MAT092—Beginning Algebra, Spring 2011

Final Exam Common Core Questions:

Course learning Outcomes and Sample Questions

To the MAT092 student: Below is a list of the learning outcomes for your class, along
with a set of sample problems that demonstrate the application of that particular outcome.
Answers are given to the right of the problem for your convenience. Your final exam
will consist of a set of problems similar to those on the list. The questions on the
common final will all be in multiple choice/short answer format. Your instructor may
choose to add additional problems to this core as part of the overall final. You should
prepare for the final by reviewing these questions, along with any others that your
instructor might advise. Please see your instructor with any questions you might have.
Your exam will be given in class during the last meeting of your section the week of
May 9-10.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

2. Use the properties of equality to solve linear equations in one variable.

Solve the following equations:

4x − 5 = 3 x=2

27 2
5( x − 3) = 12 x= or 5
5 5

1 − ( x − 2) = 6 + 2 x x = −1

9 1
3.4 x − 4 = 5 − 0.6 x x= or 2
4 4

1
− ( 3 − 6 x ) = −( x + 2) + 1 x=0
3

5(3x − 1) = 15 x − 5 all real numbers

4(3x − 2) = 2(6 x + 5) no solution

2 1 5 7
x− = x=
3 6 12 8
3. Solve formulae for one variable in terms of other variables.

Solve the formula for the specified variable:

F
F = 5 gh for h h=
5g

A− P
A = P + PRT for T T=
PR

a+b+c
S= for b b = 3S − a − c
3

5. Solve linear inequalities in one variable and give solutions both graphically
and in interval notation.

Solve these inequalities. The use of interval notation is optional. Graph the
solution set on a numberline.

3( x + 1) < x − 7 x < −5 or (−∞, −5) )

-5 0

5 − 2x ≤ 7 −1 ≤ x or [−1, ∞) [
-1 0

6. Graph linear equations in two variables by locating points and by using a

point and a slope.

Graph the linear equation and give the x and y intercepts.

5 x − 3 y = −15 x-int: (-3,0) y

y-int: (0,5)

y
Graph the linear equation:

y = −3x
x
Graph the linear equations:
y
y+4=0

x=3

Find the slope and y-intercept of y

the given line and draw its graph:

3
3x − 2 y = 2 slope=
2 x
y-int: (0,-1)

Graph the line passing through y

3
(1,-1) and having slope of −
4

x
7. Interpret and apply slope as a rate of change.

Find the slope of the line going through the points:

1
(2,3) and (−4, 6) slope: −
2

(3, −2) and (6, −2) slope: 0

In 1985 there were 19,100 nursing homes, and in

1997 there were 17,000. Find the slope of the line
passing through (1985,19100) and (1997,17000)
and interpret it as a rate of change.

-175, there were on

the average 175 fewer
nursing homes per
year during that time.

8. Derive equations of lines from given information.

3 1
Find the equation of the line through the point (1,-1) y =− x−
4 4
3
and having slope of − .
4

Find an equation for the line passing through

the points (3,-10) and (-2,0). y = −2 x − 4

9. Solve systems of linear equations using graphical and algebraic methods.

y

Solve the system by graphing:

x+ y = 4
(3,1) x
2x − y = 5
 Solve the system by the elimination method:

3x − y = −13
(-5,-2)
x − 2 y = −1
(work must show use of elimination method)

Solve the system by the substitution method:

3x + y = 7
(2,1)
x − 2y = 0
(work must show use of substitution method)

Solve the systems either by the elimination or the substitution method:

2 x + 3 y = −5
(-4,1)
3 x + 4 y = −8

5 x + 15 y = 3
no solution or inconsistent
x + 3y = 2

3x − 4 y = 9
infinite solutions or dependent
6 x = 8 y + 18

11. Combine expressions using the rules for exponents.

Simplify the expressions. Write answers with positive exponents only.

( xy )3 ( x 2 y 4 ) x5 y 7
( a 2b 9 ) 0 1
a3
(a )
−1 2 −3
b
b6
20 x 5 y 3 2 x4
30 xy 6 3 y3
−2
⎛ 3a 2 ⎞ 4
⎜ −3 ⎟
⎝ 2b ⎠ 9a 4b 6
12. Interpret and perform arithmetic using numbers written in scientific
notation.
Write the number in scientific notation:

489,000,000,000 4.89 x1011

0.000359 3.59 x10−4

Write the number in standard form:

2.57 x107 25,700,000

7.8 x10−5 0.000078

Perform the operation, and write your answer in standard form:

(7 x108 ) x(4 x10−3 ) 2,800,000

Perform the operation, and write your answer in scientific notation.

6.3x10−3
3.15 x10−7
2.0 x104

14. Add, subtract, multiply and divide expressions involving polynomials.

Perform the indicated operations:
(9t 3 − 4t 2 + 2) − (4t 3 − 2t − 4) 5t 3 − 4t 2 + 2t + 6
(a 3 + 5ab) + (3a 3 − 3ab) 4a 3 + 2ab

Find the products:

3 x 2 (9 x 3 + 6 x 2 − 3) 27 x 5 + 18 x 4 − 9 x 2
( x + 3)(2 x − 1) 2 x2 + 5x − 3
(2r − 3)(r 2 + 2r − 5) 2r 3 + r 2 − 16r + 15
(2 y 2 + 5)(2 y 2 − 5) 4 y 4 − 25
(9 − 2 x)2 81 − 36 x + 4 x 2

Perform the division:

12 p 3 − 6 p 2 + 12 p 6
6p −3+
2 p2 p
15. Factor binomials, trinomials and other polynomials using various methods.

Factor completely:

4 x 2 y − 20 xy 2 + 12 xy 4 xy ( x − 5 y + 3)
x 2 + xy − 3x − 3 y ( x − 3)( x + y )
x − x − 42
2
( x − 7)( x + 6 )
b 2 − 11b + 24 (b − 8)(b − 3)
15 z 2 + z − 6 ( 5 z − 3) (3z + 2)
9t 2 − 64 (3t − 8)(3t + 8)
9a 2 − 42a + 49 (3a − 7) 2