PREREQUISITE REVIEW
for MATH 1314, College Algebra
This pretest covers material that you are expected to already know as you take MATH
1314 College Algebra. If you do poorly, you should discuss with the instructor whether
you need to move to the previous course.
1. Multiply:
2
2
a) ( x  2)(2 x  3)
b) (3 x  2)(3 x  2)
2
c) (3x  2)
2. Factor completely:
2
a) 2 x  5 x  12
3
2
b) 8 x  15x  2 x
3. Find the intercepts, identify the slope of the line, and graph: 5 x  2 y  10
4. Solve for x : 5  3  x  1.5  2
5. Solve for a: a2 + 4a = 45
6. Solve for b: 5b2 – 5b + 1 = 0
2
7. Let f ( x)  x  2 x  2 and g ( x)  2  3 x . Find the following:
a) f ( 1) b) g ( 3) c) f ( a  2)
5
2
 . Find the domain and simplify.
8. Let f ( x) 
b5 b
2
2
1  2
9. Solve for x :
x 1
x x
10. Identify the y-intercept, the vertex, and graph: y  2( x  3)2  4
11. Simplify:
a) 3 45  2 125
1
b) (- 27)- 3
t 2  25
2
12. Simplify: t  8t  15
t 5
t 9
13. If one side of a right triangle is 3 inches and the hypotenuse is 4 inches, how long is the
other side of the triangle?
14. Solve this system of equations:
5x  4 y  8
2 x  y  11
15. Arlene wishes to invest $5000. If she invests part at 7% simple interest, part at 6%, and
receives a total of $332 after one year, how much does she invest at each rate?
138
2/15/2006
PREREQUISITE REVIEW
for MATH 1314, College Algebra
1. Solve for x : 2 x  11  7
( 3 y 2 ) 2
( 32 y 4 ) 2
5
2
3. Subtract:

b5 b
2. Simplify:
x 1  3 x
2
2
1  2
5. Solve for x :
x 1
x x
4. Solve for x :
6. Simplify:
x
 12
1
y
x 2y
7. Simplify:
4
3
1
2
2
32 x 3 y 8
8. Solve for a : a 2  4a  45
9. Solve for b : 5b 2  5b  1  0
10. Factor completely: 8 x 3  15x 2  2 x
2 2

y x
11. Simplify:
x y

y x
t 2  25
t 5

12. Simplify: 2
t  8t  15 t  9
13. If one side of a right triangle is 3 inches and the hypotenuse is 4 inches, how long is the other
side of the triangle?
14. Solve this system of equations:
5x  4 y  8
2 x  y  11
15. Arlene wishes to invest $5000. If she invests part at 7% simple interest, part at 6%, and receives
a total of $332 after one year, how much does she invest at each rate?