zero.

Example:
16.72 4 Significant figures
1.672x103 4 significant figures
0.0016 2 significant figures

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Fundamentals In Algebra

Basic Rules of Algebra

Let a, b, and c be real numbers, variables or algebraic expressions.

1. Closure property : Addition a+b

: Multiplication a*b

2. Commutative property : Addition a+b=b+a

: Multiplication a*b=b*a

3. Associative property : Addition (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

: Multiplication ( a * b) *c = a * (b * c)

4. Identity property :Addition a+0=0+a=a

: Multiplication a*1=1*a=a

5. Inverse property : Addition a + (-a) = 0 = (-a) + a

: Multiplication a(1/a) = 1 = (1/a)a with a  0

6. Distributive property : Left a( b + c ) = ab + ac

: Right ( a + b)c = ac + bc

Property of equality
Let a, b and c be real numbers, variables of algebraic expression

1.) Reflexive property :a=a

2.) Symmetric property : If a = b, then b = a
3.) Transitive property : if a = b and b = c, then a = c
4.) Substitution property : if a = b, then a can be replaced by b in any expression involving
a
5.) Addition/Subtraction : if a = b then a + c = b + c

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

6.) Multiplication/Division
7.) Cancellation property
: if a = b, then a – c = b – c
: if a = b, then ac = bc
: if a = b, then a/c = b/c , with c  0
: if a + c = b + c, then a = b
: if ac = bc and c  0, then a = b

Properties of zero
Let a and b real numbers, variables or algebraic expression.

1.) a + 0 = a and a – 0 = a
2.) a*0=0
3.) 0/a = 0, a  0
4.) a/0 is undefined
5.) if ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0. This is known as zero-factory property

Properties of Exponents
The exponent notation states that if a is a real number, variable, or algebraic expression and n is a
positive number, then

Properties: Examples:

1. a m a n = a m+n 42 + 43 = 42+3 = 45

am x8
2. n
= a m−n 3
= x 6 −3 = x 5
a x

( a m ) = a mn ( y6 ) = y 6( 2 )
n 2
3. = y12

( ab ) = a mb m ( 2x) = 24 x 4 = 16 x 4
m 4
4.

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

m 4
a am 2 24 16
5.   = m   = 4 = 4
b b x x x

m
4 x5/3 = 3 ( 4 x )
5
6. a = n am
n

1 1
7. a−m = x −5 =
am y5

a0 = 1 , a  0 (x + 2) = 1
5 0
8.

Properties of Radicals
n
In the expression, a n is called the index, a the radicand while the symbol is called the radical or
radical symbol.

Properties: Examples:

( a) ( 8) = ( 2) = 4
m 2
a = 8 =
n m n 3 2 3 2
1.

2.
n
a n
b = n ab 3
5 3
675 = 3 5 ( 675) = 3 3375 = 15

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

n 3
a na 50 3 50 3
3. n
= ,b  0 3
= = 5
b b 10 10

4.
m n
a = mn a 4
15 = 8 15

( ) ( )
n 5
5.
n
a =a 5
2x = 2x

an = a ( −12) = −12 = 12
n 4
4
6. For n = even number

an = a ( −15) = −15
n 3 3
for n = odd number

Special Products

Let x,y,z be real numbers, variables or algebraic expression.

1. Sum and difference of the same terms : ( x + y )( x − y ) = x2 − y 2

Or difference of two squares

: ( x + y ) = x 2 + 2 xy + y 2
2
2. Square of binomial

: ( x + y ) = x 3 + 3x 2 y + 3xy 2 + y 3
3
3. Cube of a binomial
: ( x − y ) = x3 − 3x 2 y + 3xy 2 − y 3
3

4. Difference of two cubes (

: x3 − y 3 = ( x − y ) x 2 + xy + y 2 )
5. Sum of two cubes (
: x 3 + y 3 = ( x + y ) x 2 − xy + y 2 )
: ( x + y + x ) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 + 2 xy + 2 xz + 2 yz
2
6. Square of a trinomial

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Properties of Proportion

a x
a. If = , then a:x = y:d
y d

a c a b
b. If = , then =
b d c d

a c b d
c. If = , then =
b d a c

a c a −b c −d
d. If = , then =
b d b d

a d a+b c+d
e. If = , then =
b d b d

a c a+b c+d
f. If = , then =
b d a −b c −d

Note in item (a), quantities a & d are called extremes and x & y are called means. Of x = y, this is known
as the mean proportional. In the ratio x/y, the first term x is called antecedent while the second term y is
called the consequent.

If x = y, the means are known as mean proportional

Extremes Antecedent

a:x = y:d 𝑎
a:x =
𝑥
means

Consequent

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Example#1: (Mean Proportional)

Find the mean proportional between 2 and 32.

2 x
=
x 32

x 2 = 64
X=8

Example#2: (Third Proportional)

Find the third proportional of the square of 3 and the cube root of 27.

( 3)
2 3
27
3
=
27 x

9 3
=
3 x
X=1

Example#3: (Fourth Proportional)

Find the fourth proportional to -2,5, and 6

−2 6
=
5 x
−2x = 30
X = -15

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Variation
A variation is an expression in which a variable may be related to a power, a quotient, a product or a
combination of powers, quotients, and products of the other variables.

Types of Variation:

1. Direct Variation:

If y is directly proportional to x, then y  x

In equation form: y = kx

2. Inverse Variation:

1
If y varies inversely as x: y 
x

1
In equation form: y = k  
x

3. Joint Variation:

If y varies jointly as x and z: y  xz

In equation form: y = kxz

4. Combined Variation:

x
If y varies directly as x and inversely to z: y 
z

In equation form: y = k  x 
z

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Example#1

Given that w varies directly as the product of x and y and inversely as the square of z and that w = 4
when x = 2; y = 6 and z =3. What is the value of w, when x = 1, y =4 and z = 2?

xy
W=k
z2
Solving for k:

4=k
( 2 )( 6 )
( 3)
2

K=3

Solve w using k = 3:

w=
( 3)(1)( 4 ) = 3
22

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

Practice Problem: System of Numbers

1.) If 16 is 4 more 4x, find the 5x-1.

a. 14
b. 3
c. 12
d. 5

x +1 2x
2.) Find the value of x in + = 47 − 2 x .
3 4
a. 16.47
b. 12.87
c. 18.27
d. 20.17

 A A  3A 4 A 
3.) Find the value of x in the equations: 10  + =A 2 − =A
x y  x y 
a. 50/9
b. 80/9
c. 70/9
d. 60/9

4.) Find the values of x and y from the equations: x − 4 y + 2 = 0 2x + y − 4 = 0

a. 11/7, -5/7
b. 14/9, 8/9
c. 4/9 , 8/9
d. 3/2 , 5/3

5.) Solve for the value of x and y. 4x + 2 y = 5 13x − 3 y = 2

a. X = 3 , y =2
b. X = 1/2, y = 3/2
c. X = -3/6 , y = -2
d. X = -3, y = -3/1

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

6.) Find the value of w in the following equations:

2x − y + z = 6
x − 3 y − 2 z = 13
2 x − 3 y − 3 z = 16

a. 4
b. 3
c. 2
d. 1

7.) Solve the simultaneous equations:

X + y = -4
X+z–1=0
Y + z +1 = 0

a. X = -1 , y = -5, z = 3
b. X = 1, y = 2, z = -3
c. X = -1, y = -3 , z = 2
d. X = -2, y = -3, z = -1

8.) Multiply the following: (2x + 5y)(5x – 2y)

a. 10x2- 21xy + 10y2
b. -10x2 +21xy + 10y2
c. 10x2 + 21xy -10y2
d. -10x2 – 21xy -10y2

9.) Determine the sum of the positive valued solution to the simultaneous equations: xy = 15, yz =
35, zx = 21.

a. 15
b. 13
c. 17
d. 19

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

−1

( x2 y3 z −2 ) ( x −3 yz 3 ) 2
−3

10.) Simplify: 5

( xyz ) −3 − 2

1
a.
x y7 z5
2

1
b. 2 7 3
x y z
1
c. 2 5 7
x y z
1
d. 5 7 2
x y z

5x x+3 2x +1
11.) Simplify the following equation: − 2 + 2
2 x + 7 x + 3 2 x − 3x − 2 x + x − 6
2

4
a.
x+3
2
b.
x −3
4
c.
x −3
2
d.
x+3

6
 2 −1 −1 2 2
1

   
12.) Simplify:  x 3  x 3 y 2 ( x 2 y −2 ) 3  
−

   
 
5
y2
a.
x

3
y2
b.
x

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

5
y2
c.
x2

3
y2
d.
x2
13.) Simplify: 7 a + 2 − 8 ( 7 ) + 5 ( 7 ) + 49 ( 7 )
a +1 a a −2

a. -5a
b. -3a
c. -7a
d. -4a

14.) Solve for x: x=

(b 2
− 4b + 16 )( b2 − 16 )
b3 + 64

a. b + 4

b−4
b.
b+2

b2 − 4
c.
b+2

d. b – 4

x y z
15.) Solve for y: = =
(b − c ) ( a − c ) ( a − b)
a. x–z
b. x+z
c. a+b
d. a–b

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

16.) The value of (3 to 2.5 power) square is equal to:

a. 729
b. 140
c. 243
d. 81

x y
17.) Evaluate: 64 4
a. 256xy
b. 4x+3y
c. 64x+3y
d. 43x+y

18.) Solve for x in the following equations 27 x = 9 y 81y 3− x = 243

a. 1
b. 1.5
c. 2
d. 2.5

4 ( 52 n +1 ) − 10 ( 52 n −1 )
19.) Evaluate: y =
2 ( 52 n )
a. Y = 5n
b. Y=9
c. Y = 52n
d. Y = 18

an
20.) Given ( a n )( a m ) = 100, 000 a nm = 1000000 = 10 Find a:
am
a. 12
b. 9
c. 11
d. 10

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

21.) Give the factors of a 2 − x 2 .

a. 2a – 2x
b. (a +x)(a – x)
c. (a + x)(a + x)
d. 2x – 2a

22.) Factor the expression x2 + 6x + 8 as completely as possible.

a. ( x + 4 )( x + 2 )
b. ( x – 4 )( x + 2 )
c. ( x – 4 )( x – 2 )
d. ( x + 6 )( x + 2 )

( a − b) =?
3
23.)
a. a 3 − 3a 2b + 3ab 2 + b3
b. a − 3a b − 3ab − b
3 2 2 3

c. a + 3a b + 3ab − b
3 2 2 3

d. a − 3a b + 3ab − b
3 2 2 3

24.) Find the value of k so that 4 x + 6 x + k is a perfect square.

2

a. 36
b. 2.5
c. 9
d. 2.25

25.) Factor the expression 3 x − 3 x − 18 x

3 2

a. 3x ( x − 3)( x + 2)
b. 3x ( x + 3)( x + 2)
c. 3x ( x + 3)( x − 2)
d. 3x ( x − 3)( x − 2 )

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

26.) If p – q = 5 and pq = k/2, then p2 + q2 equals

a. K
b. 25k
c. 25 + k
d. K/25

27.) Simplify bm/n

bm
a.
n
b. b m + n
c. n bm
bm
d.
n

28.) Find the value of x which will satisfy the following expression: x−2 = x +2
a. 3/2
b. 9/4
c. 18/6
d. None of these

ab
29.) Simplify 3
ab
3
a. ab
b. ab
ab
c.
ab
ab
d. 3
ab

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

30.) If x to the ¾ power equals 8, x equals

a. -9
b. 6
c. 9
d. 16

31.) Solve for x: x + 2 2x + 3 − 3 = 0

a. 3
b. 23
c. 3 and 23
d. 20

32.) Solve for x from the given equation:

4
8 3 2 8x = 2
a. 4
b. 2
c. 3
d. 5

33.) Solve for x: x = -(1/-27)-2/3

a. 9
b. 1/9
c. -9
d. -1/9

34.) Solve for a in the equation: a = 64x 4y

a. 4 x +3 y
b. 43 xy
c. 256 xy
d. 43 x + y

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

35.) Simplify 3x − 3x −1 − 3x −2
a. 3x− 2
3 x− 3
b. 3
x−2
c. 5 x3
x
d. 13 x3

36.) Which of the following is true?

a. −2 −2 = 2
b. 24 = 4 6
c. 10 = 5 + 2
d. 55 + 55 + 55 + 55 + 55 = 56

37.) Solve for x: x = 18 − 72 + 50

a. −2 2
b. 2 2
c. 4
d. 4 3

38.) Solve for x: x − 1 − x = 1 − x

a. -16/25 & 0
b. 25/16 & 0
c. -25/16 & 0
d. 16/25 & 0

39.) Simplify 3 2x4 − 3 16x4 + 2 3 54x4

a. 5 3 x4
b. 2 3 5x 4
c. 5 3 2x 4
d. 2 3 x4

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

x x +1 x+2
40.) Solve for x: 3 5 = 6
a. 2.1455
b. 2.1445
c. 2.4154
d. 2.1544

41.) Simplify
(a b )
−2 3 2

2 −1
ab
−2 7
a. a b
−2 5
b. a b
−6 7
c. a b
−6 5
d. a b

42.) (3x)x is equal to:

2
a. 3x
b. 3x x x
c. 3x x
d. 32 x

43.) Solve for x: 3

7 x+1
= 6561
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

44.) If 3a = 7b, then 3a2 / 7b2 =

a. 1
b. 3/7
c. 7/3
d. 49/9

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

45.) Solve for U if U = 1 − 1 − 1 − ...

a. 0.723
b. 0.618
c. 0.852
d. 0.453

46.) If x to the ¾ power equals 8, then x equals:

a. -9
b. 6
c. 9
d. 16

47.) If 33y = 1, what is the value of y/33?

a. 0
b. 1
c. Infinity
d. 1/33

48.) Find the value of x that will satisfy the following expression:
x−2 = − x +2

a. X = 3/2
b. X = 18/6
c. X = 9/4
d. None of these

49.) e-3 is equal to:

a. 0.048787
b. 0.049001
c. 0.049787
d. 0.048902

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CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW

50.) b to the m/nth power is equal to:

a. nth root of b to the m power
b. b to the m + n power
c. 1/n square root of b to the m power
d. b to the m power over n

CGD REVIEW – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING REVIEW