Algebra 2

Mr. Abbett

Term 2 Mid-term Exam Review pointers.

This exam will be covering topics from 5-5 all the way through 9 (excluding 8).

5-5:

The rational root theorem

The conjugate root theorem

Descartes’ Rule of Signs.

Main idea of this section of chapter 5 is that you will need to understand all the theorems and possibly
use a combination of them to solve for the possible roots of a polynomial. Also understand that
synthetic division can only be used when dividing by linear factors. The point of using synthetic division
is that it may save time, especially if the remaining quadratic polynomial is factorable.

Workbook practice: 3, 4, 7, 10, 15, 19, 21

5-6:

The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: if P(x) is a polynomial of degree n, where n is greater than or
equal to 1, then P(x) = 0 has exactly n roots. This includes multiple and complex roots.

Workbook practice: 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 34, 37, 47

Remember, there CANNOT be only 1 irrational root if one exists. It must have both conjugates. So, a
fifth-degree polynomial can have 0, 2 or 4 irrational roots ad 5, 3 or 1 real roots.

5-7:

Binomial Theorem in all it’s glory. I think most of you have the concept of binomial expansion down.
Now you will have to be careful not to make any computational errors as they can occur when
multiplying by exponents IN ADDITION to the coefficient of Pascal’s Triangle.

Workbook Practice: 2, 5, 8, 14, 20, 23, 26, 31, 41, 44

5-8:

This is all you need to know from this section:

Using a model to predict a y-value “outside” the domain of a data set is extrapolation. Estimating within
the domain is interpolation. Interpolation usually yields reliable estimates. Extrapolation becomes less
reliable as you move farther away from the data.

Also, A model allows one to make estimations and predictions. This is why it is useful to represent data
with a mathematical model. A good model closely matches he data in the region of interest.
Memorize the above and you’re golden for this section.

5-9: Transforming polynomial functions and relating them back to the parent function. Remember that
the graph of the function y=af(x-h) +k is a vertical stretch or compression by the factor IaI, a horizontal
shift of h units, and a vertical shift of k units of the graph of y = f(x).

The functions (or offspring) in the family are created by applying transformations to the parent function.
The most common of these transformations are translation, reflection across the x-axis, and stretch or
compression.

Recall the terms constant of proportionality and power function.

Workbook problems: 1, 3, 4, 21, 24 and 26.

Chapter 6:

Properties of exponents and radical expressions. Depending on the sign of the radicand, the root
corresponding to every real power is not necessarily a real number. Specifically, if the index is even, the
root of a negative number is not a real number. For example, the square root of -9 cannot be 3 or -3
since 3 squared = 9 and (-3) squared = 9. The two complex square roots of -9 are 3i and -3i.

This chapter is all about radical expressions, rational exponents and radical equations. Then you are
introduced to graphing radical functions and their corresponding transformations on a graph.

6-1 Workbook problems to focus on: 21, 25, 28, 31

6-2 Workbook problems to focus on: 2, 5, 8, 12, 15, 27, 32 (for this section, make sure to review all the
properties of radical expressions and the rules surrounding them when multiplying and dividing)

6-3 Workbook problems to focus on: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 20, 24, 28, 30, 35, 38, 41

6-4 Workbook problems to focus on: 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18, 21, 24, 25, 30, 33, 35, 42, 48, 49, 56 (these
can be tricky, so please work with friends and discuss)

6-5 Workbook problems to focus on: 1, 3, 4, 7, 19, 23, 35, 44, 45, 48

6-6 Workbook problems to focus on: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 20, 23, 25

6-7 Workbook problems to focus on: 5-16

6-8 Workbook problems to focus on: 2, 5, 14, 16, 18, 215

Chapter 7: Exploring the world of Exponents and Logarithms

From 7-1:

Vocabulary to know:
Exponential function

Exponential growth

Exponential decay

Asymptote

Growth factor

Decay factor

Formula: A(t) = a(1 + r)^t ….. know what each variable represents and how to use it to solve a problem.

Workbook problems to practice from 7-1: 2, 7, 9, 10, 26, 29

7-2:

Understand the following:

Understand that the factor a in y = ab^x can stretch or compress, and possibly reflect the graph of e
parent function y = b^x.

Natural base exponential functions are exponential functions with base e. These functions are useful for
describing continuous growth or decay. Also, e^x is the inverse of ln(x).

Continuously compounded interest formula:

A(t) = P x e^rt (use this if the problem has the word “continuous”)

What does it mean to have interest compounding continuously? How is this different from having
interest during time intervals?

Workbook practice problems:

2, 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 23

7-3:

Logarithmic functions are inverses of exponential functions. X = b^y can be converted to log₆x=y.

The graphs are reflections of one another across the y = x axis.

When b = 10, the logarithm is called a common logarithm, which you can write as log x.

Workbook problems: 3, 7, 9, 12, 15, 31, 33, 35, 49

7-4:

Understand the various properties of logarithms (product property, quotient property, power property)

Understand what the change of base formula is.

Workbook problems: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 24, 27, 30, 31, 35
7-5:

Logarithms can be used to solve exponential equations, Exponents can be used to solve logarithmic
equations. An exponential function is a function with the general form y = ab^x, when a ≠ 0. B > 0, and

b ≠ 1. In an exponential function, the base b is a constant. The exponent x is the independent variable
with domain the set of real numbers.

Workbook problems:

2, 22, 27, 35, 40, 44, 46

7-6: Natural Logarithms

The function y = e^x has an inverse, the natural logarithmic function, y = logₑx, or y =lnx.

Remember how to apply properties to solve. For example, before applying the quotient or product
property, you have to apply the power property.

Workbook problems: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 18, 22, 23, 36, 42

Chapter 9:

Words and phrases to know:

explicit formula

arithmetic series

summation notation

sequence

arithmetic sequence

geometric series

finite series

infinite series

recursive formula

9-1: explicit formula-describes the nth term of a sequence using the number n.

An explicit formula: allows direct computation of any term for a sequence. It describes the nth term of a
sequence using n. It’s easy to evaluate for the nth term. It works well for finding terms in a sequence
that are far apart.
A recursive definition: requires an initial condition to compute the next term. These formulas define
each term after the first term using the PREVIOUS term.

Workbook practice problems: 1, 3, 4, 10, 13, 16, 17, 20, 23, 32, 34

9-2:

Terms: Arithmetic sequence, common difference.

Workbook practice problems: 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 21, 24, 28, 31, 45

9-3: Geometric sequences. Know what a common ratio is and how to derive it from the sequence.
Understand what a geometric mean is. In an arithmetic sequence, recall that the middle term of any
three consecutive terms is the arithmetic mean of the other two terms.

Workbook practice problems: 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 32, 35, 38, 39

9-4: Arithmetic Series

Understand the difference between a finite series, infinite series and the formulas for finding the sum of
a finite arithmetic series (check your notes from class). Familiarize yourself with summation notation.
REMEMBER, the upper and lower limit represent the number of terms rather than the values of the
terms.

Workbook practice problems: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 13, 17, 22, 29, 30

9-5: Geometric Series. Understand how to find the sum of a finite geometric series and an infinite
geometric series (the formulas for both are different so review your notes from class). Know that
CONVERGE refers to when n gets very large. DIVERGE refers to when IrI ≥ 1.

Workbook practice problems: 1, 3, 9, 14, and 15.

Make sure to review the Standardized test prep sections for extra practice as well.