We Promise to Make your Math Frustrations Go Away!

 

logo
Try the Free Math Solver or Scroll down to Tutorials!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Please use this form if you would like
to have this math solver on your website,
free of charge.


PREPARATION GUIDE FOR ALGEBRA COMPETENCY TEST

One way you can fulfill the algebra competency component of Franklin University’s
General Education Mathematics Requirement is to pass the Algebra Competency Test.
The Algebra Competency Test consists of 22 multiple-choice questions. To pass the test,
you must answer at least 16 of the questions correctly. You have two hours in which to
take the test, and you may use a calculator.

• The questions on the test address topics generally taught in high school Algebra 2. The
topics include:

• Applying the properties of real numbers (especially, commutative, associative,
distributive, identity)

• Simplifying algebraic expressions (including expressions with exponents, radicals, and
absolute values)

• Solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities

• Solving formulas for specific variables

• Applying the rules of exponents (including rewriting expressions with negative exponents
using positive exponents and applying rational exponents)

• Simplifying polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing)

• Factoring polynomials

• Solving quadratic equations

• Simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational expressions

• Solving rational equations

• Solving application problems involving rational equations

• Applying the definition of function

• Identifying the domain and range of specific functions

• Evaluating functions at particular values

• Identifying the slope and y-intercept in linear equations

• Writing the equation of a line given a point and the slope or two points

• Solving systems of linear equations in two and three variables

• Solving absolute value equations and inequalities

• Solving systems of linear inequalities

• Solving radical equations

• Solving quadratic and rational inequalities

To aid you in your preparation, the following chart refers to the relevant sections in the
textbook and a set of video lectures provided by the textbook publisher.

Textbook: Bittinger, Marvin L., and Beecher, Judith A. (2007). Introductory and
Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach. Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley. ISBN:
0-321-31909-5.

Additional resources:

Bittinger, Marvin. Student's Solutions Manual. Addison-Wesley. ISBN: 0-321-
30591-4.

Bittinger, Marvin L., and Beecher, Judith A. (2007). Digital Video Tutor with
Optional Captioning, 3rd Edition. Addison-Wesley. ISBN-10: 0-321-30593-0

Topic Study the following sections in the textbook OR Watch this CD
Applying the properties of real numbers
(especially, commutative, associative,
distributive, identity)
Chapter 1, Introduction to Real
Numbers and Algebraic
Expressions, section 1.7, pages
53-65
CD 1
Simplifying algebraic expressions (including expressions with exponents, radicals, and
absolute values)
Chapter 1, Introduction to Real
Numbers and Algebraic
Expressions, section 1.8, pages
66-75
CD 1
Solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities Chapter 2, Solving Equations
and Inequalities, sections 2.1-
2.8, pages 82-159
CD 2
Solving formulas for specific variables Chapter 2, Solving Equations
and Inequalities, section 2.6,
pages 106-113
CD 2
Applying the rules of exponents (including
rewriting expressions with negative
exponents using positive exponents and applying rational exponents)
Chapter 4, Polynomials:
Operations, sections 4.1 and 4.2,
pages 222-244
CD 4
Simplifying polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing; division by a monomial only) Chapter 4, Polynomials:
Operations, sections 4.3 through
4.8, pages 245-301
CD 4
Factoring polynomials Chapter 5, Polynomials:
Factoring, sections 5.1 through
5.5 and 5.7, pages 308-351 and
357-365
CD 5
Solving quadratic equations Chapter 5, Polynomials: Factoring, section 5.8,
pages 366-374; Chapter 11, Quadratic Equations and Functions, section 11.2, pages 768-775
CDs 5 and 11
Simplifying, adding,
subtracting, multiplying, and
dividing rational expressions
Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, sections 6.1 through 6.5, pages 394-429 CD 6
Solving rational equations Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, section 6.7, pages 436-445 CD 6
Solving application problems
involving rational equations
Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, section 6.8, pages 446-461 CD 6
Applying the definition of
function
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.1, pages 482-496 CD 7
Identifying the domain and
range of specific functions
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, sections 7.1 and 7.2, pages 482-501 CD 7
Evaluating functions at
particular values
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.1, pages 482-496 CD 7
Identifying the slope and y-
intercept in linear equations
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.3, pages 502-512 CD 7
Writing the equation of a line
given a point and the slope or
two points
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.5, pages 526-539 CD 7
Solving systems of linear
equations in two and three
variables
Chapter 8, Systems of Equations, sections 8.1 through 8.5, pages 548-593 CD 8
Solving absolute value
equations and inequalities
Chapter 9, More on Inequalities, section 9.3, pages 642-652 CD 9
Solving systems of linear
inequalities
Chapter 9, More on Inequalities, section 9.4, pages 653-661 CD 9
Solving radical equations Chapter 10, Radical Expressions, Equations, and Functions, section 10.6, pages 717-728 CD 10
Solving quadratic and rational
inequalities
Chapter 11, Quadratic Equations and Functions, section 11.8, pages 832-839 CD 11