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Prerequisite Review
MATH 1332
Contemporary Math

This college-level mathematics course will further develop your skills in logical thinking and in
analyzing patterns while teaching you various types of mathematical techniques for problem solving.
While some algebra will be used, depending on the particular topics covered, this is not an algebra
course and does not prepare you for higher-level mathematics courses which are algebra intensive.
When you begin this course you should be able to do the following problems. Use a calculator as
needed.
( x  y )c  m 2
I. Evaluate: , where c = 7, m = 13, n = 18, and x + y = 21.
cn

II. Estimate the answer, doing the calculation in your head (NO CALCULATOR OR
PENCIL).
ab
Evaluate: , where a = 32.7, b = 7.26, c = 9.1, and d = 12.63.
cd

III. Dr. Hanes’ salary was $39,000 this year. (He is a community college teacher, not a medical
doctor.) His proposed salary for next year is $41,500. What percentage increase in salary is
proposed for him?

IV. What is the next number in the following sequence? 3, 5, 9, 15, 23,

V. What is the next figure in the following sequence?

VI. The actual width of a rectangular room is 24 feet and is represented on a scale drawing with
a length of 1.2 inches. The length of this room in the drawing is 1.8 inches. What is the
actual length of the room?

VII. If Line 1 is parallel to Line 2 in the diagram below, which of the labeled angles is necessarily
equal to the angle labeled A?

Line 1
A E

Line 2
C D
F
 2

VIII. Solve for x and check your answer: 3  2(5  x)  2  ( x  3)

IX. Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

1988 1989

60
50
Millions of 40
Barrels 30
20
10
0

Feb

Apr
Mar
Jan
Texas Crude Oil Production During First
Four Months of 1988 and 1989

Which of the following statements is accurate?

a. Of the first four months in 1989, the level of Texas crude oil production was at its lowest
level in February.
b. The trend is toward higher levels of Texas crude oil production in 1989 than in 1988.
c. About 40 million more barrels of Texas crude oil were produced in the first four months
of 1988 than in the corresponding part of 1989.
d. Crude oil production levels in Texas fluctuated less in the first four months of 1989 than
in the corresponding part of 1988.

X. Assume that the following statements are true.

Some cloudy days are cool.
All rainy days are cloudy.
All cloudy days are depressing.
If we do not go for a walk, then it is a rainy day.
Today we do not go for a walk.
Then which of the following statements must be true. (Warning: More than one statement
may be true.)
a. Today is cloudy.
b. Today is depressing.
c. It is cool today.
d. It is rainy today.

Problems 9 and 10 are taken from or adapted from Juelg, Thomason, and Lindsey, Mathematics
Study Guide for the Texas Academic Skills Program, Macmillian, 1990.

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Answers: I. 28.727 II. 10.5 III. 6.41% IV. 33 V. Pentagon with triangle on the
bottom left side. VI. 36 feet VII. C VIII. 4 IX. C X. a,b,d