General Education - MATHEMATICS

PERIMETER, AREA, and VOLUME

Perimeter Formulas
The perimeter of any polygon is the sum of the lengths of all the sides.

square = 4a rectangle = 2a + 2b triangle = a + b + c

circle = 2π r circle = πd (where d is the diameter)

The perimeter of a circle is more commonly known as the circumference.
Area Formulas

square = a 2 rectangle = ab

parallelogram = bh trapezoid =

circle = πr 2 ellipse = π

triangle = (bh) equilateral triangle =

VOLUME FORMULAS

cube = a 3 rectangular prism = a b c

irregular prism = b h cylinder = b h = πr 2 h

pyramid = bh cone = bh= πr 2 h

sphere = π r3 ellipsoid = π r1 r 2 r 3

Worked Examples:
 1. Find the perimeter of a triangle with sides measuring 6 cm, 8 cm, and 9 cm.
Solution: P=a+b+c
P=6+8+9
P = 23 cm
2. A rectangle has a length of 9 inches and a width of 4 inches. Find the perimeter.
Solution: P = 2L + 2W
P = 2(9) + 2(4)
P = 18 + 8
P = 26 inches
3. Find the perimeter of a regular octagon, with each side measuring 7 meters.
Solution: P = 8 sides x 7 per side
P = 56 meters
4. A rectangular yard has a length of 16 meters and a width of 3 meters. Find the area.
Solution: A = bh
A = 16(3)
A = 48 m^2
5. Find the area of a triangle with a base of 7 meters and a height of 4 meters.
Solution: A = 1/2 bh
A = 1/2(7)(4)
A = 14 m^2
6. A trapezium is a 4-sided shape with straight sides and a pair of parallel sides. In order to calculate
the area of a trapezium, you must follow the rule:
What is the area of a trapezoid with two sides are 7cm and 11cm and a height of 5cm.
Solution: A = 1/2 (b1 + b2) h
A = 1/2 (7 + 11) 5
A = 45
7. Calculate the area of a circle which has a radius of 8m.
Solution: A = πr^2
A = π8^2
A = 201.06 m^2
8. Calculate the length of the arc and the area of the sector of a circle which has a radius
of 6cm and an angle of 90 degrees.
Solution: A = 2πr A = 2π6
Arc length = 2πr(angle/360) Sector = πr^2 (degrees/360)
Arc length = 2π6 (90/360) Sector = π6^2 (1/4)
Arc length = 2π6(1/4) Sector = 28.27 〖cm〗^2
Arc length = 9.424cm
9. Calculating the volume of a cone
A cone is a shape which has a flat base, one curved side, and a curved surface.
Calculate the volume of a cone that has 6cm in height, 7 cm in radius.
Solution: V = 1/3πr^2h r = radius of a base
V = 1/3π7^2(6)
V = 307.87 〖cm〗^3

10. Calculating the volume of the cylinder

Calculate the volume of a cylinder which has 13cm in height, 4cm in radius.

Solution: V = πr^2h r = radius of the base

V = π4^2(13)
V = 653.45 〖cm〗^3
 SIMPLE INTEREST FORMULA (rate, principal, time)
The Interest Formula is given by
Interest = Principal × Interest Rate × Time
I = Prt
Where:
The Principal (P) is the amount of money deposited or borrowed.
The Interest Rate (r) is a percent of the principal earned or paid.
The Time (t) is the length of time the money is deposited or borrowed.
Example 1:
Sarah deposits P5, 000 at a bank at an interest rate of 6.7% per year. How much interest will she earn at
the end of 3 years?
Solution:
Simple Interest = 5,000 × 6.7% × 3 = P1,005 answer
She earns P1, 005 at the end of 3 years.

Examples to find Rate when Principal, Interest and Time are given:

1. Find Rate, when Principal = P 7,000; Interest = P 300; Time = 4 years.

Solution:

Principal = P 7,000,

Interest = P 300,

Time = 4 years.

Rate = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Time)

= (100 × 300)/(7,000 × 4)

= 30,000/28,000

= 1.07 %

Therefore, Rate = 1.07 %.

2. Find Rate, when Principal = P5,500; Interest = P 600; Time = 4 years.

Solution:

Principal = P 5,500,

Interest = P 600,

Time = 4 years.

Rate = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Time)

= (100 × 600)/(5,500 × 4)

= 60,000/22,000

= 2.73 %

Therefore, Rate = 2.73 %.

3. Find Rate, when Principal = P 15,000; Interest = P1,000; Time = 5 years.

Solution:
Principal = P 15,000,

Interest = P 1,000,

Time = 5 years.

Rate = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Time)

= (100 × 1,000)/(15,000 × 5)

= 100,000/75,000

= 1.33 %

Therefore, Rate = 1.33 %.

4. Richard deposits 6,700 and got back an amount of 8,000 after 2 years. Find Richard's interest rate.

Solution:

Amount deposited by Richard = 6,700

He received the amount of money after 2 years = 8,000

Simple Interest = 8,000 – 6,700 = 1,300

Principal = P 6,700
Interest = P 1,300,
Time = 2 years.
Rate = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Time)
= (100 × 1,300)/ (6,700 × 2)
=130,000/13,400

= 9.7 %

(Nearest to two decimal place)

Therefore, Rate = 9.70 %.
Examples to find Time (T) when Principal (P), Interest (I) and Rate (R) are given:

1. Find Time when, Principal = P2,500; Interest = P 750; Rate = 6% p.a.

Solution:

Principal = P 2,500,

Interest = P 750,

Rate = 6% p.a.

Time = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Rate)

= (100 × 750)/(2,500 × 6)

= 75,000/15,000

=5

Therefore, Time (T) = 5 years.

2. Find Time when, Principal = P 3,500; Interest = P 700; Rate = 4% p.a.

Solution:
Principal = P 3,500,

Interest = P 700,

Rate = 4% p.a.

Time = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Rate)

= (100 × 700)/(3,500 × 4)

= 70,000/14,000

=5

Therefore, Time (T) = 5 years.

3. Find Time when, Principal = P 10,000; Interest = P 900; Rate = 3% p.a.

Solution:

Principal = P10,000,

Interest = P900,

Rate = 3% p.a.

Time = (100 × Interest)/(Principal × Rate)

= (100 × 900)/(10,000 × 3)

= 90,000/30,000

=3

Therefore, Time (T) = 3 years.

COMPOUND INTEREST

Example 1:
Find the compound amount and compound interest on the principal 20,000 borrowed at 6% compounded
annually for 3 years.
Solution:
Let P = 20,000, r = 6%, n = 3
Using formula
A = P(1 + r)^n
= 20,000(1 + .06)^3
= 23, 820.32

Compound interest = 23,820.32 – 20,000 = 3,820.32

Example 2:
Find the compound amount, which would be obtained from an interest of 2,000 at 6% compounded
quarterly for 5years.
Solution:
Let P = 2,000, r = 6% = .06 x .25 = .015, n = 5 x 4 = 20
A = P(1 + r)^n
= 2,000(1 + .015)^20
= 2,693.71
 SPECIAL PRODUCTS and FACTORING STRATEGIES

Three Special Products

1. Difference of Squares - = (x – y)(x + y)
Examples:
a. 9 - 4 = (3x – 2y)(3y + 2y)
b. 16 - 64 = (4x – 8y)(4x + 8y)
2. Square of Sum +2xy + =
Examples:
a. 25 + 100xy + 100 =
b. 36 + 84xy + 49 =
3. Square of Difference – 2xy + =
a. 49 -154xy + 121 =
b. 9 – 30xy +25 =
SPECIAL PRODUCTS INVOLVING CUBES
4. Difference of Cubes Formula - = (x – y)( + xy + )
Proof:
Use the distributive law on the right side
x( + xy + ) –y( + xy + )
= + y+x - y-x -
Combine like terms to get
-
5. Sum of Cubes Formula + = (x + y)( -xy + )
Using the Special Product Formulas for Factoring
Examples:
a) 36 - 4 = (6x – 2y)(6x + 2y)
b) 3 - 12 + 12x = 3x( – 4x + 4)
= 3x
c) – 64 = ( – 8)( + 8)
= (x – 2)( + 2x + 4)(x + 2)( – 2x + 4)
d) 45 b – 20a = 5ab(9 - 4 )
= 5ab(3a – 2b)(3a + 2b)

e) 64 - 16 +1=( – 1)( – 1)
=
f) + 2xy + – 81 = -
= (x + y – 9)(x + y + 9)
Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
To add radicals, the radicand (the number that is under the radical) must be the same from each radical,
so, the generic equation will have the form:
a +c = (a + c)
Let’s plug some numbers in place of the variables:
+2 =3
Subtraction follows the same rules as addition:
a -c = (a - c)
For example:
3 -2 =
Multiplying Radical Expressions
Multiplication of radicals simply requires that we multiply the variable under the radical signs.
* =
Some examples with real numbers:
* =
Simplifying Radical Expressions
A radical expression can be simplified if:
1. The value under the radical sign can be written as an exponent;
2. There are fractions under radical sign; and
 3. There is a radical expression in the denominator.

For example, the radical expression can be simplified by first removing the squared value from
the numerator.

= =4
Then, the fraction under the radical sign can be addressed, and the radical in the numerator can again
be simplified.

4 = =
Finally, the radical needs to be removed from the denominator.

= * = = answer
Other examples:
a. 5 + +4 +2
5 +2 + +4 Rearrange terms so that like radicals are next to each other.
Then add.
5 + +4 +2 =7 +5 answer
b. 3 + 12 +
=3 + + 12 rearrange term = 4 + 12 answer
c. 4 - -2
=4 + (- ) + (-2 ) Two of the radicals have the same index and radical. So they
can be combined. Rewrite the expression so that like radicals are next to each other.
(4 -2 )- =2 - answer
d. 5 b-a
=5 ab - a ab
= 5a – 2a = 3a answer
e. *
=
= =6 answer
f. *
=
=
= =2 answer

SLOPE PROBLEMS

Problem 1. Find the slope of the line that passes through the points (-1, 0) and (3, 8).

Solution to Problem 1:
• The slope m
• The slope m is given by

m= = =2

Problem 2: Find the slope of the line that passes through the points (2, 0) and (2, 4).

Solution to Problem 2:

• The slope m is given by

 m= = =
• Division by zero is not allowed in math. Therefore the slope of the line defined by the points (2,
0) and (2, 4) is undefined. The line through the points (2, 0) and (2, 4) is perpendicular to the x
axis.
Problem 3: Find the slope of the line that passes through the points (7, 4) and (-9, 4).
Solution to Problem 3:
• The slope m is given by

m= = = =0
• The line defined by the points (7, 4) and (-9, 4) is parallel to the x axis and its slope is equal to
zero.
Problem 4: Are the three points A(2, 3), B(5, 6) and C(0, -2) collinear?
Solution to Problem 4:
We first find the slope defined by the points A(2, 3) and B(5, 6).

m(AB) = = = =1
We next find the slope defined by the points B(5, 6) and C(0, -2).

m(BC) = = = =
• The slopes are not equal therefore the points are not collinear.
Problem 5: What is the slope of the line parallel to the line whose equation is given by -y = -2x
+ 4?
Solution to Problem 5:
• The equation of the given line is
-y = -2x + 4
• Rewrite in slope intercept form.
y = 2x - 4
• The slope of the given line is 2. Two parallel lines have equal slopes. Therefore the slope of the
line parallel to the given line is also equal to 2.
Problem 6: What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line whose equation is given by -2y = -8x
+ 9?
Solution to Problem 6:
• The equation of the given line is
-2y = -8x + 9
• Rewrite in slope intercept form.

y=
The slope of the given line is 4. Two perpendicular lines have slopes and related by:
= -1

If we set = 4 then , the slope of the line perpendicular to the given line, is equal to (- ).

Problem 7: Is the triangle whose vertices are the points A(0, 1), B(2, 1), and C(-4, 3) a right triangle?
Solution to Problem 7:
We first find the slope of the line defined by points A and B

m(AB) = = =1
• We next find the slope of the line defined by points A and C

m(AC) = = = -1

The product of the slopes m(AB) and m(AC) is equal to -1 and this means that the lines defined by A,B
and A,C are perpendicular and therefore the triangle whose vertices are the points A, B and C is a right
triangle.
Problem 8: What is the slope of the line -7x + 8x = 9
Solution to Problem 8:
• The given equation

-7y + 8x = 9
• Rewrite the equation in slope intercept form.

-7y = -8x + 9

y=

y=
• The slope of the given line is 8/7
Problem 9: What is the slope of the line y = 9?
Solution to Problem 9:
• The given equation

y=9
• The given equation is a line parallel to the x axis therefore it slope is equal to 0.
Problem 10: What is the slope of the line x = -5?
Solution to Problem 10:
• The given equation
x = -5
• The given equation is perpendicular to the x axis therefore it slope is undefined.
PARALLEL AND PERPENDICULAR SLOPE
1. What is the equation of a line parallel to y = -4x + 5 and passing through the point (6, 3)?
Solution:
The slope of the given line, y = -4x + 5 is -4
(remember y = mx + b).
Since parallel lines have = slopes, our line has a slope of -4.
Use the point -slope form of the equation of a line: y - y1 = m(x - x1).
m = -4 (x1, y1) = (6,-3)
ANSWER:
y - (-3) = -4(x - 6)
y + 3 = -4x + 24
y = -4x + 21
2. What is the equation of a line perpendicular to 2y = x – 4 and passing through the point (-4, 1)?
Solution: The slope of the given line, 2y = x - 4 is ½ (remember to solve for y first).
Since perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes, our line has a slope of -2.
Use the point-slope form of the equation of a line: y - y1 = m(x - x1).
m = -2 (x1, y1) = (-4, 1)
ANSWER: y - 1 = -2(x - (-4))
y -1 = -2x - 8
y = -2x - 7
3. A line through point ( -3, 4) is perpendicular to the line y = 2x – 3. Find the point where the lines
intersect.
Solution:
If we know the equation of the perpendicular line, we will be able to set up a system of equations to find

the point of intersection. The slope of the perpendicular line is the negative reciprocal of 2, or .

Perpendicular: y – 4 = - (x – (-3))

y=- x+2

y=- x+2 multiply by 4 to eliminate x 4y = -2x + 10

y = 2x – 3 y = 2x - 3
5y = 7

y=

By substitution: x = ANS: ( , )