ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Christopher Lee
Prof. Sandra Wilson
ALG 252
Advanced Algebra Problems
With Solutions
Problem 1: Solve the system of equations: 6x + 3y = 16 3x + 8y = 5
Solution:
Using the elimination method:
System:
6x + 3y = 16 ... (1)
3x + 8y = 5 ... (2)
Step 1: Eliminate x by multiplying equations
Multiply (1) by 3: 18x + 9y = 48
Multiply (2) by 6: 18x + 48y = 30
Step 2: Subtract to eliminate x
-39y = 18
y = -0.462
Step 3: Substitute back to find x
x = 2.897
Solution: (2.897, -0.462)
Problem 2: Solve for x: 5x - 15 = 5
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
5x - 15 = 5
5x = 5 + 15
5x = 20
Step 2: Divide both sides by 5
x = 20/5
x = 4.000
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ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Problem 3: Solve for x: 2x + 3 = 8
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
2x + 3 = 8
2x = 8 - 3
2x = 5
Step 2: Divide both sides by 2
x = 5/2
x = 2.500
Problem 4: Solve using the quadratic formula: 4x² + 3x + 2 = 0
Solution:
Using the quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a)
Where a = 4, b = 3, c = 2
Step 1: Calculate the discriminant
Discriminant = b² - 4ac = (3)² - 4(4)(2)
Discriminant = 9 - 32 = -23
Step 2: Apply the quadratic formula
x = (-3 ± √-23) / 8
x₁ = -0.375 + 0.599i
x₂ = -0.375 - 0.599i
Note: This required combining multiple concepts we learned
Problem 5: Calculate A + B where: A = [8 6] B = [1 5] [7 5] [5 0]
Solution:
Matrix addition is performed element by element:
A + B = [8+1 6+5] = [9 11]
[7+5 5+0] [12 5]
Problem 6: Solve for x: 14x + 10 = -3
Solution:
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ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Step 1: Isolate the x term
14x + 10 = -3
14x = -3 - 10
14x = -13
Step 2: Divide both sides by 14
x = -13/14
x = -0.929
Problem 7: Solve for x: 10x - 8 = -13
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
10x - 8 = -13
10x = -13 + 8
10x = -5
Step 2: Divide both sides by 10
x = -5/10
x = -0.500
Problem 8: Solve for x: 9x - 3 = 7
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
9x - 3 = 7
9x = 7 + 3
9x = 10
Step 2: Divide both sides by 9
x = 10/9
x = 1.111
Note: This problem connects to what we'll cover next week
Problem 9: Solve for x: 4x + 3 = -2
Solution:
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ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Step 1: Isolate the x term
4x + 3 = -2
4x = -2 - 3
4x = -5
Step 2: Divide both sides by 4
x = -5/4
x = -1.250
Note: At first I tried a different method, but then realized
Problem 10: Multiply the complex numbers: (-4 + 3i)(-2 + 3i)
Solution:
Using FOIL method for complex numbers:
(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi²
Remember: i² = -1
(-4 + 3i)(-2 + 3i)
= -4(-2) + -4(3)i + 3i(-2) + 3i(3)i
= 8 + -12i + -6i + 9i²
= 8 + -12i + -6i + 9(-1)
= 8 - 9 + -18i
= -1 - 18i
Note: I used the method from homework 1
Problem 11: Solve for x: 3x + 3 = 4
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
3x + 3 = 4
3x = 4 - 3
3x = 1
Step 2: Divide both sides by 3
x = 1/3
x = 0.333
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ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Problem 12: Solve for x: 5^(x+5) = 5^3
Solution:
Since the bases are equal, we can set the exponents equal:
5^(x+5) = 5^3
Therefore: x + 5 = 3
x=3-5
x = -2
Check: 5^(-2+5) = 5^3 ✓
Note: The lecture notes from week 6 were useful here
Problem 13: Calculate A + B where: A = [2 3] B = [6 5] [4 5] [4 0]
Solution:
Matrix addition is performed element by element:
A + B = [2+6 3+5] = [8 8]
[4+4 5+0] [8 5]
Problem 14: Solve the system of equations: 8x + 3y = 23 1x + 1y = 6
Solution:
Using the elimination method:
System:
8x + 3y = 23 ... (1)
1x + 1y = 6 ... (2)
Step 1: Eliminate x by multiplying equations
Multiply (1) by 1: 8x + 3y = 23
Multiply (2) by 8: 8x + 8y = 48
Step 2: Subtract to eliminate x
-5y = -25
y = 5.000
Step 3: Substitute back to find x
x = 1.000
Solution: (1.000, 5.000)
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ALG 252 | August 15, 2025
Problem 15: Solve for x: 3x - 15 = -10
Solution:
Step 1: Isolate the x term
3x - 15 = -10
3x = -10 + 15
3x = 5
Step 2: Divide both sides by 3
x = 5/3
x = 1.667
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